Reminiscences: Chapter 19

Reminiscences of Early Peoria
by Odillon B. Slane

Chapter 19
page 39-40

Ode on a Pair of Old Andirons
By Ruth Elizabeth Perkins

Dignified, solemn, antiquely modern, the old hand-wrought iron andirons stood guard in the old-fashioned fireplace. On the evenings when no fire leaps and grasps at the shadows in the fireplace is seen only what they actually are, marvelously preserved relics of the past; then when there is a fire in that fireplace they change, slowly, mysteriously, through the medium of the ready flames, become the romantic historians of over a hundred years ago.

Against the glowing background they stand, blacks sentinels, while between them, as though an open portal, go the spirits of our imaginations to find, in the glowing embers, pictures of the long ago.

Where are the infinitely skillful, work hardened hands which fashioned from the native metal those ever living monuments to his memory?

What giants of the forest have lain, shorn of their duties, pathetic in their helpless strength, cradled on their black arms, then to be wrapped forever in the warming blanket of the flames?

With scenes of household work and pleasure have they witnessed? With sumptuous Christmas dinners cooked within the fireplace's cavernous mouth? What stories told around the fire on a winter's evening while the children cracked nuts and roasted chestnuts and apples in the glowing coals? What apple parings and quilting bees? What candy pulls and jolly kitchen dances, while the winking, twinkling, dancing flames kept time as did the dancers to the music? What tender lover's sighs, and mother's crooning lullabyes? What swarthy Indian faces, giving back a reddish hue to the crackling, snapping fire of an early settler's log cabin? With scenes of want, and hunger and stubborn courage and hope and faith? What pictures of the thanksgiving and joy and love?

Over a hundred years, and the faces and forms, the sorrows and pleasures of those people of long ago are gone to return no more. Still those old black, hand-wrought andirons stand, silent sentinels, content -- with their memories.

Chapter 18 Chapter 20

Any contributions, corrections, or suggestions would be deeply appreciated!