The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1889-12-27

ON Christmas day when we celebrate the
coming of Christ and the end of sacrifice,
puzzles our simple wisdom. These shoot
ing matches have nc r~edeeming features.
Their associations are the grog shop and
the low dive. They draw together the
lower strata. Cruelty is occasion for
brawl and loud guffaw. 1t seems to us
like a parody on the intelligence and NOR
ais of this the higher Christian dispense
ton to take these innocent birds that were
a Precipitation between God and man under
the Mosaic dispensation and for sport
offer them a sacrifice in the service of the
devil. We have no objections to shooting
as a test of skill, but why 0 substitute
sport harmless? Then all lovers of sport
with the gun could take part without a
compromise of conscience.
The passer-by on Allen Avenue will see
erected thereon a fine, commodious build
ing on which is hung a large signboard
bearing the name of G. Ladd. Mr.. Ladd
is a new conner into the Borough, having
moved hitber from GIassboro. The build
ing referred to was erected by Mr.. Jehu
Allen on one of his fine lots on the Avenue
bearing his name, and for the use of Mr..
Ladd.
There are no finer building sites in town
than on this same avenue. Here commodi-
Gus building lots front on a broad thor
oughfare, lined on either side by thrifty
shade trees that will, in a few years, give
to this part of the own the appearance of
a sylvan retreat. Westward from here
is a beautiful landscape of meadow and
hills with a babbling brook coursing be-
tween. The jewellers enjoy a dual exist
ence-a town and a country life. On the
one hand is heard the iostle and tumult OF
the activities of life, on the other the purl-
ing of the brook, the song of birds and the
lowing of kline.
The new building is used for the purpose
of experimenting. Mr.. Ladd, we are told,
is en- experienced weaver, and we presume
can please the most fastidIous. We doubt
not he Will, if you SO desire it, weave into
your tapestry as many shades and hues as
Urd and erdande, the ancient norns, weave
into the thread of life. Mr.. Ladd and fam
lily have come among us to stay, If we are
willing. The most substantial way to ex-
press our willingness is to give him a share
of our patronage. They add to our num-
Der, increase our industries and help make
the town. There is a disposition with some
to patronage only old-timers. Such a spirit
checks all growth and dooms to everlasting
sameness. The way to increase business,
build up a own and thereby enhance the
value of property therein,i is to foster every
legitimate industry. The more industries
and opportunities of trade the more trade
tends thitherward. With increase of trade
comes increase of wealth, and increase of
growth. Rivalry and competition have built
our cities and made US as a nation what we
are, the foremost of the earth. But for
rivalry and competition Manhattan Island
with its teeming million. its subterranean
and altiterranean railways and its aggrega-
tion of marble palaces would be today
only a cowpasture; and Chicago, with its
magnificent bouleyards, its gold-mounted
equipages and its miles of marts of trade
only a way-side village along ''the march
of empire toward the setting sun"
At this season of the year one frequently
hears asked three prominent questions, by
three distinct classes of persons, and with
the nswer come a tinge of gladness or q
shade of disappointment. The little tod
dlings, and some of the larger ones. too.
greet each other with ssWhat did Santa
Claus bring you?' Their little eyes
sparkle and little tongues prattle of a nice
new sled or the curly Lair and rosy cheeks
of ''dollie." But should no presents come,
then little eyes moisten and a little heart
saddens over the comfort of a lie that
"Old Sanity" was too big, or the chimney
too little, or the reindeers ran away. The
question now asked most by terrestrial
angels-we mean women-is, '.Where did
you spend Christmas?n The that
has got her winter bonnet" and her
'sseal-skin saeque,' and has had an invi-
tation out to dine on this festal day, won
ders what substantial blessing this old
world could have lost when Adam was
hustled ont of Cad Eden. We are glad
that women like fine dresses and orna-
ments and new bonnets. The prettiest
thing on this green earth is a pretty woman,
prettily dressed. If there is any justifica-
tion for secret organizations for the cor
rection of abuses, it is for an organization
of women to hang all the old croakors who
pirate about woman's extravaganza. God
intended that woman should be pretty.
He created her last of all creation that He
might bestow upon her the beauty and
perfection of His work. We nave no pa
thence with the false dogma that ~piainness
of dress promotes moral purity and Christ
ian piety. The woman that does not re-
speet herself more in a silk dress than in a
homespun gown, and III of this respect
worships God better, lacks in an import
ant element of her education. We know
This idea is not Pauline, but then Paul was
a social anchorite and, moreover. had
soured on women. Nature and Revelation
teach US a love of the beautiful and to be
beautiful. God clothes the hills with ivy
and the valleys with the lily. The old
Tabernacle of the wilderness had for its
outer covering the skins of badgers, and
for its inner hangings fine-twined linen.
When Revelation would inspire us with a
love of the perfection of the beautiful it
speaks of rainbows, and white robes, and
gold crowns, and pearls, and chrysolite,
and amethyst. If the gods should bestow
on us the gifts they conferred on old
Midas, every woman should be decked a
queen if we had to turn all the grass of the
fields into sealskin sacques, and all the
stones into poke bonnets, and all the dew
drops into necklaces of pearls.
Another question asked, and by another
class of persons, is Have you paid your
taxes?" The man that can give an affirm
alive answer feels that a burden has been
lifted from his shoulders. Taxes at the
best of times are more or less burthensome.
They do not seem to give a tangible equiv
alent like other transactions. In this year
of poor crops, low prices and general stag
nation they are especially burthensome.
We are glad to learn, however. through
our new collector of taxes, that the prompt
ness of payment has exceeded former