Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-07-27

ALARM CLoCKs.-Alarm clocks, IN
some instances, may be useful, but IN
many they are annoying and trouble
some. This thing Of deter Mining be-
tor.band the exact time when to De
awakened may please the hard listed,
systematic business man, put there is
something so unpleasant in the idea OF
going to sleep and getting awake on
business principles, that alarm clocks
have always been suggestive Of some
instrument designed for human torture.
We don't like them, they di1turb the
morning nap, the sweetest hour is
snatched from dream-laGd pleasures.
and a person is aroused from the werisd
fancies of dream life With thug and
shake that is really cruel. The man
that first invented them was a mean
cuss. He knew nothing OF the poetry
of life. His was a dry, feelingless,
tread mill kind of existence. If he is
still alive he. no doubt, is to-day suffer
ing the keenest remorse for the wrong
he perpstrated upon the human race
Ii he be dead, it is an appropriate time
10 try 10 exercise sufficient virtue to
respect that time honsred maxim OF our
ancient friends and say 'nothing but
good about the dead" We leave the
inventor 10 his conscience, but the
miserable, noisy, screaching thing re-
mains to be cursed by successive gen.
erations.
1t was supposed that no more horri-
bic use for this rest disturbing appli-
ance could be found than that OF dis
turbing the slumbers of the innocent,
but alas: We were mistaken.
If there Is any particular period in
life when a harsh disturbance from some
outside source is peculiarly annoying
it is when too loving hearts are enjoy
ing the peculiar pleasure of communion
with each other, and when the minutes
which a short time before were slowly
crawling. the one after the other, are
now rushing awav with almost lightn-
ing speed, when but it is unnecessary
10 indulge in such generalities.
Imagine a couple who are seated
upon quiet veranda. The pleasant
breezes with It's refreshing influence
has succeeded the hot, sultry July day.
The usual subjects OF fashionable
conversation have all been touched up
on and there is now pause. The
gentleman evidently has something
upon his mind. 1t is a short speech
but it has required more study and has
been rehearsed more frequently than
two hours campaign Grafton. His pecu-
liarly nervous manner indicates That II
is coming. There Is kind OF innocent
expression upon the young lady's
counteuance which ladies 30 well know
how 10 use 10 conceal their true feelings.
The tongue is stiff, but the eyes speak
in loving glances more eloquently than
the richest tones Of the human voice.
Imagine that he has drawn nearer and
after long breath has in the tender
ness Of deepest affection repeated the
lovely name, when suddenly there Is
vhur-r-r and the abenimable alarm
clock sound forth on the still air that 1t
is 10 O'Clock aud past and that prudent
housekeepers consider it time TO close
the doors. Think you that man would
buy All alarm clock! Try 10 sell hin
one if you desire to see an expression
Of countenance such as no human be-
ing ever before wore. 1t is fortunate,
if the owner OF the abonlnabls inYen-
ton has succeeded IN keeping it safe
from the wrath 3fan offended guest
Alarm clocks are nuisance.