The sailor's widow, Mrs. Holopainen, sits by the window in a rocking chair, knitting a pair of woolen socks. Christmas is approaching. In between her handwork, she keeps an eye on the happenings of Cortenkatu street through the gossip mirror. Gossip mirrors are street mirrors attached on the outside wall of the house. Curved mirrors on both sides, opening outward, allow un obstructed view to the street. When looked at from the inside of a house, one can see all the events happening on the entire street without popping one’s head out the window.
-Now I caught a glimpse of something white in the gossip mirror, Mrs. Holopainen mutters to herself and glances at the clock. It's about noon and time for lunch. The "cigarette angels" go home to eat, their white work jackets fluttering. Their workplace, the cigarette factory, is located in Leufstadius' backyard building on Cortenkatu street. It's not a very high-tech facility. In the back of the room stands a large wooden wheel, about one and a half cubits in diameter, and in front of it is a large table. Around the wheel and table, the cigarette factory workers, four boys, are busy rolling the cigarettes. The workday starts at five in the morning and lasts until eight in the evening.
-Many boys from Raahe have to go to sea at a young age, the old woman knows and sighs heavily. Her own sons went to sea as well. Yet another woolen sock is completed in her hands. But there's still work to be done.
The evening darkens. The old lady has dozed off in her chair. Her glasses have slipped to the floor. She awakens. Something flickers in the gossip mirror. Elves perhaps!
-I don't believe in elves, the old lady scoffs to herself. "Maybe it was just the Tierna Boys making their rounds singing the traditional Christmas story.”
More information in Finnish
Samuli Paulaharju: Wanha Raahe
Raahen Matkailuoppaat ry: Katupeilin kautta katseltiin elämää , Parasta Virginian tupakkaa
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