The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-04


We'll, if had known that tho book
was about tho lowor orders | would
never have allC '"cd you to begin it,"
When wo won't shopping sho
would Impress upon us the fact that
"a lady should never exchange Il
word with man behind Il counter,
except in tho way Of business"
No commodity except cotton or
rice, she thought, could bo sold by IL
gentleman, and no amount less than
Il "crop' could he soil, rs any small
Ter quantity would suvor of tho shop
keepers trade. Tho sale of fruit
from her orchard or garden she
would have considered disgraccful.
Immense excitement and Indignation
were once aroused in tho family by
tho appearance Of Il basket, contain
ing tiny silver coin, sent by Il
neighbor-who occupied the humble
position of Il builder and contractor
with request for "four- pence
worth Of figs" Tho basket was ro-
turned, containing quantity Of figs,
and the "four ponce" as much in
evidence as it's minute proportions
allowed.
Plenty Of money and innumerable
servants we never called them
slaves-had rendered my grand
mother Il little of an autocrat, and
very much Of an aristocrat. Sho
exacted instant and unquestioning
obedience from her children, grand
children and dependents, and any
man, not a planter or a professional
man, she considered as belonging to
what she called "tho humble walks
Of life"
In those days slang was unknown;
at least, Huck Finn, Gallagher,
Chimmie Fadden Il Col. had not yet
appeared to glorfy that abomination
and the "strong expressions" and ex-
aggorated terms, which formed tho
nearest approach to It, were con-
demned by the old lady as extremc-
ly ungenteel. Dear me, was the
strongest expression of surprise per-
missble to lady. Heavens, good
gracious, and tho like were not only
ill-bred, but positively sinful. \
lady, wo are told, should never feel
warm was the highest degree Of
temperature compatibleuuwith gentil-
ity.
The appothoosis Of tho child, now
SO universal, was undreamcd of in
my grandmother's days. That chill.
d-en should be seen and not heard,
was fundamental article Of her
creed, and the little tots and throo-
years old, who now furnish subject
matter for so many newspaper col
ums and blue and gold volumes, wero
by hor ,romorsolcssly consigned to
wollkcpt nurseries presided over by
despotic manmas, with their atten-
dant nursery satellites.
Grandmamma's daughters all mar
ried, nd married we'll, in spite
perhaps bocause-of tho high hedge
of propriety by which they were
surrounded.
No free and easy intercourse did
she allow between her girls and thoir
admirers. ~ lady, sho said should
never receive gentlomcn alone,
when he made a call; tho whole fami-
ly must be present during tho entire
visit, and if the young man harbored
any serious intentions he had to fight
flSolouSlJ lol CHdllCb vi IlukllO
them known. Yot proposals were
far more frequent in those days than
at tho present time, when every facll-
ity for the purpose is afforded by
the modern maidons to their wary
woOers.
Grandmamma could not imagine
why and any ono should want sew
ing machine, when it was already so
difficult to find enough work to keep
tho servants employed. Besides,
machines could only back stitch, and
therefore could be Of very little use
in the household sewing, though she
had heard, but could scarcely be-
liovo it, that there were people who
used towels, sheets and pocket hand
kerchscfs stitched by them.
A maid Of all work was q domcs
tic evolution unknown TO her Ap