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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 13, 1911)
jvmv i'ffrvm:T;ry r w-- OCTOBER 13, 1911 The Commoner. 13 n. vj tvi x r m i r i IIIIMllH Illll7- i1 pmmoRortfof x Ti ' Which? She made a lot of sweaters for the sunbaked Hottentot, . And overcoats for Kaffirs far away; She knit some woolen stockings for the Fiji Islands hot, 'And mittens for the poor in far Bombay. She made warm underclothing for the poor of Borneo, Bought shoes for Arabs on Sahara's sand; She thought herself a Dorcas, but she didn't seem to know That 'more deserving poor lived close at hand. Her heart was very tender and it made her fairly wild To see dumb brutes abused with needless pain. She wrote for all the papers to encourage treatment mild For birds and beasts that could not well complain. She spoke from stage and forum for the good S. P. C. A., Or as as a patroness at meetings sax. And she wore a sealskin Jacket and another muff quite gay, And a dozen well-stuffed birds upon her hat. She went to "mothers' meetings" and presided with eclat. Or read a paper built on study deep. "T.he.tart of rearing children" she discussed in tones to awe, .Although her hearers often went to sleep. She spoke of "wifely duty" and re sponsibility That rested on & mother's should ers now; But she was so busy talking that she really couldn't see Her children grew like Topsy "anyhow." And yet I know another, and she's doing all she may To spread the light of happiness around. She finds some time to study midst the many tasks of day But knows that in her home best joys abound. She teaches by example, and her kingdom is her home; Inside its sacred precincts she's the queen. And so, somehow or other, her own children never roam, And -love around the hearthstone's always seen. jByfflLLMM y " Sr- I remember the timo Uncle Henry Pickerell showed up at the "pound party" without a package, and every body was surprised, for Uncle Henry was generous to a fault. But the next morning mother found "Lady Bounty" in tho barn, together with a mow full of hay and a big box full of chop feed. Pinned to tho hum door was a note saying that mother could have tho use of tho cow until Uncle Henry had his annual cattle sale, and that ho would provide tho feed. She must have been a mighty good cow, for at the next salo Uncle Henry sold her at public action for over two thousand dollars. I re member that cow well because I had to carry out Uncle Henry's stipula tion that "Lady Bounty" must bo curried and brushed every day. Tho only trouble about those old fashioned "pound parties" was that so many of the congregation thought they had discharged their obligations to the pastor when thoy came tfcross with a pound bar of soap or a pound package of something or other. And often the donors served a supper at the pastor's house and consumed a goodly share of what they brought as donations. Isn't that thoughtful of youJust what I'vo been wanting," or father's voico saying, "Just remember that it don t have to bo only a pound next timo. Cans and jars of good things -not the boughteu kind that tastes liko sweetened shavings or deodor ized punk, but home-mado stuff that taBtcd good al tho way down and for a long time afterwards, and re minded you of "moro." For tho sake of my ministerial frlnds of today I'm rather glad that tho "pound party" is out of date, but how I would liko to attend one of tho old-fashioned kind and meet again thoso dear good souls, so many of whom aro listening to tho ringing of tho music thoy used to sing about and enjoying that homo over there that was tho goal of their Christian faith and hope. Reminiscent This department's recent reminis cences anent the old-time prayer meeting seems to have struck a re sponsive chord, Judging by the num ber of letters received relative there to. Among the many was one from a good friend in Illinois evidently one of the old "fathers in Israel," who asks me if I can remember the old-time "pound party." Can I? I should say so! Wasn't my father a country minister all his life?. And wasn't ho and mother times without number the recipients i I' came near aavine "victims" of the kindly "pounding" of the good brothers and sisters? A pound of coffee, a pound of tea, a pound of butter, a pound of sugar pounds of things without number. Nor were thoy all pound packages, either. A lot of those old-timers didn't measure their bounty by tho poundL But, bless their dear hearts! They really believed that they were doing the right thing. I can imagine tho consternation of a city preacher if his parishoners should inflict a "pound party" on him Instead of coming across with his salary in real money on tho first of tho month. They always had a little set pro gram at thoso "pound parties." I take it for granted that father and mother were always surorised when one was put over on them. At any rate they acted like It which is very much the same thing. With each package delivered father would smile and mother would exclaim, "Well, my goodness!" or something like that. Then, when there wera no more packages in sight one of the elders, or deacons, would make a little speech of presentation, bub bling over with good will, and father would respond, always In a humor ous way that contained a vein of solemnity. Then everybody would sit around and say nothing for a while, but presently some one would suggest a song and then the organist would unlimber that old Mason & Hamlin organ and we'd sing "Gather at the River," and "Home Over There," and "When We Hear the Music Ringing," and the old lino of songs you old folks remember so well. Then the young folks would invade the dining room and play "spin the plate,"or "Jacob and Ruth," or "heavy, heavy hangs over your head," while their elders remained in the front room and talked poli tics or any old thing that happened to bo uppermost in their minds. About 10:30 everybody would be gin hunting their wraps, which were always piled up on the bed in the nearest bedroom. Considerable time was always lost in sorting out the sleeping babies. It just beat all how many babies they could scare up on Tio nn.nnalon of a "nounrt nartv." Al ways about 10:30, or a little earlier, for we were not given to late hours In those days. We want early and loft onrlv. And didn't we "preacher's chil dren" live high after thoso "pound parties?" tvi t romombfir them? Sar. I can just shut my eyes this minute and see the kitchen table piled high with packages, or hear mother say, "Now Before and After Ho was tho Jokester porson On a sheet tho hue of straw; Ho thought it cute to scribble Jokes on tho mother-in-law. But two years after marriage, When baby sniffles had, Ho hustled out to got her, And, gotting her, was glad. For years this jokestor person Wrote stovepipe jokes galore. When other subjects failed him, On this he'd scribble more. First winter after marrlago Ho from that dream awoko One stovepipo he erected, And found It was no Joke. Nostalgia Described After visiting at grandma's for a couple of weeks little Richard came homo at twilight and nestling up against his mamma's knee said: "Mamma, I'm homesick." "What makes you homesick, dear?" asked mamma. "Oh, I want to see papa, and Rena and Dorothy, and my dog." "How does it feel to bo homesick, son?" "Why, I Just feel all dried up," was tho startling reply. Modern Definitions Reciprocity Trading something you do not want for something you must have. Contempt of Court A Judicial feeling that what you think is real ly so. Affinity An awfully thin excuso for going wrong. Tariff Board The last refuge of an extortionist. Onr Discovery Mrs. Hutchlns of WashInrton de clares that it is impossible to live upon less than $67.50 a day. That may bo quite true, but we have dis covered It to bo quite possible to exist on considerably less than that amount per day. Brain Leaks It is tho "good enough workman" who is usually looking for a Job. The mother of six always gets a lot of fun watching a mother fuss ing with her very first. The time usually spent in learn ing to like grapefruit could be spent to much better advantage. If ever we go Into tho business of exhibiting strange and wonderful things we will give the platform of honor to the woman who admits that her shoes are too small. Timo was when a brownstono front was tho sign and seal of wealth and aristocracy. Now the smell of frying bacon Issuing from a kitchen is the best evidence. A great many employers who are quick to find fault are awfully slow to express commendation. Then they wonder why their employes take snch little interest in their jobs. BOOKS RECEIVED "Tho Long Roll." A novol of the war botweon tho states. By Mary Johnston, author of "To Havo and to Hold." Houghton Mifflin company, 4 Park St., Boaton, Mass. Price. $1-40 not. "Tho Unoccupied Mlnnlon Fiolds of Africa and Asia." By Samuol M. Zwomor, F. R. O. S., student volun tcor movement for foroign missions, 125 East Twonty-sovonth St., Now York. "Daulol Wobstor." A vindication, with other historical essays. By Prof. William Cleavor Wilkinson. Funk & Wagnalls company, pub lishers, Now York. Prlco, $1.25 not. "Briof History of tho Boono and Crockott Club with Offlcors, Con stitution and List of Members for tho Year 1910." By Goorgo Bird Grln nell, odltor. Forest and Stream Publishing company, Now York. "Tho Croas of Honor, tho Lovo of Napoleon." By Mary Oponshaw. Small, Maynard & Company, pub lishers, Boston, Mass. Price, $1.20 noc. "Non-Church-Going, Its Reasons and Roraedlcs." Fleming II. Rcvoll company, Now York and Chicago. Price, $1.00 not. "Tho Garden of tho Sun." By Capt. T. J. Powors. Published by Small, Maynard & Co., Boston, Mass. Pr.lco, $1.25 net; by mall, $1.37. "Checking tho WaBto Places." A study In conservation. By Mary Huston Gregory. Tho Bobbs-Mer-rlll company, publishers, Indianapo lis, Ind. "Tho Optimistic Life." By Orison Swott Marden. Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., publishers, New York. Price, $1.00. "Tho Suffragette." A hfctory of tho women's militant suffrage move ment. By E. Sylcia Pankhurst. With an introduction by Mrs. Pankhurst. Sturgis & Walton company, 31-33 East Twenty-seventh street, New York. Price. $1.50 not. "Tho Blood of tho Prophets." By Dexter Wallace. Tho Rooks Press, Chicago, 111. "Lovo Life of Jesus and Mary of Bethany and Poems." By Francis Warren Jacobs. Price, $2.50. 25 Beautiful Postcards Without Cost to You iHBESa h&s&9 fWB 1B1I LJ-JSM jH BEND FOR THI23I TODAY For A. Umlfdfl tlma mn T.,ltl -.. without cost and postpaid, a act of 25 Beautiful rowtcardM, In exqul ,?? deslgrns and colors (no two alike), to anyone who Bends us one yearly subscription (new or re newal) to Tho American Home stead at 25c, tho remilar yearly price. Boys and girls, get your parents or friends to givo you their subscription for this farm and iiuuBCiium mummy, uena US the 25c and the cards will bo sent you with out cost by return mail. Address, THE AMERICAN HOMESTEAD Llucola, Ne. ft 4 I I i i 3 i . I X(j )