GRANDMOTHER'S GRANDMOTHER Sprague's Journal of Maine History Vol. 6 August September October 1918 No. 2 page 74-75 GRANDMOTHER'S GRANDMOTHER By LOUISE HELEN COBURN Grandmother's grandmother, through the Woods Moose and red man were wont to roam, Brought her babes and her household goods To make in the wilderness a home. The Kennebec rippled beside her door, Or laid a crystal roadway there; The shadow of pines on her cabin floor Took shape of Indian and bear. No woman for feminine service made, Shut from the work of the world was she;- Home was a factory, life a trade, And Mother a captain of industry. She was tailor, milliner, mantua-maker, Upholsterer, weaver of carpet and rug, Chandler, soapmaker, dairy-maid, baker, Knitter of hose and mittens snug. Weaver of wool for blanket and gown, Weaver of linen for bed and table, Dyer of crimson and purple and brown, Spinner and broiderer as she was able. Twenty trades were hers to command, A dozen professions were hers to fill; Doctor and dentist always at hand, Trained nurse and kindergartner at will. Grandmother's grandmother's sons were bold, Steady of arm and keen of eye, Skilled to fell the white pine old, Taught to fear God and to scorn a lie. Grandmother's grandmother's girls were fair, Patient to take up her task again, Swift to labor and strong to bear, Makers of homes and mothers of men. Peacefully by the river side Grandmother's grandmother lies at rest; The tall pines whisper to the tide, And drop their needles upon her breast. Where cities welcome or deserts wait, Or prairies their yellow bounty tell,- Where the new West looks through the Golden Gate, Grandmother's grandmother's children dwell. Where commerce wheels his dizzy round, Where glitters the -old in mountain mine, Where orange orchards smile, are found The sons and daughters of her line. Their names are writ on the honor roll Of every battle for freedom and right; Their feet have been swift in the race whose goal Is the wider look from the fairer height. The torch of truth and the flag of the free They have borne from ocean tide to tide; They have planted homes from sea to sea, Whose fruitage ripe is the nation's pride. Poorer the world were, you may know,- Poorer and leaner and sadder the land,- Had grandmother's grandmother, long ago, To lover and husband denied her hand (c) 1998 Courtesy of the Androscoggin Historical Society ************************************************* * * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. * * * * The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification.