The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-29

town they arc so familiar and homeliks
that Il Is only their absence which IN
remarked When he does not hear them
the countryman feels lonely and out
OF place. He does not exchange them
willingly for the hum and roar OF the
streets, the rattle OF wagons over cobbls
stone, the click OF Iron hoofs as they
strike the pavement and the patter or
human feet. on the one hand he feeo
that by removal 20 the city he woule
lose much and on the other that he wouid
gain many things with which he wouA
gladly dispense.
The first thing 10 strike him as he en-
tiers the city Is the town smell 1t gets
into his nostrils as he steps OF the cars.
the scent of burning coal. of gas, OF de-
caylng fruits and vegetables, OF drugs
and dry goods. OF coal oil and ready
made clothing, OF barber shops ana stale
meats. OF hotel kitchens and livery sta
bles OF cake shops and bar-rooms.
All these and many others mix into
an indescribable and malOdorous bleno
and get IN their deadly work upon the
sensitive end undeadened olfactory
nerves Of the Innocent and helpless coun-
tryman.
They keep it UP from tho hour he
wakes in the morning 70 noon. from mir-
day 20 evening. and from evening until
he falls to sleep az night. He cannot g.
cape them, do what ne may, and finally
two potent forces awaken within him.
The first IS a nausea in his stomach and
the second longing in his soul for one
pure. deep breath Of the free air OF me
country. untainted by smoke and dust
and all the foul doors Of the city
Time and space would fail even 20
name the pleasures. advantages. ana
blessings enjoyed by country people or
TO write list OF the disadvantages ana
thu disagreeabio features OF town life.
Men and women bre1 20 the country can
not be content without the former
and tho are keenly alive 10 the latter.
And yet-and yet-frankness prompts
the confession that there are times and
seasons when even tho most devoted
child OF nature feels that life in the
country e. not one OF unalloyed felicity.
Yes sweet as freedom Is. great as the
charms OF country life undoubtedly are,
there are drawbacks. Some things are
not always conducive 20 pleasure and
comfort.
During the present winter. for exam
pie. the weather has been entirely too
varied and profuse We have had II OF
al sorts-cold and hot vet and dry. clear
and cloudy rainy and sunshine. freez-
ing and thawing, haliing and showing
on some OCCASIONS changing MALT dozen
times IN the course OF a single day.
SOME DRAWBACKS.
But whether warm or cold wet or dry,
the stock must be fed and watered,
wood must be cut and hauled and all
the chores must be done. This often
involves unexpected and disagreeable
experiences
To the truth OF this statement our
principal beau and society man can bear
testimony. IL happens sometimes that
Il becomes necessary for Willie to do the
milking. and at II he goes with the same
cheerfulness. vim and pluck that he
starts in 20 rush the sweetest girl.
Now q cow has very beautiful sort
brown eyes ani her air IS usually one
Of extreme gentleness and timidity. but
In her disposition and temper she Is es-
sentially and even radically feminine
Ia the worst sense OF the word. Just
when she has thoroughly convinced you
OF her amiablity and sweetness and you
are congratuating yourself upon what
kindly relations you have established
with her. she Is seized with a sudden
and inexplicable propensity for revert
ing 20 savage ferocity and total deprav-
ity.
Everybody knows the adage which ac-
credits the COW with the irresistible i'm
pulse 10 kick over a pail Of milk after
she has filed Il 70 the brim.
Willie sometimes forgets this and when
he does he returns 10 the house In con-
dition Of mind and body which is fear
full 10 contemplate. He retires ana de-
votes unwonted care 10 bath at an IN
usual hour, after which he gives 70 his
clothes and hair an amount or time ana
labor which IS 10 say the least, excep-
n. oh
that he usually begins proceedings after
one OF these incidents by taking or his
shoes and pouring tho milk out OF them
It's a queer way 10 carry MIX, out
have never vcntured 10 inquire why ne
chooses that mode.
At such a time it may be doubted whe-
Their he recognizes and appreciates 10
the full all the advantages Of country
life. And it IS impossible 20 elicit from
him definite response as 20 whether
ne finds that he has by years or attend
ance at Sunday schools and pink teas
ACQUIRED a vocabulary which affords adj
equate facilities for giving expression
~ the turbulent emotions OF hts soul and
the surglng thoughts OF his mind at the
moment OF the catastrophe.
THERE ARE TWO SIDES.
However this may be. II Is known that
for'somo days after one Of these expe-
rienceg n young man Of pleasing ad-
dress. who can make himself indispen-
sable al all social functions, Is ready 20
accept any reasonable offer OF employ
ment In city or town, notwithstand-
ing all the disagreesble features or such
a life.
II must be ACKNOWLEDGED, then, thar
there are two eides % this question. and
after all. IL may be that tho lot OF city
people Is not altogether bad. Those VINO
have Grown accustomed 10 II manage
10 endure H. and possibly tos-some ma
lures It IS preferable 10 life In the cou$
try. bfoMESL LIVE