Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-04-04
GRANDMAS OF TODAY
THEY KEEP IN THE RACE WITH THE
YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE END. ;

Vhe ola FRSh1Oned rAn0m0tner tne
One Who PlacidIy snt In the Chine
ney Corner Darning Stockings, Is a
Thing of the Past. "
1 was bemoaning the fact that I had
never known my grandmothers. One
| died before I was born and the other
| when l was a few months old. I
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 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 mittens, surprise me with
my favorite dishes, laugh at my jokes
and generally submerge her life in the
affairs of mine. What was l going to
do in return for all this unselish devo-
ton? 1 would be her granddaughter.
That, according to the old traditions,
was quite enough compensation.
I was holding forth, exploiting my
views and desires on the grandmother
question in the presence of n 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 grandmothers were liv-
ing they would be so aged that they
| would be mummifed. 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 a mother
q 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 I did not want a grand
mother that was deaf, blind and imbe-
cile. I thought I would drop the sub
ject, as it appeared to be getting per-
sona1. 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"
I protested that I did not believe my
grandmothers would be of the modern
pattern. I 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
g. delight as had been the originals She
Infinitely preferred their society to that
of grown people. Their prattle. school
experiences. little ambitions, filed her
life completely. She was constantly
planning surprises for them by making
animal cakes. individual pies. candy.
aprons, hoods, doll clothes.
eyes, but ii she lived now she would
be different. The air she would breathe
is filed with assertive 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 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
a SECURE. then she is free to carry out
pet schemes an0 natural desires I'M
trammeled-" ~
Perhaps you are right" 1 replied.
Such a grandmother as this would be
no comfort TO me as a grandmother,
while she might be a nos helpful
friend. and l could be proud of her po-
sition in the literary, artistic or philan-
thropic world sas 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. l 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 moi
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
mestic circle. If they have means
they buy handsome gifts for thetl
grandchildren and wish them to have
all the advantages possible that do no
represent personal self sacrifice or cur
tailment OF freedom Of action.
Women are imbued with the spirit 81
the age, which demands that there
shall be no old ladies with caps ant
sha wis who stay at home and guart