The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-05-11
ABOUT OLD HATS. AND Within

ABOUT OLD HATS. AND Within
the last day or two, there has been q
perceptible increase in the number of
white hats upon our principal thorough
iares. In the shop.windows, there is
quite sleigh-riding spectacle OF white
hats; and our leading hatters assure us
that they are hardly able to supply tho
demand. Is it indeed the winter of
Grants discomfort made glorious sum-
mer by the son of Chappaqaap
We are told by our little friend, the
Bard Of Avon, that when that much
abused gentleman, Mr.. McBeth, of Cau-
dorville, was setting up for himself; he
vas assured by some ladies OF his &C.
quaintance, who belonged to the shriek-
ing sisterhood and happened to- be
spiritual mediums, that until certain
wood should pick itself up, bodily, and
walk, tue worldly affairs OF the McBeth
family should prosper. Mr.. McBeth,
who is resembled by famous modern
soldier in many Essential points, is said
to have obstinately considered such a
phenomenon impossible. He therefore
withdrew from the seance, replarking
''poppycook" as he went, and proceeded
with his nefarious designs. But the
prophecy was fulfilled. The wood in
question moved forward on his works by
very natural and simple process, and.
to out long story short-Mr. and Mrs.
McBeth, Of Caudorville and Glamistown,
''went up the spout"
Is there, or il there not, historic
parallel in the present moving of the
wilderness Of white hnts, that, like the
tree-tops in towering orchard, presses
close upon the battlements of the White
HouseY Are they. or are they not, the
signals OF peace which are to supplant
the red banners OF war that now float
above the fortress Of tho Presidents
military ring?
Mr.. Prentice. in one of his wicked
ways, once told how body OF California
miners, crossing the plains, came upon
q Little old bonnet; how they danced
shcnt +; how they made flag Of it; how
o rich vein OF gold; and, in that connec-
which connoisseurs will doubtless re-
member. Now, somehow, it has been.
OF sudden, discovered that little old
hat-a little old white hat-the little,
old, shapeless, >caved-in white hat Of
Horace Greeley-isa mighty inspiration,
having talismanic, having supernatural
powers, and everybody is following the
fashion. Mr.. Prentice's conundrum,
after twenty years, is receiving an an
swer. ''If the miners made such an
ado over,a little. ragged, old bonnet"
said Mr.. RtAnttce. what would they
have dona ifEhey had come upon little
old hatY-meaning, OF course, little
old .rhite hat. We begin to see. They
would have put it on a flag. staff and car.
r1ed it, along with the little old bonnet.
to victory, just as they are now doing by
donning the peaceful colors of Horace
Greeley.
Curious, indeed, are these phenomena
OF nature. A little while ago it was win
ter, all crusted with snow.fakes; but
yesterday the orchards were white with
apple-blooms and cherry blossoms; and
now the very streets are turned into
snow storms Of white hats, into moving
orchards made luminous with the pale
emblems of the coming autumn OF peace
ful fruitionl God bless the white hats,
and may their wearers multiply Like
the white hoods of Flanders; like the
white plume of NaTarrc. be they the
signals OF victory, the signs of ill omen
to bad menl So.
Press where ye see that white hat shine
Until the foe IL down;
And be the word OF the whole line,
Greeley and Gratz Brown"
Louisville Courier Journal.
The construction of the magnificent