The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1879-01-03
January.

ter has established its reign; the
sharp frostS have penetrated to the
depths Of the earth: every stream
is locked; every flower is buried /:
every birds songIs hushed, and if
in the bare forest the woodpeckers
and net.hatches still llnger, we
hear only short, quick call, which,
repeated at short intervals, sounds
like the tones of dialogue, but
there is no singing. In sheltered
places and near the farm. houses,
we often may see a solitary robin,
or company of chickadees, help
ing themselves TO the supplies pro-
vided for the fowls, or flying mer-
rily about the kitchen door in
search OF a few crumbs. With the
snow which, If it falls at all, is
usually most abundant at this sea
son, comes a troop Of SNOW birds.
with their graceful wheeling flight,
swinging upon the Swirling drifts
of the storm, as though it were a
delight to them to be part of it..
1t is worth while for ANY one liv,
ing in the country, and loving
snow-birds, to plant a few sundow-
crs III the fence corners. to afford
them feast in the deep snow when
everything is covered beyond their
reach. The t; II plant holds up its
sturdy head against the northern
blasts, and its rich oily seeds are a
great tAyorite with all winter birds.
| have seen a cluster of these
weather-beaten stalks covered with
a whole flock Of the plump little
creatures, in all kinds of attitudes,
chattering with delight at their
rich find" In the city, the spar
rows are the object of unlimited
charity, and in the morning, after
Il heavy snow fall, one cannot go
many steps without seeing com
Portable breakfast parties within
the area rails, enjoying bountiful
meal spread tor them upon the
white cover nature has provided.
1t would be well if the poor could
be fed as bountifully aud with as
little trouble, bat mid winter brings
out i'll sharp relief the dramatic
between poverty and
wealth ; and, while the rich are
preparing their gayest entertain
meuts and engaging in a round of
pleasure, the poor are shrinking in
to the shadow of the season, ap-
palled at the double conflict with
cold and hunger. 1t is now that
the gentle charities shine most
and ministry of Christian
love Is most active.
In the great city there is enough
to do, for want sits by many a cold
hearthstone, and children wander
helpless and homeless in the chill
streets. If society rests content
with its gay life OF dissipation, and |
ets the winters come and go, with |
cut putting out its hand to help, |
save to bestow a thOughtless aims,
larker scenes will come, and beg
gary-the beggary of Italy, and all
he Old civilizatious--will disfigure
)ur shores, aud combining with ig-
Iorance and vice, form a league,
which will threaten the moral
health of the nation. The remedy |
must come from wiser and better
considered system OF relief, and
men must learn the lesson that the
lard season teaches to all that will
earn, that only in ceaseless indus
ry and wise forethoHght, is there
License against want and misery.
The New Year; what heart does
lot thrill with some dawning hope
1t the sound of the New Years
'ells ! Life is greet mystery, and
II its obscure future lies the secret
IT its supreme interest, its ceaStlesS
harm. Every year brings its dis
appointments, and lays low many
cherished idol; but we look for
ward still to the unknown hiero-
.Iyph on the scroll of the future
With untaltering gaze, and fresh
of delight.
The cry Of the heart is for lite,
Ife-and every We l. presents
resh draft to the thirsting lips, and
re are sure, that if to many it be
litter. it is always true, that to
lany more it will besweet. 1t lies
18th us all to make the sun. OF
retchedness ever less, and the
lm of human happiness constant,
: increasing.
The year that is past mas been
ne of national trial and national
llamity, and never before in the
lstory of our country have we so
,j0iced TO welcome the frost, and
oked forward to the advent of
inter as to the signal of deliver
ice. Among our stricken ones,
le year opens amid lingering Shad-
VS.; many homes are desolate, ,
any hearts are broken. but the
'stllence is stayed; and the De
royer is laid low.
Slowly but surely light and JOY
Iall return, and that which has
zen shall be again, and our own
.ar land, once distracted and torn
: the fury OF war, shall be bound
indissoluble union by the minis !
y Of suffering.
Let us welcome the New Year
it'll thanktulness, and look to the
'lendid possibilities that lie be- '
re, with hope that they shall be 4
ore than fulfilled in the coming :
arS, crowned with abundance,
osperity aud peace.-DemoreSt's U U