Jessie Anderson Chase’s Short Story, ‘The Old Things’

“Old Age,” from the series: “The Four Ages of Man,” 1840–45, by Ditlev Conrad Blunck. Older people have much to give the younger generation. Art Renewal

As time passes, youth turns to old age in the cycle of life. Often, the young don’t appreciate what’s come before them. They might be missing out because the older generation leaves treasures that the young might appreciate. 

In his short story, “The Old Things,” Jessie Anderson Chase contemplates the loveliness of old things, especially older people. Through attorney Alden’s interactions with two elderly people, Chase illustrates how the young should regard, respect, and revere the old.

A Last Will

From his yard, Alden often sees his neighbor Thomas Sewell, a “New-Englander of the elder type” on the other side of his stone wall. Sewell has a “piercing yet so kindly humorous blue eye that loses none of its colour with age, but seems to grow more vivid and vital.”

Alden reads all of the stages of life in Sewell. He can see the young, carefree boy, running through the house, barn, and garden. He sees Sewell in middle age, when a wider understanding of the world took over. Finally, he sees an elderly Sewell, who is “free to return and lavish forgotten endearments upon the ‘old things!’”

One day, Sewell arrives with ceremony “at the door of [Alden’s] ‘portable’ law office, at the edge of the orchard.” He has come because he wishes Alden to help him sign and witness his last will and testament.

Beautiful Old Things

Sewell states that, upon his death, everything he owns will go to his son, John, except for a few antiques. Those few remnants of a former time are dear to Sewell, and he wants them cared for. He tells Alden: “The old mirror that, as a lad, I used to see my face in over my mother’s shoulder ... And the old ladder-back chair that she used to sit in and cuddle me.”

Sewell admits that the young won’t appreciate these beautiful vintage items, so he wills them to an old friend of his, Miss Ellen Titcomb. She'll care for and cherish the treasures and memories they hold.

With these stipulations, attorney Alden “signs, witnesses, and seals” Sewell’s will, and promises that he will carry it out upon Sewell’s death.

The next day, as he rides his horse, Alden meets Titcomb walking outside with one of her many cats. She calmly pets Alden’s startled horse and asks him, upon her death, to give a letter to her friend Sewell.

“The Voyage of Life: Old Age,” 1840, by Thomas Cole. Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute Museum of Art, New York. Public Domain

In this charming story, Chase stresses the younger generation’s tendency to disregard things and people of an earlier generation. He shows that they’re lovely treasures, full of memories, wisdom, and love.

With this in mind, Chase, like Robert Browning, invites everyone: “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made. Our times are in his hand who saith, ‘A whole I planned, youth shows but half; Trust God: See all, nor be afraid!”

In the elderly, the young can see and learn life’s lessons filled with beauty and love. What’s even more wonderful is that in the elderly, the young can see the promise of a beautiful, eternal life in heaven.

What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to [email protected]