Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-12-22
The Boy of the Period.

We say boy of the period, though any one
of the small gentry about to occupy our atten
tion would be erievousy offended if so styled
to his face. His age is either IL or IA, though
from his man.aping costume year or 90 would
be added by those who judge at sight and are
ignorant Of his family register. AS Christmas
draws near, and boarding schools are closed tor
the holiday vacstion,stho boy Of the period
breaks out about town In full bloom. In his
welcome home he does not rush toto his moth
er's arms as the impetuous boy of past pc
riod did on his return. Oh, no! not he. He
is made ofsterner stuff, or at least would be-
lievc himself to be. He casts quite dsmper
upon the Joy OF the anticipating household by
his stately sslutations. He hasn't word for
the Old family servant until bis mother sug
gests that she is in attendance, and then he
mods and says. That you, Hannah p This
and only this for the faithful old purse Of his
childhood, who spent many o sixpcnce from
her moderate wages to make him happy with
toy or cake. Alter he has got over his con-
strained Misunderstanding and the one cold kiss
which his fond mother has to help herself to-,
and which would be sweeter and purer to her
had the boy OF the period travelled home in
any car but tho one devoted to smokers eXcu.
sively After sll this, which tho boy evident
ly thinks is bore, as she wears very sober
face, he says quietly to one Of his older sisters
beside him. ''Hows the old man En- ?"-the
boy of the period meaning his indulgent
father. whose hours at the counting room
are not yet over. These are the traits of "the
boy of the period" at home.
But on the street he is quite bright faced
little fellow. His boots arc nicely fitted and
we'll polished his kid gloves ara OF the fash
,onable tint only his scartis of gorgeous hues,
and the pin that adorDs it Ia small deaths ;
head) was selected as being quite typical Of
anti emotional tastes. He drops into the first
segsr store on his way and invests stamp iu
"a Partagas.' He knows overy brand i'm
ported, and astOnishes the dealer in scgars
with-'They don't import the weeds they did
some yesrs aso"-.hat was almost about the
piuafore age Of "the boy of tho period" He
vests 10 Wilkes Spirit Of the Times and a
New York Clipper, and buys photograph Of
Mile. Si!ley or Lydia Thompson. He is quite
indignant when the dealer in periodicals and
novels begs to show him the laat dime novol
out. They arc played out with ns- Go, Got
anything Of the Guy Livingstone or5crf Mrs.
Woods last book, ha The cid gal writes
we'll, in spite Of her age-but then she's seen
her hest days. l used TO enjoy her much.
"Thc boy of be period plays at b'!Iiards
you'll see him about these times IN his SHIRT
sleeves niaylng pool, ana "hen Ho olaAee
.hot he has to rise mp on his toes-,like many
other men. He'll order drinks for the crowd.
and is very particular about calling back HI;
messenger and telling him Make my cock tail
pretty stiff, Billy; .m little off my feet TO-
dsy; plenty of Stoughtun, Bill The boy
ct The period as compared with the boys OF
othcr and past periods, is not an Improvement.
lie is too stylish and has too much spending
:noncy to be en- improvement Governors are
more iniuIgcnt 10 these latter days; there. is
no punishment worth naming, and pubic; opln'
ION now is not horror stricken at twelve or
fourteen summers ordering his beer, or
cbalkiag his own especial ivory tipped cue.
The boy of the period is shsky about the
knees, nabby on the bicops, and has c9rns be
lore he can walk firmly on his slender plos;
The representative boy OF past: PERIOD Topio
Put head" on the representative boy OF thls
period 10 two minutes, in a fair play ground n',
fight. The boy of the past period was Anxious
TO get out OF school but TO got into frlnceton
and Rutgers but the boy Of our. period s'Ehs
for Wall street, and too often hndS hlS way
there before his acslenical course is run.-l.
~ Star