FIRE COMPANY NO. 1.
Elect Officers and Celebrate in the Usual Style.
Last Saturday night the boys of Fire Company No. 1 met at Falk's hall to elect officers and to partake of some sandwiches and beer and other things which go to make up a "smoker.
Before the tapping of the beer and the carving of the ham the invincible warriors of No. 1 elected the following officers: President, Wm. Campbell; vice-president, C. Debaillon; secretary, Felix Mouton; treasurer, D. V. Gardebled; foreman, Paul Castel; 1st assistant, John Graser; 2d assistant, Abe Hirsch; house-keeper, George Sherer; 1st nozzlman, Wm. Graser; 2d nozzleman, Alley Sprole; plugman, Ed. Lehman; keyman, John Marsh. The members who attended the meeting are J. O. Mouton, Walter Mouton, A. J. Alpha, Dr. N. P. Moss, J. E. Martin, Victor Levy, Isaac and Hyman Plonsky, S. B. Kahn, Ed. Lehman, A. J. LeBlanc, Louis Lacoste, P. Krauss, Abe Hirsch, B. Falk, Alley Sprole, Wm. Levy, Dr. F. E. Girard, A. Peck, Geo. Sherer, Davis Church, O. C. Mouton, F. E. Moss, H. Roy, Y. Vidrine, Jos. Lazaro, D. L. Herpin.
The members of this company claim the proud distinction of being the best firemen in town. It is said they are always first at the fires and are the quickest and most effective workers. Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
FIREMEN.
Feast Together at Domengeaux's Restaurant.
A Flow of Wine, Wit and Eloquence.
Lafayette can boast of the best fire department in the State. When we say the best we mean it. Its record proves it. It has never yet failed to conquer the enemy. It has been so active, alert and determined that Lafayette has these many years enjoyed perfect immunity from the most destructive of the elements.
Last Thursday was the second anniversary of the Home Fire Company. To fittingly commemorate its natal day the boys ordered a magnificent spread at Domengaux's and at night they gathered at the festive board and partook of a repast whose splendid viands, luscious bivalves and appetizing salads attested the excellence of Creole cookery. There was an abundance of the bright and sparkling fluid "which cheers the sad, revives the old and makes Weariness forget his toil."
The banquets were forty in number including the invited guests who were: Mayor Campbell, Chief John Allingham, Messrs. Sidney Martin, J. D. and Louis Mouton, Geo. DeBlanc, B. Falk, J. E. Mouton.
The health, happiness and prosperity of the firemen were toasted and all joined to make the occasion one that will be long remembered.
The officers and members present were; E. G. Voorhies, vice-president; F. V. Mouton, recording secretary; A. V Labbe, financial secretary; S. R. Parkerson, treasurer; J. Alf. Mouton, fireman; Gus Schmulen, first assistant; John Broussard, 2nd assistant; Chas. O. Mouton, Jos. Ducote, H. A. Van der Cruyssen, finance and investigating committee: Members - Dr. G. A. Martin, W. Riu, Armand Deffez, Dr. J. A. Martin, Iphus Deffez, Chas. Olivier, F. G. Mouton, Don L. Caffery, L. E. Lecour, Geo. Doucet, Zachary Francez, S. E. Yandle, Archie Morgan, Camille Broussard, Jules J. Mouton, Felix Voorhies, F. K. Hopkins, Ambroise Mouton, Jr. Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
FINE RACES.
At Oak Avenue Park To-morrow For the Benefit of the Fire Company.
There will be a number of trotting and pacing races at Oak Avenue Park to-morrow.
An admission of 25 cents will be charged, the receipts to be given to Lafayette Fire Company No. 1.
The following gentlemen have entered their horses to participate in the races: D. Herpin, Gaston Siadous, A. Leblanc, L. Prejean, Louis Lacoste, Alphonse Peck, C. C. Higganbotham, Irwin Mouton, Gaston Veazey, Dr. F. E. Girard. Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
Next Supt. of Education.
We learn from the proceedings of the last meeting of the School Board that a vacancy in the office of superintendent will soon be filled.
The office of superintendent is one of the most--if not the most--important in the parish. The superintendent should be the head and front of the educational interests in his parish. He should be an education man and should enjoy the confidence and respect of the members of the School Board, the teachers and pupils. He should be able to shape the policy of the board and give intelligent advice to the directors. He should be familiar with school work, conversant with the school laws. If he is unable to teach, and can he be expected to direct those who teach?
The director may be a conscientious and sensible man, but for obvious reasons he may need the counsel of a competent superintendent. However, intelligent and earnest the director may be he can not be expected to do much without a trained and energetic leader.
In order to secure the services of a competent man who will give his time and ability to the work, the Board will have to provide a reasonable salary. We believe this additional expense can be met by the discontinuance of those schools where enrollments are too small their maintenance by the parish. The money saved in this manner added to the present salary of the superintendent will make a fair compensation.
We believe that on account of certain political exigencies the importance of the office of superintendent has often been dwarfed. Our schools should be divorced from partisan politics. In the selection of a superintendent , his "pull" should not be considered any more than the color of his hair or the size of his big toe. He should be selected solely because of his ability and character. If you need the services of an oculist you are not going to look for a corn-doctor and if you want to employ a carpenter you will hardly go to the printing office. For the same reason it will be very foolish for the Board to select for the office of superintendent a man who is no better versed in educational matters than the average person the average person is in theology.
The Gazette believes that the people of this parish are thoroughly aroused to the importance of having good public schools. There is ample evidence of an earnest and vigorous desire among our people for educational advancement. A leader is needed and that leader is needed and that leader should be the superintendent of public education.
We believe that upon the judgment of the Board in this matter depends in a great measure the welfare of our educational interests. It is a question which should not be lightly passed upon. There has been too little attention given to this most vital branch of our government, not only in the parish but also in the State. There can be no truthful denial of this fact. Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
AN HISTORIC RELIC.
Sword of Col. Ethan Allen Brought to New Orleans, Weapon Used by the Hero of Ticonderoga.
To be Presented to Mrs. G. A. Breaux by Hannibal Allen Hopkins, Both of Whom Are Descendants of the Doughty Continental.
[From the New Orleans Times-Democrat.]
The sword carried by Col. Ethan Allen when he demanded the surrender of Fort Ticonderoga "in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress" is in New Orleans for a few days. This valuable relic of the doughty old hero is brought to the city by its owner, Hannibal Allen Hopkins of St. Clair, Mich., one of the six delegates from the Wolverine State to the National Editorial Association meeting.
Mr. Hopkins brings the Ticonderoga weapon to this city, together with an old family Bible and other ancestral relics, because of a visit to be made by himself and wife to Oakbourne, the plantation home of Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Breaux at Lafayette, La., where Mr. Hopkins and Mr. Breaux will exploit the glories of their common ancestors.
Upon the death of Col. Ethan Allen, his sword was left to his military son, Capt. Hannibal M. Allen, who married Agnes B. Low an aunt of Mrs. Breaux and great aunt of Mr. Hopkins. Upon the death of Capt. Allen, the sword was left to his widow, there being no children, and Mrs. Allen took up her home with her sister Mrs. Benjamin Hopkins. After the marriage of her favorite nephew, Hannibal Allen Hopkins, the namesake of her husband, to whose memory Mrs. Allen was ever very devoted, she lived with him the remaining years of her life and left to Mr. Hopkins the nicked and venerable heirloom. Naturally, upon the death of his father and mother, the sword descended to its present owner, who also bears the name of that military son of Ethan Allen who showed such excellent discrimination in choosing for a wife the aunt of Mrs. Breaux.
The line of descent and the identity of the sword have been fully proved. For some time the old relic reposed in the National Museum at Washington, and at one time a movement was on foot to purchase the old weapon from the Hopkins family in order that it might remain a fixture in the nation's archives.
The blade of the weapon, nicked and scarred, is twenty-seven inches long and slightly curved. The handle is of bone, seven inches long, and is surmounted by a dog's head of silver with ruby eyes. On the scabbard is a silver band on which is engraved ETHAN ALLEN. On the other bands, in smaller letters appear the names of Bradshaw, maker, and Martin Vosburg, who is supposed to have been the donor of the weapon to the old hero. The memorable date "1775" is also engraved on the sword.
The original commissions issued to Hannibal M. Allen, the one as "Lieutenant of Artillery," signed by Thomas Jefferson, and as "Captain of Artilerists," signed by James Madison, are also in possession of the Hopkins family.
Mr. Hopkins has with him on this invasion of the friendly Southland the breastplate of Col. Ethan Allen, across which the letters V. M. I. of Vermont of old appear. And when Oakbourne plantation shall have been reached there will be interesting reading from an old, musty "Memoire of Col. Ethan Allen" containing the true history of the stirring events in which Col. Allen was a principal figure. As told by the old hero himself, his stirring experiences read as delightfully as our latter day romances.
Mr. Hopkins is editor and publisher of the St. Clair Republicans. He enjoys the distinction of being the youngest presidential postmaster in Michigan. He is the Republican son-in-law of that distinguished Democrat, ex-Congressman Justin R. Whiting, who was the candidate for Governor in the last campaign.
Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
NUMBER 1, VOLUME VIII.
This number of The Gazette is the first of the eighth volume. In entering upon the eighth year of existence this paper has no reason to complain of the past or to despair of the future.
We do not claim any great achievements, but believe we have kept up with the progress of the town. That is as much as any newspaper can be reasonably expected to do. We may not have attained to that high standard of journalistic perfection which some of our hypercritical friends have established for us, but we think we can lay the flattering unction to our soul that we have traveled along the pathway of progress with the rest of the community.
Although the Gazette is only seven years old it has occasion to lend its efforts toward the inauguration of several enterprises whose consummation has placed Lafayette among the more progressive towns of the State.
With the patronage of the public The Gazette will endeavor to improve with age. It will always be our aim to give the people of this parish as good a paper as our revenues will permit.
Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
The Cotton Mill.
A large, enthusiastic and representative meeting was called together by President Chas. O. Mouton of the Business Men's Association at Falk's hall last Monday night.
Mr. Mouton stated that the purpose of the meeting was to take steps toward the building of a cotton mill at this place.
Views expressed by a number of gentlemen present concurred that the time had come to work for a cotton mill.
It was decided to invite Mr. Hargrove and Mr. Tompkins to deliver addresses to the people here on the subject of manufacturing. If both or either or these gentlemen express a willingness to accept the invitation to speak to our people a meeting will be called, the date and place of which will be made known later.
Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
Entertainment. - The entertainment given at Falk's hall on Friday, Feb. 23, under the auspices of the Ladies' Club for the benefit of the Public Library was very well rendered, reflecting no little credit upon the ladies and gentlemen who took part in it. The amount realized was $76. Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
AT FALK'S-The splendid musical organization, the Albo Haywood Company will give one of its charming entertainments at Falk's Opera-house on Saturday, March 24. This is one of the best troupes on the road. Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
POLICE JURY.
Holds a Meeting and Authorizes the Issuance of Bonds for Industrial School.
The Police Jury met last Thursday with all members present.
Mr. Chas. D. Caffery appeared and recommended the adoption by the Jury of an ordinance to authorize the Board of Trustees of the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute in the issuance of thirty thousand dollars worth of bonds for the purpose of constructing suitable buildings and purchasing all necessary appurtenances of the school. The ordinance provides for the submission of the question at the next general election in April, to the electors of this parish. The bonds will bear five per cent interest, being based on and secured by the special tax of two mills on the dollar for ten years already levied. The Jury unanimously adopted the ordinance and it is understood that the City Council will also authorize the issue of fourteen thousand dollars worth of bonds for the same purpose, thus placing at the disposal of the Board of Trustees an ample fund to erect buildings on a scale commensurate with the plans and objects of the State authorities. As some eight thousand dollars have already been subscribed in cash by the citizens, Police Jury and City Council, the total of cash at the disposition of the Board will be fifty-two thousand dollars.
Arthur Comeaux, supervisor of election, resigned and the Jury appointed J. R. Domengeaux instead.
Dr. DeLaureal appeared before the Jury relative to the claims of various health officers but no satisfactory arrangement or understanding was reached. Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
The Home Charity Association.
A large number of the ladies of the town met last Wednesday and organized a Home Charity Association. It was decided to entrust the affairs of the association to twelve administrators to be chosen annually. The administrators are elected F. Demanade, C. D. Caffery, H. Jagou, T. M. Biossat, E. R. Kennedy, J. O. Mouton, Orther Mouton, Jules J. Revillon; Rev. C. C. Wier, Rev. W. J. Sechrest, Messrs. Chas. O. Mouton and N. P. Moss. The administrator's held a meeting yesterday afternoon to select officers.
Every member of the society will contribute 25 cents a month to the cause of charity.
(25 cents is near $7.00 in today's money)
Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
Hebert-Cayard Wedding.
At the home of the bride's father near this town, Mr. Edward Hebert and Miss Lizzie Cayard, both of Lafayette. The marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. C. C. Wier of the Methodist church. Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
HOT SODA.
Hot Soda -- consisting of a hot chocolate, coffee of beef-tea--warms one through. It is healthy and invigorating. Moss Pharmacy.
Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
Bismarck's Iron Nerve.
Was the result of his splendid health. Indomitable will and tremendous energy are not found where Stomach, Liver, Kidneys and Bowels are out of order. If you want these qualities and the success they bring, use Dr. King's New Life Pills. They develop every power of brain and body. Only 25 cts at Wm. Clegg's drug store. Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
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From the Lafayette Gazette of March 3rd, 1894:
Arrested for Shooting. - Dan Vanderwater was arrested Sunday charged jointly with several others, with shooting in a house last week. He was released under $175 bail. Royland, one of the parties charged with the same offense was bailed in the sum of $50. The other accused Marsh, who had left town, was arrested Saturday to Houston by Sheriff Broussard. The sheriff returned Sunday with the prisoner and lodged him in jail.
Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1894.
Weights and Measures. - Your correspondent has heard several complaints about the charges imposed for the inspection of weights and measures. We think that the inspector should be a salaried officer, receiving the merchant of a tax that brings no benefit to him in any way whatever, and is intended as a protection to others. The scales and measures are the tools which the merchant carries on his business, for which he pays a license; and there is about as much justice in taxing him for the inspection of those appliances, as there would be in applying a special tax on every tool used by a mechanic that are necessary for him to work at his trade.
Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1900.
Brakeman Injured. - Last Thursday morning Frank O'Donald, brakeman on the Morgan Louisiana and Texas division was the victim of what might have been a very serious accident. While leaning out of caboose when the car as in motion, he was struck with a mail crane in the centre of the forehead inflicting a very ugly wound. Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1894.
Big Fat Pig. - Lucien S. Broussard was in Lafayette Tuesday and paid The Gazette an appreciated call. Mr. Broussard brought to town a hog weighing 490 pounds which he sold to Mr. Jean Vigneaux. Mr. Broussard is one of those sensible farmers and does not believe in an exclusive crop of cotton, but on the contrary makes a large crop of corn which is converted into pork. A fair price is always obtained for pork. Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1894.
Justifies a Railroad Switch. - R. A. Thomas, the thrifty farmer who lives near Scott, was in Lafayette, Tuesday and called on The Gazette. Mr. Thomas informed us that several farmers in his section intend going into cane cultivation. Officials of the Southern Pacific have expressed their willingness to build a switch to the cane fields if enough freight is guaranteed to them. Mr. Thomas thinks that enough cane will be raised to justify the railroad company to build a switch. Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1894.
Not, Quite so Dead.
Mr. Frank Mattingly is in town again, after a week's trip to Lafayette. To repeat Mr. M's words "Lafayette is as dead as a door nail."
- Daily Iberian.
Mr. Mattingly is mistaken. Lafayette is not quite so dead, although we are sorry that his business here did not meet with much encouragement at the hands of our people. We do not doubt the responsibility of the company which he represented, but the people of this town don't take "much stock" in these "rare opportunities." Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1894.
Elopement. - Miss Pauline Trahan, a charming young lady from Abbeville, and Mr. Bush, a popular young gentleman of the same town, eloped last Tuesday and came to Lafayette, accompanied by Mr. Isaac Wise and Deputy Clerk LeBlanc received a telegram from the mother of the young lady removing all objections to the wishes of the amorous couple, and the party returned to Abbeville there to celebrate the happy event. All's well that ends well.
Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1894.
Grandpa Many Times Over. - Our old friend, Mr. Ozeme LeBlanc, is grandfather of 21 children, the 21st one being born lat Wednesday to Mrs. James Whitmayer. It is a boy and judging from appearances he is destined to live as old as his "grand pa." Lafayette Gazetter 3/3/1894.
New Office. - Dr. G. A. Martin has purchased a lot on Lincoln avenue from Mr. A. J. Veazey and has contracted with the well known builder, Mr. Fred Mouton, for the building of a two story house, to be used as residence and office. Lafayette Gazette 3/3/1894.
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From the Lafayette Advertiser of March 3rd, 1894:
LOCAL NEWS NOTES
Mr. W. S. Torian is at present sojourning in Baltimore.
Mr. Magee has returned from Jackson, Miss., and resumed his duties as telegraph operator at Lafayette.
Mr. F. Demanade and family took possession of their new and cozy home east of the Synagogue, last Tuesday.
We have learned with regret that Mr. J. G. Broussard has tendered to the Waters Pierce Oil Co., his resignation as their local agent here.
The venerable Mr. J. Hannen is now marketing another lot of fine celery of his own raising. It is of excellent quality and aroma.
Mr. A. Brower received a telegram from Woodville, Miss., Tuesday calling him to the bedside of his father who was not expected to live.
Mrs. A. Cornay and daughter, Miss Mimis, left Thursday morning for Patterson, La., where they will remain for two or three weeks visiting relatives.
The dago family that kept the fruit stand adjoining the post office took leave of our town on the 23rd. ult. We learn that our loss has been Jeanerette's gain.
Mrs. A. Labe and little daughters Mable and Bianche, visited Berwick during the week to attend the marriage ceremony of her brother H. Leopold to MIss Nettie Altmont, of Lafourche Crossing.
All the necessary preparations are being perfected to ensure the success of the grand ball to be given by the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen at the Falk Opera House on the 31st. of March. All who attend may expect an enjoyable time. The Advertiser acknowledges with thanks, the receipt of a complimentary ticket of admission.
To the rich as well as the poor, that New Store is for. Why? Because he has one price for everybody, he will sell you sauce pans, milk pans and buckets that would cost you 20 to 25cts. anywhere else, you can get them now at John Graser's store, on Main Street, for 5 and 10 cents.
Frank O'Donald a brakeman on the M. L. & T. railroad, met with a serious accident Thursday morning while looking out of his caboose to see if there were any hot boxes. He was struck in the center of the forehand causing a serious but not fatal wound.
The circus has come and gone. The exhibitions were pronounced very good by those who attended them. On account of the bad roads many of the country folks were compelled to forego their desire to witness the performances and the cash receipts materially curtailed in consequence.
We have been requested to say that a sermon will be delivered at St. John's Catholic church to-morrow at high mass by the eloquent divine Francois D' Assisses, trappist.
Willie Huff, eldest son of Mr. W. D. Huff, accidentally shot himself in the left leg, Thursday evening, whilst in the act of repairing a Smith & Wesson revolver. It was loaded and he didn't know it. His younger brother believed he had removed all of the cartridges from the cylinder before handing the pistol to Willie, and so informed him. The wound inflicted proves to be a painful and serious one. Dr. T. B. Hopkins is in charge of the case, assisted by Dr. A. R. Trahan.
A street wag was heard to say that the reason the Davis show remained nearly a whole week at Lafayette, was to take advantage of the big 5 cent loaves of bread Lafayette bakers are now making. For a while the manager of the show was on the point of remaining here one month longer on account of bread, but when he saw how easily the big elephant succeeded in evading his keeper for an entire day by simply concealing himself behind one of Guidry's five-cent loaves, he concluded that it was too much of a good thing and believed it advisable to leave the place as soon as the elephant could pack up his trunk. Lafayette Advertiser 3/3/1894.
From the Lafayette Advertiser of March 3rd, 1966:
TTA TO TAKE OVER HOUSTON, N. O. RUN.
The Civil Aeronautics Board yesterday announced the discontinuance of the Eastern Airlines service route in Lafayette and its transfer to Trans Texas Airways.
The decision affects the airlines route between Houston and New Orleans which has scheduled stops in Lafayette, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and Beaumont.
Eastern, which came to Lafayette in August, 1946, will close its offices at the Lafayette Municipal Airport by May or earlier. The CAB has set the effective date for the change as May 3rd, however, both Eastern and TTA are hoping to have the date advanced to April 24, the beginning of daylight saving time over various parts of the nation and the time that airlines begin their new spring schedules.
Close Other Offices.
Eastern also plans to close its offices in Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and Beaumont with the nearest major office in New Orleans.
Trans-Texas currently operates six flights daily out of Lafayette - three to New Orleans and three to Dallas.
Eastern has 8 flights passing through Lafayette - four to New Orleans and four to Houston.
This represents a total of seven round trip flights now available in Lafayette.
Five Round Trips.
A spokesman for TTA in Houston headquarters told The Advertiser yesterday that Lafayette will be provided with five round trips between the two major cities each day. He said TTA will institute "skipstop" service flights between New Orleans and Houston, meaning that the planes will not stop at every point as in the past. He pointed out that one flight from New Orleans will make a stop in Lafayette and Beaumont before proceeding to Houston. This would mean a one-stop service for Lafayette. In another instance the flight from New Orleans would stop in Lake Charles rather than Lafayette, and then continue to Beaumont and Houston.
The TTA spokesman said the Eastern non-stop flight between Lafayette and New Orleans will be continued on a daily basis. He said a definite TTA schedule for Lafayette will probably be announced in two weeks. He indicated that flight service will be geared more to the Lafayette travelers' needs, hinting that patrons will be able to make flight connections in New Orleans and Houston more easily than in the past.
The CAB, in its decision, followed the recommendations of its examiner who had recommended that TTA be given the New Orleans - Houston route with stops in Baton Rouge, Lafayette - New Iberia, Lake Charles, Port Arthur, Tex., and Beaumont.
Southern Refused.
A request by Southern Airways to join TTA on the route was denied.
Thomas L. Wren, associate chief examiner, said he favored TTA, because the airline was already established at both terminal cities and at three of the intermediate points (including Lafayette) and the route would integrate naturally with its present system.
The CAB's permission to Eastern to delete intermediate points does not effect Eastern's authority for non-stop between New Orleans and Houston.
The CAB also turned down a recommendation by the associate chief examiner that all Trans-Texas flights between Houston and New Orleans be required to serve Lafayette.
The CAB also turned down a request by Delta Airlines that TTA be subject to a restriction requiring it to serve Houston on flights stopping at Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
No Subsidies.
The CAB also said that Trans-Texas will not be allowed to receive federal subsidies for operating the newly outlined route.
The decision of the CAB has been more than a year in coming and has been preceded by a number of hearings and protests from governmental and chamber of commerce groups in the affected cities, who voiced desires for equal or improved service.
TTA told The Advertiser yesterday that improved service for Lafayette is definitely in the offing. Chester Pylant, manager of the TTA office at the Lafayette Airport, said the airline will receive soon its first turbo-prop jet-powered Silver Cloud 600, which will be used on the noon flight to New Orleans. The new aircraft will cut the flying time between New Orleans and Lafayette by at least 10 minutes, Pylant said. This would mean that it would take only thirty minutes to fly between these points, since the current flying time is 41 minutes.
Pylant said the new aircraft will be in service in Lafayette beginning April 1.
Lafayette (Daily) Advertiser 3/3/1966.
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LAGNIAPPE:
CHILDREN AS SNOBS.
Many Young People Ape the Exclusiveness of Their Elders.
People are quick to recognize snobbishness in their friends, and sometimes have an uncomfortable suspicion that they are themselves not altogether free from the objectionable quality; but they are not prepared to find snobs among children. It seems so utterly incongruous with a wholesome child's nature, it is such a worldly, spurious trait that is unnatural to associate it with the honesty of youth. Yet it is quite as common among the young as the elders. From the small girl who looks over a new acquaintance from top to toe, and gauges her by her clothes, to the young collegian who is anxious to be "in the best set," snobbishness, even more apparent and unlovely because less disguised than among older people, is rampant. The snob begets the cynic, and the fin-de-siecle society which develops either quality in the young, ingenuous, honest mind must be injurious. Children read motives with extraordinary quickness, and it is quite impossible that the former should produce the latter.
"Did you see your old friend B. at Harvard?" said a mother to her son who had attended class-day with some friends.
"Yes; and it was rather good fun to see how he changed from frigid cold to genial warmth when he saw that I was with the right lot," answered the boy. "It was the most evident thing I ever saw," he continued. "I happened to see him first with a crowd of his classmates, and I rushed over at once with the most cordial greeting. Although I could not say he was actually rude, is manners were decidedly cool, and he evidently feared that I might fasten myself upon him for the day. When I saw how it was I walked off and joined C. and D. in my own party; they knew a number of fellows belonging to the 'best set' in Harvard, and they were very civil, so that the next time I saw B. I was quite 'in it,' while he evidently was not. This time he joined me with great effusion, and was most profuse in his offers of services of every kind. It was 'Harry, old boy,' and 'How are they all at home' and so on, ad nauseam."
"Milly, go and play with that sweet-looking little girl," said an unworldly aunt to her little niece of six on the beach at Newport. "I don't know her," said the mite, drawing herself up with great dignity.
A boy who attended one of the most fashionable schools of the day struck up a great friendship with a gentlemanly young fellow, who, as the little snob said afterward, "seemed to know everyone at home," and accepted an invitation to spend a week with him at Easter. Great was his disgust, however, when he found that his classmate's "people" did not exactly belong to the "smart set" in the neighborhood. Not having the worldly wisdom to conceal his dissatisfaction, he rendered himself ridiculous with his airs, and completely puzzled his honest comrade, who was too simple and frank to detect the worldly leaven that worked the change in his friend.
"Well, Maude, why did you not get the baby house?" said Mrs. Cholly Knickerbocker to her small daughter, a fin-de-siecle maid of ten.
"Oh, mama, how could I?" exclaimed the child. "There was a chef in the kitchen without a kitchen maid, and a colored butler in the dining room, which was bad enough; but the worst thing was a white footman in the hall, dressed in a scarlet livery, and the lady's maid wore a cap! I should be quite ashamed of such an establishment?"
No one who has been mixed with all sorts and conditions of men for the last twenty-five years can fail to notice that snobbishness is greatly on the increase. Perhaps it is the unavoidable sequence of a more extensive knowledge of the world or a less provincial society, and is a necessary evil attendant on social growth; but when it comes to children, one longs to cry halt! They, at least, should not be taught "this diabolical, invention of gentility," which, as Thackeray tells us, "kills natural kindliness and honest friendship," and which must also greatly injure the youthful sense of honesty and self-respect.
From the New York Tribune and in the Lafayette Advertiser 3/3/1894.
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