17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Wednesday, October 16, 1912: How fast the days fly by. Soon it will be Christmas time. As for me it seems as if I am doing some things all the time, yet have nothing but a heap of rubbish to write about.
Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
What was Grandma thinking about? Christmas gifts she planned to give others? . . . or gifts she hoped to receive? Here’s a fun advertisement in the December, 1912 issue of Farm Journal that alerted parents about a potential Christmas gift (though it seems like it was aimed more at the parents of teen-aged boys than at the parents of girls.)
“Here’s your chance!”
It looks like fun, but you never can tell about this exciting game. The slightest inaccuracy will change the entire situation.
Keep Close To Your Boys!
Don’t let them grow away from you. Do you know why so many boys leave home for the city? Not many of them because of the difference in the work they will have to do. It usually is because of the difference in fun and entertainment they can have. Youth needs an outlet for its energy and enthusiasm. Don’t make your boys go away for the amusement. Bring it to them! A
BURROWES
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$1.00 DOWN
It is very easy to own a Burrowes Table by our monthly payment plan. Prices are from $15 up and terms of $1 or more down (depending on size and style selected), and a small amound each month. Balls, cues, etc. included.
Free Trial – No Red Tape
On receipts of that installment we will ship Table. Play on one week. If unsatisfactory return it, and upon it’s receipt we’ll return your deposit. This ensures you a free trial. Write today for illustrated catalog, giving prices, terms, etc.
E.T. Burrowes Co. 273 Spring St., Portland Me.
Whew, it sure plays up farm parents fears that their sons will move to the city. But, no fear, for only $1.00 down they’ll stay on the farm.
A Hundred Years Ago 
Reminds me of when I acted in musicals during high school. My senior year we put on ‘The Music Man’. You got trouble in River City.
It reminded me of The Music Man, too.
It seems that advertising was just as emotive back then as it is today. As you say, it really highlights people’s fears of their children moving away.
It’s interesting (and a little sad) how long people have been moving away from the rural areas.
advice that can be taken today
I agree!
Funny, I’ve been thinking about Christmas, too. I’m trying to imagine finding a pool table for $15. Inflation can be startling at times.
It is amazing how much information there has been over the past 100 years!
I don’t know who’s house would have accommodated a billiard table in the day. My Grandparents house had two rooms: Kitchen & bedroom. Off the kitchen was a sofa and radio (quasi living room). I do know there was a pool hall in the town nearest the farm, though long gone.
in Pennsylvania many of the old farm houses have 3 or 4 rooms on the first floor, and several bedrooms on the 2nd. Probably it was easier to get timber and bricks there to build them than it was further west.
My father’s parent’s house had a billiard table and, true enough, several of the sons never left home.
It’s good to know that it worked. 🙂