Evening journal., 1902-11-06
GRANDMOTHERS
NOW UP-TO-DATE
The Old Fashioned One Who
Darned Stockings Is a
Thing of the Past

was bomoanlng the fact that had
never known my grandmothers. One
died before l was born and the other
when I was few months old.
thought it would be So comforting to
have a grandmotho" 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 llfe MS | 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 miitens. surprise me with
my favorite dishes. laugh at my jokes
and generally submergc her life I'm the
affairs OF mine. what was l going TO
do in return for all this unselnsh devo-
ton? I would be her granddaughter.
That, according 10 the old traditions,
was quite enough compensation.
was holding forth. exploiting my
Views and desires on the grandmother
question I'm the presence OF one OF those
people who delight TO take n person
down and make him feel cheap, espe-
cially II 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 mummlned. Instead OF darn
ing your stockings, knitting your nit
tens. they would be blind, deaf and Inn
becllc.-You would have TO tend them
with greater slavishness than n mother
a newborn babe, and without the
sweet rccompense In the latter case.
When people become lmbeclle with
age. they grow repulsiye, and the pro-
longing OF this state Is dreadful while
each day the unfolding Of budding
life Is filed with mysterious delights"
OF course I did not want a grand
mother that was deaf, blind and imbe-
ellie. l thought | would drop the sub
iect. as Il appeared TO be getting per-
sonal. But my companion continued:
Besides, could Il 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 darnlng 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"
/ 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 talsed a large family, but
these reproductions were just as much
delight as had been the originals She
! infinitely preferred their society 20 that
! OF grown people. Their prattle, school
Experiences. little ambitions. filled her
} life completely. She was constantly
planning surprises for them by making
J animal cakes. individual pies, candy,
aprons, hoods. doll clothes.
"Yes, but II she lived now she would
he different. The air she would breathe
Is filled with assertive germs which de-
clare that every woman owes II 10 her.
self to have a career and stand at the
helm and steer II 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 or. which is accomplished
with as great dispatch as diplomacy
can secure. then she Is free to carry out
pet schemes and natural desires un-
trammeled.'
Perhaps you are right" | replied.
Such a grandmother as this would be
no comfort 10 me as a grandmother,
while she might be n most helpful
friend. and could be proud Of her po-
sltion In the literary. artistic or philan-
throplc world as her tastes might die.
tate her pursuit.
A Grandmother OF my acquaintance
r said 10 me not long ago: 1T would be a
, great trial TO me 70 have my grand.
NullAth VI ALg NhllNiNu III tue hOuot
} with me now. l could not adapt my
? self TO their demands and Interrupt
J tons. | have raised my family and
] now want my time for individual pur.
7 suits" This woman has especial tai.
b ents and necessities for using them,
b aud in her case these feelings may not
seem unnatural But this Is much the
; sentiment that possesses hr grand
mothers Of the age who have no special
; missions or avocations outside the do
nestle circle. IL 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.
2 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 lreside. but that they must keep in
the race with the young people to the
very end.-Susan ". Ball In Terre
: Haute Gazette.