Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-04-13
GriginaE 4apus.
For the Spirit Of the Age.

For the Spirit Of the Age
Kind readers, as "Thco, MorelanG" has
had the gatlantyy to give such a fattering
description Of the worthy DANES of "Small-
towns.all :" !, on the part Of those ladies,
will proceed to draw brief portrait of the |
male portion Of that community, as | do
not think that deserving body ought to be
sighted, as they generally arc in such epis-
ties. Now | can't for my life, sec why they
are always left out Perhaps it may be |
that the gentlemen feel diffidence in
speaking Of the virtues Of their own sex,
and hence, such profusion of compliments
to ladies. In that case, think the latter
ought to make an effort, however feeble it |
may be, to return the favor. am sure
can never give them their due.
1t was on a sweet, calm summer eve,
when |, weary with jostling over rough |
roads, was conveyed slowly up to the neat
hotel in Smaltowns-all This quiet looking
village, with its green messy yards, filed
with beds Of flowers, reminded me Of Home,
and | was glad that | was going to rest
here few days, and my heart run over
with a kindly feeling for all its inhabitants.
When alighted from the stage coach, my
feelings were q HHLe cooled dorm on seeing
a promiscuous crowd Of gentlemen sur
rounding tho door and standing on the
broad steps of the hotel, who bent forward
eagerly peering into my face. drew my
veil closer, but in vain. The thin gauze
was too light to withstand such piercing
glances. am sure there must be dozen
holes in it now, about the size of two large
round eyes. They must have taken me
for deaf person, by the various inquiries
they made as to "Who was ? where
was from y DC, DC. ! assure them my
ears are as good as any body's, Miss Hear
aiI.not excepted. But the ordeal was soon
over and my equanmity was entirely re-
stored. When the supper bell rang | was
eager to do Justice to the good things on
the table after my long ride, for | am not
of that class Of ladies who don't eat, | am
sure could not live that way. While en-
CARED in conversation with my kind hos
tess at the table, happened to glance up,
but my eyes soon fell on meeting the con-
centrated gaz" of two others about the size
and color Of two large yellow saucers, with
muddcd spot in the middle. Poised or
the end of his fork was huge piece o.
bread and butter, which he held at a con
vcnient distance from his mouth, which
was gapcd open to its utmost extensions as
if he were going to cat me. | suddenly
stopped in the middle Of sentence almos
atfrighted at the yaCajRg chasm. The in
dividual waited patiently few moment
for me to resume the conversation, but see
inc had come to dead halt, he quickI.
and quietly conveyed the aforesaid portion
of bread and butter to his mouth, and tn
chasm closed and | was relieved. though
il was strange had never observed betor
that men had any curiosity. had alway
thought it the undisputed prerogative
woman. But find the former do posses
this virtue. The name of the above gen
tleman was Mr.. Stareall. | soon lcarne
the names of the inhabitants in the village
The husband Of Mrs. Talk-all is calIct
Staud-still. lie generally ridicules tn
plans and operations of his neighbors, i
regard to work of any kind, with kind {
grunt or u satiracaI smile, (he is too torpi
to laugh.) | wonder il he had the cnerg
TO say 81 will" at the altar. | am sure h
beloved duicinca had to speak for him thel
as she does on every other occasion (cxceI
when a friends asks him to take driuI
then he can speak for himself) Perhal
this is the reason she has fallen into Il
habit of talking leetie too much. Wi
such husband, don't know why woms
would not give her tongue free-play som
times.
His relations, the Lounge-abouts, a
very numerous, and he thinks a great de
of them. He is very intimate with n
Lazy-bones. They are both very fond
repairing to the spreading shade of t
trees around the tavern door, and the
condolng with each other, when they {
driven from their homes by the active tru
telling tongscs Of their spoUses they IL
the quiet retirement of the cool shade, a
know that disposition will always be CT
itied, for throughout life they will alw;
remain in the shade, am sure.
In the group that repaired to that p
to gossip and to beguile the weary no
that hung so lazily on their hands, wa
dwindled specimen Of small humanity;
name was Hoop-hobby. He seemed to
of an uncertain age, and thoroughly yer
in all varieties Of hoops, whether br
steel, rattan or bamboo-indeed think
must have been a model cooper at some Il
in his past life. He seems to think it
loitiest subject that man can contempt
His criticisms are generally spoken SO t
ladies passing along may have the ben
thereof. He seems to think they will b
his remarks on the abominable fashion,
dof them forever. Long life to this
portaut personage May+e always
hoops revolving before his eyes, whe
vent his sarcaSm apl NAY he enc