St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-26
an excellent copy from an ancient bit of

| tapestry.
There are also three chairs each more
than a century old; they are SO substan-
tial, however, that the visitor can sit
| and rest with less fear of being suddenly
| preclpitated to the floor than one would
have in trying some of our modern
| chairs. which are often such products
| of art and upholstery that their chief
value is in helping to fill room and
make it look pretty.
A huge mutf of mink fur hangs upon
the wall. There is enough material in
it to make fashionable wrap for So
ciety belle. Although much larger than
the mutfs of the present mode, yet it is
lined with fine, soft fur and must have
afforded genuine comfort to its owner
during the long drives to church on
frosty Sabbath mornings.
There is an old mahogany table in one
corner, with large melodeon resting
upon it. Such an instrument gives forth
sound compared to which that of the
modern piano becomes as a tinkling
cymbal, and one can't help wondering
If it were always
AN UNAHTIGATED BLESSING
to the neighbors? l might add that no
body is allowed to NEEDLE with it now.
1t is at rest.
The walls are profusely decorated
with portraits, and pictures worked in
silk. These pictures are of different
ages, but are interesting as a proof that
the feminine mind naturally turns to
fancy work as recreation. In olden
times the girls made samplers and
worked Impossible angels flying
amid clouds of original structure and
design. in the present day she still
spends the same amount of time with the
same old result. Only that the materi-
ais for work are much more beautiful
now, and then the modern had rather
paint than embroider. Nearly all OF the
larger portraits are much faded, but
some miniatures, having peculiar por-
celain finish, are as fresh and dainty as
the day when they were finished.
Among the pictures is an intricate me-
ehanlcal design SurmOunted by a circle
of hearts, on which a lover tells the
story of his passion, but finally adjures
the charmer to send back the design if
she scorns his love. Maybe he wanted
to pass it along to the next maiden who
took his fancy.
A large showcase holds many small
articles, which have an interesting his
tory attached. There are solid gold and
silver spoons, of cunning designs, some
having large gem set in the handle.
They are calculated to make their pos
SCISSOR the object of envy among women
who can't adOrn their tea table with
such curiosities.
Also an African dagger, taken from
one of the barbarians. The romantic
young lady has only to glance at it and
receive inspiration for a whole story.
But I'm not romantic and the dagger
only made Inc shiver.
AMONG THE OLD PRINTS
is Bible 354 years old. 1t is the first
trans Ia finn from Martin Mt a,5C
sion and was revised by DR.. Solomon
Glasseus. Judging from its appearance
it has not received any harder usage
than does the average family Bible,
with its pretty clasps and liberal coat
ing of dust on the covers. This Bible
is, of course, interesting, but hardly in
telligible, as the type used in printing
is so different from the modern style.
There are small articles too numerous
to cite and much pretty table linen and
tides, but the space is SO limited THAT
tage, and consequently lose much of
their interest.
The necessary legend, ''Do not
handle" is everywhere present in this
department, but in many cases it just
eXcities a wish to paw over the antiques,
when, were it mot TOR the redle-ttered
legend, probably the visitor wouldn't
have thought of touching anything. How
ever, some of the articles are quite fragile
and it takes all of the genial managers
time looking about to see that no harm
comes to anything under her care, but
she is firm in her requests, and the
most impertinent sight-seer soon de-
SistS.
Since the exposition opened there
have been many antiques offered for ex-
hibition. Some of them very valuable.
But the space, being necessarily so
limited this year, has all been taken up
before opening. The indications are
that next year there will be fine col
lection of antiques.