The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-12-28
Correspondence OF the Times.
Ar THE GROVES. Dec. /

AT THE GROVES, Dec. II, 1859.
Editor 7ines:-This is Saturday night
a dark, stormy, December night. The winds
are ''making moan" around the caves Of our
cottage quite drearily. 1t is showing fast,
and the earth is already mantled in white;
| am right glad Of this, for have been an.
ticipating the pleasure Of next week sleigh
rides, long time. Not sign have We had
of the approach Of real winter, until now.
1t is not very cold tonight, and everything
seems to favor a good snowfall. Let it
come.
A few years ago l spent many Of the
winter evenings in village, not far from
here, at singing schools, debating societies,
&c. but Of late my associations have been
elsewhere, and have not been at Frank
vile Chat is the name Of the village except
in passing through, for many months, till a
few hours ago. Having received an invita-
ton to attend a singing school now in its
prime in the village, accepted, believing I
could spend few hours very pleasantly, in
an "old fashioned" singing school. Time
was when the youths Of Frankville supported
an excellent music teacher, furnishing class
of from sixty to one hundred members, in
Guiding some very good singers. But has
that time, as well as other times, changed? We
will see. About six o'clock we arrived at
the church, and found it lighted, but soul.
less. The company remained, but con-
cluded to walk down town. After search
ing for the Post Office some time despair
cd, and called in to "see SAM" but instead
of Sam. his most worthy partner stood be-
hind the counter, filling the glasses and re-
ceiving the dimes. On the other side of
the desk tottercl some of our most wealthy,
most respectable citizens. One or two ex-
csedingly filthy persons were stretched on
the floor "for gone;" this was sight
could not endure long, and SO l turned
away, l next stepped in to see FRANK TEA
BOUT, who, by the way, having as large and
as fine stock Of goods as may be seen in
any country town, is doing an excellent
business this winter. FRANK was not at
home, which much regretted. His part.
ner, OLSEN, started for the Pacific coast
Monday last. called on FRINx, and found
him on his counter, counting money! very
uncommon occupation for these times.
suspect nc has had some heavy sales lately
his stock, at least, is low, very low.
believe ROSE is doing well, but found him
closed for the night. After taking look
into LArnRoP's fine dancing hall, which is
to be made merry the I'd Of January, l re.
turned to thu singing school. A band, or
choir Of thirty or forty singers, occupied
tho front seats, and few persons were scat
tered throughout the rest 1t was sing
ing school, | suppose, but how unlike ours
of few years ago! Of all the singing
schools-but won't be personal.
once contributed something to aid in es.
tablishing temperance society in Frank
vile, which flourished finely for time, but
this evening was quite unable to hear .
word Of its whereabouts. 1t has probably
left for parts where it is ne.ded more than
here-Dorchester perhaps. "B. F." says
two years at College strapped him. That's
too bad, certainly; but it did not take the
--- - University, or the Profs., so long as
that to strap your correspondent, Mr.. Eui-
tor But it is & ting late, and must bid
you Good Night, T. s. Y.