Sermons at that time were sermons indeed; and the people got their
money's worth of preaching.

I was indeed, at that time, a great favorite in the house. All the
old people cared for me especially, and I was kept often in the
parlor, and, when I was cold, the children were allowed to sit upon
me, but never to abuse me. But this is a capricious, changing,
cheating, vain world, and foot stoves are not thought much of
nowadays. The churches are warmed all over, so that foot stoves are
not needed, and so I never go to church; indeed, in my broken-down
state of health, it would hardly be safe for me to do so. I am not
even used at home, if it is possible to do without me: and then, if
I ever am brought down stairs, a long apology is made for my looks.

The truth is, my life has not been a happy or desirable one. I have
had much to suffer. One happy moment I had. The dear lady to whom I
first belonged had long wished to have a stove, but was prevented
from buying one because she would not spend money on herself for any
thing if she could possibly do without. Her husband, who was the
owner of the curling tongs, when he knew this, determined to get her
a stove; and, on the very day when she burned his hair in her
efforts to learn to dress it as well as the hair dresser, he
purchased me for her.

I was the very best stove in the shop; and, when he presented me to
her, he said, "Now, my dear, in revenge for your burning my head, I
will heap coals of fire not on your head, but under your feet,
especially when you go to church; so beware lest I burn your feet as
you did my head."