Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-12-05
The Dying Year.-winter is AGA


with us, and but few short weeks inter-
vene between this and the advent of the New
Year. And as we sit in these long winter
evenings by our cheerful firesides and hear
the bitter winds signing through the tree
tops, we know that the life of the old year
burns low in the socket. Poor old year
Like conquering hero, we hailed his COM
ing-his dying agonies are unmarked amid
the rejoicngs at the approach of the holiday
season of the year-the yearly festival and
merry-making of the civilized world, to
which the old and the young, the rich and
poor look forward with pleasing anticipa-
tons. All alike rejoice in its coming and
count with secret satisfaction the fleeting
hours which bring them nearer still to the
distant goal of delight. 1t brings with it
also keener relish for the myriad plans of
pleasure and recreations in store for us, be-
cause it is the golden mile stone" upon the
home-stretch Of the years weary pilgrimage
Then the yule log crackles upon the hearth
and social mirth and reunion reign supreme
W y doiNC Oui bdNCl-stdincu HdIfutHtS
and take long breathing spell ere we start
again upon our way refreshed and invigo-
rated to face anew the trials and vicissitudes
along the trackless plains of the New Year
The winter forsooth would be dark and
dreary apart from this season of enjoyment
and repose. The days glide away more pleas
antly for it-life seems all the merrier. II
places us upon a higher plain of good-fel-
lowship and sympathy with the rest of the
world, enlarges the kindly impulses of our
nature while it tenderly fosters all the sweet
charities and gentle graces Of life. Winter
for this reason alone has charm and at
traction all its own and ushers in an era of
good feeling, frolic and fun, gay sports and
outdoor amusements. We hear the little
folks talking in quiet, subdued whispers of
"ol6 Kris" his well filled pack, with ling
CLING bells and prancing steeds careering
over the house-tops The night before
Xmas! What unspeakable ecstasy fills the
hearts of these dear little ones The care
fully arranged stockings hung in row
"while bright visions of sugar plums dance
through their heads" Sweet, enhancing
delusion of childhood God grant the harm
less, innocent superstition may always re-
main an abiding reality and enduring faith
10 which childish affections can cling with
mistaken love and devotion. How deeply
are these memories enshrned in our own
breasts, and how strongly do they move our
sensibilities In fancy we see the pictur-
esque Xmas tree" the bright lights shin
ing through the fantastic boughs richly
laden with the beautiful creations of art
the eager, joyous, happy faces wreathed in
smiles, radiated and sparkling with the glow
of unspeakable emotions, their guileless
hearts beating time to the sweet music of
Xmas carols. This, indeed, is Il picture
which will live in memory and to which we
cling with greater tenacity as the years go
by. Though the snow-fakes may whten
our locks, yet we cannot feel that we are
alone in the world. Time has gone on, but
left us these imperishable traditions and SUI
persttions Of our youth.