Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-04-07

r'--71szzz..f - - 49, ~
with low ceiling, mating of oil cloth
upon the floor and a number of splint
bcttomcd chairs, containing home.
made cushions and clean white towel
each back, in prim row all around
the room.
\ small table, with prim lamp,
stood in one corner OF the room; also
register, for visitors names, and a
II volume on Mother Ann.
\ splint-bottomed rocking chair, the
only luxury iii 1t could be called 50 in
the room, stood before the table, and
into this | sank aud waited.
! could hear the murmur of voices
from somewhere, and soon after the
footsteps approaching. Looking up |
beheld in the doorway large, fine
looking woman, brunette of appar-
emily thirty-tive years of age.
She was dressed in the straight, full,
rlinging dress of the Shakers, with
cape of the same material upon her
shoulders, and upon her head she wore
close-titting, neat white bobbinet
cap.
She did not appear very cordial at
first, but afterward this wore away.
She introduced herself by giving me
her given name, Matilda" and asked
mine, and while l remained among
them was called by it.
would call the eldre's, and left me
while she did so.
Soon after the eldrcss highest in
authority came in, and [ found her to
be q very well-informel woman, with
The air of supreme Judge; and still
later half Il dozen of the sisters came in
AID seated themselves i'll the straight
backed, splint- bottomed chairs, and sat
with folded hands and spoke in mono.
syllables.
Most of their cOuntenances We're very
pale, and Wore a weary. hopeless sort
of an expression.
There was such a lack Of co diality
and such frigid dcmeanor that it
struck a chill to my heart, and was
suggestive of death and open graves.
Later | was presented to one of the
elders, delicate little man, an old
gentleman with snowy hair and the all
Of Lord Chesterfield.
was surprised when he took off his
hat and bowed to me with such
courtly grace, as | had heen told the
Shakers never remove their hats OF
low TO a woman, and learned after
ward that this was true; that Elder
Charles Clapp was the exception, and
| have always admired the snowy
haired little gentleman ever since.
OF him [ heard much of the life and
ways of the Shaker.
The first building erected ut this set
tlement was in %, and at that time
and later the community became large
and tlourishing.
At present there are about one hun
dred members in the community.
Very few of tie genuine Shakers
are living. hose who come to them
row do so mostly for home ana free
dom from responsibility, rather than
conviction Of faith in the crtibate life.
The Office is at the Center, aud i'll this
building all business with the world
people /, transacted; here the hired
men partakc Of their meals, us we'll as
all outsiders, and in this building is
also tie pOstoiice. IL county Office, OF
course.
A building erected fer holding sery,
ices called the meeting house is just
opposite the o.ljco, but rarely used
now
The heads of the community are
called The ministry, consisting of two
aged elders and addresses, and all have
to obey the wi | and mandate OF the
woman highest in authority, Eldress
Louisa Farnham.
The Confer House is the best build,
ing at shaker" Three stories in
height, made of brick of their own
manufacture, and erected in 1914, it
has the appearance of a new structure
at the present time.
Tn houses are all large, roomy, and
airy. with long halls running the en-
tire length, and are kept scrupulously
neat.
At the Center House is also the
mecting-rOom, and situated i'll the cen.
ter O. the building The Shaker"
Sabbath commences Saturday evening
and continues until Sunday evening.
The services consist of short speeches
by the brothers and sisters and singing
and marching, keeping time to the
tune with both feet and hands.
Inc sexes have no communication
except on strictly business matters,
and keep on their own side of the
house in meeting as we'll as at meals,
aud the latter are partaken of Ii silence.
On entering the din;ng-room the
brothers enter one door, the sisters an
other, and ali enter qu city and kneel
few moments at their low backed
chairs, then rise, eat, kneel again, rise.
and leave the room, fifteen minutes be
ing aiven for this.
The world" people frequently at
tend the "home services" but It is
much against the shaker" desire.
There are no servants ut Shaker
village All must work, and any one
seeming respectable, with desire to
lead a celibate life, is usually taken
among them. on probation at first, by
signing an agreement that for any and
all services rendered they shall not be
given more than board, lodging, and
clothing. They do this as protectiol
to themselves.
II one having property or money
comes among them, the wealth goes
into the common fund, and is equally
distributed to each alike rs they need
it, for living; but if the person de
sires to leave them, his property is
wholly restored to him, although moth