Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-12-12

why we adopted the nom de plume OF
"Spivins." That our many readers may
not go to their graves in ignorance, we win
explain 1t. But let us start right. We did
not adopt the name, 1t was giyef, us in a
fair reportorial baptism. When the last
United States Fair was held in Chicago, in
isoS' We believe, we attended that Fair,
representing. a Western. paper. We met
several congenial spirits. there. among
them ALT. Burnett, who was singing ink
for Cincinnati paper, Charley Browne
("Artemus Ward''), Len. Faxon and Nose
Harrall. of Cairo. 1t was a healthy par
ty, as fond of fun as a cat is of cream. and
as able to produce amusement from the
dryest subject as an equal number of citi-
zens to be found. -s-. s5-.s - +
The last Friday of the fair was particu-
larly barren of incident. To be sure Flora
Temple and Princess were being shown in
the horss ring, but as the ring could not be
reached without putting in full days
labor we didn't take any of that in ours
1t was finally proposed we should have
some tun in some way. After much argu-
ment and sundry bottles Of ale, it was de-
cided to test the truth OF the English asser-
tion that we are hand-shaking Dation.-
But how? Charley Browne, looking out OF
the door, pointed to the crowd around the
horse ring, and gently murmured .Shake."
We proposed that the party go UP to man
with the salnration, s'Howdy do, Mr.. Spiv-
ms" and incontinently inquire for, the
health and happiness of his family, and OF
the surrounding neighbors.
The proposition was adopted without
dissenting voice, and we Immediately di-
Vided, part going to the right and part to
The left of the ring, making vigorous in
luiries of the persons we met of the health
,t Mrs. Spivins and all the little Spivinses.
The looks of blank establishment or of mute
wonder depicted on some faces; the air of
suspicion on others; the halfway cordial
greeting of this man, and the stolid '.no You
1on't" look of that, were sources of infinite
lun. ad sass 5srus=s 1s - .i--ss 1
To 60 up and grasp an honest. innocent
looking rural gentleman by the hand, shak-
ing it most vigorously, and putting the
hearty inquiry "How do you do, Mr..
Spiyins? How's the family? All well.
ID ?"a And hear the answer, '.You are mis-
aiken sir, my name Is not Spivins;" to
apologize and rush off to- grasp another
hand, furnished amusement and cause of
laughter for years after. 80 -.
In this way we, one after the other, trav-
.rsed the ring. On returning to Report
RS Hall we were regaling ourselves with
! glass of ale when staid, steady, sober
looking old gentleman passed by. Seeing
him, we rushed out exclaiming, ..Why Mr..
spivins, how are you 2 4 have looked for
you all day. Come in and get glass of
beer.n Half reluctantly he consented, re-
marking my young friend, you are mis-
aiken. My name is not Spivins, though |
must look great deal like him, for have |
, zen called Spivins more than a dozen times
oday. But I'll taste your ale all the same"
The shout that greeted the old mans con-
ession might have been heard a mile, and
rom that hour we were baptized ''Spivins.'
CHRIsTMAs.-Chief of all the holidays, it
ends it's CHEEKY influence before it, as the
oming of the sun is heralded by rays OF
Osy light before he rises full-orbed in the |
lorizon. For weeks before the advent of |
his queen of all the festivals, her avant
curriers' are seen in those clustering
,lories in the shop windows which set
he juveniles wild with wonder and ex-
itement, and are suggestive to the old |
t, interchanges of tokens of esteem and
and of benevolent frauds to be
in the name of the mysterious
credulity Of childhood. There
8 an old saying, that the nights before
christmas are the darkest in the year, but
he days in cities are certainly the
brightest, so, far as happiness and
igor of body and mind are con-
erned. Even the depressed condi-
ion of business and trade is not insensible
o the inspiring influences of the season,
nd they wear a more lively look than
sual, IS if in sympathy with the general
impulse to motion and social festivity. A
walk through the great Santa Claus .empo-
ium of Lindemann & Co, will take you |
Jack to the delights of childhood. Here
re dolls of wondrous workmanship and |
pattern, who open their eyes as you take |
hem from the cradle and close them as
on lay them back; and menageries and
lorses; and drums and trumpets; and
NOah's arks, where it is hard to distin-
,uish between a fly and an elephant, and
Ind old MIR. Noah himself, can only tell
heir wives by the color of their attire.
Here are rocking horses and tiny sets Of
cups and saucers and parlor and chamber
sets, and magnetic ducks and fish. In short,
here is all that is needed, either in toys or
to make infant Christmas
desirable. ;l g5f 4
POLICE CoURT.-But one case before the
Mayor yesterday morning, and that one to
sorrow rather than to laugh over. When
a man of fine education, ability and address
is SO bound in the chains of strong drink
as to be utterly incapable of self control
and wallows like hog in the gutter, we are
8 ,rry for that man. Bernhard Quinn was
drunk. When going home on
Tuesday night or rather Wednesday morn
ing, we saw him lying on his back at the
corner of Third and State streets, a help
less, muddy mass. Before he could appear
before His Honor yesterday it was necessary
to scrape him down. This man, SO filthy
and covered with mud, has education far
b .tter than the ordinary run of mortals
and speaks five or six different languages.
He was fined S5 and costs, which he paid.
THE REBELLION REcoRD.-We are in
receipt of Part LXIX.of this most valua-
BILE publication. This part i, em6ellished
with life-like portraits of Major General
James B. Mcpherson and Major General
Samuel P. Carter. The documents in this