Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-04-12
THE OPENING SEASON.

THE OPENING SEASON.
The removal of the huge masses of
snow that covered the ground, heavy as
the job seemed to be, is being rapidly ac-
eomPlished. FENCES are making their
appearance by the roadside, and big drifts
are disappearing from dooryards so as to
let che light of day into houses, and faaail-
lar objects about the premises show them
selves .again There has never been in
the remembrance Of this generation great
er JOY at signs of spring than now. The
winter was long and dreary. The "beau
tifui snexn=los its splendor= poetry
when it lay about six feet on the level, and
the good man or boy was obliged to dig
his way through it with a shovel about
every other day to keep open his commu
nication with the postoffiee and grocery,
and highways were blocked so as to be
nearly impossible for travellers. We don't
dislike snow. 1t is fine article. But the
supply was rather larger last winter than
was convenient. When it becomes so
plenty that one don't know what to do
with it, and cannot look above it or around
it, and horse and driver are sunk in its
depths If perchance they lose the track,
then it is slightly troublesome. We be-
lieve the telegraph poles generally sue
ceeded in keeping their heads above the
deluge, but they had not much to boast
Of
At last. however, the blockade is yield
ing. The snow is running from hill and
valley down to the sea. The brooks are
bursting through the letters of winter,
swelling the rivers, driving out the ice
and clearing the way for steam and sail
vessels. Here and there specks of
Land are seen, assuring the farmers that
their possessions are safe and rising to
view, if not in market value. A few days
more of sun and rain and the fields will
be cleared of their burdens. Should the
coming crops be in proportion to the snow
there will be bursting barns and bins in
the fall.
For business worse season has seldom
been experienced than during the winter
and the closing months Of the fall, The
epizooty came like blight, in the busy
part Of autumn. stopping trade as efeciu-
ally as an embargo. Without horses goods
and produce could not be moved While
the animals were ailing no trade fouiished
except that Of the horse doctor But the
horses recovered and business was getting
under way again when down came the
snow to interrupt travel and transportation
between town and country, aud trade was
brought to standstill again. Al this
was doubtless right in the economy of ma
ture; but not encouraging to those who
had hay and potatoes to get to market, or
goods to turn into cash to meet notes and
settle accounts.
Now the business man is himself again.
The spring is opening. The robins are
singing, and the ladies are looking around
for new dresses and bonnets. Money is
tight; but the warm influence OF the sea-
son will open purses that have been closed
through the frost. In this immediate Vi
cinity the signs Of a prosperous season are
abundant. The demands Of trade must
be large. Every laborer will find employ
ment at fair prices. Factory. work shop,
and field will be alive with industry, and
enterprise will set in motion new wheels
that will add to the growth and prosperity
OF our community. The days Of dullness
which we have endured will be followed
by corresponding period Of activity, the
omcns Of which are as certain as that
spring shall follow winter and the harvest
succeed seed-timc.