Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-12-30
UNIONTOWy.

HAPPY NEW YEAR-Again, as in years that
are past, We tender Happy New Year Greet
ing. This greeting is extended to the patrons
and readers of The CHRONICLE; to those con-
nected with its publication; TO the members OF
the press, and to our tried and faithful friends
at home and in foreign lands The year 1850
to many of US has been fraught with both Joy
and sorrow. Some We loved so dearly have
folded their white hands and crossed the mys-
teriOus river that flows between US and the dim
hereafter. Our hearts have been sad and some
times weary; but did we count our blessingsZ
Have they not out-numbered our sOrrOwsI On
the first day of the New Year let us open our
book of pleasant memories, read therein and be
joyful. If We have had our time of SORROW We
can expect time of JOY, for God has set the
one over against the other. Let us renew our
vows-striving earnestly to fulfil them-and go
forward manfully battling for the right. As u
newspaper correspondent we feel that We have
failed in what was expected OF US. We have
written so much that was but chaff and nom
sense, and so little that was of sterling worth.
Only local correspondents know the difficulty in
getting up readable and interesting contribu-
tions. 1t is like making bricks without straw.
We have not withdrawn a single plank from our
platform. The principles of Order, Temperance,
Truth, Justice and Morality, we propose to main
tain, regardless of friend or foe. To the many
who have spoken kind words, we extend our
heartfelt thanks. To one or two who, in mo-
ments of excitement, have written to uniustly
wound, we feel to know that feelings of regret
will be sufficient punishment. If we have un-
justly wounded the feelings of any one, we ask
their pardon. We are not ashamed Of kind
words written or spoken by US, ami we trust
they may ''Iever die" We do not believe in
post mOrtem love-kind words or deeds are for
this world and it's here we need their cheering
influence. When laid away in the cold and
silent grave, It's then too late-we do not heed
or profit by them. Much as we might wish we
are sad to know that Christmas was not merry
one in many homes. Perhaps On that very day
the angel OF Death had crossed the threshold in
the dwellings of some, and in others the i'm
print of his feet still visible upon the sand
When the loving mother kissed the little ones
goodnight on Christmas eve, she stood and
wept bitter tears for little time One lamb
was missing from the fold-a pair of tiny socks
would not be taken from the wardrobe to be
filled. The pure white mantle of snow Law drift
ed over little mound in the church-yard that
was not there last year, and the crimson berries
OF the holly upon the walls seemed like drops of
blood, and she could almost feel the thorns in
the crown of Jesus. Why grieve?-these are
still left, and the absent one will enjoy per-
tected Christmas with the "Christ Child in
Heaven. The little grave alone exists on earth.
We crush the spices to obtain their fragrance,
and even in the hearts of the bereaved there
could be JOY even in sorrow-and peace and
Good Will to Men, find place in every heart
Dear friends, let US keep the blessed Christmas
and Easter days and the glad New Year. They
are the golden milestones' in the pathway of
life. For numerous presents from my friends l
hereby tender thanks, and will every pray that
ior them and theirs there will ever be Merry
Christmas and Glad New Year. H.