Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-21

IN one It>pcNt tHo PaS7Nhs 0"A'~'
week promises to equal the Christmases of
which we have heard from our fathers
and grandfathers that is in the intense cold
weather The air bites with SURPRISING
keenness. The frost penetrates every
where except where the most ample de-
fence has been prepared. Men SILVER be-
neath furs and woolens. Cattle are reluc-
tant TO leave their stalls for the outdoor
air. Gloriously glisten the stars through
the. frigid atmosphere. and splendidly is
the sun reflected from the clear white
snow that covers every Hill and valley.
Heaven help the poor, the feeble and eX-
posed in weather such as this. We would
rather know of its like by tradition than
experience.
A hundred years ago there was hardly
so cold weather in this country as the
thermometer indicates now. Montgomery
was before Quebec with his gallant band,
Drawing snow and ice and frost to get pos
session of the town. The season had not
been severe, and SO he was able to push
his campaigning in that inclement locall-
ty, through the Christmas days, until he
met his heroic death and his plans were
defeated on the last day of the year.
Around Boston, where preparations were
anxiously being made for the trial of
strength with the British, the weather was
the least of the difficulties the patriots had
to encounter. The term of service of ma
ny of Washington's men expired in De-
cember, and how to keep them or supply
their places was the great problem that
perplexed Washington, while to provide
ammunition and arms was still another
difficult matter. Homesickness prevailed
throughout the little army, overcoming
for the time patriotism. Those were
Christmas days of stern trial. But they
we're preparing the gift of freedom to
America. If, however, there were diff
culties to encounter that taxed Washing
ton and his associates to the utmost, the
weather was propitious. Putnam was busy
getting ready his great mortar. which he
had christened. 1.-The Congress, and cry
ing for powder with which to make it
speak As an evidence of the favorable
weather and Putnam's zeal, Irving says in
his '.Life of Washington :" lone Of the
officers, writing of the unusual mildness
''of the winter, observes: Everything
'thaws here except old Put He is still
las bard as ever. crying out for powder
powder-powder. Ye Gods, give us
''powder !''
1t was in those Christmas days of l775,
that an amusing occurrence related by the
same historian took place. A company OF
Virginia riflemen and company of Mar
blehead fishermen and sailors commenced
ow-balling, and at last resorted to fisti-
cuffs. making tumult in the camp worthy
of the days of Homer. AT this juncture, q"
writes an informant of Irving, Wash
"ington made his appearance, whether by
accident or design. never knew. saw
'none of his aides with him his black SER
want just behind him mounted He threw
1.-The bride of his own horse into his SER
wants hands. sprang from his seat.
rushed into the thickest of the melee.
"seized two tall brawny rif1emen by the
throat. keeping them at arms length,
talking to and shaking them This
vigorous treatment brought the fray at
once to an end, and no doubt created
wholesome respect as well for the physi-
cal power as the military authority Of
Washington.
Looking back hundred years then, we
find that the present Christmas time bears
away the superiority in regard to cold
from the Christmas of 1875. But we hope
that if the material elements have not i'm
proved since that time, the kindly,
christian, charitable feelings that the sea-
son is designed to promote have grown in
strength and spread deeper and wider.
Remember the poor, the needy and suffer
ing in this pitiess weather. They are to be
found near every mans door. Be liberal
in gifts TO old and young, 90 that roa nav
keep warm the heart though the skies are
wintry and the blast is laden with frost
and snow.