The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-13

But q single generation separated the COM
ptler OF these "reminiscences from the Revolu-
tionary war. Her mother, Margaret Living
ston, was the daughter of Col. James Living
ston. who was stationed at West Point when
Benedict Arnold attempted to betray that
stronghold into tho hands OF the enemy. It was
he. his granddaughter reminds us. who in the
absence of Gen. Washington and his superior
officer took the responsibility of firing into the
Vulture. a suspicious.looking British vessel,
that lay at anchor on the opposite bank
or the Hudson River. It was a fatal shot
for Andre, the British spy, with whom Arnold
was then preparing to consummate his trea-
son, for the vessel. spreading her sails, left
Andre to BIO captured with his papers, while
Arnold made his escape through the lines. Mrs.
Stanton's father was Judge Daniel Cady, who,
before going on the bench of tho State of New
York. had been a well-known lawyer and poll
tician. The author was born in 1915 at Johns
town. which at that time was OF moro impor-
tance than it is now. for people then still remem-
bered that 1t had been the seat of Sir William
johnson, who, through his influence with the
Six Nations, played a conspicuous part before
and during the Revolutionary war. Although
the scenery surrounding her birthplace is beau
tiful. the town itself seemed to Mrs. STAN
ton In her girlhood gloomy looking
enough. She recalls that the middle of the
streets was paved with large cobblestones, over
which the farmers wagons ratified from morn.
ing to night, while the sidewalks were paved
with very small cobblestones, upon which free
and graceful walking was out of the question.
The streets were lined with poplar trees, from
which dangled small yellow worms; surrounded
by poplars also were the academy and churches,
large, square frame buildings painted white,
each equipped with a bell, which seemed to be
forever tolling. Mrs. stanton's paternal dwell
ing is described as follows: "A two-story white
frame house with a hall through the middle.
rooms on either side, and a largo back building
with grounds on the side and rear" She goes
on to tell us that "our favorite resorts in the
house were the garrett and cellar. In the former
were barrels of hickory nuts. and on a long shelf
large cakes of maple sugar and all kinds of dried
herbs and sweet flags; spinning wheels, n num-
Dor OF small white cotton bags filled with bun
dies marked in ink. silk, cotton flannel
Calico &C.. as we'll as inherited masculine and
feminine costumes On the other hand. the
cellar of the house twas filed in winter with
barrels OF apples. vegetables. salt meat, cider,
butter. washtubs, &C.. offering hooks for play
ing hide and seek. Two tallow candles threw a
faint light over the scene on certain occasions"
Passing to her school days. Mrs. Stanton has
still "a perfect vision of myself and my sisters
as we stood up In the classes with our toes on
the cracks In the floor. all dressed alike in bright
red flannel. black alpaca aprons, and around the
neck n starched rufle. . = e Our Sunday
dresses were relieved with black sprigs and
white aprons. We had red cloaks. red hoods.
red mittens, and red stockings. No words"
adds the author. could do justice to my dislike
of those red dresses"
The great events of the year In Johnstown
during Mrs. Stanton's girlhood were tho Christ
mas holidays. the Fourth of July, and :. general
training " aa the raviaxu ~ IA
was then called. As st. Nicholas was supposed
to come down the chimney, tho children's
stockings were hung on a broomstick laid
across two chairs and placed by the fireplace.
Inc thermometer In the latitude of Johnstown
was often 90 below zero. f., yet on Christmas
morning the children would run downstairs
In their bare feet over the cold floors and carry
their stockings to the nursery. Our author
fancies that the boys and girls of 1897 will
laugh when they hear of tho contents OF stock
inRs In 1923. There would be a little paper of
candy. one of nuts, a red apple and o!ie.cook Ia
friod cake with raisins inside) and a bright sill
yer quarter of a dollar. If n child had been
guilty OF any cratic performances during the
year, a long stick would protrude from the
stocking; II. on the other hand, the child had
been particularly good. an illustrated catechism
or the New Testament would appear. In those
days the anniversary OF the republics birthday
was celebrated with great festivities. 1t is not
surprising. as Mrs. Stanton says. that children
grew up to hate everything English, seeing
that they were taught at home and at school
to hold King George responsible for all the
OF the nation, and on every Fourth of
July heard the Declaration OF Independence
read with emphasis and an orator (D declaim
against the mother country. In Johnstown, too.
might be seen the marks of the Indians toma.
hawk on the balustrades OF Sir William John.
sons house. 1t was in September that Training
Day occurred. when everybody went to the race
course 70 see the militia parade and to buy what