Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-09
THE ROMANCE OF GRANDMA.


Groom yer sin by takin' me.
THE ROMANCE OF GRANDMA.
Seventy years ago young girl was
moi5tening the long strips of newly WOW
en- linen that shone in the sunshine, con-
trasting brightly with the deep green of
the meadow grass. Not far away stood
the old farmhouse, where dwell as busy
troop of children and elders as the pag
es of old home life often recall. To the
west and north of the house lay the white
linen tenting the greensward; farther
stretched the abig woods" where many
wild animals still found shelter, and where
the sugar naples spread their leafy arms,
To the south of the house where long
fields Of 9OrE, and podding fax-the
prettiest blue flower that grows. On the
newly cleared hill5ides fed large fiocks of
sheep, and through the thinned woods
roamed many cattle whose leaders tink-
ling bell sounded family through the
fragrant air. Hives of bees and { hole
armies of fowls made the day lively with
droning and cackling, and above the old
wagon-shed the doves were flying IN and
out and cooling sOothingiy to their mates.
Uncle Ely had caught and Gagged pair of
nimble gray squirrels for little Harvey,
an obese with big Carlo and baby Har-
riet snow-white kitten, made the day all
gIadness for the little ones who were too
young to take much share in the house
hold duties
When Grandma wGs youngl The little
grandchild can hardly believe that grand
ma was ever tiny girl like herself, tear
ing her insey woosley frOck, and crying
over the mishaP. And what bigger grand
nh in, AhAn 4 of
grandma sitting 10 a corner of the old
chimney place, after the old folks had
gone to bed behind the linen curtains so
that they might not see grandpa, spr1ce
and smart in high collar with points up
to his eyes, holding grandma's hand, or
kissing her blushing cheek? When they
got as far as that there was no back
ing out, bat Grandma named the dag and
they were cried in meeting pretty soon
after.
But, dear ms, grandma, little l0-year-
old grandma has been dying about in her
blue check frook. sprinkling the linen in
the green me2dow end throwing up her
chin to get 3 better and fresher breath OF
the summer air, laden with sweet cIovsT
scent-ali the time I have been dreaming
the song too, this self-same song
As / walked down by. the seaside
saw a little herrin washed up the tide,
Forty feet long and fifty feet wide
What do you think OF my little herrin'?
What do you think made of his Iegsf
Twas ALBANY steeple and London Great Bridge
Gates and gGte-nOStsgnd other fine things
Don't you IhinEI made well of my little
herrinH
If grandma at 80, keeps growing small
er, as in the last few years, she will
soon be just as tall as she was on thet
sunny morning 20 years ago.
II.
The linen is white-not the linen that
II years age lay whitening on the grass
but other, fei-er and whittier still, linen of
grandma's own spanning and weaving.
Wonderful flowers and checks hide in
their utmost threads move wonderful
dreams, for grandma has lover. Grand
pa and she have be sn "cried," and every
body knows that the "riz" cake is elk
baked, and the pagson will to-norrow
make grandpa and grandma enc, for ever
and ever, AmGul
The sisters and brothers have admired
the shining coat of the rsd heifer tibet
great grandpa has given towards his
daughters Setting 0Et." Grandma her
self broke the heifer TO milk, and she has
kissed the white star On the gentle cree
lures forehead, and promised her all
manner of good care in her new home.
The inside of the house is full of busy
workers. The doom and wheel have been
silent since Saturday. Grandma has one
more night to dream OF her new life be-
fore it begins. All her 'housen-stuff''
stands ready To be taken to her new home
in the morning. She is a little sad, and
her sisters are somewhat awed at her IN
wonted dignity OF man2er on this, her
last maiden day.
Saucy Thankful tries tn be cheerful, Snd
sings up loud and clear
The Frog rode up Miss Mouse's hall
Jockey Mckee, kitty Malone
The Frog rode up Miss Mouse S hall
Kitty Malone and l.
The Frog rode up Miss houses hall
And there he did both knock and call
Jockey Mckee, Kitty Malone,
Kitty Malone, and j.
Dream sweetIy, grandma dear! There's
q long, long scroll to unroD before you
year by year. It has painted upon it
sweet homescenes, and green dropping
Willows, alas, dot it here and there.
Folr boys played around grandma's
chair, who would believe itf and one
smiles at her from beyond. The green
willows have began to dot the screI.
The new home Is Just as dear as the
ola one was. The bees hum the doves
coo, the meadows are green; the wo0dside
resounds with the tinkling bell; the great
trees are full of birds; all manner of
fruits and flowers are noddipg and blash-
ing on tres and shrub, and the air is full
of sweet sounds of unwritten mG5ic.
Grandma locks pale and sad. The great
West has opened and far away, thousands
and thousands of miles, it seems to heg.
the voice of Ambition calls to vigorous
manhood to leave wife and ehild and
come out to Fortune and pioneer Fame.
The plans are all made. Tue boys have
their snail duties laid out; they are made
to understand that if father goes away
he will come again with hands full CT
gold pieces-snd gold piece is some
thing rare snd charming in q child's eyes.
The last kiss has been given, the last
gooo-by waved. but the last tear has by
no means been shed by those who watch
the numbering stage bear away their best
beloved to far-away and untried Willis.
".
Months have passed. The postman, SO
seldom seen IN ths old time so common
now-has braugh loving letters full of
hope. l am sure they we're full of hope.
l never read word of them, but old and