Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-11-11
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Again old Father Time in bis onward march
has brought TO our venerable kinssoman.
Mrs. Abigail Lursey, another birthday, her
!ist. which was duly celebrated at her home
BY her descendants on Thursday. Oct. y,
and We might indeed fancy tha, the ,ireless
collector Of wears, had in truth turned back
ward in his fight, for the dear old lady seem
ed much more sprighil, than on her natal
day last autumn, and the specimens Of her
skill and handiwork. accomplished during
the past summer would do credit 10 any
woman fifty years Younger. Three patchwork
quilts Of intricate pattern, consisting should
judge Of mo than thousand pieces each.
accurately set with fine even stitches, were
beautiful proofs II her industry Besides
these and numberless memento squares
made for friends We were shown lovely
white toilet mat made BY ber, the quilted
edges OF which we're embroidered in coortd
woods with care and meet, really marvel
Gus her knitting needles have also borne
good fruit during the year. Though large
circle Of friends were present, three Of her
children, much TO her regret were unavod-
ably absent; J. ID. Lurvey away on his
travel, as agent for Jewett X Ha,ch. Mrs.
Maria Milan, unable TO leave Mt. Deser,
Light Station. her present abiding place, and
Mrs. Mary Ann Lurvey kept at home by
sickness. The numerous gifts were oil ap-
propriate and useful. Among hem we ad-
mired large warm wooden quilt, log cabin
pattern, the work Of daughter, Mrs. Caro-
line Pomeroy, also brilliant hearth rug OF
fancifu designs of applique work in approved
crazy stitch style by another daughter Mrs.
Rhoda Lunt. After being arrayed in bran
new dress and shoulder cape. the gifts OF
two eranddaugbiers, grandma twirled about
with graceful fink Of Der skirts, surveyed
herself and exclaimed "Well, well. Nabby
Dodge, (her maiden name) | declare you
have got on ruffle at last for the first time
in 81 wears" fact worthy Of note in these
days Of frills and furbelows
The hospitable lady insisted that every
guest should stay to tea, so, with the ex-
ception of few who were obliged TO de-
part, goodly number, 20 or 80, surround
ed the bountifully loaded tables; prettily
decorated cakes made attractive centre
pieces, which all seemed agreed to admire
but not to taste or touch to me. the chief
charm of the supper consisted IN handling
pieces of the dainty china tea set, which had
formerly belonged TO my grandmother,
sister of the present owner, and my memory
reverted to the red letter hours of my child
hood, when we little girls were permitted to
enter the sacred precincts of the parlor and
gaze in delight upon the contents Of the
china closet, and count the beautifully de-
corafed dishes how many scores OF times
have We patiently washed the common blue
and brown dishes on the strength ofpromise
"that when grandma died we should have
| certain pieces of the lovely odd lot for our
yery owns" then when our work was care
fully done in grsndma's most particular
fashion, what treat TO steal in and gaze
| anew upon the bit already in our minds
possession, with all the triumph of actual
ownership by right of the promise, alas! fer
the answering childish faith, and yet such
faith, though unrewarded is sweeter far than
the half doubling trust of maturer years.
| The merry clatter around me scattered the
old time memories, and l woke from my
reverie in time to catch very effective
tableau, which ought to and perhaps did