Year: 1875

i


There is nothing strikingly remarkable
about this fact, considering that / am q speci-
men of the genus homo, built in accordance
with the general model, and am now in the
forty-fifth year of my existence. 1t is well
authenticated fact that Adam had sons--and
daughters, too-and it is useless to go any fur
ther back for precedent. My sons family
name is Beda-which happens also to be
mine-and when he was but an infant had
him christened Samuel did this in iu.ita-
ton of King David, who called SO many OF
his offspring Psalm, but did not anticipate
having to number mine in order to keep track
of them My son grew very slowly, as ne
was born on the goth of February, and con-
sequently has only had birthday once every
! four years.


This likely will prove an advantage to him,
as he may yet die young when quite an OLD
man. He is now between three and four
years old, and in the eyes of fond parent is
somewhat of an original. Ae has taken
fancy to write his front name Kan, and to
humor him write it also in that way. Heis
a good deal like an undeveloped quartz ledge:
the outcroppings assay we'll in pure mineral
and the ore does not appear to be fractious;
but whether well-de6ned creYice and valu-
able vein will hereafter be struck, cannot be
ascertained until he is put upon his metal.
He was in attendance with me every night
during the late Fair, and although he does
not dance, seemed to enjoy the Kaleidoscope
view of humanity there presented. He took
an interest in the Fair-and number of
chances.


My son Kan


one night, as we were returning homeward,
| Remarked:


"Father, Fair is wonderful thing. 1t is .
place where one can observe the concentrated
Sunday clothes and manners of the surround
ing neighborhood, except the managers in
their private relations with one another, and
both body and style of a number noticed
were decked in a fanciful costume. Tonight
| stood by the stove in the Bazaar, and watch
ed the progress of each visitor until he man
aged-as seemed to be the aim of ALTO ex-
ude into the dancing hall. Many were there
who, familiarized with such scenes, quietly
elbowed their way through the vibrating
crowd, and ignoring the beseeching accents
Of the soliciting voices surrounding, succeed
ed in passing into the outer hall scott free.
But others there were from the rural districts
and some, also, from the Too-Rural-who
occasionally entered, and these interested me.
One Granger, attired in city clothes, with
face newly washed in bay rum and exhaling
from his person the concentrated essence of
bergamont, barber-shop and cloves, ,percolated
through the moving mass and had nearly
gained the middle of the room, before the
chance-book brigade discovered that there
was stranger in their midst. I imagine the
man must have had a mother at one time, but
it was evident that he was unaccustomed to
the society of the gentler SEX and that to find
himself in the midst of number of ladies
was to him a novel experience. A portion of
the torturing brigade Immediately surrounded
him, formed hedge of animated counten-
ances, chance books and proffered pencils,
and held him captive until considerable por-
ton of his currency floated on the current of
the charitable speculation surrounding. The
change of his features in short space Of
time was amusing. At first an actual dread
was expressed as he saw the young ladies ap-
proach and were about to speak to him-then
a seeming delight, that he was the object Of
their attention, and finally such a degree of
selfcomplacency spread over his glowing
countenance as led me to believe that his
pocket-book paid the penalty of his gratifed
vanity"


My son Kan


made many other observations; but as they
were of personally descriptive character of
recognizable characters, l will not repeat
them. The next evening he took his station
near the p O., where he obtained good
view of the dancers and non dancers


My son Kan


remarked as we returned homeward:
"Father, catching cachination eschewed-"
interrupted him a moment, and said:


''Sly son, if you want to sneeze, sneese;; out
don't fool about it in that way"
He seemed surprised, but said


II was merely about to mention fact in
connection with laughter. However, was
exceedingly amused tonight. A rural twain
in the second waltz essayed the mazy. but got
far beyond into the amazing. observed the
rustic when he pulled his expected partner
by the sleeve, and without the slightest en-
barrassment she accepted his proffered arm,