The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-09-19
Letters from the People.
FROM BRAxTON COUNTY

nOm nnAA II ON SOSN :
SALT LICK BRIDGE, September IA, 1867.
Editor of the Register:
had the pleasure few days since
of being present at the closing exer-
cises of Mr.. H. X. Shumate's school, at
this place. Mr.. Shumate is from Ra-
leigh county, W. Va. He came to this
place about the first of June and was
employed by the trustees of this School
district to teach free school, which
he has done to the satisfaction of all the
parties interested. The closing exer-
cises were very interesting. Quite a
number of citizens were present.
The exercises concluded with a dia-
logue, representing married man and
wife, the latter emphatically the bet
ter half; two fashionable young ladies.
marriageable young man, an old
bachelor and an old maid. The parts
were we'll acted and carried out by the
following named scholars: The man
and wife being represented by James
DAILY and Miss Mary A. DAILY; the young
ladies by Miss Mary b. Singleton and
Miss Mary L. Squires; the young man
by George r. Gibson; the old maid by
Miss Laura A. Warner; and the bachelor
by Ellis S. Hyer.
The subject was somewhat varied for
the purpose of introducing as many
different scenes as was consistent with
the characters. The first scene repre-
sented private tete-a-tete between the
young ladies, and by that means the
different characters were pretty fully
discussed before they made their appear
ance. On the appearance OF the young
man the conversation underwent quite
change from the free open style Of
youpp ladies when alone to that as
sumed when in the presence of the OPP
posite sex. The bachelor and married
man were soon introduced, and upon
the withdrawal of the young ladies
conversation upon woman in general
ensued. in which the young man upheld
the cause of the ladies. The bachelor
showed his crusty disposition, and the
married man that indecisiOn Of charac-
ter which results when the wife is ruler.
After which was introduced the scene
of a quarrel between man and wife, AS
sisted part of the time by the old maid,
and being interrupted by the entrance
of the bachelor. Then followed a war
of words between him and the old maid,
Both of the latter scenes were very rich
and spicy, and quite amusing. The old
bachelor became master of the situa-
ton, and the dialogue was closed by
his giving dissertation upon woman.
An extract or two / will give, as it
may prove interesting to some OF your
readers.
Woman" he remarked, is humbug
"a glorious humbug. With her smiles
and honeyed words she brings the Tn
suspecting young man To her side, and
with those rosy but deceitful lips she
breathes into his ear soft whispers and
VOWS that soon lay spell upon him
that murder his sleep and peace OF
mind, and make his heart yearn for
that which she cannot give-lOve. He
dreams of "a bright future, of home OF
peace, Joy and plenty, made so by that
lovely angel, as he imagines the arch,
actress to be. But what is the reality
| shudGer to think of it! That noble
mind is frozen in the very flush Of youth,
into q cold, close-fsted and heartless
man. His bright anticipations vanish.
His hopes are blasted. "His life mis-
cry and death a release" He contrasts
the past century with the present. He
SAYS: "The order of the day is now fe-
male suffrage. Will they succeed 7 If
they do, Heaven help us! for we can
not help ourselves. She will then be
or make herself to be, in reality what
she now assumes to be-the master, the
head of the family. Then her word will
be law; her way will be right and her
fiat must be obeyed.
Iwould be pleased to give some por..
tions of the dialogue, but space Win
not permit. w.