Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-08-21
LIFE IN 4 TLLfAGE

To be in the midst Of a small com
munity where, in absence OF great
events, the smallest events are mag
niiied to great proportions, and the
affairs Of the individual become Of
public concern, has after all a cercain
cOmpens ton. it is impossible not
TO learn more Of life, more OF the mo-
tiyes and interests of humanity, in a
village than in a city, where the arena
OF action is so great that the actors
in all their movements, are not yisi-
bic to us. Let us, for instance. recall
our experience in the rural hamlets in
which we have often found ourselves
in the summer. After a little the
subjects OF the outside world Of which
We we're accustomed TO hear seem
vague and no longer within the pale Of
our sympathies. We find ourselves
uncoDsciously affected by the habit Of
thought Of our neighbors. Despite
our laughing contempt for the mar
rowness Of their daily routine and the
local flavor Of their conversation, we
insensibly take our share in it. The
little town seems to us world in
itself. We are surprised to note how
wonderfully united it is, the interests
Of the greater and the less firmly
welded together. As strangers we at
first looked coldly on, but we soon
came under the spell, and our sym
pathies are excited in behalf OF the
community. Before we know il our
pride even is aroused, and we
astonish ourselves ere long by setting
forth the attractiyeness OF this special
spot in comparison with all these in
its immediate vicinity.
And we do not stop here; we soon
know all the characters OF the village,
the history Of the families, their con-
nectiOns and private disaffecti0nS
We listen to all the local gossip and do
our own part, at first shamefacedly,
but later with feryor in spreading it,
A marriage, a death or a birth is an
occurrence sufficiently important to
stir the town, and IL in any OF these
incidents there are exceptional cir
cumstances, one can feel the pulse Of
the whole place throbbing with its I'M
wonted feyerishness. More particu-
larry at such times Of agitation, per-
haps il is. that one may study
character most effectively. II is
easier then TO perceive the inner feel
ings which are usually kept under
control. The sentiments OF those who
hear, for the first time, OF their neigh
boris joys, sorrows or predicaments
are sure TO betray their possessors.
Whether expressed in all sincerity or
not, there is a tone, an action, an
"aside," that indicates the genuine
feeling. The unexpected wedding Of
Miss Smith brings out hard facts OF
her age from her spinster friends, her
disposition from her intimates, and
what she has done, or not done, for her
family, the church and the com
munity. The death Of John Jones
reveals, after the first shock Of grief.
the dramatic incidents Of a career
which, in its last years, seemed as TN
eyentful Us the course Of the little
stream that flowed serenely through
his meadows. And when Mrs. Brown
presents her husband with twins, one
learns that the young people are to be
pitied or congratulated according to
the childlessness, or much blessed con-
dition OF the bearer of the news. You
are told just how long these persons
have been married and the date OF each
previous birth Ia the family, and