Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-09-03

- ssxsssssszzzsszxzssas
converted into kindling wood or nlsoa.,
~ some dusty cockloft. These flrpjsb,
ings of the early days descended fro--.
father TO son, and were az caraf,,Il,,
watched OYER as the most axna,s..,.
{ bric-a-hrac in these times
Instead of silver or plated ware vrs;,
ers, as DOW, they Lad mahogany H.,
boards and round tables. which bein,
turned on an axle underneath the cs,,
ter stood when unused upright like IN
extended fan or palmleaf in the corra-
In another corner Of the room was
closet with Il glas door in which ~,
family china and tile family plate yvs,,
displayed, to be used only on state .o
casions. A conspicuous article WAS an
ways an enormous china punch bow
in which was brewed a refrpsbir.,
and at times a headache producf,,
beverage The teacups and sauces
rather diminutye ia size. ANA oii
the best families We're able to boasr
the possession of china teapots and
coffee pots with silver nozzles. Dalst
ware took the place OF our earlhen wao
and numerous pewter platters and bar.
ringers, polished like a mirror, were
ranged along the old-fashioned dresser
With the poorest class Of people IL
was an ordinary thing to cat from
wooden urnchars. In the parlor "A few
small pictures, painted on glass. with
black moulding for frameS and s.aurv
bits of gold leaf in the corners. vera
hung on the whitewashed walls. Tho
looking glasses were placed in alass
frames figured with flowers or in seal
loped mahogany or lutchwood painted
white or black, with here and there
some touches of gold. The ample chest
Of drawers, always placed either in
the plrlot and sitting ROOM sometimes
reaching to the ceiling, is too familiar
to require description. The floor was
devoid of carpets-sllyer sand, drawn
into a variety of fanciful figures with
the sweeping brush forming their only
covering Much skill and even pndo
was displayed III the devices and m.
ungement of the sand. Gas and Lamps
We're unknown luXuies. Dipped can.
dies in brass or copper candlesdcks
Were usually good enough for common
use and those who occasionally used
mold caudleS made them at home ~
little tin frames, casting TOUR 70 six
candles each, a glass lantern with
square sides, furnished light in the
homes of the wealthy. The home set
tie was common sitting roOm appeu-
ddse and WAS a proof Of more coulfoE
than display. 1t had, as well as the
settee, a very high back of plain
bOdrlSdnd the whole was of white
pine usually implanted and kept rs
White as SHOW by untirins scruUblns.
Generally this article was reserved
for the use of the head OF the family
although occasionally When he or
other OF the old felix's We're not enjoy
their own eas in their cupdciuus depth
depths, the tired youngsters would be
glad 10 embrace the opportunity Of
stretching their limbs upon it. Both tho
settec and the settle were placed be-
fore the ample hrepluces in winter
and the father or old mclebeing in
stalled in either, with his back thus
guarded from wind and cold, was wouJ
to deliver wise utterauces or recOUg.
wonderful stories OF the teld aEd TOT.
est til
The cooking utensils We're of the best
material to be had, but to our eyes their
shapes appear decidedly unc0utl.
Stoves were not then used TO any sIed.
extent The poJs aud kettles hlled with
sayory mesSes We're hung on iron
cranes and swung inward over the
glowing Goals III the fireplace, Though
these household appliances now appear
homely and primitive one cannot for
get the comfort derived from their use
by our sturdy fore1athers.