The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-06-11
GRANDMAS OF TODAY
THEY KEEP IN THE RACE WITH THE
YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE END.

One who PIacidIy sat In the Chim-
ney Corner Darning Stockings, IL n
Thing OF the Past.
was bemoaning the fact that had
never known my grandmothOs. One
died before l 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
chief object in life, as 1 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 mlttens, surprise me with
my favorite dishes, laugh at my jokes
and generally submerge her life in the
affairs Of mine. What was 1 going to
do In return for all this unselHsh devo-
tion2 l 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, IL 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 Inn
beetle. You would have to tend them
with greater slavishness than n 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 filed with mysterious delights"
OF course did not want n grand
mother that was deaf, blind and imbe-
clle. l thought would drop the sub
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-
Dus, 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 fashionable gown,
playing cards or attending n high tea
The old fashioned grandmother is as
much n thing Of the past as the spin
ming wheel, the canalboat, stagecoach.
making candles and family rendered
SOAP"
protested that did not believe my
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 a large family, but
these reproductions were just as much
n delight as had been the originals. She
infinitely preferred their society 20 that
Of grown people. Their prattle, school
little ambitions, filed her
life completely. She was constantly
planning surprises for them by making
animal cakes, individual pies, candy,
aprons, hoods, doll clothes.
"Yes. but II she lived now she would
De different. The air she would breathe
s filled with assertive germs which de-
clare that every woman owes II TO her
ielf to have n career and stand at the
helm and steer II to the very end. She
must not allow her life TO be submerg-
ID In that OF her own children, as they
make their appearance rather unwel-
come frequently. but must have outside
Missions AS soon as her offspring IL
married of, which is accomplished
with as great dispatch as diplomacy
,an secure. then she Is free 20 carry out
pet schemes and natural desires un-
IRA mmeled."
Perhaps you are right" ! replied.
Such n grandmother as this would be
no comfort 10 me as a grandmother,
while she Right be a most helpful
'rlend. and | could be proud OF her po-
lllOu III tut llAtAAAyf hAAloAiN VI phAAeh
hroplc world as her tastes might die
ate her pursuit.
A grandmother OF my acquaintance
aid TO me not long ago: 1T would be
reat trial 10 me 70 have my grand
hIldren or any children In the house
With me now. could not adapt my.
ELF to their demands and Interrupt
ions. have raised my family and
low want my time for individual pur-
uits," This woman has especial tai
nts and necessities for using them,
nd IN her case these feelings may not
eem unnatural But this Is much the
eminent that possesses the grand
Mothers OF the age who have no special
MISSIONS or aVocatlOns outside the do
nestle circle II they have means,
hey boy handsome gifts for their
and wish them TO have
N the advantages possible that do not
epresent personal self sacrifice or cur
allment OF freedom OF action.
Women are imbued with the spirit OF
be age, which demands that there
ball be no old ladies' with caps and !
bawls who stay at home and guard
he hreslde. but that they must keep In
be race with the young people TO the
lery end.-Susan w. Ball In Terre
Iaute Gazette.