And oh, how they learned! How they grew in grace and in education, both
of the practical and the ornamental! How fine in health and figure,
from the free life, from the grace learned in dancing, the repose at
early hours, the simple diet and the mind filled every day with
pleasant thoughts and ideas. I do not know of any one who was not in
fine, robust health. They all, without exception, developed into
healthy men and women; or, to be a little more exact, as long as they
remained on the farm they continued to develop in health, strength,
grace and beauty.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE DRAMA, AND IMPORTANT LETTERS.
The need of especial amusements was not particularly felt at the farm,
but sometimes a set, inspired by an active mind, would venture out of
the common course and try to do a "big thing," which, like many big
things, would prove a failure. There was no hall for performances
except the dining hall, and it could not be taken possession of until
after supper; consequently, for a dramatic performance where it was
important to have the hall prepared before hand, it was useless, and so
the Amusement Group secured the lower floor of the shop for a special
occasion, and Chiswell, the carpenter, made a portable stage which
could be arranged for rehearsals and taken down easily, and all hands
went to work, some to learn their parts and others to make dresses,
properties and scenery.
Pages:
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186