The Newtown bee., 1906-05-11

the netghbOrS the parts always used fresh. They also packed barrel of beef and one of pork which was salted for summer use, the hams and shoul- ders of the pork being cured, also quantities of dried beef. AS the neighbors butchered they returned the borrowed meat and in this way they had fresh meat for long time, although there were no meat markets or meat carts.
 If one family had surplus of some household supply they exchanged with a family which was short of that arti- cle, for something they were over SUD- piled with, but which the first family needed.
 The housewives of those days are a marvel to me. Mothers of from four to l2 children, they cared for their families, and beside that, they hetch- the linen for the table, beds and far{1i- ly use. Carded the wool, spun the yarn, dying it with dyes they made from wood, bar arks, leaves and flowers. Weaving the carpets, the blankets and spreads for the beds, and the woolen cloth for the family use. The sewing machine was unheard of, so all garments were made by hand. Not a ready made garment of any description was to be got. It is no wonder that it was the fashion to wear garment as it was first made until it was worn out. Tn y also knit all the mittens and stockings for the family. The only lights were candles which the housewives had to make. They cut the wicks the desired length, then the wicks were doubled over the candle rods. which were strong small rods, made for the pur- pose. The wicks were twisted enough so the ends would twist together up to the rod. When the wicks were pre- pared the tallow was melted in brass kettle or other deep dish and the wicks on the poles were dipped into the tallOw and hung to cool, great care being taken the first time or two dipping that the wicks keep straight so as to make good shaped candles. until they were the right size. Later molds were used which made the work easier. In early winter barrel or half barrel of boiled cider apple sauce was made. They frequently had par ing "beeS" when the nejghbOrs came and helped prepare the apples. Ger tainly the women of those days had no time for clubs.
 I have heard of one woman who in- sisted on exchanging work with her neighbors, having them do the things that were distasteful to her and doing in exchange what she enjoyed doing.
 These early settlers followed many of the Puritan customs. Their Sun days began at sunset Saturday night, when all work and play was put away until sunset on Sunday. The children were not allowed to laugh or frolic and as they had no books or pictures, the day was hard one for them. They were church-going people: when the children were small they rode with their parents on horseback but as soon as they were large enough they walked to church. All the family at tended the long service. At noon there was an tSao SsG the people home, then attended the second long service. After they began to have Sunday school it was held between the two preaching services. There was no fire in the church for years and the only warmth was obtained from the coals in the little, foot-stoves which the women carried with them. Thanksgiving and Fast days were kept much as they kept the Sabbath. have heard our fathers tell of the stern re- proof given one of them by an uncle because he had desecrated the day by sliding.
 In those days there were no servants; if family needed help one of the young people from a neighbours home went to fill the need. They became one of the family while they staid and were not looked down upon because they were willing to help in other homes than their own. Often the sons of the family married the girls who came to help their mother. There were no nurses and in case of sickness the family took care of the sick one during the day if possible, and the ne1ghbors took turns "watching" at night. Those who had natural gift of caring for the sick were called on more often than others. There were also certain ones in each neighbOrhOOd who were called on to care for the dead. If the man of the house was sick and his work was not done the neighbors made "bee" and did the work, whether it was getting the wood pile and emitting it up, or cutting and getting in the hay.
 Thus these sturdy people lived, sim pie, industrious, frugal lives, enduring hardships and the lack of all luxury and ease, with cheerfulness, leaving us an inheritance of which we are justly proud.