The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-03-28


knickerbocker
Letters from Young Man in Town So
ciety to his Sister in the Country.
From the Springfield Republican
SPRINGFIELD, March G.
Sister Mine-The Editor Of The Republi
can has just handed me the following note:
"OID .wINDow,)
"Wednesday. March 4.
"Dear Republican :'-RealIy. My fin
gers tremhe so at daring to write those two
words. tha, fear that before proceeding far
ther must drop my pen and FAINT. Upon
my word would. only am in INV room
alone, and nobody could see the graceful
sinking of my head, and The paIins of my
lips and cheeks. Therefore twou!d all be
lost, and shall pot faint, conclusion that
percePtlbly strengthens my digitals. bids nv
heart once more beat naturally, and my lips
give >aucy. defiant pout at the water pitch
er, whispering IT TO keep on its own side of
the house. which whi>ler,I presume. it hears.
for It's said that little pitchers have bio
ears" You think. dear Mr.. Editor. it is very
funny that | should write YOU, do YOU not ?
Well, It's rather, brt YOU have vet to learn
that I'm funny girl, who sometimes takes
very odd notions in her head. and the last
one-that of writing you. If it really dis
please, charge to the author Of those gossip
INC .ettrrS-that poor young man who is try
lng to " exc out his somewhat uncertain live
lhood Or, in short. as Mr.. Micawher would
say, to Max Manncrlng, Esq Now know
curiosity is always perSonitieI as woman,
and as YOU are Yankee, possessing. as a
matter OF course, the national attribute, will
own up to my share OF it. and tell you very
contidentiaIly, that I'm half dying to know
sOme!hin. about M.x->omething of his per
sona' appearance. Is he tall. or short: IIas
he black eyes or t'r.-curly hair or straight
and. last hut most important. does he wear
whl>kers and a :nou>tarhe! For. let me tell
you, adore a mou>i.che, and cordially hope
that Max possesses luxurious 0ne-tor with
such has my Imagination pictured him. Do,
please, MIR. Republican,. in next Saturdays
paper, give me Cor let MAXI the description
| 50 much desire, and with a long sigh of re-
l'ef from pcnt up curiosity, | will ever be,
yours very thankfully. MAUD"
Now you know perfectly we'll that would
not be SO silly as to crafty this creatures Gu
rIo>ity. You know it would rever do for me
to speak the >hapeline,s OF my limbs, the
breadth Of my shoulders, the depth of my
chest, OF hazel eyes and chestnut curls, of a
moustache-'oh call it fair, not pale" of
wInrln. manners and faultlcss boot. This
might bewitch her, and get me into scrape
So shall say nothing about it, and let her
dream it out. The act is, I'm afraid of these
Springfield girls. Marriageab,e and desra-
bic young men are so scarce here, and marri-
agea5le and desirous and rather anxious
young women are so plenty, that one never
knows when he is safe. Our more aristo.
cratic streets kind orun to girls, and such
boys as happen to be born among them sort
o'run away. When see them all out of an
an afternoon, or assembled in the saloon,
81 see a form they cannot see;
hear voice they cannot hear"
The finger of suggestion touches the spring
of the door that keeps youths precious men,
orles, and | see upon the distant muster
ground the red faced oysterman, standing at
the door of his tent, and shouting: Walk
up, gentlemen Walk up, roll up, rear up,
pitch up, snap up. tumble up, any way to
get up: here's where you find your nice hot
oysters-who'll have the next bowl ?" They
are mighty nice oysters-to be eaten with
silver spoons, or by silver spoons, provided
necessity does not dictate an inferior metal.
And this brings me to point have long
wanted to say word upon. The fact is un-
denlable that the greatest want in society
here is gentlemen,-intelligen high toned,
and unmarried. The few we have here are
overworked, overtaxed, and mostly unsettled
in the business ofife. This fact exists, not
withstanding there is no disparity of the SEX
es here. There are Young men, but for all
the purposes of society they might as we'll be
railroad sleepers. There are young men
standing behind the counter, learning trades
and professions, engaged in various employ
ments for others and on their own account,
who, from the time they enter Springfield
until they leave it, or die, See no GOOD female
society at all. The city knows them not, they
come as shadows, so depart. The ladies are
unconscious that such beings exist, or, ifthey
happen to see them, never think of them as
having souls, or feelings, or aspirations.
These young men, thus ignored, neglected,
accursed from every genial social influence.
know that they are wronged, and live in
hope of golden period when the society they
need shall be within their reach. The time
comes at last; and industry, thrift and spot
less character win for them a home which
any worthy girl might covet, and which many