Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-12-20
VILLAGE LIFE.
How the Monotonous Quiet of q
New England Village Strikes
u Westerner.

Helen Bartlett in st. Paul Pioneer Press!
If there is one thing more foreign than an
ether, it is a New England village on the
threshold of winter. 1t seems the end of all
things. The foliage has lost its royal splendor,
the chill air cleeps ominously down ones
spinal column, mirth has gone to sleep AMI
gayety has fed. Everything betokens that
the brief heyday of midsummer is over, and
that social life once more flows back to its
original confines. Already the figures of de-
serted landladies have assumed that unmis.
taxable droop, but fear less from a surplus
of sentiment than a scarcity of shillngs,
which are never very plentiful in this sterile
region. There is reason for the proveIbial
New England economy-incomcs are as linn
tied Us Oliver Twists breakfasts. Yet,
though men may come and men may 60, and
Incomes may dwinde and hearts may grow
sad, there is one feature of every wcll-regu-
lated New England community that goes Oh
forever. refer to what is commonly known
as the first circles" compared to which the
Hindoo system of caste was thing of no ac-
count, and the laws Ct the Modes and Persians
loose and Intellectual.
About six determined families constitute
the ''cream" of society, and those chosen six
decide irrevocably who shall be allowed ac-
cess 10 the sacred scciusion of the elect, and
who shall be placed outside the pale of all
social recognition. Who will and who will
not be "received" within the holy of holies,
is the important subject which frequently
astates the whole town; for, despite the
most strenuous efforts for the preservation of
calmness and stability, the social fabric,
owing to unavoidable accidents of American
existence, does pass through periodical throes
AMI commissions, which are felt to the inner
most depths of human consciousness; and
which transform many career from a condi-
ton of placidity to that of utter despair. In
deed, what consolation can life offer to the
unhappy individual who, apparently secure
of a position on a desirable rung of the social
ladder, suddenly finds himself or herself
"cut' by Mrs. This or Mrs. Thats
The only pcrsonages to whom lifo is per-
petual bed of roses, i'll social way, are the
few youths who have survived the wreck Of
an extensive emigration. AS at all gather
ings there are twenty females to two males,
it becomes prevalent that tho lattor have
things their own way, even though they may
be scarcely out Of their jackets and top-boots.
And when they are real, live, downy- liprel
coilegiaus--as ON rare occasions they I'M
doubtealy are-why should there not be a
tlutter among the petticoats! Incense is then
burned and candles lighted in honor of the
golded youths TO an extent that it is no Won
der they sing with such inefahle satisfaction,
tho chorus of the Little Tin Gols-on wheels
But smile a. much as you will at the mar
rowncss and absurdities of these small places,
there is restfuness in their quiet retreats
which is not to be found in any other part Of
bnr is no M h1S
hess no excitement, no overwork; AMI then
the woods, the meadows the river, the hills!
Though it is late autumn, these have not lost
their charm, can never lose their charm; and
just now the Indian summer comes to lend
its mellow beauty to the scene.
Yesterday, late in the afternoon, / took a
walk on an old cart road. road which
loved to think Thoreau might have trod, for
in his childhood Thoroau lived while in
Sleepy Hollow 1t is only in New England
that you can find a cal t road i'll its full per-
lection. This one wound from the base
to the summit Of a high hill-mountain
it would be called in our fiat western country
The ancient wheel ruts We're entirely covered
by pine needles, making the ground as smooth
and slippery as the inlail floor of Cuban
residence Rocks lined the wdy, and were
covered with MOSES, both green and grey,
over which occasionally scanpered a little
striped squirrel. Everything was SO quiet in
the thick wood that the departing sun, as if
loath to leave the peaceful seclusion, fingered
loag and tenGorly, lighting the somble TO-
treats into soft radiancy; AMI, throwing its
crimson beamSainong the boughs of the trees,
made the white brches blush in their very
cars, as they concealed their nudity behind
their better clothed companions the pines
and hcmlocks. Humid Is of feet below me
lay the pretty town, and to the south, west,
and north, hills, always hills; while above
was the soft, tender biue of the sky, as I'M
sllhad as the eye Of n child. Scenes like this
compensate for nll earth's littleness u III folly,
und prove New Eng!anfs strongest bod ON
her truaut sons and daughters