The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-22
THE COLD SNAP.
Effect Of the Cold Yesterday-The Date Of the
Last Day When tho Thermometer Was
Below Zero-How the Pedestrians
the Car and Stage Drivers Bore
It-Aspect Of Broadway.

Never since Monday the sth day OF January, 1885,
when the thermometer stood fifteen degrees below
zero In this city, has there been so cold day as
yesterday AT SIX O'Clock In the morning the ther
mometer stood at one degree below zero, and at
SIX In the evening AZ seven degrees above. From
early morn TO the gray tinted eve the cold piercing
wntry blast remorselessly forced It's way alony the
avenues, the streets, the squares and around The
angles OF the buildings regardless OF the feelings OF
the tnrong OF humanity that shvered Its way
along the slippery sidewalk or huddIed itself
together In the crowded cars All things, animate
and inanimatc bore the marks OF the frosty visitor
and gave evidence OF how busily employed 'Jack
Frost' had been during the night. The store win.
dows were traced with that wOndrous Icy imitation
or the foliage OF that puzzles the children
much to account Tor, and hid entirely fiom public
view the tasteful array OF christmas goods"
Claus" The frost, winch was fun and lrolic
to the healthy and those who were easily loco
compelled TO remain out all day, battling with the
elements IN the prosecution OF their own In dus-
example, Tor forming q correct Judgment OF the
severity OF the temperature, Is Broadway stage
driver Yesterday these men were wrapped
mummy. From bundle OF various c0ored clothing
oil that was visible was the extreme point Of nose,
pink according 10 the number Of times he pulled up
his vehicle to take up his passengers How ne
ana give the needful change to his shiverlng
patrons Is q mystery To the ordinary mind. He,
however, succeeded pretty well yesterday and the
day passed away without 1t being reported
taat q stage driver had been found frozen
to death on his box seat. The car drivers
presented the same mummy-llke appearance, but
bore their exposure bravely. The brake" Is the
great trouble 70 The car driver on cold day. Tue
readily. Standing on the platform, by the side OF
one OF these drivers, yesterday, sympathizing
HERALD reporter remarked to him, "IheSe many
stoppages would tire me patience If job Don't
you get tlredW Down cameC the brake.
JoD couldn't drive car" The reporter found the
driver did not appreciate his Scriptural reference,
and so dropped the conversation. The passengers
In the cars buried their feet IN the liberal supply Of
straw with which each car was provided, and put
themselves even into smaller compass than usual.
Professionalism was pursued with difficulties; the
snow that hid been allowed to remain on the
sidewalks had assumed 30 smooth anu polished
o surface that 1t became treacher0uS tOoinOld,
and oil hau to take heed unto their steps; and there
were not few who, presuming upon their
strength, or pursuing their course thOughtlessly
along, came to grief by iall, and were only placed
III an upright position by some kind Samaritan.
Several OF these wel-meant Intentions ulli-
mated into discontinue, for he who stopped to
pick up the fallen man not infrequently was
laid low himself. II friends stayed on the corner OF
the streets Tor gossip they accompanied the talk
'nigger's double Shuttle" and when they parted
they pursued their way ION the rum" Broadway
In the afternoon was very lively; ladies were out in
great numoer doing their Christmas shopping. Many
the beauty OF their faces was hidden from the pub
lie gaze and partially protected from the cold.
There was a general loneliness about the walking
along this world-renowned tnorOughfare that
had brAved the 'cOld snap" to do the business per-
tanning to the great festival Of the year.