Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-05-21
GRANDMAS OF TODAY
THEY KEEP IN THE RACE WITH THE
YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE END.


THEY KEEP IN THE RACE WITH THE
YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE END.
The Old Fashioned Grandmother, the
One Who Placidly Sat In the Chin.
ney Corner Darning Stockings, II .
Thing of the Past.
was bemoaning the fact that I had
never known my grandmothers. One
died before I was born and the other
when I was a few months old. l
thought 1t 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 I 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 submerge her life In the
affairs Of NINE What was l going to
do in return for all this unselfish devo.
ton? 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 IL they imagine one is posing as
younger than the family Bible records.
This individual spoke up and said:
"Why, If your grandmothers were Nv
ing they would be so aged that they
would be mummifled. 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 mother
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
u is 6l3e.s WITH mysterious delights"
OF course I did not want a grand
mother that was deaf, blind and imbe-
cile. / thought I would drop the SUBJ
ject, rs 1t appeared to be getting per-
| sonal. But my companion continued:
"Besides, could 1t 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 fashionable gown,
playing cards or attending 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"
| 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 a 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 prattle, school
experiences, little ambitions, filled her
life completely. She was constantly
planning surprises for them by making
animal cakes, individual pies. candy
aprons, hoods, doll clothes.
"Yes, but If she lived now she would
be different. The air she would breathe
is filed with assertive germs which de-
clare that every woman owes 1t 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 be submerg-
ed 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 Is
married off, which is accomplished
with as great dispatch as diplomacy
can secure, then she is free to carry out
net schemes and natural desires I'M
trammeled."
"Perhaps you are right" | replied.
Such a grandmother as this would be
no comfort to me as a grandmother,
while she might be most helpful
friend, and could be proud Of her po-
sition In the literary, artistic or philan-
throplc world as her tastes might die
tate her pursuit.
A grandmother Of my acquaintance
said to me not long ago: 1T would be q
great trial to me to have my grand
children or any children In the house
with me now. could not adapt my
self to their demands and Interrupt
lions. I have raised my family and
now want my time for individual pur-
suits" This woman has especial tai
ents 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. II they have MEANS
they buy handsome gifts for their
grandchildren and wish them to have
all the advantages possible that do not
represent personal self sacrifice or cur
tailment Of freedom Of action.
Women are imbued with the spirit OF
the age. which demands that there
shall be no old ladies with caps and
shawls who stay at home and guard
| the Preside, but that they must keep In
| the race with the young people to the