The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1864-12-22
The HoL1DAYs.-The HOLIDAYS are

greet us turn where we may. They peer
at US, and grin at US, and make comic fa-
ces at us through the interstices of bat
tered, shattered OLD year. and blow their
genial breath in our very faces. They are
coming! Soon they will be with us--the
Holidays. Oh joy, conten.ment, and
universal Oeatitude-oh jolIity, heart
swellings, and love! With us-the Hol-
idays-the halcyon epoch of human bles-
sedness and appreciation of that which is
good-the brief season when the genii of
Mirth and Love throw the bread egis of
their welcome protection around us, to
shield us from the worlds cold storm.
Speed, speed their coming!
1t is dark without, and the North Wind
sighs requiem over the bitter desolate-
ness of the scene. Gloom sits perched on
the brow Of Nature, painting it a funereal
hue. The year is IN the throes of disso-
luton. With that word, the mind wan
ders back over green fields along by CUR
Cling waters to shady bowers alive with
fragrance and melody, and asks itse.f-Is
this the end of all blackness and dark
ness, must they come at last to mildew and
wither the fairest scene, tire brightest
prospect, the fondest hope, the most exal-
ted aspiration? The conviction comes
unbidden that all things earthly, soever
bright ard glowing, must speedily "fade
as leaf" and then the mind, chameleon
like taking it's character from its surroun-
dings, puts on sombre, misanthropic
garment, and wraps itself in unapproach-
able austerity. Dark, indeed. But look
ahead ! In the dim distance, a new year
phenix-like arises from the ashes of its
predecessor, strong, youthful, vigorous;
and taxing up the lines from where they
had been dropped by the hand Of decrep-
itude, springs with hurrah to the task OF
rattling along merrily the wheels Of reju-
venated Time. BY that token, the impen-
etrable clouds of darkness and misanthropy
go rolling back upon themselves, disclo-
sing to view picture fair as the fanciful
creation of dream, and brimming over
with sweets and higE promises. 1t is the
Transformation Of Old to New.
Look ahead! Though darkness may
for time encompass you, and all about
you appear dismal aud gloomy, despair
but look ahead There comes ever a
Sooner or later the old
and hideous must give way to the new and
beautiful. First or last, the "sllver IL
ming" will assert itself. Look ahead, aud
know that shadows and thick clouds under
the magic hand of Time must tall as scales
from about your temporal happiness, just
as shadows and thick clouds obscurng
your spiritual pathway are exercised by
each days march you make nearer toward
your Home.
But-that's a sermon. Sermonizing
avaunt! The Holidays are coming! In
view of this fact, We throw up cur cap
the one with the waving plume i'll it-and
shout: Dunn ui0imus, UiUamus! Wash
ingtor Irving says -" Amidst the general
call to happiness which prevails at this
period, what bosom eau remain insensib!e?
He who can sit down darkling
and repining when all around is joyful,
may have his moments of strong excite
ment and selfish qualification, but"
living, he still don't li0e!
Reader, we wish you merrie Christ
mas ! Heaven send you mighty appetites:
with much turkey and things to link
If you kiss pretty girl
under the mistletoe, may she kiss you in
return. AS long as your Yule Clog burns,
may your Old nut-brown punch bowl con-
tinue to give forth its accustomed balmy
incense. During the day, may you bury
Care just outside the door, that you may
tread on him as you so in and out. May
you be happy!
Reader, we salute you! In the name
of St. Washael, good genius of Holiday
times, we salute you Oh either cheek, and
wish you Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year!
4 SHOCKING OCcURRENcE.--OnF Fri
day night week, the dwelling-house IF
q