St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1876-01-14
ST. JOTINSEURY. VT, FRIDAY.

Even our jOvial friends looked sad
Inc evening papers announced a mid
night service to he held at ST. AIMS
1t was what we all needed. sometime
new To think about. We wOuM 90 de-
spite the dangers that beset our path
tr"m the 'peStilence that walketh in
darkness. Being ladies. it WIS our
last chance tor getting the air until
Sunday. We left our comfortable home
ut little before eleven o'clock, emcrr-
ing at once into miserable, fog that
lad settled over the city. ANYTHING
out good nature WAS stamped upon our
br0ws. We We're wrctched in the
house; we were doubly so ont of doors
The timid ones We're afraid of contract
ing dlphtheria or smallpox. and were
constantly making unpleasant allusions
us to the eXpediency of such IL trip.
Finally we reached st. AIMS. The ol,!
adage that ''misery likes company.' =
was proved beyond Il doubt. for hun
dreds of people thronged the steps and
sidewalk, and speedily our mourning
was TUNED into joy. We congratulated
ourselves that we were not the only
fools. At last. after weary waiting. the
massive doors of the church swung open
and up into the sanctuary moved the
living throng.
| wondered if the heavenly hosts
above were pleased to see this Worship
fui crowd. or if they were rather com
mending the people who sleeping quiet
~ beneath the sheets in their own
homes. were gaining strength with
which to commence the new years
conflict with the world. the flesh. an,!
the devil. The service bcginnin" mt half
past eleven, WAS Just grand. Mr.. Lualic
rang the chimes. having on his pro-
gramme among other hymns. "Watch-
man. tell us of the night" "Days and
moments swiftly flying" and "Whilr
with ceaScleSs course the sun" The
organist played an alle"rettn from one
of Beeth"ven's symphonies the choir
sang a hymn OF two: the people prayed
few prayers. and then there WAS given
To the audience three minutes for silent
worship. My curiosity being of longer
duration than my prayers, | locked
abound only to see mVriadS of bowed
heads. The people who were kneelimg
there ln prayer were no doubt sincere.
and representa- too the middle classes.
Most OF Ladies'. who We're expecting tn
receive on New Years daN. with their
their ciimp> and sleep t" the damp
midnight air 50 there WAS less .'tl:I>h-
ing of jewels and tluttcr of lac,.>" than
Is usually seen AT ST. Anus. tell Nou.
i'll the dim ga>-light. in the d ling Year.
i'll the awful stiffness. one could hardly
help feeling solemn. Occasionally Il
stIflied sob WAS heard. God only know :
how many Il breaking heart was bound
up. and supported tor the new conflict {;
how many resolutions made.
Its done The wear has gone, In
comes the glorious Centennial. 1G. with
Il changing of bells and firing of guns ,
The church suddenly becomes - blaze
ri light up come the bowed heads.
and hands are glasped with tuthuSiI~-
tie wishes for happy new lral. The
choir gives lis the "lIallcluiah chorus. -
and We 20 out. clothed and in our il"ht
minds, ready I" wish the veiirst be"gar
We meet Il happy new year. thankful
that We came. unhIindful of mud and
fog. and declaring that after all the
weather is not 80 bad as il might be-
And oh. joy of joys. New years
morning" dawuei clear and bright
Never was the sun more heartily vel
coined by owners of patent leather
boots. At an early hour gentlemen
hcslirrcd themselves and commenced
preparations for the days festivities.
| have been informed that he who at
night can boast of having made the
greatest number of calls, is considered
the champion. This wear the enter
tainmemt provided is said 10 have been
Il triiie less expensive than formerly.
and to he honor of the ladies let it also
he said, that only in exceptional cases
WAS wine provided for the guests.
Taking upon myself the liberty tu
wish Hou and yomr readers Il very happy
new year. am. very respectfully.
LYDIA ETDoEA.