Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-12-09

big limp of chalk Its gradual develope-
ment, as the kite rises always puts me in
mind of Peale's anaconda, when it un-
COLES itself and begins to give symptoms
Of wanting its dinner. 9i ia4gsr.
Withihis hugemachine we had many
an afternoon of good sport, when the
wind was up, and set ali the neighboring
streets and squares into perfect ecstn-
cy of wonders and admiration. 1t has
proved from the first, even a more sue
cessful COLLECTOR of half and quarter
grown vagabonds than the hand.organ
of whose marvellous performances lhave
heretofore made due and honourable
mention; and l verify believe that there
is not young bare.footed rascal, with
a dirty face and tattered jacket, within
three hundred yards of our .street,i any
direction who has not an instructive
knowledge that the kite is about TO be
raised, whenever we bring it forth for
an hours diversion. They swarm
around US like bees and seem totakc an
immense interest in the success Of our
endeavours. OF course they are all .dy-
ing to hold the string and though the
kite will lift two or three Of the stoutest
bodily from the ground, there is not one
even the least Of the urchins, who is not
quite ready TO take hold Of the string
alone, with the full persuasion that he
can master it without assistance from
anybody. We often indulge their am
bition, by letting one or two Of them
hang on to a small bar Of wood, fastened
about twenty feet from the end--one Of
US keeping a firm grasp Of the stick upon
which the cod-line is wound and it is
droll enough to see how the little fellows
are twitched from the ground, or, if the
strong holder gives way to see them
dragged over it, for all the world like a
tin kettle tied to dogs tail. To con-
fess the truth, when the wind is obstrep-
erous, it is quite as much as the heavi-
est and strongest OF us can manage to
maintain our standing against the furi-
Gus pulls of the high.hier: and as for
hauling it in, it tales three or four to do
that, even with the help Of three or four
turns around lamp-post. We got in
to boat, one day, three or four of US,
with the kite up, and It made our little
vessel spin, through the water at such a
rate as would soon win race for the
Whitehallers or the "crackers" of the
boat-clubs. With good strong wind
we would match our kite against any Of
the North River steamboats,, and give
them Odds. But the best fun is to see it
trying conclusions with the boys, r,i.
Our kite has been neglected for the
last two or three weeks; partly because
we have grown tired oft, partly by rea-
son ofan ugly tear it has got, somehow
or other, which we are all too lazy to
mend, and more than all from the
appearance of another hobby which we
have taken up-therein experiencing the
usual destiny Of fayorites, who are cast
aside, sooner or later, to make way for
a rival of newer attractions, we have be-
taken ourselves to pitching quoits, hay-
ing large vacant lot adjoining our row,
that makes an excellent ground for The
sport--and it is an eminent proof of the
quietness of our street, that we can 60
on with our game, day, after day. for
hours together, without being annoyedby
a crowd Of idle spectators, We flatter
ourselves that we. pitch with no little
skill, and at a very respectable distance
although we do not yet hold ourselves
equally good at the work with the late
illustrious Chief Justice Marshall.
But avery large portion of the Mir
ror's, readers, may, perhaps be curious
to know what amusements and pleasures
are provided for the ladies' in our street !;
for have as ye: only mentioned the
outdoor enjoyments,in which they can
Of course take no part. 1t may be well
believed that our better-halves are by
no means neglected we are gentlemen
Of too much taste and good Judgment,
ever to fall into that most grievous ofer-
Iors.. We get for them all the new
books that are worth reading, and all the
music that is worth playing, and all the
that are worth looking at.
they have plenty ofpleasant
visiting backward and forward among
consulting each other up
IN the mysteries Of needlc.work, shop.
3ing and housewifery in general--taste.
ng each others cake, admiring each
,thers children and their new frocks,
ind exchanging. patterns for capes and
collars. Thenwe have evening walks
lown to the river, to see the moon shin