Old Billiard Table Advertisment

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

Billiard and Pool Table

Provides just the sort of clean, wholesome, fascinating sport young men want. It enlivens the entire home atmosphere. These games probably are played and enjoyed by more people than any others in the world. Every member of your family will find constant pleasure in a Burrowes Table. It needs no special room—can be set up in a minutes on dining or library table or on its own legs or stand. Instantly dismounted and set aside. Burrowes Tables are perfect in every detail of construction. The most delicate shots can be executed with the upmost accuracy. Sizes range up to 4 1/2 x 9 foot (standard).

$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.

Using Salt to Clean Hair

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:

Monday, October 14, 1912: There is nothing at all.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

A hundred-years-ago, Good Housekeeping magazine was chock-full of wonderful tips submitted by readers. Some probably worked—others probably didn’t.

Since Grandma had little to write a hundred years ago today, I’ll share an old tip for cleaning hair with you.

Light hair that has a tendency to become oily is only aggravated by frequent washings. A hairdresser told me that rubbing to the scalp a strong solution of salt and water and then drying the hair in the sun, would not only leave the hair light and fluffy, but would in the end cure the trouble. I have found this excellent, and of great use when I wish to have my hair looking its best in a short time.

R.V. M., California

Source: Good Housekeeping (August, 1912)

A Boring Sunday Afternoon

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:

Sunday, October 13, 1912: Went to Sunday School this morning. Had to amuse myself this afternoon because no one came to see me and most of the family had gone away.

Autumn_leaves2 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

What might Grandma have done to amuse herself on a boring Sunday afternoon?

Read a book?

Bake cookies?

Go for a walk?

Do a little sewing?

Do a little embroidery?

Do her homework? . .. . nah

Hulled a Half-Bushel of Walnuts

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:

Saturday, October 12, 1912: Was busy hulling walnuts today. I estimated them to have amounted to about half a bushel. My work in that is not finished yet.

DSC04600.crop — Black walnuts that fell on a country road

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

A half- bushel of walnuts is a lot to hull (remove the outer layer)—though it’s going to be a lot bigger job to crack them after they dry.

I also gathered and hulled walnuts this fall—though I only gathered a couple pounds.

This year I wore plastic gloves when I hulled them. Last year I stained my hands while hulling them—and it took at least a week to get rid of the ugly brown stains.

Previous posts on gathering and cracking walnuts

Hulling Black Walnuts

How to Crack Black Walnuts

Achievement Tests a Hundred Years Ago

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:

Thursday, October 10, 1912: The whole school was examined today in order to find out our deficiencies. I know what mine is.

DSC04608.crop — Recent photo of building that once housed the McEwensville School.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

We hear so much today about state tests being used for accountability purposes. I’ve always thought that the use of tests to see how students were doing was a relatively new phenomenon—but apparently the use of standardized large-scale assessments has been around for at least a hundred years. What as the test that Grandma took like? . . . and what were her “deficiencies”?

This is the second time in the diary that Grandma has suggested that schools were somehow evaluated for quality. The previous year, on September 29, 1911, she wrote:

Teacher has rearranged our classes, and now we’ll have the program every now and then to see where our class comes.

Head in a Muddle

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:

Wednesday 9, 1912:My head is all in a muddle, and I hardly know how to think.

DSC02273.crop — A recent dreary day in McEwensville

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

I’m going to remember the word “muddle.” No more senior moments for me—from now on my head is going to just be in a muddle whenever I make a silly mistake.

Why was Grandma’s head in a muddle? Was something wrong? Was she worried about something?

Whatever was bothering her has been lost over time. Too bad she didn’t record it in the diary.

1912 Advertisement for Dr. Denton Footed Pajamas

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:

Monday, October 7, 1912: Am in a dilemma as to what to write.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Since Grandma didn’t write much a hundred years ago today, I’ll share an old advertisement for Dr. Denton Footed Pajamas that I found in the September, 1912 issue of Ladies Home Journal:

Protect Your Little Ones at Night with the Improved Dr. Denton Sleeping Garments

and secure unbroken sleep for yourself.

The Dr. Denton Garments cover body, feet and hands. Feet are part of the Garment. Hands are covered by cuffs that turn down and close with draw-string. Made from our Elastic, Knit, Mixed Cotton and Wool Fabric, specially devised to give most healthful sleep. The knit fabric carries off perspiration, maintaining even warmth if bed covers are thrown off. Prevent cold which often leads to pneumonia and other dangerous ailments. Made in eleven Sizes for children up to ten years old. Prices, 50¢ to $1.10, according to size and style.

Soft and Durable. Do Not Shrink.

Write for booklet giving Dr. Mary Wood Allen’s practical ideas on “Healthful Sleep for Children.” Be sure you get genuine Dr. Denton Garments. Our trade mark, shown above, is attached to each garment. If you cannot get them of your dealer, write us and we will see that you are supplied.

Dr. Denton Sleeping Garment Mills

500 Dean Street, Centreville, Michigan

Did Grandma’s 7-year-old brother Jimmie wore Dr. Denton Sleeping Garments?