Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-01-16
For the Shenandoah Herald.
A SOY In the Camp.


prove and entertain her guests. She
BEN oaned the dullness Of society and
thought that by an interchange OF views
they might succeed In efectln2 some
Improvement. Mrs. Tompklns said
that it was her OPINION that 1t was
necessary 10 get the married men IN
lerested. The young people have their
Chin chin society, and it always seemed
to her that it wonld break up as sud-
denly as the reading club did, was Il!
not that the glrls take their beaux with
them. Size said that she had studied
tie sui iect well and as opportunlt,
was now given, she proceeded to give
her sisters the benefit of her cogllalloDs.
The first thing we must do is to
wean our husbands from their after
night loaipg places. She always did
consider 1t wrong for marie men TO
be away from home after eight O'Clock
10 the evening, and she was in favor oil
adopting sosle measure which won Id
keep them at Lomc from sundown TO
sunrise. MIR. Tompkins as soon a. sup
per is over, tells me that he has TO go
to the ledge, OF the town council Oh
meet a gentleman on business, or
something else. Al first, l thought Ii
was all right, but at last, it seemed
singular to me that be had TO go every
night.
When Cousin Simon came to Wis.,
Us last fall, told him about it and as
We ha d always been particular friends
[ made COMPLIANT Of him aud be agreed
10 give me his assistance. l made
arrangements with him 10 act the spy
He WAS 10 VISIT the night loahsg places
Of married men and tell me all that he
saw and heard. He soon learned that
MIR. Tompkins visited the stores up
Town. aud after weeks visits, Cousin
Simon was able 10 give full history OF
wba. he saw and heard, and it agree
able TO the company l have no ooJsc
uon to giving you the benefit OF his
observations. was really surprised at
The revelation, for he told me how our
husbands spend their evenings.
The party unanimously agreed 10 the
pronositlon and many Of the sisters ex'
messed anxiety 10 hear the revelation
For the first time since they had as
senbled there was absolute siieuce, all
waited patiently, aud Mrs. Tompklhs
began.
a short time after dark he walked up
street. entered a store aud accepted
the seat which was proifered him.
There were about half dozen persons
present. some OF whom were smoking
and in aftw moments, conversation was
resumed. The party were discussing
q political question. A3Sgpg married
man. who seemed 10 be thelchiet spokes-
man when Cousin Simon entered, was
giving his views. He said the tarlf on
Goods was burdensome and that II be
had bis way be would have such reve-
nue. reform as would break up the
great mouopohes Of the country and
give every man a chance. He was
evidently IA free trader aud understood
the question which now agi'ates the
people OF so many sections. Some one
remarked that 1t was a war measure
and he thought that it was enacted IN
1862 turning to an old gentleman who
was sitting at the end of The stove,
with a look of enqairy. why certain
" it was" was the reply, and the GA
gentleman at once gave the date OF It's
passage and the circumstances attend
10y it. From this subject he brAnched
off, on tue war, giving the names OF the
battles that had bee2 fought, and win
an accuracy that Was really wonderful
related the most striking Incidents. His
description OF battles, Of victories aud
H. feats. OF the skill OF Officers and the
conduct OF The troops Of the various
regiments. the uumber OF killed, men
,ioning many of the neighbOrhood by
name &C.. &C., was really interesliag
aud entertaining. 10 fact 90 Interest,"
mo as The description that 1t Vas iulI
eight o'clock before CUusin Simon left
and then it was too late to go farther
lbutresurned giving me lull particulars
Of What he had seen and heard
now know that at that store the eve
ming are spent in smoking, and in
general conversation.
The next night he went lew door
higher up, and entered another store
Here he found young men and Oh
men. Two were sitting, tailor fashion
on the coun er facing each other, ant
two others on the opposite sides OF lh'
counter, engaged 10 endeayorlng t.
ascertain which party could beat tn
other at a game of domiuoes. FCu
others stood around walchiog the pro
gress of the game and waiting to sho'
I, their skill whenever the opportuult
preseuted itself. After the cOmpl'
ton of five or six games, the part
sult aud on the call for another das
. and with a hearty SO no ! the ne
game began, aud SO the evening WI
, passed until the clock INDEBTED tn
i hour Of closing.
Having tally satisfied himself hsre, h
went on up The street to large stol
a near lie corner. Here he found a con
pany of young men near the stove, on
. OF whom very politely rendered chall
/, and the conversation about huntin
and other light topics was resumed
There seemed to be no married me
here aud be was about to leave, whe