Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-03-18
JObN,S LETTER


/ read in the Colonial Danes of one
husband who was fined for scandal
lously" kissing his wife on the door
rock. The poor fellow had been gone
three long and tedious years, and he
couldn't seem TO wait till the door cut
off the view. Probably ne never spent
few shillings for more satisfactory OBJ
ject. There were kissable danes and
damsels in those long gone days as it
appears; and perhaps you may have
noticed that there are hosts of their lady
descendants who were built that way.
The times have so changed for the better
that you can kiss your own wife on the
door rock or on the mouth, and it won't
cost you a cent, after you have been
gone three years-unless she has applied
for divorce for desertion in the mean
time.
1t has been said that the society of the
Daughters of the American Revolution
was the first association of women ever
formed for patriotic purposes, but such
is not the fact. Before the war of the rev.
olution patriotic societies of women were
formed all over the land, called Daugh-
tiers of Liberty. Their individual action
consisted in wearing only garments of
homespun manufacture, their concerted
exertions in gathering in patriotic bands
to spin, and the signing of compacts to
drink no more taxed tea. Here is a
sample taken from the Boston News
Letter that will serve for all others.
"a number of 33 respectable ladies of
the town (Rowley) met at sunrise with
their wheels to spend the day at the
house of Rev. Jedediah Jewell in the
laudable design of spinning match. An
hour before sunset, the ladies there APP
pearing neatly dressed in homespun, a
polite and generous repast of American
production was set for their entertain
ment, after which Mr.. Jewell delivered
profitable discourse from Rom. XlI:2:
Not slothful in business, fervent in
spirit, serving the Lord"
This is the way it was put in verse:
"YOung ladies In town and those that live round.
Let = friend at this season advise you.
Sine moneys so source and times grown worse,
Strange things may soon hap and surprise you.
First then thow aside your topknots OF pride,
Wear none but your own country linen.
OF economy boast. Let your pride for the mnst,
To show cloth of your own make and spinning.
What II homespun they say Is not quite 80 gay
AS brocades, yet be not In passion,
For when once II Is known this Is much worn In
One and all will cry out It's the fashion.
And as one and all agree that you'll not married
be
To such as will wear London factory,
But at first sight refuse till cen such you choose
As encourage our own manufac.ory"
Even so late in the last century as
when was boy, the art of spinning on
the little wheel and the big wheel had |
not become one of the lost arts. Wei
have seen the old flax break, swingle |
and hetehel in use, and We have worn |
tow shirts that would wear, and some |
times chafe the delicate skin. But our
hardships have been few in comparison |
to those boys of the old colonial period. |
No doubt boys and girls in all ages of |
the world have their good and gay
spasms. They keep the world forever
fresh and forever young. There were
'dames" in those days who really fancied
that they ought to have the right to vote
and to have the management of their
own property. understand that some
of their daughters have caught on to
that heresy. JOHN.