Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1901-04-11
GRANDMAS OF TODAY
THEY KEEP IN TIE RACE WITH TIE
YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE EMO.


ney Corner DarniBs Stockings. l. n
Thing Of the Past.
I was bemoaning the fact that I had
never kLowa my grandm0thers. One
died before | was born aud the other
when was few months old.
thought il would be 50 comforting to
have 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 10 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 os wash
rags and silk miftens, surprise me with
my favorite dishes. laugh AZ 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? | would be her granddaughter.
That, according to the old traditions,
was quite enough compensation.
H.
views and desires on the grandmother
question ia the presence Of one Of those
people who delight to take a person
down ana 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 liy-
ing they would be so aged that they
would be mummified Instead of darn
ing your stockings. knitting your nit
tons. they would be blind. deaf and inn
beetle. Oh would have to tend them
witn greater slayishness 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 | did not want a grand
mother that was deaf, blind and imbe-
cile | thought | would drop the sub
iect, as 1t appeared 10 be getting per-
sonal. But my companion continued:
Besides. could it be possible in the or
der of things for you to have yigor-
Gus, Industrious, capable grandmother.
she would not be sitting at the chimney
corner darniug your stockings. She
would be out attending to her lodge or
club business, visiting the millinery
openings ordering 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. | 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 it she lived now she would
be different The air she would breathe
is filed with assertiye germs which de-
clare that every woman owes it to her
self to have career and stand At the
helm and steer il 10 the very end She
must not allow ter life to be submerg-
"a g., tl+,t = l,, .t4r-,, -, t3.7.,,, rs tl4ox-
make their appearance rather unwel-
come frequently Tut must haze outside
missions As soon as her offspring is
married of which is accomplished
with rs graat dispatch as diplomacy
can secure. then She is free 90 carry ont
pet schemes AMI natural desires IN
trammeIed"
perhaps Won are right" replied.
such grandmother az this would be
40 comfort Is me as q grandmother,
While She might he most helpful
friend. ana ! could lie proud of her POI
sitiou in the literary artistic or phiiaa-
throptc world as her tastes might die
tate her pursuit
4 grandmother Of my acquaintance
said 10 me not long ago. 1T would be
great trial to me 10 have my grand
children or any children in the house
with me now / coald not adapt my
self to their demands and Interrupt
-ions have raised my family and
now want my time for individual pHT-
suits" This woman has especial tal-
ents ana necessities for using them.
aud In her case these feelings may not
seem unnatural But this is much the
sentiment that possesses the grand
mothers of the age VINO 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 10 not
represent personal self sacrifice or cur
tlilment 81 freedom Of action
Women are imbued with the spirit of
the age which demands that there
shall be no old ladies with caps and