The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-10-27


 me to reach without standing on Q ohAlr; but was just the right height for grown-ups to unlock and open the white panel-door, where I could see the iniscellane. ous collection of bottles of various sizes, shapes and colors--each with lts label, and some with unpleaS- ant-loolking skulls and bones stamped on. There were also little boxes with pills and powders, and jars and packages Of roots and herbS--like "SAge" and "catnip," to make "tea" for me oh occasions.
 But grandma's "camphor" and "arnica" bottles were not kept in the rnedicine-cloSet; they stood on the window-sill, ready for instant especially for bumps" that were liable to "happen" to me at anytime.
 Some of the remedies" in the Ynedicine-cloSet I had no objecs ton to taking; on the contrary, enjoyed: "seldlitR-powders" for instance: also "paregoric" and "Jamaica- -glrger"; and I must i1ere testify tl.-t the numerous stomachsaches that they were used for in my case-were never caused by grandma's "tarts" or "cookies" or anything else she made.
 All the rooms in grandmas hos- pltable house, save one, were wide open for every-day use-with es- pecial welcome to sunshine and fresh air: but in conformity to the custom of tlfe time, another rule applied to--"rhe Parlor"-rt was only opened for Q few hours on Sundays, and on very special occasions. At other times the win- dows and blinds were closed tight and the curtains pulled down full length. Not Q single fly was ale lowed in there; but probably c fly wouldn't want to stay there alone In tho dark af1yway-unless he wanted to sleep All the time, was the way figured 1t.
 Naturally the air of awe and mystery that enveloped the very words, "rhe Pnrior"--had upon the children c profound effect and greatly excited their curiosity con. corning other folks "Parlors;" and grandrna's "Parlor" was roputed to Do exceptionally magnificent. So it wasn't to he wondered ct when two wistfui little chaps of my own age, and wearing soldier. caps" like mine, came to our gate one day and entreatingly asked me, "Could we be allowed to sec your grandmaE Parlor9" I said, "You come into the yard and wait and I'll run to the house and ask grandma" So when reported the case to her she came out on the veranda, and recognizing the boys, came down on the grass where they were and greeted the little fellows very kindly, enquired after their mother and their grandma, and complimentod them on their very clean facos and hands.
 She said she would open the windows and blinds and raise tho curtains and let c little fresh air in first, and then I might bring the boys ira--after we had ell wiped our shoes thoroughly on the door.mat. And she said for tho boys not to 90 away after they had seen the Parlor, but wait for 2aAs, aoassaA lsa kIaA kaaiR Sga eA sssa. der our big apple tree.
 When we came Into the Parlor grandma left uS alone, and I acted as master of ceremonies. They didn't speak for . couple of minutes As they gave the Parlor preliminary survey. They broke the silence in concert, That's General George Washington's pic. tuTei"-pointing ct c large on. eraving of Houdin's statue.
 Their next remark was Q ques- tior-"fs that c Brussels carpet?" When l assured them that 1t was, they walked softly over 1t and knelt down and felt of 1t. They said that they had heard about them but had never seen one be- fore. The other carpets in grands mas house were two and three ply ingTains and good old-fash. toned rag-carpets.
 The boys were greatly i'm. pressed, aS I had always been, by the "chandelier" with its glitter. ing and jingling glass pendents. It was, of course, very small of. fair; but in our youthful eyes it represented royal splendor.
 "Is this real inarble% they asked, in hsished voices, touching the top of the center.tabie that supported the huge family Bible
 Then we three young American soldiers faced the cabinet where the family souvenirs of the ':ses volutionary was were kept-lnus. kets, pistols, swords, and old cav- airy saddle, stained and ragged portions of Continental uniforms --and a faded Flag with thirteen Stars.
 As we came out through the sit. ting-roon, the boys looked at the picture of "Tad" Lincoln and his father, The PRESIDENT, and they said they had one like it at home. And they looked Q moment at the uniformed pictures of my father and grandpa and Uncle Tred-but didn't say anything.
 They like grandrna's silver sew. ing.bird, and I showed them how to pinch his tail and make him open his mouth.
 Out under the apple tree we found grandma and my mother, who had just returned from the post ofice. She, 700, greeted the boys with the same warmth of