The Republican journal., 1896-07-30
GRANDMOTHER.

Among my earliest recollections is a
dear, aged grandmother, who resided
near my early home. Her companion,
with his family located in the northern
part of Monroe near the year eighteen
hundred. The place then was nearly
bowling wilderness. | think grandfather
productive farm in a few years. Log
houses were the rule and not the excep
ton then | think grandfather built one.
There were no carriage roads, and for
that matter no carriages. The travelling
was done mostly on horseback by men
and women. There were no school
houses in that part of the town; as soon
as the settlers could make arrangements,
a school was run in one part of dwelling
house. They got along in that way until
they could build schoolhouse. They
endured many privations that would seem
very hard to people of the present time.
Grandfather was a smart, resolute man,
and in a few years he had nice farm and
had built comfortable home, and was
free from debt. He went in for people to
live within their income and not try to
make a show on other peoples money.
He was man who tried to live up to
Christ teachings. He had not quite so
much patience as good old Job had, but
when it looked little squally, grand
mother always poured oil on the troubled
waters. She looked we'll to the ways of
her household and ate not the bread of
idleness. Grandmother was a wonderful
woman: in the first place she had d large
share of what not few people are desti-
tute of, and that is good common sense.
She was highly endowed by nature, phys
ically. mentally and morally. Even in
old age she was comedy to look upon in
form and features, while the windows Of
the soul retained their youthful bright
ness. She had a remarkable mind. The
mark of intellect was on her brow. She
had SO high sense of justice that might
could never make right with her. She
fearlessly raised her voice in defence of
right, regardless of what the unprincipled
might say, for she knew that poisoned
arrows could never wound a conscience
pure and clear She was too much of a |
lady to nurse an offended dignity. Their |
home was called the pilgrims tavern. The
wayfarer always found rest beneath their
roof and the hungry We're never turned |
from their door. In any kind of sickness
grandmother was sent for; she knew lust |
what to do Often she stood by the bed |
of the sick and dying, and prepared the
dead for their resting place.
Two little girls lived near grandmother S
home who were early left motherless and |
always remained SO. Although their father
had but little passed the prime of life |
when his companion passed away lie
never brought a second mother for his |
children, but lived a lonely life for more
than eighteen years. Grandmother kind
ly remembered the little girls and would
60 to see them.
children born to them; eight sons and
daughter. The daughter was the eldest
after reaching mature years she settled
and reared promising family she was
woman after her mother own heart. One
OF the sons was lost at sea. Four of them
We're thriving farmers in their native
town. Two of them engaged in mercan-
tile business. and were successful, in the
eastern part of the State. 1t was said
the seventh son had the healing power
that is claimed for that number He
passed away in childhood. After grand
father began to feel the intirmities of age
he gave up his cares to one of his sons
and he, with his ''cEosen one. :" settled at
their early home. to care for his parents
in the last part Of lilies journey. 1t was
not long before grandfather was stricken
down with paralysis, and was an invalid |
tor some time. Grandmother nursed him |
with loving care. After months of suf-
fering he passed away. How well | re-
member the day he was laid to rest.
That is more than three score years ago.
In my childish thoughts it seemed so
hard for grandfather to be laid in the
cold, dark grave. did not realize that it
was only the house that grandfather had |
lived in that was laid in the grave
l soon had more reason for grave to
seem very cold and dark to me; for the |
death angel came for a darling little |
brother Of four summers. He was the
pet lamb of the flock. | have often !
thought if he had been spared my father,
would have had a staff in his declining
years; but it was ordered otherwise, and
little Bonnie has been safe in heaven for |
three score years. My mothers health
soon failed; and after months of patient
suffering, she passed to the golden shore
to find her baby boy. My father lived a
lonely life for nearly score of years, and |
then crossed the great divide, to join his
loved ones lover there"
Grandmother was very lonely after her
companion of more than fifty years had |
passed away. She was calm and resigned, |