The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-02-21
Rsv TAs ArAansaw 7ravslsv.
 AN OLD HAIR TRUNK.
BY x.


 Passing an auction store . few days since, where secondhand furniture and cs:s' CT rubbish !. sold, cnr eyes we-- AT. rested by the venerable form of an old hair trunk.
 As tis sweet upon the past to dwell, and from the vista dim of years long sped, behold once more some well Is membered form, VIC paused to gaze on this poor relic of dead generation.
 We recollect we'll when hair trunks were in vogue; they might be seen in the good old times, on the steamboats and stage, or doing active service in ths chambers of youth and beauty. o, the good old times which are gone forever their succcssors-the modem innovation of pin-back-Saratoga's, have chased them away, as the timid rabbit is chased away by the beagle.
 Intently eyeing this fossil, which, nu doubt, had been resurrected from some garret. where 1t had been consigned, and ignobly used as the receptacle for rubbish we could but think on the mutability oi all things here below, and we mentally said, had this old trunk the gift Of speech, it might tell its history in language quaint, or haply in dolorous tones dis. course on the vicissitudes of life, and this vandalic age.
 This trunk must have been one of some pretension m iss day, judging by Its ex. terior, which was profusely ornamen.ed with brass taeks, and having its owners initials E.. B. H" enclosed in scroll work of the same.
 It may have been the bridal present oi father to his daughter on the eve oi marriage for the purpose of holding her library, Charlotte Temple" and the "Children of the Abbey" together with her furbelows. ruffs, blbs, fuckers and high-backed turtle-shell combs or to his son to hold his buckskin b brooches, knee-buckles and queues. Depend ont, this trunk has q history, but who can read it7
 We cannot think that 1t ever travelled far abroad, for in its day, Afkansaw was territory, and Little Rock was then, as far from Memphis as it now is from Montreal. Its frail structure could not have undergone the perils of % long . journey; Consequently, its rambles must have been confined to the counties ad- jacent, strapped behind green stick backed gig, or lashed in the boot of the stage, when oft 1t may have heard the drivers merry bugle announce the ar- rival Of his van. 0, the good old times 1
 A silent listener it may have been to mirth and revelry by night-probably has heard the strains of thS fiddle in the hall below while its owner danced the merry reel to the enlivening airs of " Watcher Under The HiIi," or General Jackson's Hat-band," 1t has heard the romp attendant on the play of "Crind the Bottle" or Biindmaa's Bua," or " Pass h the Corner" and caught the echo of kisses when pawns were re- deemed, in the good old play of "Ssil the Thimble." o, the good old times 1
 Mayhsp, It has witnessed festive scenes as round the board conviviai, the Hagon passed, filled to its bsim with apple-ssddy, rum. punch CT muiled cider.
 From its quist nook t has seen the sapless arm held forth for the doctor to catch the waning pulse; mas been pre- sent ai many birth, aad heard the dis maj death rattle announce ansther house hold. link broken forever ; is, too, has heard the pastors voice, ss one by one its owners psss away. and ssen biz drops of grisf roll down sweet besusy's cheek, as she selected from its store, her mossn- ing gasb of voc. The seasons have their time for ehasge,
 The leaves their time to fail; Like them, old trunks must p.ss .w.J,
 Such Is the doom of all.
 
 When ciothespins are only a cent . 1 dozen there is no excuse for snoring in church. .-Nev York L0nrnM