Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

GENKALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES. 497
Stories about home, as he called Old England, to which the children
were never tired of listening. When the repast was ended, he returned
thanks for the bountiful supply of the good things they had
enjoyed, and the many blessings which had been vouchsafed to him
and his family.
The school lasted only a few weeks in each year, and however
deep the snow or hard the storm, the children never failed of attend-
ing. Goodman Hallett would remark, that "it was as great a sin to
cheat children of their learning, as of their money.'' They were
all provided with Indian moccasins and snow shoes, and however
difficult it is to learu the art of wearing the latter, the children of
those days acquired it almost as naturally as young ducks learn to
swim. The school was kept by the second Mr. John Miller at his
house, which stood on the spot now occupied by the high school—
good mile distant from Goodman Hallett's. If a term of the school
was then in session, the children had their dinners put up, and were
ready to start at half past eight. The roads were never cleared of
snow in those days. Some were partially broken out with teams,
but not so as to supercede the necessity of snow shoes, especially
after a recent storm. It was a pretty sight, to see the little ones
trailing along on their snow shoes towards the school-house ; but it
was a common occurrence then, and excited no curiosity.
If there was no school, and the weather was stormy, the parlor
was a scene of varied industry. When the breakfast table was
cleared off, and preliminary arrangemeuts made for the dinner, the
looms, which in co.ld weather stood in a corner of the parlor, were
in motion, aud the girls were merrily turning their spinning wheels.
Meantime the master of the house, assisted by an Indian servant,
bad watered and fed his large stock, and chopped the wood for
the daily fire. He was not lacking in mechanical ingenuity, and on
stormy days did many little jobs which saved money. His wife frequently
repeated the old adage, "A stitch in time saves nine," and
Goodman Hallett acquiesced. Taking his awl, his leather, thread,
wax and knife, he seated himself in the chimney corner, and successively
examined the shoes of the family. If a tap or a patch was
wanted, he put it on, or if there was a seam that required stitching,
it was not overlooked. The andirons were of wrought iron, aud had
hooks on the front in which the spit rested. Wild fowl and venison
were then abundant, and for the family dinner a sirloin had perhaps
been spitted. Goodman Hallett turned the spit, and from time to
time basted the meat from the contents of the dripping pan. The
vegetables, which had been prepared in the morning, were hung
over the fire, and at precisely twelve o'clock, if a bright day, the
dinner was ready.
Before partaking of the meal, a blessing was craved. The meat
was out on a wooden trencher, and served on pewter plates. Vege-
tables and bread, samp or hulled corn, was on the table, and at