Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1859-11-01
For the Meigs County Telegraph.
"Tlat Game of Cricket"
ATHENS. Oct. 90. 1859.

81 matCn VIII uOt come Oh tO-InoTroH -
We received the Telegraph on Tuesday
night, and yesterday our "Club" pro-
ceeded to practice according to your in
stfuctions, and after preparing the ground
IN beautiful meadow on the banks Of the
"Classic Hockhocking, "apd procuring the
"Crickets." which occupied the day, we
retired to rest to dream of the exciting and
mobile gam e" which, after this days pri.
vate rehearsal. was to come off tomorrow.
The enthusiasm with which many Of our
clnbwere Inspired, as you may well believe,
droveslesp from their pillows, and several
Of the most intensely interested, scorning
the vulgar and unintelectual cravings Of
mere animal appetite, were promptly on
the ground before breakfast, resolved to
spend the vhols day in preparing for the
great public exhibition. The rest OF the
company, snatching an early and light re-
past, hastened to join their true hearted
comrades; so that by seven O'Clock A. M,
the entire force was on the ground.
1t would have done your heart good to
haveseer that sublime spectacle. Thirty
six Of the gallant sportsmen of our far
famed town--lhe seat Of "ciassic learning"
with the FIRE Of gerius beaming from
their eyes. and high resolves speaking in
the intensified strain Of every nerve. and
muscle, and feature! You would have
sworn that success--triumphant success!
was the sure reward OF such ambition!
But, alas! how uncertain are all human
calculations! Disappointment ever treads
on the heels Of aspiration. So it was with
our "Cricket Club" '".
Many Of the minor. but which proved
to be beessen,ial points. had been overlooked.
Not having studied the ''natural history
and habits Of the Cricket" many Of us
had placed our pets, as we called them.
for safe keeping over night, in snuff boxes,
match boxes, and whatever small cage
could be conveniently obtained, and in the
eager haste to the field, each had neglected
to examine his "charge," and, oh! horror
of horrors! when the boxes were opened.
more than half the crickets were dead!!--
They had evidently been suffocated!
But our trouble did not stop here. AS
soon as the deep modification and remorse
occasioned by this sad mortality had given
way to calmer feeling Of self-control. it
WAS determined to try the experiment with
those which were left. They were accord
ingly let 60, but there was heavy frost,
and a cold, chilly air, which, in the ex-
element of the hour, had not been noticed,
and as soon as the poor crickets were
placed upon the ground, they crept under
the long grass, and when hunted out
were, SO chilled, that by 70 possible ma
nipulation with the "straws," could they
be made to give, H....t .'
! single jump
| s....s Toward the stump.
In consequence Of these unforeseen diff
6culties, the "club" resolved itself into
nm extra" meeting, on the spot, and re-
solved to postpone the public game" for
one week frem tomorrow. In the mean.
time, "the habits Of The cricket" will be
thoroughly studied. l am also author
lied to renew to you the invitation to be
present, and thanking you in the name Of
our "club," for the instruction you have
given US.
I remain yours. truly,
| AMATEUR.
We thank our ever-respected cores
pondent for the foregoing communication,
and sincerely sympathize with him and his
"whole hearted comrads," in their un-
happy failure! But knowing, as we do,
the idomitable spirit--the persevering en-
ergy. and surprising genius of the sports
men of that "classic town." we cannot for
moment doubt of their final success!
If our friends will suffer word of ad.
vice We would say to them kindly. but
firmly. "abate your excitement!" Great
battles may be won by intrepid and daunt-
less courage! Cities and forts may be
stormed and taken by the very reckless
ness Of heroic enthusiasm! But the
game Of cricket" requires the exercise of
the higher qualities Of fpatient. thoughtful,
philosophic, calm and intellectually Or
ganized, and thoroughly trained minds!
No others need ever hope to excel" But
we assure our Athenian friends that we do
not say this to discourage them, but on
the contrary, to inspire them with an am
bilion, such as we know them to be sus-.
ceptible of. that will lead them on, not
only to success, but to immortal ienown!
q Fires. ~ .s
FIRE AT LOUISVILLE KY.-We learn
| from tho ToiIisyille tlourpal'' of Mondoy