St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-01-17

as well as ''huskings' and ''quiltings. >
But in those times las it seems to an OLD
mans memory home was not merely a
place where the family was boarded and
lodged, and where the domestic drudgery
was performed it was a place to live in
the center of affection, and hope, and
of happiness, as well as of care. Is it
Just so now As we advance in civili-
zation, is there not among the masses of
our people, especially in cities and popu-
lous villages, a feeling that if they would
enjoy themselves they must go away from
home Among those who live by their
daily or monthly wages, are there not
many who expend upon amusements,
away from home, the time and money
that might have made their homes at
tractive and happy? Are there not
many young men in our large towns
clerks, apprentices, journeymen mechan-
ics-who are drawn into giving, out of
their scanty means, for the support of
public amusements, the time which they
might better occupy with the acquisition
vi huOWlCNpC- vi Will llCApSuslNc anu
wholesome pleasures, and the money
which if saved might make them pros
porous in after years
Not long ago, 1 heard of thriving
manufacturer in Connecticut, whose es-
tablishment is at q somewhat inconveni-
ent distance from any manufacturing
center. and from the line of any existing
railroad, and who insists on keeping it
in that out of the way place, because
(he says) his workmen and their families
are better of where they are, more con-
tented, more thrifty in their habits, and
every way happier, and their labor is
worth more to him as well as to them,
than if they were constantly tempted to
spend their wages and their time in abor-
tive efforts to enjoy themselves. When
heard about him, his boast was, and
his joy, that the strollng theatrical COM
panie~, and the banjo performers, and
other vaoabonds with burnt cork on their
faces, and the travelling detachments sent
out by the great Snowman seeking whom
he may devour, and the sensation lee
turers. and the WON an's-rights agitators,
(those in petticoats and those in panta-
loons-the alto voices and the bassol had
not yet found their way to his happy
village-happy i'll its obscurity He
thought it more profitable for him to
bear the continued and growing expense
Of carriage TO and from 4 railroad station
miles away, than TO encourage a new
railroad which. with its new facility of
access to the centers of traffic, would
soon bring upon his workmen and their
families the disturbing and impoverish-
ing influence of the .ttrOr for public
amusement so prevalent in more popu-
lous and more central villages. He
breads the prospect of having all his et-
forts for the comfort and the mental and
moral improvement Of his people irus-
trated by the coming in of what he re
CARDS as adverse influences.
| do not know who the gentleman is
who WAS thus described to me. nor where
he lives and if | knew ! would not tell
the players, and the jugglers, and the
- clog-dancers, and the skatorial
queens" and the coordination troupes,'
and all the rest of the 'dItiSteS" who ca
ter to the amusement of the weary and
long suffering public, that there is one
place in old Connecticut where they have
not yet tried their skill-one happy val
| lev. like that of Rasselas, which they
have not yet invaded But | submit
that there is good sense in that gentle
mans theory of what is for the thrift
and happiness Of the people whom he
employs; and that his policy is worthy
of considerations Are there no: other
means of making people happy-other
methods of social enjoyment-otheI
amusements, if necessary-far less costly
and at the same time far more effective
for all legitimate uses, than the most O.
those public amusements on which Sc
much is expended in our cities and larger
villages
One thought more. Life in this world
and under these humaa responsibilities
means business-earnest, hearty work as
under the eye of God and just so far a
any man or woman lives for amusement
50 far there is waste or loss of life.