The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-10-14
4 From the Progressive Age.]
SCroqast VS.. Gardening, Chopping Wood
= and Walking.

lNss. Edsstors-4A As croguet is more of a
ladies' than d gentlemen's game, 90
not see why the discussion of its merits
and morality should be left entirely to-
the latter. I propose, therefote, in be-
half pf'nny sex, to enter the list and do
battle for their feverite amusement.
You have given place in yeur paper to
two communications on the subject al
ready nevertheless, | venture to ask q
further indulgence. Gf course we disa-
gree intoto with the HerdytS's correspon-
! dent in his view of the matter. We be-
2ieve croauet to be perfectly harmless
amusement, and respectfully decline,
any trial of his Substitutes" Fancy
Che ladies with their delicate little
hands chopping wood! Why, the bare
idea makes their "right royal tips" tin !
gle with Indignation - and this for
amusement, forsooth! "Angels and
ministers OF grace defend u.s." But be-
sides this desecration, we object on still
more serious grouhds-it may lead to-
ganablfng.n Suppose Betsy Ann is a
good hand at tchopping," having we'll
developed muscles, strong wrists, &c;
Susan: Jane is considered by her friends
quite as good at that game. jealousy is
aroused; excitement runs high, and to
decide the point Susan Jane is backed"
{excuse the expression, we are on the
subject of betting, remember,) against
Betsy Ann, and somebody loses his
pileo on one side or the other. Thus
.hthe taste for gaming" is cultivated byl
: logic The next innocent recreation
recommended by the above paentioned
correspondent is "walking.n Healthful
,N1n
Far be it from us to veto that sugges..
tion; but there the bug-bear gaming"
rears its head. again. There afe those
whose business it is to train pedestrians
for walking matches, just as horses are
trained for the turf, and perhaps quite
as much money is lost and won on these
occasions as ever changes hands at the
Derby. Thus the innocent and health
full recreation of walking" is opened to
the same objection as. croquet.'it may
Notwithstanding" Now, let us
see if this cannot be made a gaming
business quite as readily as anything
else. For this purpose we shall make
the ubiquitous Susan Jane and Betsy
Ann our ardn1atis persona again. They
are not only good at ''chopping," but
are equally successful at gardening.
Betsy Ann In a spasm of pride at the
contemplation of her fine collards, or tur-
hips, "bets her money" on them. Su-
san Jane, indignant at her neighbors as
sumption of superiority in the matter Of
raising vegetables, "stakes" her "old
,nanls whole krap agin anything that
Betsy taa git,' that hers are the finest.
Gaming again! And so on through the
whole list of occupations (not amuse-
inents merely of life. Depend upon 1t,
Mr.. Editor, it is not the use of .amuse-
faents, but in their abuse that the error
lies. We advocate recreations from a
moral point of view. We cannot be al
ways at work, and
tSatan finds some mischief still,
For idle hands to do"
The Bible tells us there is time for
all things. IA time to weep, and a time
to laugh; time to mourn, and time
to dance" Our Saviour Himself pro-
vided, by miracle, the wine for a mar
riage feast, but drunkenness is always
denounced in unmeasured terms in Holy
Writ.
And now, Mr.. Editor, will only add
q few lines to this already too lengthy
communication, to return thanks in the
name ofmy sex to our gallant champion
"Mallet," )" for his defence Of our favorite
l,astime and would assure your other
correspondent that he has nothing to
fear from that "goodlie gentleman :"
that his "hiding behind the bush" is the
effect of great modesty, and not any un-
willingness to assume responsibility"
We are quite sure, too, that he will never
fire any, more dangerous shot than q
paper pellet, for we know him to have
a heart oYerfowing. with the milk of
human kindness, and to be withal "a
most marvellous proper man."
WICKET, MALLEr AND BALLS.
mo doubt, Mr.. Editor, your CORES
pondent will be inclined to substitute O.
I'd" for the ct" in the first division Of
fha oboya siruature