Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-05-16
GRANDMA,


GRANDMA. =-
The Romance of, Her Checkered
But Beautiful Life.
Seventy years ago young girl wa.
mOistening the long strips Of newly
woven linen that. shone in the sun
shine, contrasting, brightly with fthe
deep green meadow grass. Not far
away stood the old farmhouse. where
dwelt as busy troop of children and
elders as the pages of old-home life
often recall. To the west and north
of the house lay the white linen. tent
ing the green sward; farther north
stretched the ''big woods" where many
wild animals still found shelter, and
where the sugar naples spread their
leafy arms. To the south of the house
were long fields of corn. and nodding
fax-the prettiest blue flower that
grows. On the newly cleared hillsides
fed large fOcks of sheep, and through
the thinned woods roamed many cattle
whose leaders tinkling bell sounded
family through the fragrant air.
Hives of bees and whole armies of
fowls made the day lively with dron-
ing and caclkling. and above the old
wagon-shed the doves were flying in
and out and cooling soothingly to their
mates. Uncle Ely had caught and
Gagged pair of nimble gray squirrels
for little Harvey, and these, with big
Carlo and baby Harriet's snow-white
kitten. made the day all gladncss for
the little ones who were too young to
take much share in the household
duties.
When grandma was young! The
little grandchild can hardly believe
that grandma was aver tiny girl like
herself, tearing her linsey-woolsey
frock, and crying over the mishap.
And what bigger grand-child in long
dresses ever thought of grandma sit
ting in one 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,
spruce and smart in a high collar with
points up to his eyes, holding grand
mas hand, or kissing her blushing
cheekP When they got as far as that
there was no backing out. but Grand
ma named the day and they were cried
in meeting pretty soon after.
But, dreary me, grandma, little ten
years-Old grandma, has been flying
about in her blue check froclk, sprink-
ling the linen in the green meadow
and throwing up her chin to get a bet
ter and fresher breath of the summer
air, laden with sweet clover scent-all
the time l have been dreaming she
sang, too. this self-same song:
.As walked down by the sea-s side
L saw q little herrin' washed up the tide,
Forty feet long and hfy feet wide. r,
What do you think OF my little herrin'f
"What do you think made OF his legs?
Twas Albany steeple and London Great
Bridge
Gates and gate-posts and other fine things
Don't you think made well of my little
heriin'f'
II grandma. at eighty. keeps growing
smaller. as in the last few years, she
will soon be just as tall as she was on
that sunny morning seventy years ago.
The linen is white-nOt the linen
that twelve years before lay whitening
ON the grass-but other. fairer and
winter still. linen of grandma's own
spinning and weaving. Wonderful flow
ers and checks hide in their inmost
threads more wonderful dreams. for
grandma has lover. Grandpa and
she have been cried" and every body
knows that the ''riz' cake is all baked,
and the parson will tomorrow make
grandpa and grandma one. for ever
{ and ever, Amen! - IS
The sisters and brothers have adj
mired the shining coat of the red heif-
er that great-grandpa has given to-
ward his daughters setting out. :"
Grandma has herself broken the heller
, to milk, and she has kissed the white
star in the gentle creatures forehead,
and promised her all manner of good
care in her new home. The inside of
the house is full of busy workers. The
loom and wheel have been silent since
Saturday. Grandma has one more
night to dream of her new life before
stands ready to be- taken to her new
home in the morning. She is little
sad. and the sisters are somewhat
awed at her unwonted dignity of man.
ner on this, her last maiden day
Saucy Thankful tries to be cheerful,
and 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 Mouse's hall
And there he did both knock and call
Jockey Mckee, Kitty Malone,
Kitty Malone and L"
Dream sweetly, grandma dear! There's
. long. long scroll to unroll before you
year by year. 1t has painted upon it
sweet h0me-scenes. and green droop
ing willows, alas. dot it here and there.
Four boys play around grandma's
chair who would believe it? and one
smiles at her from Beyond The
green willows have begun to dot the
.