Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-01-18
tFor the Intelligeneer
HOLIDAYS AND GALA DAYS.
sosrE IyrEREsrING MEMORIES,

IcounteDance but when they have retired, abuse
them soundiy. But thought would like to
give you little of my own experience in these
matters of holidays and gala days, which is,
dare say, quite similar to that of thousands,
| from whom expect, at least, sympathy. The
i first great day that have any vivid recollection
of was bright, glorious Fourth of. July. |
don't know what my age might have been
was, however, but little urchin. Our family
had been all invited, and among them, to attend
a wedding in the neighborhood which was to
] be rendered more attractive by its celebration
on this most eventful day. At that time knew
but little about the Fourth of July. How
SHOULD / q was qnitettoo young, and my mind
too weak to compass the magnitude of its Inn
portance. But wedding! Who was ever too
young to understand that wedding was great
and joyous occasion? Why it had been the
dream Of my young life, what wedding might
| be like, and now that was actually invited to
see one with my bodily eyes, Twas as onelntox-
icated. l danced, whooped and hurrahed; 1
tossed my cap in theair, and then my ball
against the windows. / thought the time to go
never would come. But it did come, and (shall
say it?) did not COLL 1t fell out thus:
| had through excess of glce and merriment, in
| the morning exhausted my stock, so that the
ldregs of ill-humor began to appear us the time
come for us to make our toilet As my nurse
was carefully arranging my hair and tying on
my pinafore, l fell into violent fit of anger,
| and told her that would not be thus attired;
aud whether slapped her in the face, or whcth-
err bit her fingers us she persevercd in her la
Dor of love, | know not: but one thing do
| know that my mother learning my misconduct,
decided that should remain at home, and told
me so in plain, unsnistakeable terms. But how
did these words fall on my phrcnZied ear? They
were the kncll of all my happiness, present and
future. wcpt, l groaned, besought, but
there was no appeal. Child as was saw
somewhat of the Justice of this proceeding
w T,1S tn INV
ment is greater than can bear" never fully
recovered the shock of this great and bitter dis
appointment and what is more never shall.
1t lay upon my heart as did the loss OF Calais
upon that of Queen Mary st,5fA
Twill NOT here attempt to narrate the many
unlucky occurrences, and the many signal de-
feats and idisappointments which the returns OF
the holidays have brought me, and do not think
that am blaming those good, innocent days
with my misfortnncS. Mol They were caused
by my own misapprehensono true enjoyment,
and by that logcrness and impetuosity, which,
while pursuing itwith too much ardor, brushes to
death while in the act of obtaining. Bless the
holidays! say, though they have been my
the seven poor travellers with Scroge at their
head, bear testimony against me?
But now for a few of those incidents of which
was going to speak. One fine moon-lit Hallow
Eve, after having recitcd my lessons unusually
well, and having been very good generally,
of my father, that might sec alittle of the sport
that was going on out of doors. | do not know
why it was he consented, for he was very staid
kind of man, and even seemed to have but little
faith in the power or will of youngsters to take
cure of themselves when from under the eye of
a watchful guardian. But was not afraid; for
had not ] pledged my word that nothing but
propricty aud good order should mark my be-
haviourl Did keep to these promises? The
mornings report said not; for a grievous bill Of
damages Vas brought in by one of our neigh
bors, (yho lived in a retired part of town,) for
strangling his cat, manning dog, and killing
several of his turkeys; and after all this, for pelt
ing his house with stones-breaking some of
his windows. My poor father looked grave at
me, as hung my head, and taking me by the
shoulder, gallanted me up three sets of stairs to
the garnet. Here, sir, said he, you can remain
n few days. and it will afford you fine oppor-
unity of rejecting upon the past. And SD it
did, for my room was but ill-ligEted, and was
fed upon the bread and water of athiction for
several days. | would not forget to say that
Chloe often slipt Inc a cup of good coffee, q was
always fond of that beverage, and she knew it,)
and my father (bless hinD knew what she was
doing, but did not pretend to see it, because of
the strict injunctons he had given about my
diet He did not, however, abate any portion
of my usual lessons; but gave me twice as many
lines of Caesar, and instead of one page of Greek
| grammar per diem, he gave inc two.
AT the end of a week was released, and time
then wore on as usual. We spent quiet
Christmas. Tho ushering in of New Year
was to bring the realization of all my former
Iday-dre for that was the day appointed for
the celebration of the nuphals of a very dear
friend and relative. You will PARTON me,
Messrs, Editors for thus dwelling vi al, matri,
monial scenes, since to talk of those t,iAgs has
been my portion, never having been admit
ted as a real actor on the hymenial stage
But as was saying, ] resolved to enjoy to-
its utmost this thrice welcome New Years
day. So when the morning came, ] decided
not to wait for the,rest of the family but set off
on foot at an early hour that might gaze my
fill, at beauty and chivaIry, in bridal costumes.
But understood, at that time but little of my
own nature. found it almost as wcarisome to
have come so much before time, as it would
have been to have arrived moment too late.
! 4 placed myself in the apartment where the
ceremony was to take place, and busted ::my
thoughts, for time, in painting the brilliant
scenes that We're about to open on my vision.
Bnt even Imagination tires without glimpse of
something real, and here was like Robinson
Crusoc, on his island monarch of all survey
ed if you will, but that was nought but emp
| tiness, with the exception of row of chairs
packed close around the room So after wait