Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1886-03-09
Correspondence.
TTrom the shcphcrdstown Rcgistc

[From the Shcphcrdstown Rcgistcr.]
The following correspondence has been
handed to us for publication. The movement
now on foot. with the object of affording in
noccnt amusement and recreation to the young
people of our somewhat dull town, is one that
should have the support of the whole COM
muaity:
suErnERDsTowN, Feb %, 1886:
Dear Sir-Gt has occurred to us. since your
recent birthday elebratfOn-impresscd with
the extent to which the people generally par
ticiDated. aud the pleasure and enjoyment it
seemed to furnish them-that it would be de-
sirablc to have more frequent opportunities for
such social gathcrings-cs especially for our young
people.
We are disposed to agitate and encourage
such undertaking. and recognizing your adj
vanccd ideas and liberal views i'll all matters
of public interest. would be glad to have an
expression of your opinions on the subject, and
learn whether Won would be disposed to coun-
tGnuncc and aid efforts in that direction.
JOHN II. little,
Il. +. HARRISON.
PRESLEY MARMADUKE,
JOHN II. DUKE,
G. L. HODGES,
!. S. TANNER.
GEO. NJ. BELTZHOOvEH.
w. II. BLLMYER.
WILD GOOSE FARM.
March 9. 1885.
10 4IGSSlS. JOIN il. ZtuiG. Is. r.. HARRISON.
Presley NpmHolIk'e aud others:
GcntIcmen-Yours of the eth ultimo has
been duly received.
| am gratiiicd to know that subject in which
confess an intense interest. is at the same time
engaging the attention of others.
] do not regard the matter Of enjoyment n
mere fancy that can be treated with indiffcr-
cncc. and can be easily dispensed with.
All readily admit happiness AS the real and
true aim OF life. and regard amusement and
recreation as essential to that. sunshine is
to health.
a cheerful. happy disposition which is best
developed by social contact and enjoyment.
contributes materially to long life, and to make
il worth living.
fully concur i'll the common remark, that
more people - rust out than wear out.
That the ideas of propricty and proper re-
straint Of some people arc very erroneous and
rather bi%Otcd: I have no doubt they fully
mean to be honest in their efforts. but in their
zeal to practice what they think n virtue. self
denial. they Overdraw the line. and err in de
barring mury innocent amlIsemcnts. And
nowhere are these exclusive lines more rigidly
drawn than in country villages. the places in
which they are least of all justitiablc.
In large cities there are constant and varied
scenes of attraction and sources of pleasure for
the pcOplc-parks, museums. lectures. &c.
But what opportunities for pleasure and en-
j0vmemt does ShcphcrdStown now afford?
There are certainly many who would greatly
appreciate something i'll that direction.
True. there is occasionally picnic, or an cX-
cIIrSiOn in summer. but even these are rare.
and in winter practically nothing. yet there
are resident here quite a number of active, Wig
OrOns Young men. aud still more quite bright.
sprightly and interesting young ladies. whose
very life must. it SCcI1S necessarily from tho
circumstances. be one routine of domestic dIl-
| tics with the only change or variation i'll back
biting. slandcring and gOssipinS with their
ncighbOrs.
Does this mean happiness?
Too many who now stand uncOnprOmiSinGly
oTrDiTSt all of amusement and lrh1r tho
innocent well as the vicious. forget the nat
ural longings of youth for diversion and pleas
urc. and deny to others what they themselves
INDUCED i'll.
How relieve this want?
l would suggest regular social gatherings III
some suitable room. call II an assembly loon
and make it truly that in its literal sense. open
not To any special clique class or set. but to all
Young persons of good character and conduct.
MAKE M0i he only test Of ddmWd"ce.
In the entertainment to be provided there.
know ran against. current of popular prcJu-
dice. but that may not encounter more than
Justly applies to my views. will say that dc
not mean Ball. with the inscpcrably asSocia-
ted aCcOmpGnimCntS of dissipation. L lrOud
pTcCi'ULo all SItddO'r Of them.
\ supper. something good to cat is very nc
ccssary and proper III its place. but is not what
most of our young people. especially those of
whom mainly refer. suffer at all for the lack
of. do not hold that teGstin9is refining. quite
the opposite. but do contend that dancing.
properly conducted. is not only refining but ell
clcvating. 1t affords real culture, graceful
movements. easy manners and improved taste.
Ny plan would he to select. say twelve ma
irons. three from orr own town. and three each
| from orr nci%hhOring towns. Hagerstown. Mar
! tnSburT and CharlcstOwn. selected not for any
high social standing. but for deserved reputu-
ton rs efficient managers. Such ladies as can
be found in every town who are well known to
possess such tact. skill and executive ability as
| to make Il success of whatever they take hold
! of.
! Keep on hand a good policeman to enforce.
. if necessary. strict order and dGcOrum; exclude
/ all drinking and card-playing or about the
premises. Have good music. plenty of light,
aud decorate and cnbellish the room so as to
make it attractive. especially to the ladies.
BY this do not mean costly extravaganza.
/ y constant end to he kept in view and not NJ
any time to lose sight of. would be to make il
inexpensive and easily within the ability of all
meet its demands. especially the humble class
es for 'cI.oSe benefit and enjoyment ii is mainly
int'n.},R
This may seem too wide scope for some OF
more limited and restricted ideas socially.
But my own ideal would only he fully real
lied. in providing such place and entertain
nent. in character and conduct, and all its sur
roundings. as to make it becoming and con-
sstcnt to attend by any member o any family,
from the highest TO the hUn'bieSt citizen.
Such an undertaking, would not only coun-
tcnance and encourage. but most gladly see
successfully and speedily consummated, and to
that end. chcerfully make n substantial contri-
button and any other aid in my power.
HENRY SHEPHERD.