Copsley Annals Preserved in Proverbs - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868. Excerpt: ... MR3. BLACKETT: HER STORY. "Who goes a-mothering finds violets in the lane." 1 WHO goes a-mothering finds violets in the lane!" That's what I said to our Miss Janie last Mid-lent Sunday; and gave her a simnel cake, made Shropshire fashion, the day before, to offer to her mamma the first thing when she came down. And the next day they all--young ladies and gentlemen, and Miss Janie the first--came into my parlor. And "Mrs. Blackett," they said, " what's going a-mothering? and what's the meaning of Janie's simnel? and where are the violets?" I was as pleased as possible to see them, as you may well believe, and begged them to please to be seated; but they said they coiddn't stay only a few minutes. 1 As far as is known to the writer, the old custom of going a-mothering has died out even in Shropshire and the adjacent counties; but simnel cakes are still made and sold in some northcountry neighborhoods from Mid-lent to Easter. "But it's a long telling, young ladies," I said, "and goes back to the days when I was young and in my old home, and to my mother's days before then. I was n't seventeen when it came to be a saying among us on Mid-lent Sunday,--'Who goes a-mothering finds violets in the lane.'" "A new proverb for Georgie!" said Miss Mary, who is always ready with a notion, and comes out with it directly. "I'd wait any time to hear it," she said. So I%began to tell them as well as I could; but it seemed, what with their questionings and my answerings, to wind itself out into quite a history before I had done; and I had to beg their pardon many times, especially Master Harry's, who does n't like sitting long, for having talked so fast. "But do you know, Nursie," said Miss Mary (she calls me Nursie sometimes still), " I think it's quite a beautiful story; ...