Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-02-21
First Trousers.

become a man. Now, the first evidence
OF manhood, the first serious step made
in life, is tie wearing Of trousers.
The first pair OF trousers is an even
desired by the father, and dreaded by
the mother. To the mother, 1t is the
besinuing of the end. She looks with
moist eyes at the little peiticoat for
ever abandoned, and says to herself
L have lost my baby; my reign has en-
ded; aud, alas how soon lie will
have new tastes, new desires, he Is no
more mine, his individuality asserts IT.
self, he is somebody, he Is a boy
The father on the contrary, is charm
ed. He laughs in his sleeves as he looks
at the slender calves which emerge from
the trousers. He feels the little body
so clearly outlined under the new gar
menls, and says 10 himself: How we'll
he is formed. the little fellow-he will
have my broad shoulders and Stnrdy
lees-hog slrongly he stands! lie
would like to see him IN boots, and 1t
would not take much to make him buy
pair of spurs. For the first time he
sees himself reflected in his little
boy. lie looks al him as at a picture
hung in a new light, and for the first
time, too, he finds it exc essively agree.
able to call him my son.
As for the baby hi msell, be is intoxl'
Gated, glorious, trium phant, but all the
same a little embarrassed by his arms
and legs, and if we mis ht hint it with
out offence, very like a young goose
which has been plucked at the approach
OF warm weather.
The greatest annoyance Of the poor
little man Is his past. How many
grown men have been annoyed in the
same manner? He feels deeply that
trousers involve obligalions-that he
must take on new ways, new gestures;
if possible, a new tone OF voice. He
even begins 10 ape the ways OF his iath
er, who, percelvlng it, is not one whit
displeascd. He essays masculine gcs'
lures, and mis- struggle between his
latent babyhood and his would-be man.
mood Gives him the most comlcal air
in the world. Ills petticoat follows
him persistently, and almost garages
him.
Dsar little trousers, love you, Tor
YOU are faithful friends, and We meet
you at every turn in life, with all your
gentle following. Are y ou not the re-
Election of each new pro mise which lick
les our vanity?
You, young officer, who look at your
moustache in your mirror as you don for
the first time epaulette aud spur, wha
feeling moves you as you hear your
sword clnk at your side ? Belted, boot
ed. and brushed elbows well back
your cape over the ear, you walk
through the street, can you resist look
ing into the dark windows as you pass !:
A "Reminiscences of your first trousers,
is it not?
You will find them again, these first
trousers, when you are made captain.
and receive decoration. Again, later
When graymoustached old soldier,
you will take little wife to rejuyenate
you. Again you will pat them on. but
, this time the little wife will help you to
wear them;
NY friend, the day when you will have
nothing more to do with them you Will
> be in the dust low, low lying tor al
mems life is embodied in this garment.
! Life holds but little else for man, but
to put on his first trousers, take them
of. aud die while looking at them.
Is it true, l wonder. that the create
oart of our joys have no more serious
cause than the joy, of childhoods Are
d we so SILLY ? Yes, my friend, we are
u silly enough to think we are wise. We
;, never quite get rid of our baby clothes
some little rag always stays by US. 4
Il trille of babyhood remains with US all
or, TO praise it better, we are but ba
p bies grown big.
And you, prettlest oi women, doe
+ not each new season bring its joys VIII
n its new costumes Do not say thes
50 ioys are but secondary. for their lnHa
e. ence ia powerful upon both your tenn
| per aud character. Whould it be rnd
OF to ask why last Sundays sermon wa
m 80 logical, persuasive. elegantS Wh
et your eyes were filled with tear' as yC
ve came out Of chruch, and why you wer
impelled to kiss your husband as 500
IN "a YOU reached home? You know
st.~t