The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-07-10
THE SAMPLER.


every home. The young daughter of
the house felt almost in disgrace II
she had passed her twelfth year and
not completed sampler to show her
friends and frequently compared
with the ones neatly framed and
hanging on the wall, that had been
wrought by the mother or grand
mother while attending Select
school," or perhaps the stitches were
taken under the careful instructions
Of governess. The exactness Of the
work called forth admiration for
aside from its exactness 1t showed
about all the original constructive
ability the woman of that day
thought she could venture. She was
subjective and believed that women
did not need education and therefore
should not have it. She should be
able to sign deeds and read the bible,
which was considered quite sufficient.
When a sale of land of value was
contaminated, and it was necessary
for the wife to sign deed, the gift
of silk dress was usually bestowed
upon her for the signature, or per-
haps it's value in money. If this gift
did not come without the asking,
she would grow impetuous and refuse
to sign the paper. We now look up
on men as being very unjust in those
days, frequently becoming quite a
tyrant over his wife, the laws giving
him right to chastise his wife un-
der certain restrictions. The hand
sewing of those days, however, was
worthy the admiration of the finest
needlewoman of this day of progress.
Sixty and seventy years ago, near
ly all girls were taught to embroider
on linen, silk, satin and cloth. This
work was perhaps an outcome of the
sampler stitches. The sampler was
originally done in cross stitch on
homemade linen. each stitch had to
be carefully counted by the threads
in the weave. The alphabet was al
ways then in perhaps two or three
varieties of letters. The border was
generally very elaborate, often done
in an original design in leaves,
grapes or berries, without regard to
the cross stitch work have seen
houses outlined, to picture home,
or perhaps church or schoolhouse
which the worker attended. Her
own name, age, favorite flower, or
any choice design she cherished was
painted on the linen with her needle,
II she had the courage to be original
am told that in the olden coun-
tries they were worked on cloth of
any description, chosen by the work
err. Originally it was done to pre-
serve the design, a scenery, the name,
age, and appearance of beloved
child, or any departed friend, in the
days before photos, deguaratypes,
ambrotypes or painting was done by
women.
The alphabet was worked in var
ious designs, foreshadowing her long
ing for book knowledge. When a
daughter was married her home
made linen was all neatly worked
with her maiden initials patterned
from letters on the sampler, worked
when in school or under the care of
governess.
All the wooden blankets, coverlets
and often quilts were done the same,
as girls were expected to spin and
weave all these wooden goods, and
often all her linen, from towels,
sheets, table cloths, to her own un-
derwear, even dress goods for COM
mon use, bible texts, or favorite mot
tos were often worked, and this add
ed to the value of the work.
The loving father who did not be-
lieve in girls being educated the same
as boys, was very proud Of such work
done by the daughter.
Mrs. Nelson Sill of Blackfoot do
mated wonderfully wraught sam
pier to the state historical society
and it now occupies CONSPICUOUS
place in the historical rooms at the
state house in Boise. We are In
formed that our district president,
Mrs. Reesor has one in her posses
sion that should be classed with the
finest, it is beautiful sampler, per-
feet in workmanship. 1t is not
known how 1t looked in its youthful
days, but now it is the most beautiful
soft shade of brown, the lines are
shaded, and the threads in the letter.
ing are another shade. Time may
have mellowed its coloring.
Our First district is credited with
the most interesting sampler yet
nrOduced in Tdaho II IL Mrs Rpes0rs