Roses of Yesterday 475 



Roses. These Rose leaves were carried carefully to 

 each home, and were packed in stone jars with alter- 

 nate layers of brown or scant maple sugar. Soon all 

 conglomerated into a gummy, brown, close-grained, 

 not over alluring substance to the vision, which was 

 known among the children by the unromantic name 

 of " Rose tobacco." This cloying confection was 

 in high repute. It was chipped off and eaten in 

 tiny bits, and much treasured as a love token, or 

 reward of good behavior. 



The Mason house was a tavern. It was not one 

 of the regular stopping-places on the turnpike road, 

 being rather too near the town to gather any travel 

 of teamsters or coaches ; but passers-by who knew 

 the house and the Masons loved to stop there. 

 Everything in the well-kept, well-filled house and 

 barns contributed to the comfort of guests, and it was 

 known that the Masons cared more for the company 

 of the traveller than for his pay. 



There was a shadow on this house. The young- 

 est of the family, Hannah, had been jilted in her 

 youth, " shabbed " as said the country folks. 

 After several years of " constant company-keeping " 

 with the son of a neighbor, during which time many a 

 linen sheet and tablecloth, many a fine blanket, had 

 been spun and woven, and laid aside with the tacit 

 understanding that it was part of her wedding outfit, 

 the man had fallen suddenly and violently in love 

 with a girl who came from a neighboring town to 

 sing a single Sunday in the church choir. He had 

 driven to her home the following week, carried -her 

 off to a parson in a third town, married her, and 



