Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-03-08
FACING THE SUNSHINE.

seldom do, while the many happy
and beautiful things dotting our path
are too often passed by unnoticed
and unenjoyed because of our anxious
fears? Let us face about this year
and enjoy our many blessings, leaving
our aginary troubles to take off
themselves. So here's Happy New
Year to you and to "us every one"
The above was copied from a
calendar given me at Christmas by
a dear friend.
The poem asked for by sister is
in a school reader. I think. ! can
remember few verses. l have been
looking over my old books but
haven't found it. hope some
one will be more fortunate.
f. A. N, have been knitting
double mitteps, also braiding rugs.
made two for Christmas presents. I
think my sons wives enjoy them more
than anything I could afford to buy.
We have been having very peculiar
weather. February II the tempera-
ture changed. from 8 degrees below
zero to % above in five and one-half
hours. Tonight it is warm and
foggy. Eggemoggin Reach is
boat until warmer weather which we
hope will come soon.
"vaslti."
Your letter, Vashti, with it's apt
quotation, suitable for any time of
year, seemed just the right message
to head the column this week.
Here is little response to your
greeting which | quote from book
Sunshine and Roses
Each heart has it's burden of sorrow.
Each soul has it's shadow of doubt,
tbs sunshine we're yearning to Dor
True sunshine within and without
Then let us wear faces of pleasure
The world shall be happy to scan,
And add to the wealth of it's
treasure
'Tis better to smile if we can.
Dear NJ. b. Sisters and Friends:
l was going to write a New Years
letter, but, as you see. it. is too late
for that. l was well remembered
Christmas, even with a present yester-
day. | suppose could call it birth
day present, seeing my birthday is
March 20. l had about seventy five
cards and presents from the week be-
fore Christmas to the present time;
but ] didn't get a book, as l see some
did. They say books are very costly
now, so / can wait until they are
cheaper. t(Note Pansy's philosophy;
it's worth copying)
l have had company this week, and
she made me Il dress, besides doing
other sewing for me. Isn't that
company worth having?
One of my old friends was laid to
rest yesterday. 1t makes one feel sad
to lose old friends Well. Aunt Fanny,
name of the garments they wear now.
1t puzzles me to know what they
are. | am glad you are enjoying
yourselves in Massachusetts. 1t is
nice for one to have a change.
would like to extend my right hand
in welcome to phoebe" and hope
she will come again. l was pleased
with the card Vashti sent Christmas.
] suppose IS. j. Y" is making rugs.
| wish | We're, but it takes all my
time to keep two fires going, This is
not very interesting but will let you
know 1 am not a backslider.
"Pansy."
We are indebted to III" for the
clipping relating to THE Black
berry Girl" and we are pleased to
know that others are interested in
these old poems. LAS the World
Ways" is column in the Boston
Herald conducted by Philip Hale.
thanks III We shall all enjoy
the clipping.
THE BLACKBERRY GIRL"
AS the World Ways:
THE Blackberry Girl was written
by my great grandmother, Mrs.
Nancy Dennis Sproat, of Taunton,
Mass. 1t was published in 1929 in a
volume entitled "Stories for children
in Familiar Verse;" 1t was also
printed, / have understood, on hand
kerchiefs and aprons for children, as
well as in the school readers of that
period Mrs Sproat wrote a number
of volumes of verses intended to
amuse and instruct the erring youth.
Her school of Good Manners" with
the wood-cuts illustrating the faults
of the evildoers, is diverting, to say
the least.
If Inquirer" could give me the adj
dress of Mrs. OGorman -Auffray, I
should enjoy getting into touch with
a woman so lacking in the usual
feminine characteristics as to wish to
claim the authorship of a poem pub
lished thirteen years before her birth.
ALICE SPROAT EMERY.
AS the World Ways:
Nancy Sproat did write 1.-The Black
berry Girl" She was a relative of my
mother who often spoke not only of
The Blackberry Girl" but of other
verses, A publisher, wishing to get
out book on etiquette for children,
asked Nancy Sproat to convert the
rules into rhymes. knowing, that in
this form the instruction would be
easily retained by the childish mind.
The book was illustrated. / remem-
Der well one picture of small boy
sitting at table grasping his knife
and fork, one in each hand, and, with
head turned, gazing with distended
ewes at his neiphhor's p1ate The