Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-04-19
written Expressly for THE VERMONT PnaS11.l
ASHES FROM THE PIPE or AN
OLD SMOKER.


A'lur ulhhcr Inc words have q pleasant
sound. They are suggestive of happy hours.
But their significance is as varied as the tastes
and habits of individuals. In metropolitan
cities, to the socially inclined, after dinner
means hurried preparation for the theatre,
the ball, the reception, the party, the con-
cert, the lecture, the friendly call or the club.
So closely interviewer are business and pleas
ure that little time is left for simple domestic
comforts and delights. Men, too Often are
far less strangers in their places of business.
their clubs at the theatres and in the social
circle, than in their ownhomes. Theyri in the
morning just in time to swallow a roll and a
cup of coffee and rush of down town" with
hasty good morning They return Just
in time for dinner, bolt that grand meal with
the Nemesis of Indigestion nt their backs. and
are of again. This is something like the rule
in New York, for instance-but there are
happily good many exceptions not enough,
however, to modify perceptibly the pervading
artfciality and feverishness Of city life. Nor
is this hot pursuit of business and pleasure,
social delights and social distinction, con-
fined to men. The women are no whit be-
hind their lords in the race but rather devote
their energies to keeping ahead. Those to
the manor born, having been accustomed to
such mode of existence all their lives, do not
realize its incolnpeteness, and those who go
from the country to swell the metropolitan
throng, readily enough learn to do as the Ro-
mans do, fascinated by the glare and glitter
of their wholly new surroundings.
This pitiless economy Of time is really
sad waste of that precious commodity but
the economists do not believe it. Happily it
may be expected to bring about its own rem
edy by and by. A generation or two hence
will see great change in this respect. A ma
ton just past its centennial birthday is still
young indeed, but it is also old enough to
have overcome in some proportionate degree
its probationary period of elemental chaos-
its hurry -scurry scramble for n reco6 lized
place in the world of art and literature and
| science us well rs the more material world of
trade and finance. When some of the fore
most social questions of the day are satisfac-
torily answered We shall begin to settle into
quieter and deeper grooves, when there will
be more and more time for the cultivation of
| domestic gnces and amenities. Radcalism
is the mbon prerogatiye of youth naturcr
years bring that wiser conservatism which
embodies philosophy with action. Is not
this true of nations as of ind 'yiduals;
After dinner in the country generally means
a return to the work of the morning, since
dinner is commonly the midday meal. Many
families, however, in the larger villages and
towns adopt the city custom and have the
pf ot tltn.
But whether after dinner or after supper, this
period in the majority of country households
is one of natural and simple relaxation, pre-
luding the long evening at home. For aside
from prayer meetings, church sociablos, char
table entertainments of various kinds and
semi-occasional party, there is seldom any
eXtraneous attraction Where there are chill
dren, there is very likely to be a merry romp
with them, which helps digestion and sends
them of to bed betmes, good-natured, rosy
checked and tired enough to drop peacefully
into the dreamless sleep of healthy childhood.
Unhappness and discomfort are seldom in
mates of those homes where the children
| look forward to some such hour with eager
and bright anticipation. That time is not
lost which the elders spend in playing with
| the youngsters. From the efTervescing gaiety
and irrcprcssble spirits Of the little ones, their
parents and grandparents catch again the
| glow and passion of youth and thus renew
their own bloom and freshness. Alas for
the home without children, and that equally
desolate abode where they are banished to the
nursery. Wealth, luxury, tidiness, cannot
fill the void If there is absence of that din
and clatter which weary brain and nerves if
there is relief from constant demands upon
time and patience there are also wanting the
| spur and impetus which are found in minis
tering to the necessities of the babies-bath-
ing broken heads, plastering cut or bruised
fingers and arbitrating as peacemakers in
| quarrels fercer than that between the Lion
and Bear in Europe. And more than these,
the unspeakable, omuiPresent JOY of watch
ing the sma' beginnings of humanity unfold
day by day and surrounding them with al
those influences that tend to healthful growth
and perfect development.
Pity and sorrow for the man or woman who
does not love children and love TO care for
them. Pity and sorrow for that life which is
not cheered and charmed by their kisses and
caresses and onnobled by their sweet conf
dences. 1t is dreary, melancholy waste
with a" the purest springs 9~ied up, all the
fairest flowers choked by weeds and a" the
brightest sunshine 6'mmed by shadows.
Prthee now, my nut-brown meerschaum,
into what realm of fancy last thou beguiled
me to-day? Am a metaphysician or phil
osopher, that l should thus descant upon so
cial problems and lay down line upon line and
| precept upon precept as if an admiring audi
ence was hanging brcathlessly on my words
and drinking in my eloquence with rapture ?
"IIow now, spirit whittier wander you -
My rostrum is II high-backed easy chair,
To the old smoker and his pipe, after din
ner means an hour of quiet, sold enjoyment
and unrUilled peace; an hour of thought and
contemplation, not perplcXing, but inspiring
not heavy and sombre, but buoyant and
Joyous; an hour Of profound laziness if you
will Around him curls and curves and SHIN
mers the fragrant smoke, light and intangible
as day y-dreams, aromatic rs spicy gales from
Araby the Blest. If his stomach is fun, his
digestion goes On ndisturbed, for he Las
eaten like human being and not like brute,
sandwiching pleasant conversation and hearty
laughter with his food. If his feet are ON a
level with his head and his whole attitude be-
tokens lassitude not to say supineness, it is
simply because the position superinduces for
the time the supremest comfort. If he goes
away by himself he shalt not be denounced
as selfish, for has he not regard for unedu-
Gated olfactories and lace curtains? Nothing
is more delightful in his doice Jar njeate than
a companion. woheads are better than one,
says the proverb, and two pipes are better
than one, say l. provided there are two CON
genial smokers to enjoy them. But the Ia
dies are left to themselves! That is indeed
one of the misfortunes of the old smoker. He
must choose, for the nonce, between tobacco