Little-Blue-Willow-Plate

Little Madame's Corner Cupboard filled with bits and boobs for tea time.

       The Little-Blue-Willow-Plate lived in the Corner Cupboard. Other things lived in the Corner Cupboard, too. Oh dear me, yes! There were quite ex-tra-or-di-na-ry things. There was Red-Tea-Pot that turned up its little spout-nose with such an air. There was Silver-Mug--not an ordinary Silver-Mug, mind you. And there was Crystal-Rose-Bowl. She was all rainbowy and lovely in the firelight. Cologne-Bottle was there, too, with her fine gold cap, to say nothing of Pink-China-Clock! Never mind if it did sing out size o'clock when it meant bedtime. It was an ex-traordinary-- a very ex-tra-or-di-nary Pink-China-Clock, you must know.

Little-Blue-Willow-Plate.

       And then, of course, there was Little-Blue-Willow-Plate. He was quite a common thing, the others thought. He had curious blue things all over him. He had little blue houses with peaked roofs. He had also little blue trees with blue apples that looked for all the world like balloons on a stem. Then there were little  blue bridges over little blue rivers and-I declare-little blue men trotting across. And over the little blue bridges and houses and trees were two blue beaks close together.

       "Dear me! Such a common creature!" snapped Red-Tea-Pot.
       "Such a crazy creature!" Silver-Mug siad.
       "Such an ugly creature!" declared Crystal-Rose-Bowl, thinking of her own beauty.
       "Such a queer creature!" cried Cologne-Bottle. While Pink-China-Clock just made an ugly face and clasped her hands, which was quite as if she had said, "That common thing is out of place. We are all fine and dainty. His place is in the kitchen among the pots and pans!"
       One day the Corner-Cupboard folk were chattering among themselves. Blue-Willow-Plate listening quietly in his place against the shelf.
       The Red-Tea-Pot began, "I am both useful and beautiful. No other tea-pot could take my place. Little Madame cannot do without me!" And the Tea-Pot blushed red with foolish pride.
       Silver-Mug, not to be outdone, said in the lordliest way, "I am silver. Solid Silver, I tell you! The lips of little princesses have touched me. Read my engraving! Behold my Royal Crest!"
       "Ah," murmured Crystal-Rose-Bowl, "I shouldn't want a Royal Crest. I have held the roses of a hundred summers. Just see how the firelight sets my colors dancing. They are the spirits of all those withered roses."
       "Nonsense!" cried Cologne-Bottle, who had stood it long enough. "I have scented the gowns of grand ladies. One drop of me is worth all of you. I hold the fragrance of a garden of violets. Gracious! Why can't you understand?"
       "Fie upon you all!" scolded Pink-China-Clock. "I was made in Switzerland. Who of you can say that? Kings have looked into my face for the time o' day. Ah me! To think I have come to live in a Corner-Cup-board!"
       Then because Red-Tea-Pot, Silver-Mug, Crystal-Rose-Bowl, Cologne-Bottle and Pink-China-Clock had seen better days, each and every one said, "Ah me! Ah me! Ahhhh me!"
       Now the Little-Blue-Willow-Plate had been listening all this time. He felt sorry from the bottom of his little blue heart. For, if he had a heart, I'm sure is must have been blue.
       So he said, "You poor dear things, you poor dear things!"
       At that, Red-Tea-Pot, Silver-Mug, Crystal-Rose-Bowl, Cologne-Bottle and Pink-China-Clock sat up very stiff and straight. They had almost forgotten Little-Blue-Willow-Plate. Almost, but not quite!
       And then--if you'll believe me--Red-Tea-Pot said this: "Tut, tut! Who are you but a common serving dish? Kitchen Crockery! Tut! Tut! Tut!" And if you will believe me--the others said in the same unkind way, 'Kitchen Crockery! Tut! Tut! Tut!"
       Just then, the wee glass door of the Corner Cupboard was opened. Little Madame was taking out -- the Blue-Willow-Plate! Two little voices cried, "Oh, what a sweet little dish! Tell us about it, Little Madame!" The two little voices belonged to two little girls.
       Little Madame held the Blue-Willow-Plate ever so carefully. How shiny and round it was in the firelight! Then she told a wondrous story--all about that Blue-Willow-Plate. She told them all about those little blue houses and bridges and trees and birds and the little men crossing the bridge. Oh yes, and she told them all about the prettiest little princess!
       It was such a wondrous story that little girls said "Ohs" and "Has" with very round mouths.
       "Now," finished Little Madame, "we shall fill Blue-Willow-Plate with cookies and have a tea-party." And you know how little girls like tea-parties!
       I suppose you think that the Blue-Willow-Plate was put back in the Corner-Cupboard? Well, it wasn't. For ever after that little Blue-Willow-Plate lived on the friendly mantelpiece. And everybody who came to Little Madame's fireside said: "What a dear little plate!"

• See our family's blue and white chinaware for dolls...
• Read About The Blue Dolly's Wedding Party
• Printable Blue China Plate poem

The Moon At Tea-Time

THE MOON AT TEA-TIME

I was playing in the meadow, where there's
not a single tree,
I was throwing bits of sorrel at a fat old
bumble-bee, 
And then - I just looked up to see the clouds
go sailing by -
And oh, I saw the moon , in daytime! and I
can't think why!

Such funny things keep happ'ning, and
they've happened all to-day,
First, I found a weeny mouse, all cuddled in
the hay, 
Then at home we've got a baby, from I don't
know where!
And now I find the moon at tea-time , sitting in
the air!

I'm sure it's wrong, because the Bible says it's
meant for night,
And look, it hides behind the clouds - it knows
it isn't right.
Now there it comes! Oh, silly moon, you make
the sun look fine, 
'Cos bumping up against the clouds has
rubbed off all your shine!

by Enid Blyton

How to fashion your dolly's dishcloths...

Left and Right, pictured are the two tea towels crafted for our American Girl doll's country kitchen.
The red and white tea towel was cut from a very old vintage tea towel that had far too many stains
that could not be removed without damaging the fancy embroidery work. The second version was 
cut from a fancy piece of old linen. I then trimmed it with black and white ribbon. The fringe 
was cut from yarn and sew across both the tops and bottoms of each towel by hand.

Mr. Sunshine admires his work while dishcloths and rags hang on the clothesline.

Dishcloths, oh I mean tea towels
hang from the dishwasher handle
inside of our large doll's kitchen.
However, we only get them out
 to put on display on a holiday
or when guests come for a visit.

The Story of Miss Dishcloth's Ancestry

       Miss Tea Towel was most thoroughly angry; every one on the clothesline knew it, and it was only Mr. Sunbeam who had the courage to ask the reason.
       "Reason! why they have been calling me a rag, and do you suppose for one moment that I belong to that family? Of course it was all right asking you to fight my microbes (germs, bacteria) , for that is what I am outside today for; but to be called a 'rag' is a thing I will not stand for."
       "Well, I can remember when that was your name;" and Mr. Sunbeam smiled wickedly.
       "Oh, I know; I don't deny my ancestry, even if it goes back fifty years. In those days there may possibly have been a family of dishtowels living in the kitchen, and maybe even a sponge or two. But, it is very different now, and I want you to understand that I am as neatly cut and as carefully hemmed and embroidered as any member of the Bed Linen family. Why some of my fondest memories are of the time I spent in the sewing basket with pillow cases, waiting to be lovingly embellished with fine stitching and colorful floss..."
       "And your gift tags included with wrapping and given as housewarming sentiments - how are you labeled?" Mr. Sunbeam said facetiously.
       "Why, Miss Dishcloth, of course. However, that is only because my people now live in America instead of England. It's all because of that 'tea incident' in Boston Harbor. Well, you can't expect me to be held accountable for American rebellions can you?" Miss Tea Towel pleaded "Don't I deserve the distinction of my embellishments and I am usually put on display for guests or holidays too?"

Dress up your dollhouse kitchen table with...

• Holiday placemats or woven printable placemats
• Sew a set of towels for a smaller doll's bathroom
• Color the children washing doll clothes before hanging them out to dry...
• Raggedy Ann gets a bath and time to dry out with laundry

An old-fashioned doll tea party...

 

Description of Coloring Page: little mothers, little girls, tea with dolls, small child furniture, color children playing with their dolls

• Dolly Takes Tea by Albert Bigelow Paine
• The Moon at Tea-Time by Enid Blyton
• Taking Tea by Author Unknown
• The Two Dollies by F. K.

Don't forget to drag the png. or jpg into a Word Document and enlarge the image as much as possible before printing it folks. If you have a question about this coloring page, just type into the comment box located directly below this post and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.

The Birthday Party

        Ellen  was  having  a  party  and  the  Popover family  was  as  excited  as  if  it  were  their  own.
       In  the  first  place,  their  house  had  been  dusted and  set  in  order  from  top  to  bottom,  and  in  the second  place,  every  one  of  them  had  been  dressed in  something  new  or  bright  in  honor  of  the  day.
       Mr.  Popover  had  a  bright  green  ribbon  tied about  his  neck.  This  was  becoming  to  Mr. Popover  because  his  natural  color  was  a  soft  brown.
       Mrs.  Popover  wore  about  her  shoulders  a pretty  pink  shawl.  It  was  made  of  a  scrap  of ribbon  that  Aunt  Amelia  had  given  to  Ellen and  that  had  been  used  for  several  days  as  a cover on  the  Popovers'  dining-table.
       'It  is  a  beautiful  table  cover,'  said  Ellen thoughtfully,  'but  you  really  need  something new  for  the  party.   And  we  can  always  put  it back  on  the  table  again.   People  often  do  such things,  you  know.'
       Mrs.  Popover's  face  wore  a  pleasant  smile, so  it  is  quite  likely  that  she  agreed  with  all Ellen  said.
       Velvetina  Popover  was  really  splendid.  Over her  pink  velveteen  dress  she  wore  white  mosquito netting  that  stood  out  roundabout  in  the  most party-like  way.  In  her  hair  was  fastened  a  little white  feather  that  Ellen  had  pulled  from  the pillow  on  her  bed.
       'You  are  almost  as  beautiful  as  a  bride,'  murmured Ellen,  turning  Velvetina  slowly  round and  round.
       Mrs.  Popover  thought  so  too,  but  she  wouldn't say  it  aloud  to  Velvetina  for  fear  of  making  her vain.
       Baby  Popover  was  the  most changed for the party. He  was  in  yellow,  wrapped  round  and round like  a  little  cocoon,  and  finished  off  on  top  by  a tall  yellow  cap.  Ellen  really  took  more pains with  Baby  Popover's  costume  than  with  any of  the  others,  but  she  was  well  satisfied  when once  her  work  was  done.
       Indeed  she  was  pleased  with  all  the  Popover family.  She  placed  them  carefully  in  their Little  Red  House,  Mr.  Popover  sitting  in  the parlor,  Mrs.  Popover  standing  beside  the  kitchen stove,  Baby  Popover  lying  in  his  cradle, and  Velvetina  setting  the  table  for  tea.
       "The  company  will  be  here  in  a  moment,' said  Ellen,  who  was  herself  dressed  in  her  best white  frock.  'And  I  want  them  all  to  think  you are  the  nicest  dollies  that  ever  were.'
       Soon  the  company  came,  five  little  girls,  the daughters  of  Aunt  Amelia's  friends,  and  when they  saw  the  Doll  House  and  the  Popover family  living  inside,  they  liked  it  quite  as  well as Ellen  had  hoped  they  would.
       They  played  with  the  Popovers  for  a  long, long  time.  They  gave  them  a  tea-party.  They took  them  out  for  a  walk.  They  put  the  Popovers  to  bed  with  measles.  They  cured  them and carried  them  down  to  the  beach.
       The  Popovers  spent  a  pleasant  hour  with  the five  little  girls  and  Ellen.  And  the  five  little girls  and  Ellen  enjoyed  the  Popovers  so  well that  they  were  surprised  when  Aunt  Amelia called them  into  the  dining room  to  eat  ice cream and  cake  and  drink  lemonade.
       Then  they  all  went  into  the  garden  where they  played  games  and  ran  about  and  tried  to climb  the  apple  tree  until  it  was  time  to  go home.
       When  the  party  was  over  and  she  had  had  her supper,  Ellen  went  to  bed.  She  was  tired out,  so tired  that  she  didn't  even  say  good-night  to  the Popovers.
       But  the  Popovers  were  not  tired,  not  they.
       'It  really  seems  a  pity,'  said  Mrs.  Popover, 'when  we  are  all  dressed  and  the  house  is clean that  we  shouldn't  have  a  party  ourselves.'
       'Why  can't  we  have  a  party?'  asked  Mr. Popover.  'What  is  the  reason  we  can't  have  a party as  soon  as  every  one  has  gone  to  bed?'
       'There  is  no  reason,'  was  Mrs.  Popover's answer.
       And  on  hearing  this  good  news  Velvetina  clapped  her  hands  and  little  Loo-Loo  bounced in his  cradle  as  if  he  would  say,  'Oh,  do  let  us have  a  party,  do.'
       'Isn't  it  your  birthday,  my  dear?'  asked  Mr. Popover  of  his  wife.  'It  seems  to  me  that you  haven't  had  a  birthday  in  a long,  long time.'
       'Perhaps  it  is  my  birthday,'  answered  Mrs. Popover  after  a  moment's  thought.  'I  have been  so  busy  since  we  moved  downstairs  that  I have  really  lost  all  track  of  time.'
       'We  will  call  it  your  birthday,  then,'  decided Mr.  Popover,  'and  have  a  party  as  soon  as Peanut  comes.'
       Mrs.  Popover  at  once  bustled  round,  preparing refreshments  for  the  party.  Fortunately, that afternoon,  one  of  the  little  girls  had dropped  a  large  currant  cake  under  the  table  in the playroom.
       'Just  the  thing  for  our  refreshments,'  said Mrs.  Popover  as  she  spied  it  lying  there.  'Mr. Popover,  if  you  will  bring  in  that  cake,  I  will set  the  table.'
       She  spread  out  her  very  best  china  and  glass. The  table  looked  well  when  she  had  finished.
       And  then  Peanut  came.
       He  had  heard  the  noise  of  the  party  that  afternoon. He  had  even  had  a  peep  at  the  five little girls  and  Ellen,  though  of  course  they  hadn't seen  him.  But  Brownie  didn't  care  to  hear about  that  party  when  once  he  had  learned  that this  was  Mrs.  Popover's birthday,  and  that  she had  been  waiting  for  him  to  come  before  beginning the  celebration  of  it.
       He  drew  Mr.  Popover  aside  at  once.
       'Have  you  presents  for  Mrs.  Popover?'  he asked.
       'Presents?'  said  Mr.  Popover.   'No.'
       'There  are  always  presents  at  birthday  parties,' said  Peanut.
       So  all  the  family,  except  Mrs.  Popover,  set out  to  look  about  the  play-room  for  birthday presents.  Mr.  Popover  carried  Loo-Loo,  and Peanut  and  Velvetina  walked  hand  in  hand.
       Mrs.  Popover,  alone  at  home,  spent  most  of the  time  peeping  out  of  the  window  at  her family  strolling  about.  She  couldn't  help  it,  she did  so  want  to  know  what  they  would  find.
       When  they  came  back  Mrs.  Popover  was  delighted with  her  presents.
       First  of  all  there  was  a  clock.  It  was  a  small toy  watch  that  Ellen  sometimes  wore  on  a string  about  her  neck.  But  hung  upon  the  wall of  the  Popovers'  living-room  it  answered  the purpose  of  a  clock  very  nicely.
       'I  have  always  wanted  a  clock,'  said  Mrs. Popover,  'but  I  never  thought  I  should  really have  one.  Now  if  we  ever  move  near  a  school, I  can  promise  the  teacher  that  Velvetina  will never  be  late.'
       Then  there  was  a  candy  box,  a  small  blue candy  box,  empty,  it  is  true,  but  of  great  use, Mrs.  Popover  declared.  
       'I  can  use  it  as  a  couch,  with  sofa  cushions, or  as  a  trunk  to  hold  our  clothes,'  said she.
       Loo-Loo  and  Velvetina  each  had  a  flower  for their  mother.  Peanut  had  scrambled  up  to  a bowl  on  the  table  and  thrown  the  flowers  down on  the  floor  to  them.
       Every  one  was  happy  when  they  sat  down  in the  dining-room  at  the  table  to  eat  their  refreshments. They  were  so  happy  that  they  laughed happily  together  as  they  nibbled  at  the currant cake.
       Perhaps  they  laughed  too  loudly.  Perhaps they  scraped  their  chairs  upon  the  floor.  Perhaps Velvetina's  merry  little  voice  grew  a trifle shrill.
       At  any  rate,  in  the  very  midst  of  the  party, they  heard  footsteps  coming  down  the  hall.
       It  was  Uncle  Henry.  They  all  knew  him  by the  flapping  of  his  slippers  as  he  came.  Had they  wakened  him  from  his  sleep?
       Straight    to    the   play-room   walked   Uncle Henry.  He  snapped  on  the  light.  He  peered about  the  room  on  the  floor  in  every  nook  and corner.
       'I  thought  I  heard  a  mouse'  said  Uncle Henry.
       From  a  crack  in  the  floor  two  bright  black  eyes peeped  out.  But  of  good  little  Peanut Uncle Henry  saw  not  a  sign.
       He  looked  into  the  Doll  House.  The  Popovers  stood  stiff  and  straight  where  Ellen  had left  them  that  afternoon.
       'Hum !  Crumbs ! '  said  Uncle  Henry.
       Then  off  he  flapped  down  the  hall  to  bed.
       In  the  morning  Ellen  did  not  know  what  to think  of  her  Doll  House.
       I  didn't  leave  crumbs  about'  said  Ellen to  Aunt  Amelia,  who  had  come  to  set  a  mousetrap in  a  corner  of  the  play-room.  'And  I  don't remember  hanging  my  watch  in  the  living room  nor  putting  my  blue  candy  box  here. Don't  you  think  it  is  strange,  Aunt Amelia?
       'I  know  I  didn't  leave  the  Doll  House  so'
       'Perhaps  the  Popovers  could  tell  you  how  it happened'  suggested  Aunt  Amelia.
       But  Ellen  didn't  even  ask  the  Popovers  because she  knew  very  well  that  they  wouldn't  tell.

Velvetina and Peanut.

Previous Chapter and Next Chapter

Learning History With Samantha Parkington

Meet Samantha Parkington and American Girl

       "Samantha is an only child growing up during the Edwardian period (although American Girl designated her as Victorian). Her year is 1904. Orphaned at age five and raised by her wealthy Victorian-era grandmother, Mary Edwards, whom she called Grandmary, in fictional Mount Bedford, New York, Samantha befriends a poor servant girl named Nellie O'Malley. Eventually Samantha, Nellie and Nellie's young sisters are adopted by Samantha's uncle Gardner Edwards and aunt Cornelia. 

       The themes of Samantha's books include women's suffrage, child labor, and classism. Red Om Productions produced Samantha: An American Girl Holiday, in cooperation with American Girl. The show premiered on WB Television Network in November 2004 and was released to DVD soon thereafter. American Girl introduced the concept of "archiving" in October 2008 when it announced plans to cease production of Samantha and her collection (including Nellie). Samantha was then officially archived on May 31, 2009, but was later re-introduced in August 2014 as part of the BeForever reboot." Wikipedia

• Susan S. Adler and Sarah Masters Buckey and Valerie Tripp
• Meet Samantha Parkington an American Girl
• Samantha Parkington BeForever American Girl
• Teacher's Guide to Manners and Mischief (PDF)
• Look up the meaning of the name, Samantha

       Nellie O'Malley, Samantha's best friend, is an Irish immigrant who works for Samantha's neighbors and is befriended by Samantha. She personifies the working-class immigrant experience of the time and teaches Samantha about the conditions faced by children who are part of the work force. Nellie and her sisters, Bridget and Jenny, are orphaned and later adopted by Samantha's relatives, Gardner and Cornelia Edwards. In 2004, American Girl introduced a new line of Best Friend dolls with Nellie O'Malley debuting as Samantha's Best Friend in conjunction with the Samantha DVD release. Nellie was marketed with a small collection of clothing and a book written by Valerie Tripp, Nellie's Promise, which chronicles the character's growth and adjustment to her recent adoption. As Nellie was part of Samantha's collection, she was archived at the same time as Samantha. In 2014, with the return of Samantha and the release of BeForever, American Girl decided to move away from the Best Friends line. It is unlikely that Nellie will be re-released. 

•  Nellie O'Malley Doll, Best Friend Doll
  

For your 18 inch doll sized calling cards.

Our Artifacts for The Samantha Parkington Doll:

• Paper Dolls and How To Make Them, published in 1857 (during the Civil War era)
• Portrait of A Survivor Lesson Plan (about the Titanic)
• New Year's Wishes...1887 - something found in her grandmother's attic
• The Doll Wedding by Lena Miller - a short story about a childhood memory.
• Doll Sized Spelling Printables - 1841
• A Quincy, Massachusetts, 1906 Maxwell
• At The Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, 1901
• Dollhouse window printable includes stained glass...
• Soda Fountain/ Ice Cream Parlor Clip Art Pages 
• Printable dollhouse door hardware, page 1
• Since Will Turned Into a Boy...
• How the old folks made camp...
• The doll's Full English breakfast...
• DIY an east plum pudding craft for a doll's Christmas
  
• How to make ice-cream parlor desserts
• What came with Samantha's ice cream parlor?

Crafting In the Past: What kinds of crafts were popular in 1904?

• DIY a doll sized needlepoint and hoop
• Cutting snowflakes and drawing snowman...
• Paper cutting & Silhouette Crafts Index
• Leaf print pictures and rubbings

Online Research for American Girl, Samantha Parkington, According to Themes Covered in The Books:

Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlors and Tea Rooms:

• Aunt Martha's Victorian Tea Rooms
• Example and How to make Victorian Ice Cream

Economic Class in America 1900:

• American Labor and Working -Class History, 1900-1945
• Social Class in America
• Rise of Industrial America, 1876-1900

The Industrial Era in America:

• 1920s Industrial America Classroom Activity Guide
• The Development of the Industrial United States (1870 - 1900)

The Orphan Trains:

• National Orphan Train Complex
• The American Orphan Trains
• Placing Out Documentary about the Orphan Trains
• The Orphan Trains from Prairie Public 
• Orphan Train Rider Tells His Story

The Journey and Tragic Ending of The Titanic:

• Letters From the Titanic
• Survival Stories of Former Titanic Ocean Voyage 
• Titanic: The Facts Told by Real Survivors
• 5 Real Titanic Survivors & Their Stories
• Titanic: The Unsinkable Molly Brown and her story told through a popular musical 
• Titanic Classic Documentary (1987)
• NOAA Titanic Expedition 2004: Breathtaking Wreck Footage

Samantha Parkington Books by Pleasant Doll Company and American Girl Doll Company:

1. Meet Samantha
2. Samantha Learns a Lesson
3. Samantha's Surprise
4. Happy Birthday, Samantha!
5. Samantha Saves the Day
6. Changes for Samantha
7. Samantha and the Missing Pearls
8. Samantha's Special Talent
9. Samantha's Winter Party
10. Samantha Saves the Wedding
11. Samantha's Blue Bicycle
12. The Curse of Ravenscourt
13. The Stolen Sapphire
14. The Cry of the Loon
15. Clue in the Castle Tower
16. Danger in Paris
17. Welcome to Samantha's World
18. Samantha's Ocean Liner Adventure
19. Samantha's Wedding Memories
20. Samantha's World
21. The Lilac Tunnel
22. Real Stories from My Time: The Titanic

Samantha Parkington Doll Fan Videos:

• American Girl Doll House - Samantha's Bedroom
• Room Tour, 1904, Victorian Inspired Bedroom
• Differences Among The American Girl Samantha Dolls
• A Bedroom for Samantha Parkingon
• Samantha's Special Day Dress
• Samantha Parkington & Nellie Outfits
• Outfits, Accessories and Books for Samantha Doll
• Opening Samantha Outfits
• Samantha's Bathing Costume
• My Entire American Girl Samantha Doll Collection

Film and Theater About Young Girls from Samantha's Time: Rags to Riches Themes:

• Annie on Broadway and Film trailer from 1982 version starring Carol Burnett and Bernadette Peters
• Pollyanna Trailer starring Hayley Mills by Disney

Advanced Reading: Historical Fiction that takes place during at the turn of the 20th Century, The Victorian Era, The Industrial Era in America:

• Voyage on the Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady, RMS Titanic, 1912 by Ellen Emerson White 
• A Coal Miner's Bride: The Diary of Anetka Kaminska, Lattimer, Pennsylvania, 1896 by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
• Color Me Dark: The Diary of Nellie Lee Love, the Great Migration North, Chicago, Illinois, 1919 by Patricia McKissack
• A Time for Courage: The Suffragette Diary of Kathleen Bowen, Washington, D.C., 1917 by Kathryn Lasky
• Hear My Sorrow: The Diary of Angela Denoto, a Shirtwaist Worker, New York City, 1909 by Deborah Hopkinson  

Raggedy Ann's Trip On The River

Raggedy Ann's Trip On The River

       When Marcella had a tea party out in the orchard, of course all of the dolls were invited. Raggedy Ann, the tin soldier, the native doll and all the others - even the four little penny dolls in the spool box. After a lovely tea party with ginger cookies and milk, of course the dolls were very sleepy, at least Marcella thought so, so she took all except Raggedy Ann into the house and put them to bed for the afternoon nap. Then Marcella told Raggedy Ann to stay there and watch the things.

       As there was nothing else to do, Raggedy Ann waited for Marcella to return. And as she watched the little ants eating cookie crumbs Marcella had thrown to them, she heard all of a sudden the patter of puppy feet behind her. It was Fido.

       The puppy dog ran up to Raggedy Ann and twisted his head about as he looked at her. Then he put his front feet out and barked in Raggedy Ann's face. Raggedy Ann tried to look very stern, but she could not hide the broad smile painted on her face.

       "Oh, you want to play, do you?" the puppy dog barked, as he jumped at Raggedy Ann and then jumped back again.

       The more Raggedy Ann smiled, the livelier Fido's antics became, until finally he caught the end of her dress and dragged her about.

       This was great fun for the puppy dog, but Raggedy Ann did not enjoy it. She kicked and twisted as much as she could, but the puppy dog thought Raggedy was playing.

       He ran out the garden gate and down the path across the meadow, every once in a while stopping and pretending he was very angry. When he pretended this, Fido would give Raggedy Ann a great shaking, making her yarn head hit the ground "ratty-tat-tat." Then he would give his head a toss and send Raggedy Ann high in the air where she would turn over two or three times before she reached the ground.

       By this time, she had lost her apron and now some of her yarn hair was coming loose.

       As Fido neared the brook, another puppy dog came running across the foot-bridge to meet him. "What have you there, Fido?" said the new puppy dog as he bounced up to Raggedy Ann.

       "This is Raggedy Ann," answered Fido. "She and I are having a lovely time playing."

       You see, Fido really thought Raggedy enjoyed being tossed around and whirled high up in the air. But of course she didn't. However, the game didn't last much longer. As Raggedy Ann hit the ground the new puppy dog caught her dress and ran with her across the bridge, Fido barking close behind him.

       In the center of the bridge, Fido caught up with the new puppy dog and they had a lively tug-of-war with Raggedy Ann stretched between then. As they pulled and tugged and flopped Raggedy Ann about, somehow she fell over the side of the bridge into the water.

       The puppy dogs were surprised, and Fido was very sorry indeed, for he remembered how good Raggedy Ann had been to him and how she had rescued him from the dog-pound. But the current carried Raggedy Ann right along and all Fido could do was to run along the bank and bark.

Color Raggedy where she landed in the river.

       Now, you would have thought Raggedy Ann would sink, but no, she floated nicely, for she was stuffed with clean white cotton and the water didn't soak through very quickly.

       After a while, the strange puppy and Fido grew tired of running along the bank and the strange puppy scampered home over the meadow, with his tail carried gaily over his back as if he had nothing to be ashamed of. But Fido walked home very sorry indeed. His little heart was broken to think that he had caused Raggedy Ann to be drowned.

       But Raggedy Ann didn't drown - not a bit of it. In fact, she even went to sleep on the brook, for the motion of the current was very soothing as it carried her along - just like being rocked by Marcella.

       So, sleeping peacefully, Raggedy Ann drifted along with the current until she came to a pool where she lodged against a large stone.

       Raggedy Ann tried to climb upon the stone, but by this time the water had thoroughly soaked through Raggedy Ann's nice, clean, white cotton stuffing and she was so heavy she could not climb.

       So there she had to stay until Marcella and Daddy came along and found her.

       You see, they had been looking for her. They had found pieces of her apron all along the path and across the meadow where Fido and the strange puppy dog had shaken them from Raggedy Ann. So they followed the brook until they found her.

       When Daddy fished Raggedy Ann from the water, Marcella hugged her so tightly to her breast the water ran from Raggedy Ann and dripped all over Marcella's apron. But Marcella was so glad to find Raggedy Ann again she didn't mind it a bit. She just hurried home and took off all of Raggedy Ann's wet clothes and placed her on a little red chair in front of the oven door, and then brought all of the other dolls in and read a fairy tale to them while Raggedy Ann steamed and dried.

       When Raggedy Ann was thoroughly dry, Mamma said she thought the cake must be finished and she took from the oven a lovely chocolate cake and gave Marcella a large piece to have another tea party with.

       That night when all the house was asleep, Raggedy Ann raised up in bed and said to the dolls who were still awake, "I am so happy I do not feel a bit sleepy. Do you know, I believe the water soaked me so thoroughly my candy heart must have melted and filled my whole body, and I do not feel the least bit angry with Fido for playing with me so roughly!"

       So all the other dolls were happy, too, for happiness is very easy to catch when we love one another and are sweet all through.

Color Raggedy where she lodged against a stone in the river.

Back to the original stories index by Johnny Gruelle

What's Inside a New England Farmer's Home, 1776

CATALOGUE 

OF 

NEW ENGLAND 

FARMER'S HOME

 OF 1776

 YE OLDEN TIME

WELCOME TO ALL

"HANGING OF THE CRANE." by Longfellow

 "fortunate, happy day,
When a new household finds its place
Among the myriad homes of earth,
Like a new star just sprung to birth,
And rolled on its harmonious way
Into the boundless realms of space!
So said the guests in speech and song,
As in the chimney, burning bright,
We hang the Iron Crane to-night.
And merry was the feast and long."

KITCHEN

1. Fireplace and surroundings
2. Trammel and Crane
3. Toddy Stick and Spoon, 200 years old.
4. The first Candle-mold used in Maine, 165 years ago.
5. Candle Mold of later date.
6. Worked Linen Holder, 95 years old.
7. Old Crane Lamp, in which oil was used, and the lamp hung on the crane to allow the smoke to pass up the chimney.
8. Improved Oil Lamp.
9. Small Iron Lard Lamp.
10. Tin Lantern.
11. Steelyards.
12. Knife Basket, 95 years old.
13. Fish Basket of "ye olden time." 
14. Gun, Powder Horn, and Cartridge Bag, which did service during the Revolution in log cabins in Maine and Massachusetts.
15. Two Tinder Boxes, and Brimstone Sticks to catch the tinder after it is lighted.
16. Model of the first Cooking Stove made in Salem, Mass.
17. Bell-Metal Skillet, 75 years old.
18. Brass Blazers from Duxbury, Mass., used in the last century.
19. A Pair of Brass Footmen, which were placed on the hearth with hot coals under them.
20. Bellows, two pair; one 150 years old.
21. A Skimmer, known to be 175 years old.
22. Little Tea Kettle and small Iron Pot, about 200 years old.
23. Dutch Oven and Iron Andirons used in Maine.
24. Wooden Oven Shovel, used to take coals from the oven.
25. Pewter Dish and Strainer, to baste the meat.
26. Iron Toaster.
27. Fowl roasting on a string before the fire. Strings of dried apples, dried pumpkins, red peppers, herbs, and corn, crooked-neck squash hanging about the mantel-piece.
28. Bean Porridge Dish with three legs.
29. Two Ancient Pewter Platters. 
30. Chest of Drawers, 200 years old. 
31. Mortar, 200 years old.
32. Spice Mill.
33. Oil Lamp.
34. Work Stand, very ancient.
35. Work Stand Cover, embroidered at Mrs. Melchoir's School 150 years ago, Newport, Rhode Island.
36. Silhouette of Mr. and Mrs. Coleman, Minister in Maine 100 years ago.
37. Song of the Minute-Man, 1776.
38. Sampler. - "How blest the maid whom circling years improve, Her God the object of her warmest love, Whose useful hours successive as they glide, The book, the needle, and the pen divide.''
39. Cheese Curd Breaker.
40. Wool Spinning Wheel.
41. Flax Spinning Wheel, 200 years old, from Plymouth, Mass.
42. Deed of Land signed by the sons of William Peini, 1737.
43. Picture, Landing of the Pilgrims, 1620, with names.
44. Picture of Boston, 1768. 
45. Indentures of Land in North Carolina, signed by Edward Barrows, 1731.
46. Secretary with club feet, 100 years old.
47. Looking Glass (with string of red peppers over it), brought from England 150 years ago.
48. Box, 100 years old.
49. Chinese Tea Caddy.
50. Two Pictures, " Emblems of Europe and America," very ancient.
51. Picture of George the Third.
52. Facsimile of the original copy of the " Star-Spangled Banner," by Key, 17.
53. Navarino Bonnet, 75 years old.
54. Two Straw Bonnets, " Tuscan and Dunstable Straw," 40 years old.
55. Quilting Frame and Quilt.
56. Cradle, came over in the May Flower. Peregrine White, first white child born in the Colonies, was rocked in it. It is known as the "Fuller Cradle," and is owned by Mrs. Mercy Cushiuan, Kingston, near Plymouth, Mass.
57. Dining Table, 145 years old.
58. Glass Case on table, containing the following articles : A Wooden Spoon which belonged to King Philip, of the Narragansett Indians. A Snuff-Box, taken from a Hessian officer at the Battle of Trenton. Pistol, inlaid with silver, taken from a British officer at Crown Point. A small iron-bound Pitcher, said to have come over in the May Flower, 1620. Two small bone figures of Washington and King Philip, made by a Revolutionary soldier while in a British prison ship in Boston harbor, 1774. Other small articles.
59. Indian Mortar, made from a log of wood and used for grinding coin; supposed to be nearly 300 years old.
60. Hetchell, for combing flax.
61. Chair Table, 150 years old, from New Hampshire.
62. Side Saddle, 175 years old, such as was used by the Pilgrims.
63. Corner Chair.
64. Clock, 400 years old.
65. Warming Pan.
66. Reel for yarn.
67. Plaid Cloak.  
68. Camet Cloak. 
69. Buckskin Breeches.
70. Rolling Towel, home-spun.
71. Old Settle, always found in old-fashioned kitchens, home-spun garments hung on the back.
72. Historic Quilt. The chintz represents the Goddess of Liberty crowning Washington, and presenting at the altar of Liberty medallions of her illustrious sons. The quilt is made with a ruffle at the bottom, three inches wide, and a place is cut out for the lower posts.
73. Ancient Snow Shoes, worn in Maine about 75 years ago.
74. Birch or Split Brooms, cut from one piece of wood, as used in 1776
75. Kitchen Cupboard, 150 years old, used at Cape Cod, Mass., and furnished with ancient crockery.
76. Lace Pillow, with lace and bobbins, just as left by Mrs. Dutch, of Ipswich, Mass., in 1720.
77. Reprint of a Funeral Elegy written in 1773, on the occasion of the upsetting of a sail boat in Salem harbor.
78. Very small Churn, used for goat's cream 200 years ago.
79. Almanacs, dating from 1748.
80. Book Shelf 

REVOLUTIONARY RELICS

1. Powder Horn.
2. Commission of Nathan Barrett from Greorge the Third.
3. Commission of Nathan Barrett from John Hancock.
4. Sword of Nathan Barrett, used at the Battle of Concord.
5. Cocked Hat of the Revolution.
6. Canteen.
7. Powder Horn used in 1765.
8. Powder Horn used in the Battle of Bunker Hill by a soldier.
9. Spurs of General Stark.
10. Pistol taken from an English officer in the Revolution.
11. Bill of Sale in 1632.
12. Flag of the Two Massachusetts Squadrons that went through the Revolutionary War.
13. Indian Bow, taken from the Chief " Little Bear," Concord, 1760.

DRESSER

The dresser is adorned with blue dishes. Lowestoft China, and ancient pewter platters and porringers.

1. A Silver Coffee Pot used by Lafayette in Boston.
2. A Brass Spoon Mold from Paul Revere's foundry.
3. Glass Salt Cellar, owned hy Mary Kendall, who came over in the May Flower.
4. An Ancient Wine Pitcher.
5. On the desk, a Coffee Urn. over 100 years old.
6. A Pewter Platter, made in London over 100 years ago.
7. On the wall, The First of Two Wooden Trenchers, about 200 years old.
8. On the wall, The Second of Two Wooden Trenchers, about 200 years old.
9. A Trencher which was part of a wedding outfit brought from England 150 years ago.
10. A Silver Tankard which has been in the family of one of the ladies of the "Log House" over 100 years.
11. Knife and Fork which formerly belonged to Sir Wm. Howe.

BEDROOM

1. Clock, 168 years old.
2. Chair, belonged to Governor Hancock, was 80 years in one family.
3. Parasol brought from England, 1776, has a club handle and top; the fashion was revived last year.
4. Calashe, 60 years old.
5. Pilgrim's Wall Pocket, brought from England in 1628.
6. Sampler, worked by Elizabeth Holmes 145 years ago. It has these lines: "This needle-work of mine can tell. That in my youth I learned well, And by my elders I was taught, Not to spend my time for naught."
7. Wall Pocket, made 150 years ago by Mrs. Goldwhaite, wife of the first Town Clerk of Boston. 
8. Buttons worn in 1776. 
9. Picture, Battle of Charlestown.
10. Medallion of Lafayette.
11. First pair of Shoes made in Lynn, Mass. (Slippers with pointed toes and no heels.)
12. China-Cupboard, old China Tea and Coffee pot and Tea Caddy. Glass Tumbler 125 years old.
13. Knife Case, belonged to Mrs. Fanueil, Boston, Mass. 
14. Oil Lamps. 
15. John Alden's Desk, brought over in the May Flower, 1(J20. Belongs to Dr. Samuel Alden, Bridgewater, Mass., who is in the seventh generation from John and Priscilla Alden. 
16. Porringer brought from Holland 160 years ago.
17. Lamp Mat worked in 177(5, by a lady 93 years old.
18. Swift, for winding yarn, 60 years old.
19. Reel, for winding a spool, about 100 years old.
20. Model of Bunker Hill Monument, made from the old Elm of Boston Common, by Charles Le Due.
21. Candlestick and Snuffers.
22. Hair Trunk, dated, in brass nails, 1708. There are drawers in the lower part, similar to those now made in new trunks.
23. Rocking Chair, ancient.
24. Foot-stove, 60 years ago was often carried to church, now owned by Mrs. James Boyce, Lynn, Mass.
25. Picture, " Spring," dated 1795.
26. Flax Spinning Wheel, 150 years old.
27. Bedstead, age not known.
28. Bed-Quilt, a wedding present to a daughter of Gov. Strong, Mass., 1775.
29. Linen Sheet, spun and woven by Mrs. Betheah Southwick, 200 years ago. Now owned by her granddaughter, Mrs. Boyce, of Lynn, Mass.
30. Folding Chair, made for Gov. Endicott, Colonial Governor of Massachusetts, 200 years ago, made in Danvers, Mass., and now owned by Mrs. Boyce, of Lynn, Mass.
31. Antique Chair, red seat.
32. Washstand, Bowl, and Pitcher, in the family of W. Southwick, 70 years ago.
33. Dressing Table, with club feet and brass handles, 100 years old.
34. Toilet Glass, with drawer, belonged 125 years ago to the Rev. Samuel Hopkins, Rhode Island. (The hero of Mrs. Stowe's novel, "The Minister's Wooing.")
35. Looking Glass, 150 years old.
36. High Back Chair, came from England in the second ship after the May Flower ; was owned by Barney Thompson.
37. Birch Powder Box and Puff, belonged to Mrs. Fanueil, of Boston, in 1792.
38. Powder Box.
39. Shell Pincushion.
40. Water-color Painting of a Cemetery, 150 years old.
41. Three Pictures of the Seasons, Summer, Autumn. Winter, dated 1795.
42. Corner Wall Basket.
43. Candlestick.
44. Two Pictures (ancient), " Emblems of Europe and Africa.
45. Picture, Battle of Bunker Hill.
46. Almanac of 1775, '76, and '77, by Benjamin Franklin.
47. Thread Case, 95 years old.
48. New England Primer, dated 1691.
49. Almanac of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 1775.
50. Two Corset Boards, worn 1775.
51. Two Wall Pockets.
52. Masonic Apron, over 100 years old, and Certificate of Membership of the " Forefathers' Rock Lodge, Plymouth, Mass., October," no date ; one of the earliest documents of the kind in this country.
53. Two Straw Bonnets and a Calash, 50 years old.
54. Coats, 100 years old.
55. Two Linen Handkerchiefs used in the wars, 1776, 1812, and 1861, owned by Miss Rebecca Wiswell, Boston, Mass.
56. Handkerchief waved by Miss Margaret Maitland, who stood with a group of girls upon an arch under which Washington passed, after the evacuation of the British from Boston, 1775.
57. The Waist of a Dress worn by the Countess of Rumford when presented at the French Court, 1775. She was Miss Sarah Thompson, of Concord, N. H.
58. Floor Mat.
59. Round Folding Table, with club feet, owned by Governor Bradford's family; known to be 150 years old.

LIST OF BOOKS

1. Lectures on the Catechism, 1689.
2. Synopsis of Papism, 1634.
3. The Gospel Way of Escaping the Doleful State of the Damned, 1729.
4. A Ladies' Love Lecture, composed from the choicest Books of Divinitic and Humanitie.
5. Letters writ by a Turkish Spy, 1770.
6. History of America from its Discovery to the Death of Washington.
7. The Valley of Lilies, by Thomas a Kempis.
8. "No Cross no Crown," by William Penn, 1747.
9. English Gentleman's Magazine, etc.
10. First Religious paper published in the United States.

• See also "A Day In A Colonial Home"

Dolls by The American Character Doll Company

       The American Doll and Toy Corporation was established in 1919 by Russian Jewish immigrant brothers Jacob and Max Brock, and their partner Ed Schaefaer, with many of the Brock relatives occupying key positions at the company. The company used the trade names "Aceedeecee" and "ACDC". American Character Dolls' factory was in Brooklyn; the company operated a store on East 17th Street in New York City in the late 1920s. By the late 1930s, the company's manufacturing plant, comprising 130,000 square feet, was in East Hampton, Massachusetts.
       The company made the news in 1937 when it was ordered by the Federal Trade Commission to stop claiming that its patented "paratex" (a hard rubber made from a "secret formula") was superior to composition dolls (popularly made by American Character's competitor the Ideal Toy Company).
       In 1951, American Character partnered with competitors the Ideal Toy Company and the Alexander Doll Company to establish the United States-Israeli Toy and Plastic Corporation, designed to produce material for toys in Israel and the U.S. The new corporation's offices shared space with American Character.
       In 1954, American Character Dolls established a $2,000 annual fellowship at Teachers College, Columbia University, known as the Frances Horwich Graduate Fellowship in Early Childhood Education. In 1954 the company was awarded a patent for a doll that "breathes, sheds tears, drinks from a bottle, blows bubbles, and even smokes."
       By 1967 the company's fortunes were in decline, with unsecured claims said to be approximately $1.4 million. Settlements were arranged in March and June 1967, and the company continued to operate on a limited scale. Shortly thereafter, in 1968, American Character Dolls filed for bankruptcy and went out of business. Molds for some toys were sold to Mattel and Ideal Toy Company, which acquired the defunct company's dyes, patents, and trademarks.

 The Wonderful Doll World of Toni and Betsy McCall

       Toni (1958–1960s) — 10," 14," 20," and 25" fashion doll and Betsy McCall (1957-1959) — 8"-36" hard plastic doll are featured here in this small booklet published in the 1950s.

       Introducing Toni, Beautiful, sophisticated doll that comes complete with her own Playwave Kit. Create glamorous hairdos with your Toni Doll. Betsy McCall, what a cute little girl doll that steps from the pages of McCall's Magazine.

Cartoon.

Extra outfits for Betsy McCall Doll: Chemise, shoes and socks, April Showers,
 Riding Habit, Ballerina and Schoolgirl in stripes.

Cartoon

Betsy in Coat and Hat, Sugar and Spice, Sunday Best and On the ice.

How to style your doll's hair.

Extra Costumes for Betsy: Bride, Town and Country, Sweet Dreams and Holiday Plaid.

Cartoon.

Betsy' McCall Play Packages: Designer Studio, Beach Party and Garden Party.

Cartoon.

Complete Costumes for Betsy McCall dolls are: Holiday, Bride and School Days.
Doll in Chemise with Trunk and three more outfits is available for $12.98.

Betsy McCall doll 20" costumes include: Sunday Best, Ensemble and Sugar & Spice.

Collect the everyday outfits for your Toni doll. Something to wear at brunch, tea time,
 as a collegiete, to the beach and with a "Toni Playwave Set" dressed in a
Brassalette with high heal shoes.

More outfits for the 10 1/2" Toni doll include: coat and hat, Bon Soir,
Shopping Time and Bride.

Extra outfits for the Toni 10 1/2" Doll: Suburbanite, High Society,
American Beauty and Sunday Best.

Costumes for the Toni 20" Doll: bride, Sunday Best and American Beauty.

Children could write the company and join the Toni and Betsy McCall Birthday Club.

Toodles Toddler (1955-1959) — 19-1/2", 21," and 24" vinyl multi-jointed doll.

 

       "Toodles The Action Doll" "Look for Toodles and her super kart. 23" tall Toodles is an all soft vinyl doll with beautiful Saran hair. Toodles has rolling eyes and long curled eyelashes. She wears cotton romper, socks, sandals, and ribbon in her hair. Toodles drinks her bottle and wets. Her 3-way Super Kart is made of steel and can be used as a shopping cart for play-marketing, a highchair for play-feeding, and a doll stroller for her outing."

       American Character's most popular doll was Tiny Tears, introduced in 1950 and remaining in production through the rest of the company's existence.The baby doll's distinguishing feature was her ability to shed tears from two tiny holes on either side of her nose when her stomach was pressed after being filled with water from her baby bottle. Tiny Tears became one of the most popular dolls of the 1950s, due in part to television ads featuring a young Patty Duke that aired on popular children's shows such as the highly influential Ding Dong School with Frances Horwich.