Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-01-22
A DREAM.

BY MRS. NJ. W. STRATToN.
One summer night, when all was dark and still,
Nor cen mosquito otferng"a bilI-
Taxes forgotten, or imagined paid
And troubles like unquet spirits laid,
Sleep held me captive-visions strange and wild
Swept thro my brain, and waking woes bcguiled.
One moment seemed meath shower of gold,
And for the treasures did an apron hold,
Which ever and anon would split in two,
AS worn out garments will so surely do;
And then whsp' ring voice said, "never trust
In aught that comes too easy, toll you must,
And then be thankful if your game you win
Without some long-enduring grief or sim
The vision changed, and at Il brilliant ball
I danced mid hundreds wondered mt by all;
| wore one shoe--and gilt ring garments clung
Around my form, with beads and Spangles strung;
And shells and feathers lent their gaudy ald
To such dress as taste had never made;
But tho enormous hoops filled up the room,
I sported noncthe handle OF broom
Was scarcely simmer than looked and felt,
For !, like others, had to fashion knelt,
But for such reasons as in dreams abound,
4 hoop.for me had never yet been found;
And to nv soul it was a torture keen,
That with none should in this crowd be seen;
! sadly pondered how to do without.
At last friend Humbug brought relief about;
He slyly came and whispered in mine ear,
"Make them believe youOc bro't the last mooe
here.
THEY'VE heard the fable of the FOX as well as I,
But never fear the lesson they'll apply,
At taking hints not every one is apt,
In self-esteem they're too securely wrapt,
AS ladies now in public often speak,
You may do so with an unblushing check.
Methought l rose and slowly gazed around,
While all gave me attention most profound;
waved my hand to still the curious crowd.
And then with coward heart, but voice loud
told how had Travelled far and near
And could tell things 'twould pale the cheek to
hear,
Not here, or now, would such tales unfold,
Where youth and gaity their reves hold:
So pass we that will not speak Mt all
OF aught but fashion at so grand ball,
On that grave subject would counsel give,
Than not be stylish, better cease to live;
Shake from your heads that clumsy waterfall,
'Tis not the mode in Paris now at all.
And toss away that silly little patch
Which answers not the purpose of a 'scratch'
TO hide your baldness-while it does reveal
The want Of brains you labor to conceal;
Throw off that braid, for all tho world must
know,
Such weight on human head did never grow
Drop off your hoops and step out slim and keen,
And as God made you, let yourselves be seen ;
Let feathers, beads, and spangles grace your
dress,
Wear but one shoe even do with less.
And to the sentimental Dude that foot Will be
The 'peshious footsey-tootsey' he has longed
to see.
In short, look just as appear tonight,
And ma 'rord for it, you will he all right.
A murmur rose-it deeper, louder grew,
And soon saw what eloquence could do,
Braids waterfalls, and hoops were cast away,
Beads feathers, spangles graced the new array
Some had one shoe and some not even that,
And feet once shapely spread out broad and flat,
Ger each fair maiden, and each stately dame,
A change as sudden as astounding came
I was triumphant. but must confess
I had done better things with labor less.
I felt heroic in noble cause,
And took my seat mid thunders Of applause,
Fame won at last, and on n1y native soil
felt repaid for all my mental toll.
Oh short-ived triumph! felt bound to say
a few short words such kindness to repay,
Again l rose, and from my mem'ry's store
Drew words unhackneyed, never used before.
"The proudest moment of my life is this
OH horror! they drew forth fearful hiss
Another hiss and then another came:
A thousand rattlesnakes with eyes of flame,
And tongues of venom scattered thro' the room,
Could not have brought surer, quicker doom ;
My reign was o'er my brief success was done.
NV laurels withered, tho so lately won,
Nor like some upstairs Of the present day
Had golden spoil to bear away;
I. like some others in this prosperous State
Had only been ridcuous-not great;
As they sh0uid ito, 1quietly crept down,
frown.
In place obscure, l waited then to see
What wondrous power superseded me.
Nor waited long-a form fantastic rose
And bending forward, tripping on hert toes,
Came full in view and with a grin, and bow,
Usurped the place which had held but now;
I never knew before that earth did hold
A female thing so impudent and bold,
Her forehead nature made an inch in height.
Was monkey-like with fringe of hair bedight-
High on her head she bore coil Of hair,
And from its midst a name which grew not there
Streamed down her back, and touched massive
plate,
\ monstrous clasp which ladies wear of late;
Here must pause, and words can scarce portray
The fearful thing that took my breath away,
An awful rising-most prodgious hump,
Grew on her back, and from the fearful lump
Streamed s-laces-ribbons all confused,
And something like skirt sadly abused,
For it was pin'd, and looped, and scanned about,
To hide the tatters, have not doubt;
On that huge lump boy of ten years OLD
Could ride in safety, and his brother hold;
Her high heeed gaiter was fearful thing
Only from France such crippling fashions spring.
Her hateful voice rang out both loud and free.
She lauded Fashion, and demolished me,
~ come, she said, with malignant frown),
TO tear that most absurd imposter down,
She talk of Paris, she who ne'er did roam
Beyond the limits of her own poor home;
why ladles sue WAS oolii, anu i've" liSii' iSi "
What couid she be- but stupid
7 take credentials wheresoeer go,
I am no bogus article you'll know.
From France the home offashion, beauty, grace,
come to polish this benighted place
From pure benevolence; l ask no pay,
Tho i'm your service wear life away.
AS am doing in anothercau
Which claims your aid and merits vourapplausc,
She brought it forth, and a successful raid
On FOOLS by foreign impudence, was made.
1t was enough, how well understand
"No mans prophet in his native land.
But let glib-tongued stranger here arise,
He is at once an oraclo-a prize,
! thought aloud-she heard-a rapid stride
Soon brought the bold usurper to my side
With dire intcnt-I saw impending doom,
And all grew dark within that brilliant room,
Cold clammy perspration DER me broke
l screamed aloud in terror and awoke.
\ fearful dream! 1t has meaning too,
But reader shall find it not for YOU