The record-union., 1896-08-17
ADDRES0s
Sacramento Publishing Company,
SACRAMENT
ADDR e 90s

grimage to the country all about. Tt
was two-story and basement, with,
of course the Indispensable garret.
That garret still fingers In my men,
CRY as the storehouse Of inexhaustible
treasures.
"rhe first floor contained a large kit
chen, laundry and smokeroom, all roomy
and admirably suited to the purposes for
which they were put in those days. In
the laundry was one of the innovations
which added to this Colonial house
keepers fame. Along one side of the
wall she had placed six hogsheads
raised up from the floor on an open
framework. A pipe led the water from
the roof into the first puncheon, then
through and into each of the others;
faucets We're attached to each, and the
inventor was we'll pleased with the re-
suit as compared with the usual difficult
way Of catching the rain in vessels and
carrying it into the house.
I'm the great kitchen, with it's big
open fireplace, the crane reaching
across the whole length of it, was built
the big brick oven for extra baking,
and at the other side Of the fireplace
another innovation in the shape of a
soap boiler This was built to boil the
soap that was indispensable for cleaning,
and always made under the supervision
of the housekeeper.
I'm the cellar, that most important
winter storehouse Of supplies in the Co
lonial days, were numerous improve
ments in arrangement and convenience.
with an eye to cleanliness and health
paint only was used for the decoration
of the interior of this home, each room
In q different color, all neutral tints,
the floors receiving three coats Of paint
all under the eye of this jealous new
woman. The painters were sufficiently
agape at this assertion of the petticoat
side Of the house, and altogether the un-
usual zeal In behalf of matters pertain
ing to her personal comfort, convent
ence and the health of her family Occa-
stoned as much remark as does now the
question of letting mothers have voice
in the government of the schools which
their children attend.
when the house was nearly ready to
be occupied an important need was still
unprovided for-that of water for drink
ing and cooking. Men had been digging
in different portions of the ground with
out striking water, and their failure had
come to be a serious matter with the
hitherto successful builder. Water she
must have, and one night, after lying
awake long time in deep thought over
the problem, she fell asleep and dreamed
that by digging in a certain spot water
would be reached. She awoke, slept
again, and again dreamed the same
thing A third time the dream was re-
peated, and so strong was the impress
sion made upon her that she awoke her
husband She told him her dream, and
begged him to send soldiers (soldiers
from the regular troops, stationed at ST.
John, being permitted at that time to
do such odd jobs to earn extra money!
to dig again for water He laughed at
her superstition, but in the morning sent
| the soldiers.
Clear, limpid water was reached at
the spot dreamed of, and neighbors from
near and far were welcome to it, for it
was abundant, and the old oaken bucket
was not allowed much rest.
II am over co." finished the relator
land the home life of the olden time
with the social afternoon teas and the
charming danes presiding at them in
pillowed sleeves and panniers; the rich
| ly preserved fruits the buttered
bread, thin as a wafer; the straw
berries and raspberries that were
brought to the st. John markets
by Indians in little birch-bark boxes,
canoe shape. made by themselves, in the
first Of the season, then in water pals,
and were sold for twelve English PEN
MES a pailful; the ripe, luscious fruit
turned out on great trays and platters
are ell very pleasant to remember, even
though we lived without steam cars,
! trolleys and big bridges"