Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-09-10
Elasticity is LeaVen.

Elasticity is Leaven.
Playfulness and humor are to the in
dividual what soda is to hard water-they
oil the joints and ease conditions every way
There are various phases which belong to
different recipients, and become compo-
nent part of character. Some are wits, and
the presence or slightest word of another
serves as fuse to the electric spark,
Others speak in riddles, and the ludcrous
is always uppermost. Another class is jol-
ly, and fun is its element. With many
there is quiet visibility which indicates a
normal action and is never offensive it is
a wel-adapted seasoning. Still others,
who illustrate truth in the most forcible
and unique style. The Autocrat Of the
Break kfast-table and "Blglow Papers,
were gems, and arrested universal atten-
tion. Nasby" held shis own in spite of
numerous imitators. The very sedate
looked for his word in the corner of the
paper. Danbury Ne,os is new apos-
tie. He appears without preparation, and
we wonder where he has been kept all this
time. Was he always SO, or is his accom-
plishment new gift to his fellowmen ?
He has really taken a hold upon commu-
nifty, and 1evives our own experience.
He touches sympathetic chord, for the
remark in general: "How many times
have l attempted that 1t is just so. "
But for little hilarity in ourselves or
companions we should all stagnate. We
need trilIs and choruses to help US bear the
solemnity of life. Who has not stopped to
share the merry laugh of boys and girls?
| We run to the window to listen to pro-
loDged resonance such as we seldom hear
We are so glad that any can be light-heart-
ed. The ripple of youths and maidens,
bubbIing over with native animus, is a
temporary delight. Even the men and
women of fonrsco re are jostled into smile
often more than that. They recall some
slumbered for years. Grandparents be-
come young again through the trollcs OF
the juveniles.
Comedy is inseparable from tragedy
Novels have their droll, quaint specimens.
The stage would be leaden without the en-
ivenment of volatile parts. Who ever
dreamed of circus withou. a clown
The latter is representative, though tre-
quently mechanical from settled usage. In
genuine enjoyment there can be nothing
premeditated. We must slide into it with
out design. 1t does itself we cannot help
it. We are like card each jostles
it's neighbor. We are like battery, even
if the sponges are invisible. We are as
much refreshed as the earth after a show.
er and return to hard work with rcdoubled
zest.
Allowing for special kinds and degrees
which are providential, general cheerful
, ness must belong to good health. We Car
no more Judge of breakers at low tide thar
| of ourselves when the whole economy i.
out of joint. If the blood circulates free
ly, the digestion is perfect, the head clea,
and the conscience at rest, We cannot be
| permanently unhappy. We shall right up
at last spite OF tornadoes, land slides
heart-wrenches, and the innumerable trial:
: to which. as human beings, We are sub
jected. The sun goes into an eclipse, bu
t it shines again. The white mantle of win
t ter makes ready for the velvety lawn Of
. summer. Burs enclose the prospective
nuts. The spirit blithe, we do not realize
the length of our sojourn.
If we could ripen, and not fall in pieces
if our nerves would continue firm, and en-
able US to profit by the vicisstudes through
, which We have passed if judgment, WIS
? dom and love we're our portion all the way
through, how different our ends might be
Is this to be the coming dispensation
when all laws are implicitly obeyed ? Alas
that We cannot answer. Ages would bt
/; required to make our Inheritance intact
; and very many more to induce US to walk
, in the narrow path. Perhaps somewhat Of
our present status will always attach to III
e in our earth-sphere. The pain and wait
E ing may be necessary to the casting off Of
g the outer shell. We cannot roll up the
, curtain and, anticipate the portion of those
who will follow US nearly or remotely
: We can only manage where we are, ano
improve this opportunity We settle il
, business and in our homes We gather Low
7 ed ones about US we live, move and have
our satisfaction only in them. Yet We
; can hold nothing. Fire consumes our sub
stance; our pivots are loosened and dis
appear our cherubs 60 over the wall, or
} arriving at maturity, they depart to Other
sections. After all our worry and labor
! we are alone. Does this not prove to us
that we should school ourselves to such
contingencies Then, when the fear becomes
fact, we shall not drop, but stand on the
pedestal which We had already worn with
our feet. We must be equal to what be.
tides US. The less We expect the more
} we shall obtain. As right, we must not
look for much; as inAowing we cannot con.
lecture the quantity. There is a hard
: stern way Of breasting the storm. We
may condense into rocks, and be immov.
, able, say to fate, Do your worst-we are
/ ready. That is stoicism better than un.
, ceasing repining but it is not graceful OF
desirable. We want to be superior to
whatever may happen to be on the alert
for appropriation; to be able to coin oc
. casions into pure gold; to add to our stat
/, ure day by day to extort good out of evil
? Come what may. we are then in the line o.
8 the original design, which was develop
| ment. We can secure that if all else dis
l solve into thin air. We lose nothing. bu
;. carry with us to the unknown the gist o.
! all we have encountered. We are lively
Z even, and can do without much deemed es
sential. We are many-sided, and, shu