Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-11-23
SIydcr DOwnchyllc,
A SEARCH AFTER HAPPINESS
BY JOSEPH c. NEAL
Author Of "Charcoat Sketches" dc.


How happy I'll be tomorrow! exclaimed lit
Tie Slyder Downehylle, in anticipation of Christ
mas; oh, how happy shall be tomorrow
Couldn't you contrive to be happy a lille
nowP replied Uncle John, who had learned
somewha, to disirls, anticipation and its gorgeous
promises.
Happy now, Uncle John = rctorted little Sly
der Downehylle, rather contcmpuously, happy
now what with, should like to know-what
shall be happy wih-now2 Where's the can
dy, the cakes, the pies-where is the hobby-horse
that somebody's going to give me-and all the
Christmas gifts How wish tomorrow would
come-what long day-wha, long evening
wha, a great while pve 60, 10 sIccpp
Little Slyder Downehye became quite cross,
and Uncle John whisled. Tweniy-iour hours
afterwards little Slyder Downehylle was still
more cross--he had been happy with candy, with
cakes, and with pics, until he was very uncomfort.
able indeed he had been happy with toys until
he had quarrelled with his llllle companions and
strewed the room with broken playthings he had
been happy with his hsbby horse until he got a
fall.
'Oh, what stupid dayr said little slyder
Downehyllc Il wish tomorrow would come-Ill
be so happy at aunt Betsey's'
| 1t is unnecessary to intrude at aunt Betsey's,
for the event there were of character strongly
resembling what had already occurred. Little
Slyder Downehylle went to bed in tears
1, was always so with the unfortunate Slyder
| Downehille. Throughout, life he wanted some.
thing TO be happy with and, strangely enough it
universally occurred that when he had obtained
the thing, it did not prove to be exactly the thing
he wanted. His expectations were never realized
and he was, therefore, constantly in state Of dis
appointment Unlucky Syder Downehylel |,
was deplorablc loo that such should be the case,
forSlyder Downehyllc was anxious 10 be happy
he was always looking forward to be happy-for
something to be happy with He never got up
| in the morning but that it was his resolve to be
happy in the afernoon-and, If not successful in
accom- pshing his purpose at that time, he endeav'
ored as far as possible to retrieve the failure by
forming similar determination for the evening
! No one ever had greater variety ofschemes fol-
living happy-very happy-,han he; for living
happy nexl week, r. living happy next month
or next year but i, appeared 10 him that ma
ignanl fate was always sure to interfere, IN order
that his projects might be frustrated. AT school
he was always thinking how happy he would be
on Saturday afternoon but then sometimes d
rained on Saturday afternoon, or his companion;
would not do as he wished them TO do on Satur
day afternoon, or ii may be tina, although he had
oiei hard Tor the pleasure on Saturday afternoon
and the toll for pleasure IS oilen the seyerest Of
work, he returned home weary, dispirited and ou
of temper. OF course Il was unavoidable that hls
pleasure should be postponed until some oheI
Saturday afternoon And II was even 80 with
the larger holidays. They never were exactly
what they ought 10 have been--wha, they prom
ised to be-whai they seemed to be when viewed
from a distance II Slyder Downehille went O
fishing. why a lreacherous bank would often gave
way. and then-pray who can possibly be happy
with dripping wet clothes onl Nobody but poo
dies Whal felicity is there in losing ones shoe
in a swamp Who is perfectly happy when
securing across the plain, like swift camilla,
with JrIkin's big dog-lhat dog always bites
rustic dogs do--folIowing close at hrs heels VIDE
~ opening a mouth thai showed no need OF den
tis Then il Syder Downehyle went skal'ng
j, no, unfrcquen,ly happened that he enei Win
cold, what a strange arrangement rs moi to have
the best OF skating on the warmest days Al 9th
er sasons, there was the sun. u never rsins bui
!, pours 10 this world Is It happiness, lhlak ye,
10 have ones dear linle nose-iEeipient Roman
or determined pug, as The ease may be-aIl OF
blister and have ones deleesable eoanienanee as
red and as hot as searla Ever There's iime N
he sael'-mvariably, in Slyder Downehyile sack
1t would be easy 70 make mortar o! T.