The rise and fall of the mustache, and other "Hawk-eyetems"

In this lively compilation the Burlington humorist offers a parade of tongue‑in‑cheek sketches, anecdotes, and short tales that capture small‑town quirks of the late nineteenth century. The prose blends gentle satire with the kind of nostalgic observation that recalls childhood fancies and the ordinary absurdities of daily life. Readers will meet an eclectic cast—from a boy’s day at home to a misapplied science experiment—each vignette delivered with a warm, conversational voice that feels like a friendly chat over a porch rail.

At the heart of the volume lies the whimsical essay on the “rise and fall of the mustache,” a playful meditation on growing up, the erosion of youthful myths, and the stubborn ways habits sprout and fade. The narrator treats the facial hair as a tiny, rebellious character that mirrors larger human concerns, using vivid metaphor and gentle humor without ever losing the story’s light‑hearted rhythm. The result is a charming reflection on the passage of time that remains both amusing and oddly insightful.