Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-07-26
GRANDMAS OF TODAY
THEY KEEP IN THE RACE WITH THE
YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE END.

I was bemoaning the fact that had
never known my grandmothers. One
died before | was born and the other
when l was n few months old. 1
thought it would be so comforting to
have a grandmother because they al
ways regarded their grandchildren as
being incapable of doing wrong. At
least they were sure to multiply ones
virtues and minimize faults. Their
chief object in life, as | picture them,
was to minister to their descendants
comfort, to make the crooked places
straight. The grandmother of my fan
cy would keep my clothes in repair,
darn the stockings, knit plenty of wash
rags and silk mittens. surprise me with
my favorite dishes, laugh at my jokes
and generally submergc her life in the
affairs Of mine. What was | going to
do in return for all this unsclfish devo-
tionf | would be her granddaughter.
That, according to the old traditions
was quite enough compensation.
| was holding forth, exploiting my
views and desires on the grandmother
question in the presence Of one of those
people who delight to take a person
down and make him feel cheap. espe-
cially if they imagine one is posing as
younger than the family Bible records.
This individual spoke up and said:
"Why, if your grandmothcrs were Nv
ing they would be so aged that they
would be mummiticd Instead of darn
ing your stockings, knitting your nit
tens. they would be blind. deaf and i'm
beetle. You would have to tend them
with greater slaVishneSs than IA mother
a newborn babe, and without the
sweet recOmpense in the latter case.
When people become imbecile with
age, they grow repulsive, and the pro-
longing Of this state is dreadful, while
each day the unfolding of a budding
life is filled with mysterious delights"
OF course l did not want a grand
mother that was deaf, blind and imbc-
Gle. l thought | would drop the sub
jCct, as it appeared to be getting per-
sonal. But my companion continued:
Besides, could it be possible in the or
der of things for you to have n vigor-
Gus. industrious, capable grandmother,
she would not be sitting at the chimney
corner darning your stockings. She
would be out attending to her lodge or
club business, visiting the millinery
openings ordering a fashionable gown,
playing cards or attending a high tea
The old fashioned grandmother is as
much thing of the past as the spin
ming wheel, the canalboat. stagecoach,
making candles and family rendered
soap
l protested that | did not believe my
grandmothers would be of the modern
pattern. | had heard my mother tell
often of how completely her mother
lost her taste for society and outside
affairs after she had grandchildren. =
She had raised large family, but
these reproductions were just as much
a delight as had been the originals. She
infinitely preferred their society to that
of grown people. Their prattlc school
experiences. little ambitions filled her
life completely. She was constantly
planning surprises for them by baking
animal cakes, individual pies, candy,
aprons, hoods, doh clothes.
Yes, but if she lived now she would
be different. The air she would breathe
is filed with aSSertiVc germs which de-
clare that every woman owes it to her
self to have a career and stand at the
helm and steer it to the very end. she
must not allow her life to he suhmcrg-
ed in that of her own children, rs they
make their appearance rather uuWcl-
come frequently. but must have outside
missions. AS soon as her offspring is
married off. which is accomplished
with as great dispatch as diplomacy
can secure, then she is free to carry out
pet schemes and natural desires I'M
"Perhaps you are right | replied.
Such Il grandmother as this would he
no comfort to me as II grandmother,
while she might be II most helpful
friend, and | could lie proud of her pO-
SitiOn in the literary, artistic or philan-
thropic world as her tastes might die
tate her pursuit
y grandmother of my acquaintance
said to me not long ago: 1T would be a
great trial to me to have my grand
with me now. | could not adapt my
self to their demands and Interrupt
tons. | have raised my family and
now want my time for individual pur-
suits" This woman has especial tai
aIfts and necessities for using them,
and in her case these feelings may not
seem unnatural. But this is much the
sentiment that possesses the grand
mothers Of the age who have no special
missions or avocations outside the do
nestle circle. If they have means,
they buy handsome gifts for their
and wish them to have
Ill the advantages possible that do not
'epresent personal self sacrifice or cur
ailment of freedom of action.
Women are imbued with the spirit of
he age, which demands that there
shall be no old ladies with caps and
'hawls who stay at home and guard
he fireside, but that they must keep in
he race with the young people to the