The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-02-19
LIFE In THE SUBURBS.
set with Many OF the
Minor Evils.

life in the suburbs has its draw
backs, as well as its advantages, !" said
man who ought to know, for he lives on
the edge of town, says the Washington
Post.
when we moved into thesubu1bs the
neighborhood was not built up, and
truly it was delightful, so peaceful!
However, we were always longing to
see some new houses go up. At last
they commenced to spring up like mush-
rooms all around us, and, being small
houses, attracted people of modest cir
cumstances and large families.
1.-THE mere fact that man has moved
into the suburbs Is sufficient for him
to take farmer-like interest in all that
pertains to his immediate little patch
of ground, and he will condescend to all
sorts of mental labors, which would
never appeal to him in any sense in
the city. When in the suburbs, it is
qrsite the proper thing to cut your own
grass by means of lawn mower. The
older the mower, the more pleasure it
will afford the neighbors, and it is really
au fait to start in at six o'clock in the
morning. Imagine what it must be
in locality built up, as mine is, to lis
ten to the click, click, of half dozen
lawn mowers going at once. However,
the hour of the day is by no means
settled thing. One can start lawn
mower at any time and keep it going as
long as one likes. Some mornings
am awakened by the discordant sounds
of this instrument of torture. In
little while it ceases, and turn over
with muttered prayer OF rel1ef ana
thanksgiving to finish my mornings
sleep. when some other kind neighbor
starts up.
after the lawn mowers have gotten
in their work and breakfast is finished,
the neighborhood children start In on
the pianos. Their fathers have left the
mowers for their occupations down
town. but the rest Of the family keep on
in the good work A half dozen or more
pianos going at once. An afternoon nap
is simply impossible While the older
children are practicing the younger
ones get out in their wagons, and soon
the sidewalks resound with the yells
and uuarrels of the smaller tribes.
about half past four the heads OF the
families return, and from that time on
the real amusement commences, for
each family owns some distinct musical
feature. In one house it is banjo. In
another a guitar. In another mando-
lin. Others possess pianolas, aeolians
and other variations Of musical instru-
ments. When all are going simulta-
neously the effect is something that must
be heard to be appreciated.
Immediately after dinner suburban
custom requires that each man should
bring out his hose and water the yard.
So, for an hour or more, the sizz and
trickle Of water is heard.
Surely, this is all, thinks the nerv-
GUS, impatient man. when suddenly two
or three voices in different houses are
uplifted in interpreting such master
pieces as 'Hiawatha,' 'Tessie, You're
the Only, Only etc.
There is one great charm about the
suburbs-nearly every one retires early,
for which l am truly grateful. sup
pose the exertion OF the day is too much.
When first moved out commenced to
do all those things, but now am con-
sidered too exclusive for anything, for
you couldn't pay me to touch lawn
mower, and as for pianos and watering
hose. hate them ALL"