Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-11-18
CORRESPONDENTS OF TIE "JoUaNAL,
Letter from Philipsburg, Pa.
PuLIpsBuRG. PENN'A. Nov l6. 1863.

HHlLiPSBURG, L ENS A, N OV- 10, 1000
DEAR JOURNAL There is a tide in the af-
fairs of town which il taken at the flood
leads to dsseusions. jeaiousies, bad eeiiEg
and the pursuit OF happiness banisbed gener-
ally, among the people, and if-persisted in
regular stampede of the social and familiar
customs is the result. l am sorry to say that
my bump of cautiousness has hinteG to its
neighbor, morality, that our town is drifting
that way. In one OF my former letters men
toned the departure of the sociability that
existed here some years ago. But | had not
the most remote idea that future events were
casting such perfect shadows before them.
For some time past have noticed cold
ness of the would be 9th Avenue portion of
our citizens, towards that class who have been
passed over slightly by Dame Fortune. The
time has been, in our town, when Dry Goods
did not make the invitations to parties. But
in this era of Rail Roads in order for lady
TO come TO time, she must have the "fXins'
on, in all the gittering splendor of Flora Nc
FIimsy. Her wardrobe must consist of Ju-
liza Ann Johnston, Maggie Jane Helen Maria
Princess Alice Louisa front of bonnet, 10 }
yards of Doe skin extra double refined French
double breadth broad cloth for circular :;
225 Yards of caSsandra forentine aqua vital
t.lecampane maria antique silk for dress !;
l05 yards of French deep double dyed extra
kiln dried cochnea red silk for a Garibaldi :;
1919 yards of double shuffled high pressure
merino mertisa kinsen linsey woosey variaga-
ted colors tor Bi lmOTal; 594 lbs of best i'm
ported Damascus blister cast latest improve
ment steel wire for hoops; or a Barnum Joice
Heth self pointed skeleton; and l65 lifts high
heeled double extra sumac Prince Muscat of
Morocco pair of shoes No. 3's, besides other
articles too numerous to mention" For a
gentleman his gear is not much requisite
his reputation for expressive .:gum
band.' AS tor his character it is all right no
matter how many dark spots it contains, SO
that his prestige for ''greenbacks' is exhor
bitant.
The sum and substance of the whole matter
is this, there is a growing disposition TO put
aristocratic airs. When ladies will permit
that unruly member of theirs to articu late that
they can visit poor people when they are sick,
and care for them during their illness, but
can not think of assOciating with them in the
social circle or IN the common walks of life,
then il is high time to fear and tremble for
the future of IA fast Increasing town like this.
L hope, sincerely hope, that our citizens will
not let this fatal destroyer OF society get a
start in our thriving village. But would say
to you one and all, if you would live happy,
live as our Great and Benefcent God Intends
we should live, you will all Danish the thought
that you are better than your neighbor. Take
for your motto the truthful words OF Jefferson
''we are all created free and equal.''
During my sOjourn on this terrestrial plauet,
for nearly a'third of century, have always
noticed that in those towns and villages where
there was no distinction among the people,
but all moved along on level, ever ready to
assist the most humble, as willingly as the
wealthIeSt, that the place was noted for it's
morals and society, tar and near. But this
matter OF Il select few confinng their society
to Mr.. and Mrs. Rich, Mr. and Mrs. Gold,
Miss Silver, Mr.. Greenback, &c, is the last
link IN the chain OF good manners.
Oh, fashion, fashion, how many bow to thy
shrine Alas by far too many. Oh thou
inhuman Goddess to lure the human family TO
think hat they who worship at thy fount are
better than their fellow being. Yet we all
breathe the same air, are cured by the same
kind Providence,
''And all that beauty or wealth e'er gave
Await alike the inevitable hour
The path Of fashion leads but to the grave
We are now In the midst OF Indian Summer
The past week was beautiful weather. 1t
drove my thoughts back to my bGyhood days
Ihey came vlvidly 10 my Imagination and
seemed 10 pass my vision as though | were
boy again. There was the tall slender maple
with here and there solitary yellow or ruby
leaf, suspended from its delicate branches, as
though to mark the spot where once existed
these rnStling ones that are now covering
for the roots, which once nourished them.
There stands the old locust, that st oned last
summer to get its blossoms, now stripped of
every vestlge of its foliage, save a long Slen-
der pod very much like bean. And there is
Our neighbor's tall apple Tree. The old man
has taken the apples all off but one, away up
on the topmoSt branch. | watch it for days,
hoping the blasts of Boreas may sever it's
stem and be the lucky boy to catch it. 1t
makes me sigh to think that l can not be
boy again. Methinks if | was, would be
wiser man at the age | am now. But bows
will be boys yet one thing is certain, before
had arrived at twenty -one there would he a
Mrs. LERoI.