Sarah Reid - 1910 - A Pupil of Keiss Primary School

20th January 2014

Sarah Reid - 1910

Sent in By Hugh -
After reading David Nicols Looking Back I thought the attached might interest people. It is a transcript from a School book which I rescued from a rubbish tip some twenty years ago. The piece was written by Sarah Reid a 1st year pupil at Keiss Primary School in 1910. I left punctuation indents etc as she had them (ie ignored the Teachers remarks). Sarah lived in North Keiss in a house that is still known as Jim Reids.

A Visit To Town
What Scotland will be a Hundred years Hence

“Times takes turns,” says Robert Burns. When we think of what our ancestors told us of a hundred years ago, we can see how true this saying is. Scotland today is beyond comparison with what it was a hundred years ago. Before the end of the nineteenth century things were moving on by leaps and bounds.

Reflecting on the past, we look forward to the future with great expectations. Things are being invented at the present day, but things that will be invented a hundred years hence will be more to the tone of perfection.

For instance, instead of ships and trains, goods will be carried in Aeroplanes from one country to another. Also people will travel by them. They will be seen flying above the head at a terrific rate. The mails will also be carried by them.

Motor power will also take the place of steam. All the big liners and steamers will be driven by motor power, and even the small boats will have motor power.

Motor cars will take the place of stage coaches in the poorer districts. Ordinary cycles will be out of existence to a great extent, motor cycles taking their place.

In Parliament there is drawn up a Small Holders Bill which no doubt will be passed in the near future. Thus in a hundred years it will affect Scotland greatly, for there are long stretches of moors which perhaps is Scotland's best soil, will be cultivated. These moors are only the pleasure of rich people who go out and hunt. Thus when they will be cultivated the poor and the rich will be on a more common level, and emigration will be less.

Wireless telegraphy was invented not very long ago, but in the twenty first century it will be used to a far greater extent. Telegrams will go all over the country. In this way big steamers, that are out on the Atlantic Ocean can receive news from the land, also wrecked vessels can have help in a short time, by sending a telegram to the land. Many new inventions will be made. Instead of the washerwomen washing all the clothes with their hands, they will be washed by machinery. Perhaps every one will not have a washing machine, but they will be used to a great extent.

Few of the people who are living at present, will be alive , to see if the facts mentioned will come true.














**Sarah Reid - 1910 -1912

A Visit To Town

Preparations
When one has any intention of leaving home for a day, one always has to make preparations beforehand. Some may be preparing a month prior to the visit, and others perhaps make all the preparations in a day. Of course it always depends on the circumstances in which one is placed. The wardrobe has to be examined carefully, so that everything may be in readiness for the morning, boots brushed, hair washed and combed, and many other little things have to be done. Having made all necessary preparations the day beforehand I found it a hard task to rise out of bed in the morning. The day being fine, I dressed myself in a light summer dress, and a hat trimmed for the occasion. No doubt I had many a peep at the mirror before everything was placed in order.

On the way to Town

Away I went at last , in high spirits, not thinking little of myself of course. The conveyance by which I intended going was ready waiting me. The driver having seen me safely seated, jumped up to his seat, and off we started on our journey. There was a good number of people in the machine, so it was not very comfortable sitting between two old wives.

The long stretch of links was green , and in some parts, beautiful flowers peeped above the grass. The roadside was beautifully decorated with flowers of different colours mixed with long glossy grass. Several motor cars passed us. The young rabbits gambolled about, running out and in their burrows like young kittens.

Arrival

The machine came to a stand still in front of a grocers shop. I was glad when I stepped out of the machine. My legs were so stiff and sore that I could hardly walk. After paying my passage I went down through Bridge Street.

In Town

There were a number of people gathered together up the river side. There were games, music and dancing. I went up to see the games. Several boys were trying to steady themselves in tubs, and row across the river. After rowing a short distance, the tubs capsized, and the poor lads went under the water, but they came to the surface again and swam to the bank of the river. They tried it again but in vain. In the ring young men were throwing a hammer, and the one who threw it furthest got a prize. Feeling hungry I crossed the river on the bridge, and went to a restaurant where I satisfied my hunger. As I was walking through the street I met one of my friends, who wished me to call at her house. The dog met me at the gate, and seemed as though he wished me to play with him. I knocked at the door and gave my aunt a surprise visit. After a short time, I went and purchased all my messages. Then I hurried along to see if the bus was to start at four o’ clock. This being the case I had just time to see my uncle before leaving.

Departure

When all the passengers were seated we left on our homeward journey, feeling a little more comfortable, than when leaving home in the morning. My thoughts rested on the things I had seen in the town and I felt a little sad coming home again, after spending such a good day in town.