The Old Home

KESSLER, LARES, PENATES, KNOTT

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 2/25/2014 at 17:41:35

THE OLD HOME

When a new house or one of comparative years is dismantled no one cares. It is merely the home of one family or another. But when an old home that has become a landmark and tradition is dismantled, that is different and affects many.

In by-gone days Farmington has seen many delightful homes broken up after years of fine living, --- fine in the things that count, fine in family life, in culture, in honor, in loyalty and truth --- in everything that made them outstanding. They were homes, not merely houses. To quote from Edgar Guest, “It takes a heap o’ livin’ in a house t’ make it a home.”

The latest to go is the Kessler home. Over half a century it has stood on the corner of Fourth and Walnut streets. The young bride and her youthful husband planned the home themselves and every inch of the place is hallowed with memories.

Friendliness, hospitality and socialibility(sic) pervaded the atmosphere. Friends loved to come and go, formally or informally, often and still more often, front door or back door, morning, afternoon or night. All were welcome and all loved to linger. “How many nice times I’ve had at that home.” say one and all.

There was young life there through the years, and old life, too. There was the gamut of human experiences --- joys, sorrows, health, happiness, anxieties, sickness, death, tears and laughter. The climax was the beautiful Golden Wedding when relatives and friends mingled together in one great day of joy.

And when the “gude mon” was called from his labors, still the old home beckoned to friends.

Finally came the day of dismantling when the Lares and the Penates set up their abode in new homes; when one by one, pieces of furniture slipped away from their moorings; when articles and effects of cherished memory passed to others. Did the public see unshed tears or hear the quiet sighs?

Then it was over. The last of the possessions were gone; the last ministrations were accomplished. The walls, redolent of life, looked down upon bare floors.

The old house, no longer home, was ready for new occupancy and a new era of life. Nothing left but fragrant memories.

A great silence, sweet, tender, ineffable, enveloped the loved house
Estella T. Knott

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, page 63