The St. Johns herald., 1888-01-05
OUR MEADOWS' LETTER,

cdpildI, SUCH dS - JIluSeIh lllc, IIOIDiOOh 1 Winslow and others. Now, I shall not imply that mere jealousy prompts you Q ignore the claims for notice of your ' rival city by the Meadows. Such thing is all very well between young and rising cities like Chicago and St. Louis. Ac- knowledged centres of trade and indus try, can afford to dispense with such petty jealousy.
 At masS-meeting of our town's-peo- pie it was charitably resolved to afford provinclals an insight into the state of society in this city and it's affairs gener- ally.
 Thus-Our trade is in a satisfactory condition. Statistics show no marked expansion; and yet there is no diminu- tion, The block on the roads has caused our merchants some inconvenience, of course. Though, under ordinary cir cumstances, our railroad service is very complete, still the various new roads headed this way will prevent such pre- dicament arising again.
 Immigration (emigration) continues unabated. There are a few houses still unoccupied; but not more, I should say, than 90 per cent; and their owners have, probably, satisfactory reasons for their being so. There is not. at present, much movement in real estate. But those who know predict veritable boom during the coming spring. Indeed, experience has taught us that March and April are the periods of greatest activity in this market.
 One of our leading industries here, as perhaps you are aware, is-eh! ah !- bog-riding. It is pleasant occupation, by many deemed highly intellectual one The prospects for the coming spring, when this industry is at its height, are altogether satisfactory so much so that it is moot point as to whether the aid of mechanical appliances should not be called in; say, in the shape of steam cranes placed at convenient distances along the banks of our noble river.
 The sister industries of hide-skinning and leather tanning offer inducements for the investment of capital. The mon- ey market here, however, is tight-very tight. Such of your wealthy citizens as may entrust their money to our keeping will receive all the respect that is due them.
 Our local nimrods may be seen daily in the pursuit of their calling. Wild ducks and teal are experiencing stormy weather, and complain piteously of the pot-hunters who do not even "rest on the seventh day" A fact of interest to naturaiists is the abnormal development of the legs of our jackrabbits. It has only become noticeable in the last year or two. Probably survival of the fit test" has something to do with it. The same may be said of our skunks; only the development is not of the legs.
 As to amusements, we have uufortu- nately, no pond for the graceful exer- else of skating. One of our citizens re- gently visited your town and was much surprised that your. young folks take no advantage of the magnificent lake, cov- cred with beautiful sheet of ice, in your immediate reighboIhood. The reason given for this apparent apathy (Webster, indolence)-wast the distance from town, certainly not less than two hundred yards. There may be some thing in that. At any rate the foremen- toned gentleman was obliged to take his pleasure solus. Even his best girl refused to accompany him. He has now decided to buy buggy and let skating slide
 We are very musical people down here. Last winter our mOuth-harmO- nium band was constant source of an noyance-I mean enjoyment! But, alas our greatest mouth-harmonium artists have left us, and we are "desolated." 4 new musical society, however, is being formed, and the instruments are ordered from Europe not harmonIums, mark you, but the newly invented instrument professionals term zah-zahs. These are delicate and complicated machines; but VIC rely on our great talent which mas tered the difficulties of the mouth-har- monium to master also these. For our or chestral concerts-seats booked Tn ad- vance. Receipts to be devoted to the fund in aid of emigration.
 Meanwhile we ali look forward to our New Years ball. There youth and beau ty will be seen as can be seen no where else. Our girls need fear no rivals. We, that is, portion of our male popula- ton, hope to be with you to help bring in the New Year. "La Gente pone. V Dios dispone :" which being translated means-"if we survive the Xmas festiv ities." Meanwhile the compliments of the season to you.
 BOG-RIDER