Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1911-01-04
THE SIMPLE LIFE OF A COMMONER
AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY

by the Green Brothers on those
far away winter evenings, some
times diversifying the time when un-
observed, among the shears, pins,
buttons and other things scattered
about the shop to the horror of my
uncle James, until overcome by
drowsiness l would drop asleep and
my father, would gently stretch me
out on one of the tables where I
would sleep the sleep of innocent
childhood until it was time to break
up the soiree, or whatever you may
please to call it, and depart for
home.
My father, WHO for many years
was a member of the church or
chestra in Elsham, told me once Of
rather ludicrous incident, in which
I am inclined to think he was him
self one of the chief actors, though
he never said as much. 1t appeared
that on a certain Sunday, as was
the custom in England at that time,
and is now for aught l know to
the contrary, household of rela-
tives and friends had been invited
to dinner and to spend the afternoon
in a home-like, social way. The
husband had gone TO church as his
custom was, but the wife remained
at home to look after the guests and
prepare the dinner. For some rea-
son she became confused as to Just
what preparation should be made,
especially concerning the dinner;
she wanted her husbands advice
about the meal, how she had better
prepare it. Now it so happened
that the boy she sent to make the
enquiry reached the church just
when the choir were singing the
opening hymn. and as there was no
time to spare, the little fellow, who
could sing a bit himself, stole up to
his fathers side and joining his
childish treble voice with the voices
of the choir, sang in time and tune
his mothers request:
Mother wishes you to say,
How she shall cook the meat today"
The response of the father in his
deep bass voice was prompt ana In
perfect time:
Sure, it will be right and foine.
or hn 1Niv
1t would be wholly impossible to
entertain anything like an intelli-
gent idea touching the origin and
age Of our family. nor indeed is
it any great matter, in my thinking,
when or where We originated.
A relative of mine on my mothers
side who was at the time a resident
of st. Paul, Minnesota, with whom I
became acquainted through a cousin
in Ohio, visited England a few years
ago and at my request undertook to
look up my ancestry among the
records of the county of Lincoln.
He was able to trace the family
back through many generations but
finally lost it because of his inability
to follow on through the mazes of
the old English dialects which he
was unable either to read or
understand. So rest content
with the belief that like almost
everyone else / must have sprung
from the father of our race, the
first man, Adam, which is as far
back as any can venture.
However, if there is any great
honor attaching to this thing of
descent it is my opinion that Mr..
Charles Darwin is entitled to first
place, inasmuch as he has solemnly
assured us that his ancestors We're
monkeys, an honor, which venture
to say, few will be disposed either
TO dispute or share with him.
In the past, / think. as rule,
Americans have shown less interest
IN the genealogical tree than most.
of the other great nations OF the
world, but even so, there appears
to be a growing interest among us
in the history of our families, which
will probably increase as the years.
go by.
AS an illustration of this tendeil-
cy among Americans, the following
words by well informed writer
concerning the poet Longfellow Will
be apropos: y
"The poet Longfellow was for
tunate In his heredity. He came of
the best New England stock. Among
his ancestors on the paternal side
are Samuel Sewall, the first chief.
justice of Massachusetts, and Judge
Stephen Longfellow OF Gorhanl.
Mass. His mother was q lineal
descendant of John and Priscilla Al
den of Mayfiower fame; and she was
daughter of General Peleg Wads-
worth, a distinguished patriot and
brilliant soldier of Portland, Me.
Longfellow's father was an able
congressman and q lawyer Of high
repute, noted for his hospitality and
his agreeable, courtly manners"
(T0 be Con.inued,l ~