The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-03
TEE FIRST DAYS or WINTER

sion Of less attractive matter.
TEE FIRST DAYS OF WINTER
Tie marvellously soft and serene we lther |
we have been enjoying, and touching whi1h |
we have made large number of origin Il OBJ
,eryations to everybody everywhere; of which
we have impressiyely avarred that the ike was
never known; which has set that ancient aud |
sapient individual, "the oldest mhabitant," to
thinking about hundred autumns that have
gone be'ore-the eccentric aud unintelgible |
spell Of mild. balmy, genial weather will pro.
badly soon be over. There is already per-
ceptible change. The air grew thin and keen,
and the other evening the white stars winling
and sparkling overhead made a splendid night,
And now, with this abrupt crisping of the at
mosphere. tue winter sets in earnestly. The
DAYS have been placid and gentle. Henceiorth
we must count upon storms of sinking snow,
and rough hail and cruel sleet and upon snap
ping winds and stern calms of intense cold.
The sun, after this, will stare dispassiOn-
ately at us, and his beams will be brilliant only.
1t would be well five were all prepared tor
the long-delayed winter; if his sharp breath
were as welcome to our cheeks as tha volup-
| tuous kiss Of the loving zephyr Of spring, and
! the advance note of his shrill and mOurntul
song as pleasant to our ears as the warble Of
the gay bird of summer. Many Of uslare so
ready. We can gree, the grim Ice-king with
smiles, and give him at once and distinctly to
| understand that he has no terrOrs for us. We
have homes-snug, warm, thick-walled; no
biting. bitter wind can penetrate to our ruddy
firesdes--nO sturdy storm can invade and
desolate our glowing sanctuaries We know
where to find refuge from the acute gusts, the
fierce tempests, and the rugged inclemencies
Of the time.
We have plenty of heavy apparel-garments
thick and impenetlable as the distinguished
shirt Of Nessus. Our pedal coverings are
doubly and trebly soled; scarfs of wool, soft
furs, stout gloves, and all manner Of blood.
> heating pieces of dress are ours in abundance
We are right glad when the jolly winter
comes. 1t il capital fun to brush briskly homr
from the opera through the tingling air. OuI
parties will not be affected in the slightes
= degree by any amount of trigidity and snap
: pishness. Their dances, dresses, music, fried
oysters, and sparkling drinks will be doubl!
- edifying and delectable. We joyously antici
pate ringing, singing sleigh-rides behin'
spirited nags, and under the comfortable robe
of slain buffaloes, aud dlshiug, gleeful gyro
' tions on the crystal ice. What care we 10
cold2 1t viii only bring ont the roses on on
- cheeks; it Will emily light fires Of health an
= rapture in our eyes; it will only make Il
- look more lovingly at the cheerful bllze q
our Goals or draw a little nearer to the cllorii
1s gushing register.
- Others are not ready for winter. They Al
~, our brothers and sisters, too, and the Father
a, Light caused but one sun to shine upon us n
-, together. Alas! last nights cold lowerir
~. sky bad only terror for theml They did N
= wrap dainty cloaks about their shoulders, al
~ trip gayly and arlly away rom glitteri
~. rooms, and run laughing iutOygry comiortab
- quarters. They go 70 no elegant parties.
~. iingliug sleigh-bell makes dscord that fair
~. jars and rasps upon their ears. Their hon
are out OF the way Of sa'nDsuous carriages M
g., morning callers; these people lie sick AZ
-, weary, stunned and supcded, In dark, corru
f. tion-teeming Gens Every eager wind spor
.is with their rags and picrces TO their rackt
+, bones.
"a They may have no shelter At all, and thl
49,. must they wander desperately through d
~ sullen streets, and find release from the
- tortures in some midnight blast, aud
I'm shrouded by the innocent snow. Why d
W. again the old winters tale2 IL is delight
a5 to know that many real Christians lab
-a. earnestly and actively for the poor. Mu
~ suffering has been alleveted-much destit
-, ton and distress have been ayarted. Il
-. perilous days, however, are only just bsgi
~ ming. Oil let US act humanely by our fsllo
,o5 immortals, who stand a chance Of peTishil
+n by exposure or starvation Let US not
:, come absorbed in the delights that wint
a. weather only makes fuller and more compile
/, tOus.
We can all do something. The young lad
even, whose bright face, and roguish eyes, a
rs. snowy neck spell-bound rs lsst mgnt ~
he theatre, is not debarred from the blessed pri
cir lege of feeding the hungry and clothing
M naked, and shedding peace, and joy, and bo
al upon the wild and troubled soul. The you
TO gentleman who sat by her side and poured
We, conversational grape-shot in upon her, betwe
Ing the acts, has a share in the same glorio
our work. five could only see and feel how
pays to take care Of our poor brethren, he
cap Industrious we should all be in the benevoe
usi- labor Of charity, and realize "the luxury
nay doing gOOdP