Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-10-24
ABOUT SEVERAL THINGS.


EDITORS CHRoNICLE:-Carlyle as
sumes the great need of our age to be
talent for silence" or words to
that effect, but | incline to the opin-
ion that talent for omission would
be at least equally useful to this COM
plex fraction, which we style human
nature. Suppose, for example, G.
Washington had been possessed of it
when cross-examined by Washington
pere, and had contented himself with
looking innocent, or turned the con-
versation to when he light go a-fsh-
ing, or the possibilities of the next
circus, succeeding generations might
have been spared the cherry tree and
hatchet business, which, however, finds
its effects as an antidote to the original
sin of lying, which doth so easily beset
US, hath, 1 venture to affirm, driven
almost, if not quite. to the verge of
profanity many hapless teacher of
young ideas, which shoot and twine
about the aforesaid cherry tree, with
the natural grace and easy confidence
of 'possum's organ of prehension
around the limb of frst-class per-
simmon tree. Or suppose this writer,
endowed with modicum of the same
invaluable talent, the public and the
printers, would not have been troubled
with this effusion, the which happy
escape is debarred them, equally by
editorial cemplaisauce, and the pro-
pensity of humanity to tell what 1t
knows-(and indeed, sometimes what
it does not know)-about things and
people generally.
Well! have made a journey-not
a sentimental one, but an actual pro-
gression by means Of that time hon
ored institution, the horse, noble
animal-see any boys composition.
Our route was, not "over the hills and
far away" but over the line into the
good State of Kentucky, where it is
now the season of what some cynic
calls, those autumnal nuisances-
county fairs" Cynic he must have
been else he would have been made
happy in contemplating the happy
crowd around him. That they are
destined to extinction; indeed fast dy-
ing out; | am sorry to admit, for, simp-
ly in their social aspects, they are
worth what they cost, and livery much
doubt whether even the Grange move
ment can make good their loss. Our
objective point" was Hopkinsville,
right pretty little town, though, of
course, not quite equal to our cOuntys
many-hilled capital. Its fairs here
tofore have been very successful, and
this one was certainly creditable, tax
ing into consideration the drouth, ar
nv worm, and thousand minor draw
backs, this year besetting the farmers
way. A dood deal of the stock shown
was fine, and some of the rings were
we'll contested. Floral Hall had
very tolerable display of flowers, fancy
work, etc., and poultry and vegetables
were pronounced excellent by those
who saw them. Thursdays crowd
was slim; Fridays, respectable; Sat
urday's, prodigious, for the occasion.
In one important point, to-wit, namely,
dinner. it would be rather hard
to excel these good people, and
the best of it is that they are
by no means forgetful to enter
tain strangers. Only think, ye who
have gone dinnerless in such crowds,
or ruined your clothes and your
temper while attempting to eat in
them, of having a comfortable seat,
napkin, plate, knife and fork, with
more of the very best good things
than you can possibly eat, and say if /
am not right in my assertion.
Friday night l was lucky enough to
be one of Miss Jeanie Patterson's
hearers. 1t is notorious fact, in
natural history. that one woman never
cordially admires another, but rules
are proven by exceptions, and though
I spoke with the tonges of men or of
angels, / could not express more of
hearty and sincere qualification at her
performance. Her voice is pure, clear,
flexible, well-managed and immeasur-
ably sweet. just such an one the
poet must have had in memory when
he wrote of a voice.
"Sweeter than the southwest wind"
Or the "Soughing of the sedgey seas,
The many muffied voices of the shells.
Or the soft hum of honey seeking bees,
Or the low tinkle of the violet bells,
That only sing for fairies"
and besides this rare charm she has
dramatic power that places her far
above the level of the mere elocution-
list. Then, too, she is most remark
able woman, in respect that distance
does not lend enchantment to the
view but on the contrary quite the re-
verse. One must come within easy
talking rauge to realize appreciatively
the fine outline of features, and the
red-and-white perfectness of lips and
teeth. The South may well be proud
of such a representative in a field.