Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-01-13
For the Spirit of the Age.

What we say in reference to ourself and
Uncle Fed, we wish to be taken in a joke, for
these are not the days of sincerity but the
days of jokes. Every thing pertaining to la
dies and gentlemen is a jokenow-a-days they
talk on the most solemn and interesting sub
jects all in a joke they even act, think and
write jokes; and with some it has become
such a habit, that we doubt whether they
could be in earnest even if they were to try
and for one of our number to appear serious
on Lodge night, seems to be a matter of as
constituent. Be it remembered, 1t is all a
joke. But if you will be attentive, we will
give you a few outlines of the person whom,
in a joke, we call UNCLE FED. But when we
speak of the good qualities of Uncle Fed, we
are not in a joke and when we say zoe, we
mean ourself.
In the first place, Uncle Fed has a very
| good name, which the wisest man that ever
lived says is Amore to be desired than great
riches He IS very moral and was hardly
eTer known tod anything wrong, and for
amiability he has no superior, for we never
heard of his being angry. Under all circum-
Fed and for industry, we do not believe his
equal could be found, and when we say he
does not visit us as often as we would wish,
we do not mean thatwe feel ourself neglected,
for we know he has a very good reason
Uncle Fed seems to be the envy of his COM
rades, for we can give no other reason why
they all have a pick at him but if they do
just like Uncle Fed does, Of course they are
just as popular. Uncle Fed is very accom-
modating, particularly to the ladies, with
Whom he is a great ~favorite and what we
admire is, he always bestows his favors on
those whom he knows most need them, and
not on those who could recompense him for
4 the dimes are no object with Uncle Fed.
, Now, we know Uncle Fed has too much
: good sense to suppose we are inlove with
him, when we tell him that we appreciate
these little ~favors; for the dimes are no object
with Uncle Fed. But as the motion Of the air
| or the shaking Of a leaf indicates the direction
of the wind, so these little acts show that
: they proceed from a noble and generous heart
and, Uncle Fed, be assured that a good &C
} ton is never lost. Our best wishes ATTEND
q you may your course be onward and up
? ward, as it ever has been and may you
Il pathway through life be strewn with flowers
{; whose sweets have no bitter and havin.
lived the life of the good on earth, may your
be the reward Of the pure in heaven. Blu
a alas when Uncle Fed talks to the ladies, h
L is always in a joke (and in this respect Their
L are too many Uncle Feds and what he say
to one he says to all. But he will have t
have a larger house than what he's got, if h
makes speeches to them all.
e, We hope now you understand between u
is and Uncle Fed, if you did not before; and
IN you should accidentally meet with US an
y, Uncle Fed, you will not plague us in hi
Us presence until we cannot sit straight on gu
10 chair or even look up. If you can fin
nothing else to talk about but a joke on u
IS and Uncle Fed, please be SO kind as to re
member there is a stopping place. We woul
~ not presume to give lectures on etiquette, BIZ
. if we folks in the backwoods know anythin
n about good manners, the first great rule is
sDo all Won can to make others feel ham
sl and pleasant"