The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-22

pleasant. Tho trodden into paste the paste
became slnsh. and the slush made walking i'm
possible and standing dangerous. The cars made
the curves with great care and nearly the regular
number of trips was made.
TRANSPORTATION SCENE.
Quick observers noticed great change IN the tenn
perature of the city about two O'Clock. A thaw
seemed ON the verge of appearance, moisture marked
the surface of the ice, gradually the snow fakes
turned 10 rain drops Presently the drppings he
came deluge and the snow storm became rain
fall. IN the twinkling of eye the small boy
ished from the Park, the snow ploughs were drawn
back to the salt and sand carts disappeared the
extras were discharged. Such walking as was then
provided is to the April manner born and sometimes
is seen at the time of the January thaw but it is rare
that other period OF the knows aught of the
puddes. lakes of water in the desert Of the
streets as capped the climax OF discomfort yesterday
afternoon. In front Of the Fulton ferryhouse was
little lake in which a yawl could hoat The street
cutters ran like mill races Drivers were drenched,
pedestrians perneated children caught cold and
trade tnmbled. No one can do business in a rain.
The jewellers stores the great dry goods establish
ments. those modern marves the bazaars. where
all sorts and conditions OF goods can be had at half
price deserted and clerks and cash boys breahed
again. The horse steamed with wet men in wet
clothing The elevated road. dismal as ii in tho
snowstorm, was now i'll the zenith OF successful sor
street We're crowded as TO be dangerous, and tho
cars were packed TO sufocaton. That men and
women were not crowded from the platforms is y
wonder that they were not pushed from
the cars on to the street below. like pith from
bamboo stick is miracle.
GLOOMY ENDING OF THE
The livery stable men rnefuy put back their robes
and their bills. Dealers in skates and furs and scs
muttered naughty words. indeed. The markets as
sumed downcast air Poultry began to decay.
Bananas and oranges followed suit and even the
Christmas greens appeared seedy and dilapidated.
Thatmcn should have gone home drenched and cross
is not strange, and that women in bedraggled
dresses. soaked shoes and chilled ankles should
have gone home mad" was perfectly proper. 1t
would be difficult to paint the dsmay characterize
the extent of the small b. - disappointment With
a weeks holiday and we,as skating before him he
suprcmely happy With weeks holiday and no
skating he is certain to be miserable and in every
bodys way.
The rain continued to increase in pouring power.
The matinees nearly ruined by 1t, and in the
evening there was wretched array of miserables
who, having purchased their tickets, were COM
PEELED to lose their money be drenched. They chose
the latter and in consequence the army of umbrellas
stacked in the corridors made the places look like
young armories. The water fronting streets were
flooded usual. Cellars were deluged and sub-cel-
lars lost from temporary gaze. The fog bells
and fog whistles rang and sounded far into the
night and the tops Of the tall bridge towers hid
den in impenetrable mist In the evening stores that
all the week overcrowded were nearly cmptiei.
the streets deserted and queer contrasting
gloom spread pail Of discomfort over the city.
which in the morning shone in its gorgeous garb like
bride adorned for her husband