Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-10-02

PocKETs Pockets are, a, marked
feature Of civilized life. Their history
is the history Of humanity. snd a cat
alogpe Of their successive contents
would furnish, q condensed biography.
There were no -pockets in the fglesf
aprons Of Eden; our 6rst parents had
mo need to hoard or appropriate. for
tie trees and heIbage offered them lree-
ly all their simple weslih There was no
pockets in Adams first blouse Of skins.
for as yet he had no knife wberewiIh
10 cut tobacco, and was innocently ig-
porsht Of the potency Of the marvellous
weed But when lie grew hard, aad
human interests conflicting. then the
pocket became Developed institution.
receptacle Tor the means of daily So
lace. amenity. and convenience. II is
social. not selfish institution. The
treasures Of the miser are buried in a
vault: while the subsidies Of the pocket
are sppropriatslFek known as change
From its war1s corner comes the
penny for the street sweeper, the toys
for the pet of the 6reside, and the
weekly gratuity for charities OF every
kindly name. r iszi e.. safe-ra- -
But the most characteristic deposits
are not in money. Children prefer the
concrete 10 the abstract--the end 10 the
means. While the liIile man wears rhe
dress OF his sister, his pocket. like hers,
is filed with cakes and candies. But
very soon he seeks wider range Of sc-
twill. 8, and the sweetmeats, not yet
ignored. dispute possession inch by
inch, with jews-harps. fish hooks. tops,
kite-strings, and knives. II he is me-
chanical. the knife gains a companion
in an ivory rule; if siudious. in pencil
and paper. Then comes the belligerent
period. when the country boy makes
investments in powder and shot, and
the young citizen is an amateur in pis-
tolls and percussion caps. And as war
slternates with peace. the tomahawk
with the calumet, so about this period,
i at all. is developed preference for
cigars and "6ne cut" but these are
noxieus weeds that are liable to choke
out all healthful growth. Just as rats
leave sinking ship. when these fra
grant treasures find their way TO the
pocket, indignant moths leave the
young mems wardrobe in disgust. II
will be well if the odnr does not serve
to expel more desirable visitants than
these. Then fnllows the youths latest
pocket companion. the watch, pointing
With its golden finger the silent mol al
time.
For the girl. her early suear-plums
give place 10 the eheap luxury Of paper
dolls, soon followed BY that familiar i'm
plement. the l,imble. Hard upon this
comes the scribbling stage. then the
pocket finds room for pencil and paper.
for notes Of manv pages duly crossed.
and filled with the .fancies and follies.
the friendships and fashions. OF sixteen.
Il is but slight change from these ro-
mantle missives TO those of warmer
hue. the billetdoux Of boyish admirers.
TO be followed, we trust, by the 6rm
lines that bear the frank svowal Of q
manly love. Yet these last will not re.
main, long in the pocket; they are too
precious guests for such familiar trest-
ment. and shall retire to some inner
sanctuary. set apart for the holiest OF
ell. With love comes sorrow, with
sorrow religion; SO when our crowned
woman has hidden away her hearts
treasures, hallowed BY kisses. u not BY
tears. amid . shower OF fallen rose-
leaves. perhaps prophets Of their fate.
she receives q new friend. pocket
Bible. in their place. consecraied 10
labor. love. and duty. the pocket thus
meets The whole round OF human needs.
Sprisajsti4 (Mass.) RYhcsssaa.