Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1868-02-22
s~cRAP-BooKs.

WALKING soRAp-BooKs.
There IRE some men in the world who
may with all propriety be termed "walk-
ing scrap.books." They read oil tue
most popular newspapers and periodi-
calls of the day, mentally absorbing
everything in the shape of good news
items or statistical facts; and what is
more, ,hoy remember them. They never
forget anything in that linei or If they
do, it is only partially or temporarily
they know just exactly where to go and
re-iuform themselves at the shortest
notice.
Your regular walking scrap-book
somehow always happens to DO around
when there is any sort of q discussion
going on which presents an eligible
chance for him to "chip in" confidently
expecting to be referred to every mo-
ment. What a conscious look of intel
ligence animates his keen eye, and twin
kles expressively about the corners OF
his mouth and nostrilsl How eagerly
he listens to each point that is brought
up, mentally turning over, ms 1t were,
the thickly i%tem-pasted leaves of his
inner beingl He knows it all, and IT he
is not referred to pretty soon, he Will
press forward and volunteer social, po-
~litical, religious or statistical informa-
ton perfectly astounding in its varied
quantity and quality. If there is any
feasible show for it he will most unwit-
tingly but incontinently by degrees
assume the lead in the discussion, and
overpower oil before or around him
with the immensely Of his universal
knowledge.
Amorc agreeable and convenient form
of human scrap-book than the one we
have portrayed is the quiet, uuassum-
ing yet also thoroughly posted individ-
ual who, like {" Webster's Unabridged"
the "American Cyclop@dia," or works
Of q similar character, is an excellent
and pretty safe authority to apply to
for information, especially of n histori-
cal or statistical nature. He can tell
you the precise date and locality where
| Santa Anna lost his leg, whom Alcxan-
der finished c~onqucring the world, the
number of troops Napoleon had with
him at Moscow, or Waterloo, who were
and are the greatest Admirals, when
and where they did their best lighting,
and even venture o pretty shrcwd guess
nj tho mythical period when the Dutch
took Holland. He very rarely troubles
himself to volunteer any information,
particularly, but takes a satisfactory
pleasure in imparting it when called
upon. He is a beneficial, deservedly
respected, and valuable arrangement.
The most sociable and pleasing, If
not tho most important, is the genial
soaled scrap-book who is never eter-
nally depressing n with the square,
ness of his collected facts and general
statistical information. He is always
being "reminded of q story" He lis
tens with q polite, happy enjoyment to
the pleasantrics Of others, and then
begs leave to relate can anecdote he
read the other day." or q little incl
dent that occurred to him once, that
this last story of 'what's-his-name's'
has just put him in mind Of" And
then he goes on to resurrect and reel
off extracts from the green, sunny leaves
of his jolly memory, one after the other,
never failing when his turn comes, and
mover firing his well-pleased auditors.
This is o style Of walking scrap-book
one likes to meet at all times and in all
places. You never get tired Of his
readings, and always desire him "to
be continued" Turn over his leaves
as you may, fresh scraps of agree
able incidents and good information
meet your eyes, and you never come to
the end" until you sec the bright vol
ume shelvcd by the ruthless old libra
rian, Death.
"