Grandfather Stories
Samuel Hopkins Adams
This is the second time I have read this book which was first published in 1947. It is a collection of stories told by his grandfathers, mostly by his paternal grandparent who had been employed in the building of “Clinton’s Ditch.” Most of the stories are centered in or near Rochester, New York, which may be of interest to those who are familiar with that city. Much of the language seems rather stilted, which I found amusing rather than annoying. For example, in describing a baseball game it was explained to Grandfather that the umpire made the decisions.
“In our game we had no need of such intervention.” Grandfather said. “If a point of dispute arose, the captains consulted and came to a composition.”“Suppose they disagreed?” Professor Cook suggested.
“Then, sir, they skied a copper for heads or tails and abode by arbitrament of the coin, like gentlemen and Corinthians,” Grandfather replied.