The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-03-28
For the r. 4 NJ. Household.

A rainy day, an out-of-the-way place.
and a handful of the f. & NJ. Ca mine
of news and useful information agree
ably putt to while away the tedious
hours that chance to hang on my hands.
Glancing over the Household 1.-The first
thing | find several most tiattering
calls upon N'importe to re-enter its
pleasant circle. Having retired there
from rather abruptly. and ever since
maintained wi at \. l.. II. calls "a most
un,nasculine silence l had every rea-
son to suppose that | had been consign-
ed to oblivion, and that my sometime
place was filled by more orthodox in
divi,.ual. 1t is a very pleasant sur
prise to lind that / have been missed :;
although l fancy that 1 detect ring OF
sarl asm in one or two of the invitations
TO return. Those of "Topsy' and
Daisy DELL" Butt shall leave their
r,fcule long enough to make compre-
h,nsive bow around 1.-The gay parterre
of living blossoms and express my
thanks for the compliment paid me in
the expressed desire that should con-
tinue to visit the Household.
The nature of my pursuits does not
admit of much devotion to epistolary
efforts. even of private character, and
thus | will not be able to knock for adj
mittance often, but if once in long
while Nimporte finds time for call, he
| is glad to tn NIX that he will be well
coined by smiles. instead of being re-
ceived with a grave and dubious mien.
But don't think that have been sulk-
ing over the fact that my credentials
7 III l.1f 7 ImI
admittance for | fully recognize that
the safety of society demand that al
whom we admit into the inner circle oi
our lives.-the home or household, -
should be more closely scanned thar
the mere transient acquaintance whom
we meet and part with outside OF on
doors. But is it absolutely necessar,
TO a mans social character that m
should have been decorated with IVA
paint?' At this late date l hardl,
think it is incumbent to sternly deman
of every one who Graves the honor o
social intercourse whether he had tol
. lowed The patriotic example of ''th
Minstrel Boy. or not.
But | honor my fair and true-hearte
countrywoman for her devotion to
cause that is none the less reverence
hv me, because, unfortunately, did NJ
happen to be in time to wear the gray
Suppose we let that alone, now tC
awhile. y. l.. H.. fair lady, l am atrai
+, that the average man is not fond I
. diving for pearls of thought in any ";
ters deeper than he may wade witha
1t is too much trouble to have to thin
up to a subject. A very slender inte
lectual repast furnishes him with all Il
mental pabulIm that he desires.
would keen sword to fence with yo
Ma belle. let us be friends. No. hay
not read the book you allude to, b
your quotation expresses my own Id
exactly. Sympathy with our ov
moods and feelings of mind and hea
'e, proves mdisputably to us the superiori
ssy of the fair sympathizer.
n. Topsy, my wee friend of the teaspoo
h. why launch your shafts Of >:trca>
= az ainst my defenceless breast. IN wi
" way did | exhibit such comfortable
= lief in my own intellectual develt
4 ment? / asked for The bread OF inf
Y nation. and 10! you give stone
ridicule. Not only was my ''lordshi
3ie: ie:: puzzled by your interesting riddle,
.. others seemed to find it tough and I