The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-04-11
STAUNTON. VIRGINIA. APRIL IL. 1875


laughs who really understands tragedy
Tom Hood learned the lesson, and starve
while he joked. God made u, all in Eli
own wise way. Man. His creature. is a deli
cate!y attuned instrument, With all tn
strings in order when he comes from tn
hands OF the Maker, and circumstance
play either dirges or gavottes on US as oc
casion offers.
'Tncver think Of that preposterous plum
colored suit Of Goldsmith's without smile
and the next minute weep over the wi
car OF Wakefield Then just imagine job n
son saying: 'Ah, Colby, you write like al
angel, but you talk like poor POLL Coco
Heavens! What creatures we are, and, t,
paraphrase bit, what absurdities we pur
sue st
81 think 1 could easi[y become vaaa-
bond, but mind you have some high no
lions Of vagabondage. Totr,lly atmosphere
ones self in that condition is to be grea
philosopher. l can understand what you
meant the other day when you said you
owned all the beautiful gardens you saw in
your last summers walks. OF course they
were yours. 1t is probably true that you
were never put to the bondage Of paying
taxes on them, or raking dollars together
for the hire Of skillfal gardeners. You took
q ioftier view, aud enjoyed them ten-fold
by reason of your independence OF the tax
gathered. What need you care how loudly
or how boastfully the man who did pay
proclaimed his ownership? He might, with
as fine propfiety, lay claim to the sunshine
that warns you; to the clouds that roll
themselves into pictures for you to look on !;
or the glory Of the summer moon simmer
ing on the river, sheen Of golden splendor
that no man could initiate or buy. ~
SHAVE always laughed at the absurd thing
called land title. The earth our common
inheritance. We have the word Of distin-
guished Aborigine for that, and because
some fellow sets up claim that some par
ticular portion Of it is his in fee, am to 60
down myself? No, sir While repeat he
may proclaim his ownership, and welcome,
I'll look OH and enjoy the earth and her
fruits to my hearts content. When Ed
ward asked the Scottish Barons to produce
the titles to the lands they called their own
every mothers son Of them raised his sword
and declared the shining steel to be his title.
Were they not robbers? Lands as well as
crowns are got with blood. At least blood
was the original seal Of ownership of most
Of the lands know anything about. Why
then should you or I recognize any mans
supreme right to any portion of this fair
earth beyond that which we must all oceu
py in fee before many years are told p
There now is the philosophy OF true vag-
abohd. But let me tell you am in no htir-
ry to take possession Of my estate.''
There was brief pause. Sarchedon was
evidently waiting for me toreply, but I pre-
ferred to let him continue at will, and SO
remained silent.
.sYou would find it difficult to convince
men, should you set out to do it, that my
is law. Men on the whole are
SO constituted Tor so perverted) that the in
strument called law is necessary to make
them cohesive in order that society may ex-
list. It is the fashion to offer sacrifices to
society, and being ir the fashion I offer
mine with the rest. One of these is to ig-
more my claim to lands which others have
pre- empted. There is, though, another and
different kind of sacrifice. I read once in
a book called Memories, IA translation by
Geo. Upton from the Germany, of person
who was wise and diplomatic in making sac
rifces. lie said he respected the customs
Of humun society. He even respected them
when they were over refined and confused.
A sick body needs artificial medicines, and |
without the barriers, the respect and the
prejudices of society, at which we smile, it |
were impossible to hold mankind together.
We must sacrifice much to these divinities. |
Like the Athenians, we send every year a
heavy boat load OF youths and maidens as |
tribute to this Monster who rules the laby-
rinths of society. 9a'There is no longer a heart
hat has not broken no longer man of
rue feelings who has not been obliged to
break the wings of his love before he came
into the cage of society. HrN
ssThat is about the way Upton has gwen |
it to us. Perhaps you may suspect covert |
satire somewhat in the thought. Some
would. 1 think it is the truth, yet not a |
pleasant one. But l remember another
sentiment from the same source, to which |
I subscribe with all my soul. 1t is like
shis: Life is not sport. do you remem-
Der called it tragedy just now9 1t does
not force two souls together, like grains Of
.and in the desert, which the sirocco whirls
together and then asunder. We should
hold fast the souls which friendly fate leads
TO us $50 ever let it be, say ~: for they are
destined for US, and no power can tear
hem from us il we have the courage to live,
70 struggle and to die for them
s'There you have a noble truth-an en-
truth. Let us shake and have
! pipe. The next tune you happen in l
shall have that book ready fer you. Wen
20 over it together and find more of the
same comforting kind Of philosophy"
He beamed benevolently over his pipe
bowl as he placidly smoked. / remarked
that as he seemed to have settled himself
Tor luxurious hour, to be wholly undis-
turbcd would fill the measure of his enjoy
nent, and so left him, this time pledged
TO reioia him within week for an hour or
TWO with Memories"
SIGNOR MAX.
This is world Of secondhand goods
Every pretty girl has been. some other fell
lows sweetheart.
Time at last sets all things even, with ex-
ception, perhaps, of hen that is not ready.
Did you ever notice how surprised you
were when you put your foot upon the next
stair and found there wasn't any there !: