18 



To show plainly how many we had, I have taken them in 

 order as we awarded the premiums ; the largest number first ; 

 each variety by itself. 



There were twenty-seven braided rugs. Mrs. Ruth Peterson, 

 seventy-seven years of age, showed what patience with sldll, 

 will perform, even with rags, in the display of three very finely 

 braided and beautifully sewed rugs, which were of good size, 

 too. Three by Mrs. Rebecca Turner, aged eighty-two, were so 

 nearly like the others that it would only be repetition to enlarge 

 on the subject. Three by Mrs. Oelia Bonney, eighty-two, were 

 beautifully braided, and sewed so the upper and under sides 

 wore so nearly alike, one would be obliged to take particular 

 notice to know which was the right side. She certainly deserves 

 a great deal of credit for such nice work. Two rugs by Mrs. 

 Jane S. Oakman, aged eighty-one, ought to receive more than 

 a passing notice. When one considers that age weakens the 

 use of the fingers, which are especially brought into action in 

 braiding, all the more honor is due these aged ones when their 

 work is as nicely done as by younger hands, as in these just 

 mentioned. We feel that all the commendation we can give 

 will not be too much, where so much skill is displayed. 



Mrs. William 0. Oakman, over seventy, contributed one, with 

 braid so evenly done and nicely sewed, we must mention it. 

 Mrs. Sarah Low's three, although the centre pieces were some- 

 what large, the braid was nice, and the colors, prettily blended, 

 forming more than an ordinarily pretty mat, aside from their 

 usefulness. The manner in which the loork is done is a very 

 great deal. We might speak of others which merited praise, 

 but younger hands performed the labor. We are glad to see 

 thrift and indications of good housekeeping at any time. One 

 elderly lady in our neighborhood said she always judged a 

 woman to be a good housekeeper if she had plenty of rugs. 

 She has always been honored by her neighbors for her thrift. 



