Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1840-01-15

companions, rose betmes TO give and receive
the compliments and good wishes Of the sea
son. The sun shone with the lustre thougl
not withthe warmth, of summer, and his brigh
beams were reflected, with indescribable splen
dour, from the CLASSY, smooth expanse of ice
that spread across, and up and down the broad
river, far as the eye could see. The smoke O
the village chimnies rose straight into the air
looking like so many inverted pyramids, spreed
ing gradually broader and broader until they
melted away and mixed impercepnbly with e
ther. Scarce was the sun above the horizon
when the village was alive with rosy boys and
girls, dressed in their new suits, and going forth
with such warm anticipations OF happines, as
time and experience imperceptibly fritter away
into languid hopes, or strengthening appre-
tensions. Happy New-Yearp came from e.
very mouth and every heart. Spiced bever-
ages and lusty cakes were given away with
liberal open hand; every body was welcomed
to every house; all seemed to forget their lit
tie heartburnings and disputes of yore all
seemed happy, and all were Sc; and the Dom
nie, who always wore his coat with four great
pockets on new-year day, came home and emp
tied them seven times of loads of new-year
cookies.
When the gay groups had finished their
rounds IN the village, the ice in front was seen
all alive with the small fry of Elsingburgh,
gamboling and skating, sliding and tumblng,
helter-skelter, and making the frost-bt ears of
winter glad with the sounds OF mirth and rev.
elry. In one place was group playing at
hurley, with crooked sticks, with which they
sometimes hit the ball, and sometimes each O.
theirs shins; in another, knot of sliders, fol-
lowing in row, so that, if the foremost fell,
the rest We're sure to tumble over him. A
little further might be seen a few, that had the
good fortune TO possess pair of skates, lux
urlatlng In that most raceful of all exercises,
and emulated by some half dozen little urch-
ins with smooth bones fastened to their feet,
in imitation of the other skating away with
a gravity and perseverance worthy of better
implements. All was rout, laughter, revelry
and happiness and that day the icy mirror
of the noble Delaware reflected as light hearts
as ever beat together in the new world At
twelve o'clock. the jolly Heer, according to
his immemmorial custom, went from the edge
of the river. distributing apples, and other dain-
ties, together with handsful of wampum, which
rolling away on the ice in different directions,
occasioned innumerable contests and squab-
1lSS dHlOiS TIC ny, WHOSo ulSputeS, tuUOleS,
and occasional buffetings for the prizes were
ludicrous upon the slippery element.
Among the most obstreperous and mischieyous
Of the crowd was the likely fellow Cupid, who |
made more noise, and tripped up more heels
hat day, than half dozen of his cotempora-
-ies. His voice could be heard above all the I
-est, especially after tho arrival OF the IFuUr,
before whom he seemed to think it his duty TO
exert himself, while his nnrestrained, extrava-
gant laugh, exhibited that singular hilarity of
'pirit, which distinguishes the department of
he African slave from the invariable gravity of
he free red men Of the western world.
All day, and until after the sun had set, and
he shadows Of night succeeded, the sports of
he ice continued, and the merry sounds rung
ar and near, occasionally interrupted by those
oud noises, which sometime shoot across the
ce like rushing earthquake, and are occa-
stoned by its cracking as the water rises or
alls.