Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-12-09

| (WT1IIen specially Tor lie DuhcAih-i
Very few are ever ready for snow
| and the discomfort it brings to most
people so when we found our first
snowfall had arrived during the night,
we did not give it the most cordial
welcome. We who dwell in Norwich
have more excuse than most for
grumbling. for our hills make walking
very uncertain and uncomfortable Tor
those who must go afoot about their
business affairs or in search OF exer-l
else or pleasure The falls incident
to slippery walks and difficult grades
ere not so great pleasure to grown
up people as to children. The little
folks do not mind downfall now
and-then, and with a merry shout
pick themselves up and go on their
way till chance brings them another
tumble They gladly greet the snow
covered patches on sidewalk and
street, and as all the world as fun
for them, so the fun increases with
every turn of the way.
We wanted to finish our Christmas
shopping before the snow set In, and
our list is hardly begun Our winter
wardrobe is still incomplete, and so
much sewing needs to be done The
changes about the house In prepara a
and now nobody knows when they
will be finished.
All these negligences and sins of
omission are brought to our notice
by the first snowfall. Those thrifty
housekeepers who plan in advance and
carry out their plans are worthy Of
praise and emulation, but even to
them the first snowfall is a reminder
of unpleasant things, although they
may feel a sense of pride and graft
fication as they congratulate them
selves all they have accomplished
in readiness for winter.
Old time housekeepers set Thanks
giving the limit, before which time
the house must be set to rights, but
modern ways are not so rigid, and
much is now left undone which they
felt must be attended to. Then SO
many now spend the winter in a mild
er climate than New Engiac1 can
Iurn1sn. Only today I heard an old
gentleman say that this was an un-
wise plan. He greatly questioned the
advantage of changing ones residence
from motives of comfort and pleasure.
He believed we needed the variety
afforded by remaining in New Eng
land during the winter. The keen
piercing winds of winter are a much
needed tonic to most Of us. he thought,
and in his opinion the change from
summer to winter should be met
bravely by all and would have an adj
vantage to most beyond anything
found in a milder cline during the
winter months.
Old Mrs. Wheeler was one of New
England's notable housekeepers who
drove her work and was never driven
by it. Her preserving and picking
was always successful and done at the
proper time, her fall sewing was al
ways completed before any of her
neighbors had theirs DONE while as
for the fall house-cleaning she would
consider it a great transgression to
have any Of it left over to finish af-
ter Thanksgiving. Then she went to
l.. ~ - a.
snowfall and there remained till the
approach of the next spring.
But this season found her somewhat
disposed to spend the winter in her
own home. So she secured the ser
vices of Huldah Price as help and
companion, and determined to try the
experience of winter in the quiet
country village, where the houses We're
set at neighborly distances, though
they seemed somewhat scattered to
those living in a closely built city.
Now the letters are brought to our
door," she explained. land the tel
phone is in almost every home, there
is less discomfort in wintering here
and with a shed full of firewood, and
my we'll stocked cellar, am sure there
will be very little unpleasant expe-
rience, and Huldah is a host in her
self. Then, too, I want one winter
with the folks here. at the church and
social doings. / am going to try it,
anyway.
So it was settled in spite OF pro-
tests from John and his wife, who
wanted her with them for the coming
season.
Huldah proved herself everything
delightful and faithful attendant, and
her homely philosophy frightened up
many gloomy hour, for dullness
could not exist under the same roof
with her. Thanksgiving came and
went and yet no snow. Mild weather
followed and a green Christmas was
predicted with doleful prophecies from
many These did not include Huldah,
tod NJ Ill frara hr,dir