Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-07-28

to examine; and found the pictures
were coarse, much of the architecture
was painting, and the splendour OF the
building was all sham. turned away
in disgust, and awaited the rising Of
the curtain. The play commenced:
and to say the truth, l was at first
much pleased; but when l recollected
that the tears and laughter were but
introduced for the occasion; the light
ming was powder: and instead of real
elevated thunder, crashing its mighty
way along through a vaulted sky, we
had some black-6ngered supernumera-
ry beating large drum. l was a
shamed to be interested in such ridicu-
lous stuff. There was romantic
forest with a handsome foor-and
huge rocks that, if any one touched,
shook like an aspen leaf. l saw
mans arm behind the scene pushing a
long with the creates! ease mighty
castle, fortress, tower, outhouses, and
surrounding grounds; with some fine
misty mountains, lifting up their heads
in cloudy sky. All these absurdities
entirely destroyed the pleasure of the
evening, and Iwent home with a heart
heavier than when | came. Nothing
can please me. never can be con-
tented with the fashions of the day.
The very day itself is often disagreed
BILE: it is either too hot, or too cold;
there is too much sunshine, and the
light hurts my eyes; or it is as gloo-
my as dungeon. Sometimes have
been tired with the world, and glad to
catch little repose during the night,
but there are ten chances to one but
some rascally mosquito comes singing
about my nose, and awakirg conscious
ness of my sorrow. used to have as
much money as I wanted, but was
yet unhappy fl go out to dinner,
the foolishness of the customs entirely
units me for pleasure. If ludicrous
story is told, / am half inclined to
think l am the hero, and slight laugh
and shrug of the shoulders will en-
tirely undo me.
Misery haunts me every where: when
I go home, the little boys knock at my
door and run away. i have been AVA
kened hundred times from little
nap in my back parlor by these little
rascals. Sometimes / have gone to the
door in expectation of beholding some
friend who might sooth my melancholy
I open the door-poke out my head
a cold winter highland no one to be
seen. A stifled laugh meets my ear,
and see the coat-tail of some ragga-
muffin little rascal just turning the
corner. Oh the villains! threw ba-
sin of water on them once; but though
felt little satisfied at their ducking,
yet even then I had reason to feel the
truth of the proyerb, "there is no
pleasure without its pain" TOR my
beautiful new china basin, for which l
paid an enormous price-my poor ba-
sin, fell and dashed TO pieces. Thought,
however, l had rid myself Of my tor
mentors, when one evening | heard a
knock.-Betty went to the door, and
returned with the news that there was
no one there. Now, thought l, they
shall be punished-another knock
"quick, Betty, quick" l was obeyed'
With the utmost caution l creptup to
the window opened it-another knock
the pail was ready, and on the very
instant another laundering rap rung
through the house. With triumphant
eagerncss emptied the contents; look
ed forth with the delighted hope OF en-
Ioying their confusion; when, to my ut
Reconsideration, there was not single
person there! the street was clear; the
water had fallen harmless on the walk;
and the knocker, though touched by no
visible hand, moved up and down with
increased rapidity. "The very devil"
said l, "the very devil himself has en-
tered into league against me-" 1rush-
ed to the door, and-Oh, all, We pow
ers of mischief and rascality, what a
sight was there? A long string was
attached to the knocker, and these tor
mentors of my life had hold OF one
end, which reached round the corner,
and were thus amusing themselves at
nv expense. "They are worse than
the mosquitoes" said I, as l re-entered
the house: and the little rascals made
me unhappy for month. | actually
went into the country that they should
forget to plague me, but when return
ed, Monsieur Tonson came again! SO
l took offmy knocker-tore down my
bell-and live as lonely as hermit.
@It seems as if fate delights to tease
mel was a few months ago taken
dangerously i'll, and expected to die,
and 1 therefore gave my children, who
are row settled in lie, each a portion
Of my property. Well, to make long
story short, l recovered; but when !
confidently asked the return oil my Tor
tune, to the completion ofmy sorrow,
thew refused. Can you believe it! they
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