Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-01-08
NEW YORK CONTEMPORARIES.
new lRAR's DAY l1ugW VeRG.


Nsv YonR. Jas. .. 1881.
The neighborheod IN which reside
is particularly distinguished for the re-
markable degree ofquiet which general
ly pervades It for although ito inhsbi-
tants are - patriotic ~ any in the
Union, and celebrate the 4th Of July
with noisy spirit, and their slumbers are
sometimes disturbed by the vocal efforts
of some male member of the feline
race, its reputation for tranquility has
never been questioned !; nevertheless,
my rest was disturbed on New Years
eve BY dreams which had their origin,
think, in real sounds which we're forced
upon my unwilling ear" in the "desd
waste and middle of the night"
First, dreamed that Fort Sumpter
was being bombarded by the 6re-eatiug
South Csrolians, aud that the gallant
Anderson was about being ungal'antly
elected next, dreamed that Bunker
Hill had burst forth in one eruption of
patriotic fire (which is much needed
down South about this time) and that
the bells oil over the Union were ring
ing general alarm - and lastly |
dreamed that the millennium had como,
and that the Angel Gabriel was pro-
claiming the fact through tin fi,h
horn, but the echoes of these various
noises died away as the first gray streaks
OF dawn appeared in the east, and the
sun rose bright in New Years day.
Young New York having arranged
bis toilet with more than ordinary care
and completed it with shiney hat, Ma
genta gloves and delicate cane. started
ont to perform one of the most important
duties and all day long be might have
been seen ascending or descending from
stone stoops, or standing in the dimly
lighted "third room" before table load
ed with the delicacies of the season, par
taking Of chicken salad, boned turkey
and picked oysters and imbibing screen
seal" and " heidsick" regardless Of ex-
pense or perchance you might here
seen him in the gorgeou.ly decorated
parlor amid q group of gaily dressed
ladies, talking with his peculiar "gift Of
CAB" and gesticulating with all the ease
and freedom for which be is particularly
distinguished.
Old New York also took an active
part IN the Festivities of the OCCASION"
and the grey heads were numerous,
bobbing here and there, amid the crowds
on the sidewalks or getting in or out of
their coupe's drawn up before magnifi-
cent brown stone fronts in Fifth Av.
enue, and the adjacent streets.
What curious sensations would Peter
Stuyvesant with his wooden leg and I'M
couth habilaments, have experienced,
could he have walked into some of our
private palaces on day like this, and
what a sensation he would have created.
Little did the worthy burgher OF New
Amsterdam think of the vast, vast
changes involved in couple Of centu-
rIes. The Stuyvesant pear tree at the
corner Of Third Avenue and Thirteenth
street tlourshes and bears fruit, but
the worthy old Governor, wooden leg
and all, has long ago returned to dust.
AS evening approaches, Young New
York feeling the effects of the screen
seal" and "Heidsick," becomes musical
and weak in the legs; here comes trio
who in very bad, and very loud cho-
rus, proclaim to the virtuous inhabitants
of a quiet neighborhood, who have al
ready retired to rest, that they are 60
ing,
away, away,
Away down South il Dixie
and dare say that the virtuous inhabi-
tan,s of said nelghborhood, wish from the
bottom of their hearts that the young
gentlemen would 60 there with all pos
sibIe speed, aid stay there till the crack
of doom. Next comes q sentimental in
who, steadying himself against
a lamp post, informs ''lady of COLOR"
who, with a turban on her head, is lean
ing ont of an attic window on the oppo-
site side of the way, that
Ever of thee Pm fondIy dreaming,
Thy gentle voice my spirit can cheer"
Her gentle voice cheers his spirit by
exclaiming ''Go way dar you drunken
foo, FOO" the sentimental individual
doesn't mind the interruption but FIN
shes his song aud whistling the chorus
moves on. Here comes an interesting
4uartette who Seem to be engaged in a
vocal medley; No. tells his companions
of the jolly times he used to have Sin
the cottage by the sea-" No. 2 is be-
sailing the loss Of his "Poor Nellie
Gray" who has been
. Taken down in Georgia, TO wesr her life away,
she tolls mid the cotton ana the cane"
No. 8, is lamenting the absence of "the
girl be left behind him." and No. 4, as
serts with cracked voice, and good
deal of emphasis that he
Wont 60 homo till morning,
Till daylight doth appear"
But "naturer's sweet restorer" gradually
settles down over the city, and darkness
reigns supreme, save here and there
where faint light glimers through
a chamber window rejecting on the
curtain the bowed form Of the faithful
watcher by the bed Of sickness or of
death.
$50 let the stricken deer 70 weep,
The hart ungailed play,
For some must watch while others sleep,
Thus runs the world away
Au Reuoir, EBENEzER SPRoUT.
HN,,u S-.:o,Goll II