Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-05-22
GRANDMAS OF TODAY
THEY KEEP IN THE RACE WITH THE
YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE END.

| was %bemoaning the fact that | had
never known my g~randmothers. One
died before | was born and the other
when | was n few months old.
thought It would he so comforting to
have n grandmother because they al
ways regarded their grandchildren as
being Incapable uf doing WRONG. At
least they were sure 10 multiply ones
virtues and minimize faults. Their
ch.lt object in life, as I picture them,
was 10 minister Ia taCir DESCENDANTS
comfort. 10 make The crouEcd places
straight. The graudu.oIhrr 81 my fan
cy would keep my clothes in repair,
darn the stockings. knit ul.aty Of wash
gags and silk mitt,ns, surprise mc with
ny faysritc dishes lauEh az nay j2h"s
and generally subiIuT-" l5r HE IN tHr
AFFAIR, II mlaD. What wa, ! going 10
do IN return f9r all tI., ua-li.h dcyo-
tloa? I would by lMr granddaughter.
That. according To tlo yll traditions,
Was ggite yuuu-h compensation.
was lulliay f'.ih, esq. .lln: my
views gul l"sias nl lAo -~l!nlloi'gr
question in The presence 81 ole q those
plan,o wIp IllJ-'t 10 take q pcr'al
down aul Y..Sc lin feel cheap, cspc-
cially II ilry imagine q Is posing rs
younger than the family Bible records.
THIS individual spoke up AMI said;
"Nhy. II your g~yanlmothcrs were llr-
iug they would he SO n..l flat they
would lp mummiaci. Instead gf darn
ing your stockings, EujttiuF lnur nit
tens, they would bc Blind, deaf and I'M
beetle. You would have iD tend them
with greater Slayishnrs- tlUu u mother
n newborn lrahe, and without The
sweet rcr0mupn1e in the latter case
When people byco19r iu'ucile WIRE
age, they grow repu.sjFr, and Tie pro.
longing ot this state is dreadful, willie
each dsy the unfolding ~ n budding
life Is filed with mysterious delights.
or c.ir>n | all not want 70 Grand
mother TINT was deaf, blind and imhr-
ellie. ! thought ] would drop tine sub
jcct, as it appeared tl bee gctiiug per-
soull. rut my companion c%uatlnUrI
"Bcsiles, could IL he po-s' 10 In the ct.
der 81 tl.uss for you n hayc 81 y,guf
Gus, industrious, capable g.an@nptlIprt
she would MT DC sitting at TIC chimney
corner Gaul.ng your stockings. She
woujl o., out attending Co.. hur hodge or
club business. visiting tja m.i..n.fy
cpra.ur. urisairs 81 Fashionable gown,
play.as cards or Attending a hish tea.
Thu Old fashioned grandmother Is as
much 20 thing Of the past as ihe spin
min wheel, tie CGuall.IG s,~a@reuao'i,
mls.Ds candles and family rcalerel
soap
protested llat / id uTt believe my
CraN1uulA..s would bp C! tlc modern
pattern. / hal heard my mother toll
often ri how completely her mother
lost her taste for society and outside
affairs AFTER She lad grandchildren.
She had raised n large family, but
these reproductions were just rs mach
n delight M had been tie originals. SIN"
Infinitely preferred thotr society to that
OF grown people. Their prHttlc. school
experiences, little ambitions, filed her
life completely. She was constantly
planning surprises for them lay making
animal cakes. Individual pies, candy,
aprons. hoods, doll clothes.
"Ycs, but lr she lived now she would
be different. The mir she would breathe
is filed with assrrtiyc germs which de-
clare that every woman owes ii To her.
self Ia have Il career and stand at the
helm and steer It to the very end. she
must not allow her life to be submcrg.
cd in that Of her own children, as they
make their appearance rather unwci-
come frequently. Int must have outside
missions. rs soon rs her offspring Is
married off, which is accomplished
with rs great dispatch rs diplomacy
can secure. then she is free to carry out
pet schemes and natural desires u II
trammClcd."
perhaps you are right" | replied,
Such n grandmother as this would bc
no comfort TO me rs n grandmother,
while she might be n most helpful
friend, aud | could be proud Of her po.
sltIon in the literary, artistic or philan.
throp!c world as her tastes might die
tate her pursuit.
\ grandmother of my acquaintance
said to me not long ago: 1T would be
great trial to me to have my grand
children or any children in the house
with me now. | could not adapt my
self 10 their demands and Interrupt
tions. | have raised my family ant
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 no
seem unnatural. But this Is much tn
sentiment that possesses the grand
mothers Of the age who have no specil
missions or avocatious outside the dc
nestle circle. IL they have means
they buy handsome gifts for theI
grandchildren and wish them TO bav
oil the advantages possible that do no
represent personal self sacrifice or cuI
'tailmeut Of freedom Of action.
Women are imbucl with the spirit @
the age, which demands that Their
shall be no old ladies with caps an
shawls who stay at home ana guar
the flreside. but that they must keep !
the race with the young people to III
very e~nd.-Susan w. Eall in Teri
'Haute Gazette.