The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-12-06
IF GRANDFATHER WERE TO
COME BACK.

Born IN the year 1878, uetore the
close of the American Revolution,
his childhood and early manhood
spent IN its shadow, his memories
tinged with beat of drum and report
OF musket from the earliest time, my
grandfather was laid in the old
family burial ground by the road
side after nearly seventy years OF
lie. After nearly another seventy
years in the Beyond, how would
the marvellous changes of this twentl-
eth century appear to him.
Let us follow, as he would seek
his old home. Not this the grass
bordered pathway leading to his
cottage; not this his home in the
crowded city streets. The Old
dwelling still standing is fast going
to decay, but he seeks the once
familiar doorway and enters. We
follow, and this may be what will
greet his vision. OF the old home
faces none remain. The musical
click of grandmother's needles died
in the silence many years ago. 1t
is the early twilight. lie reaches
for his candlestick in its wonted
place on the high shelf over the
fireplace. The talIow candle with
snuflers and tray are gone, the glass
lamp with its unmistakable odor OF
whale oil is gone, too. kero-
ene-grandlather never knew Its
odor or its light-how then will he
light himself to his room' He turns
to question. A young great-grand-
daughter, to him unknown, sitting
by a table, presses a button and
from hitherto unnoticed projections
in the wall, long crinkled wires
flash vivid CLEANS of light and it
blazes in every room OF the old cot
tage. The ringing Of bell near
the young lady, who still waits by
the table, and she takes up what to
him resembles an ear trumpet, anG
speaks into the orifice, and alter
moment of silence, hello and
goodbye announces, Grand
fathers great-grand-daughter from
across to the Pacific tells me she
will arrive in FIVE days, as she starts
on her Journey to. day. Grand
father shakes his head Pacific ?
YES he remembers the ocean on the
old maps, III his school days. Across
the globe three thousand miles
away, how could anyone travel from
there. So grandfather seeks the
attic room to sleep. lie looks from
his window, to see among the trees
a large glass ball, filled with an un-
earthly light. Arc lights, grand
father does not know OF them, and
as he still gazes a brilliant light
approaches rapidly, and he sees a
large carriage cleaning with lights,
following two tracks IN the road
below. Within are scores OF peo-
pie, and with no visible propelling
power, the huge affair growls its
way along, one long arm stretched
out, as though toying with a wire
over head, and bringing from it
vari.colored lights. Ie stares in
wonder. All! grandfather, we Go
not wonder you wipe your brow and
look agonized. Chariots without
hroses.
Before sleep comes, honk !
honkl and this time massive
machine r,quiIing neither tracks OF
wire nor reaching arm, but leaving
upon the air a smell as Of the regions
beneath. Grandfather had heard OF
Franklin drawing lightning from
the clouds with hls silken cord and
key-but this
A hea'ily loaded train following
a locomotive, with showers OF
sparks lighting the darkness, shakes
the foundations Of his old home.
Visions OF the night! Not these
the nightialls OF old, when the
peaceful river flowed by, unburdened
save by small places OF manufacture,
and in the valley below a griSt-mill,
and paper mill
Let grandfather sleep--he would
not like the change. His ieet, used
to the grassy pathways, cannot well
keep to concrete and curbing, and
the voices OF warning and terror
would sorely alright him.
To. day, by the river huge brick
buildings with thousands of spindles
are throwing off rom combed and
twisted cotton, materials for the
clothing of multitudes OF whom you
had never dreamed, and the country
village, whose walks you onc'
knew, has become a city as you