The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1901-05-03
GRANDMAS OF TODAY
THEY KEEP IN THE RACE WITH THE
YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE END.

One Who PIacidly Sat In the Chin
ney Corner DarRinE Stockings, Is n
Thing of the Past.
l was bemoaning the fact THAI / had
never known my grandmothers. One
died before | was born and the other
when l was a few months old. l
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
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 submerge her life in the
affairs of mine. What was | going to
do in return for all this unselfish devo-
ton? l would be her granddaughter.
That, according to the old traditions,
was quite enough compensation.
1 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, D
cially if they imagine one is posing as
younger than the family Bible records.
This individual spoke up and said:
"Why, if your grandmothers were liv-
ing they would be so aged that they
would be mummified. 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 sl~avishness than a 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 imbe-
cile. I thought l would drop the SUBJ
ject, 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 a 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 a thing of the past as the spin
ming wheel, the canalboat, stagecoach,
making candles and family rendered
SOAP"
1 protested that 1 did not believe my
grandmothers would be of the modern
pattern. l had heard my mother tell
of how completely her mother
lost her taste for society and outside
affairs after she had grandchildren.
She had raised a large family, but
these reproductions were just as much
delight as had been the originals. She
infinitely preferred their society to that
grown people. Their prattle, school
experiences, little ambitions, filled her
life completely. She was constantly
planning surprises for them by making
animal cakes. individual pies, candy,
hoods, doll clothes.
Eyes, but if she lived now she would
different. The air she would breathe
S filed with assertive germs which de-
that every woman owes it to her.
self to have a career and stand at the
lelm and steer it to the very end. She
ID in that of her own children, as they
their appearance rather unwel-
'ome frequently, but must have outside
MISSIONS. AS soon as her offspring is
off, which is accomplished
With as great dispatch as diplomacy
an secure, then she is free to carry out
'et schemes and natural desires I'M
Perhaps you are right" l replied.
'uch a grandmother as this would be
% comfort to me as a grandmother,
While she might be It most helpful
Civ IN L III uC ptouu VI uSl pO-
ition in the literary, artistic or philan-
hrOpic world as her tastes might die
ate her pursuit.
A grandmother of my acquaintance
aid to me not long ago: "It would be a
e a trial to nj to have my grand
hildren or any children in the house
18th me now. l could not adapt my
elf to their demands and Interrupt
lons. l have raised my family and
ow want my time for individual pur-
This Oma has especial tai
nts and necessities for using them,
nd in her case these feelings may not
eem unnatural. But this is much the
ointment that possesses the grand
lothers of the age who have no special
IiSSions or %avocations outside the do
circle. If they have means,
ley buy handsome gifts for their
'andchildren and wish them to have
i the advantages possible that do not
present personal self sacrifice or cur
Iilment of freedom of action.
Women are imhupd with the shirt of