Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1856-02-13
Writteafor the Monmouth Weekly Herald.
THE W-FLAKE.
BIZ ROBIN wILDFELLow.

slHeTe Is SOHctnlnp gardening Ill lHe
snowflake With it comes the remem-
brance of happy days, which leave their
gentle traces on the memory, and Of frol-
les yet to come; and, as the feathery mes
senger winds its course to earth, we can
trace, in every particle of which it is
the contour of some scene in
happy hours: the tinkling of
the silvery bells, as the fleecy snow flew
from Charles" feeting hoof-" Fan"
with her bright eye sparkling with I'M
wonted brilliancy, and her happy smile,
as she coquettishly peeped from out the
ample folds of the buffalo-robe-th good
supper at the tavern-the dance-the ride
homeward-- fit across the memory of
some listless gazer as the gentle snow
fake nears the earth.
But, perchance, the snow-storm falls up
on the city-that limit where the grey
stone walls Of the warehouse, and the less
pretentious brick ones of the dwelling
have long since grown weary of the end
less chain Of vehicles and pedestrians
gently touching every spire and dome,
and playing pranks upon the garments Of
the passers-by; then may be seen the
laughing countenance and be heard the
greeting word, How it snows!'
True, every opportunity for ride is
eagerly embraced, and, no sooner do the
stones begin to hide themselves beneath
their virgin shroud Of snow, than the
image Of plenty Of bells, fast team, and
q merry party, find their way to the
drawing-room, and counting house. OF
course the more fastidious merchant,
whose idol is his ledger and whose guar
dian angel is his bank book, casts know
I ing look upon the sky, and wonders in
what manner the snow-storm will affect
" trade" and whether Smith, or Jones,
or Brown, will keep his appointment;
while, to the inquiries of his daughters,
as to the prospect of sleigh-ride, he
thrusts his hands into his breeches-pocke ts,
rattles the change with one member, con-
vulsively grasps his wallet with the other;
and, having learned by experience that
those bright eyes will not take No" for
an answer, he places much used abbre-
Walton before it, and, changing the or
biography, replies" Don't know"
And yet there are other features as re
CARDS the city. which are associated with
a real, oId-fasnioned snowstorm. There
are the Stage Companies, who look upon
a goodly fall of snow as the harbinger Of
expanded purses, and of healthy-lookin-
bank books; they consider it as the fore
runner of good luck, and, not less thar
the Companies, do the drivers Of the
sleighs looklforward to the carnival. Ole
bells are brought forward from the re
cesses Of some dusty chest, and every ex
ira whip. whose long lash and portentou'
snapper tells its use in cracking up thu
leaders" is put in requisition, and, with ;
happy smile, rubbing his hands, as HI
goes, and carefully adjusting the ear-fap
of his fur cap, the driver jumps upon hi
seat and starts for down town." Hi
load of passengers is soon picked up, anC
then the merry time commences.
The handsome family sleigh of Mr.
Brownstone is brought out and away thel
dash in it. through the ieecy snow, until
with plunge and a snort, the leaders 0
j tho ar>. 49, :i II a. .i----' .--.-'
denly checked, and an ominous creak ae4H
that TIE precious load is stuck" 1t il
useless for the followers to turn out, fol
snowbanks hem them in on every side
and they must fain wait until the mass il
front are again en- route.
Now a lively cutter" passes by. anG
the melted steed keeps time to the music
of the bells, throwing the foam from hi;
mouth, and snuling mp the air as though
he also enjoyed the ride.
Perchance the snow falls in the country
and spreads its lively robe over the fields
and forests:-every knoll and tree-top
every fence and hedge, every barn and
dwelling house is covered with glisten.
| ing mantle, and cen the little brook
whose babbling waters are not get fully
bound by Winter, gurgles on upon its
tell-tale mission, and its gentle pillows
sparkle in the sunlight. The snowflake
grows weary Of its station, and, at every
puff Of wind takes flight, stopping at each
bush to give word CT cheer. The chirp-
ing snow-bird leaves the imprint Of its
tiny foot upon the fast-crusting covering
of the road, and, with a single twitter as
it darts by the window of the farmhouse,
hurres upon its way, as though offended
at its own audacily.
The honest rustic buttons up his coat,
and, with his boots drawn over the bot
toms of his phtaloon-legs, gazes inqui-
ringly upon the wintry sky, and, thrust
ing his hands into his pockets, bends his
footsteps toward the barn-performs his
morning duties-~and, at the request OF
his smiling daughter claps drowsy Dob
bin'' on his sidt, puts upon his back the
well-greased harness, brings forth the
ancient-looking string Of bells, bitches
| up" and soon she party are on the road
to the village, each bright eye sparkling.
and each feature woven into smile, in
honor Of the winter frolic.
| In short, tie snow fake brings its joys
to all, and, though the widow gazes on
| the snowy sesfsx without, and looks, with
fearful eye. Upon The embers, dying on the
hearthstone, the feecy covering upon the
outer world gives to her glimpse of by
gone days, and, with each feathery snow
fake falling to the earth, decked as it
were in r9,e of purity, with every sound
she hears, tile echo whispers to her break
ing heart Hope on I"
A Coop HIT.-A dandy wishing to be
witty accosted an old bellman as fol-
| lows: