Evening journal., 1890-01-01
KEEPER os 1HE CAFES.
Down on the CITY at Midnight
Through Magical Glasses.

family through the clouds that rushed
over its face.
The reporter was in meditative frame
OF mind. Visions Of an increase in
salary With the New Year, and of rapid
Advancement TO an editorial, or assistant
editorial position went rapidly through
his mind
Suddenly he heard his name spoken,
and looking around. saw small, ner-
vous looking old man. There was moth
ing remarkable about his appearance.
His face was kindly, and he looked like
thrifty mechanic or a scientist.
Come with me- said this individual,
II am the Keeper of the Gates of the
Year. My assistants stand now at the
east and west gates, waiting the moment
to throw them open for the old year to
depart and the new year TO enter. I'll
show you the closing Of the year.
This was something the reporter In all
his large experience had never seen, and
instinctively feeling in his pockets for
led pencil and note book, he accompanied
the old man to the door. Standing at
the curb Of the street was a small car Of
/ peculiar construction. which they en-
tered. The sides we're Of heavy glass.
There was seat at the back. Part OF the
floor was Of steel and beyond the steel
vas glass. Under the seat were electri-
cal storage batteries. The reporters com
panion pulled lever and the car
began TO mount upward. Outside, the
rush Of machinery, sounding Ike i'm
mense wings could be heard. and beneath
the car the low whirr of electric motors.
Nothing could be seen in the darkness
An electrical heating apparatus filled the
car with subtle, pleasing warmth
''This is the electrical air car, said
the Keeper of the Gates, lit is the last
invention Of the year.
Bending forward and looking through
the glass floor downward the city lights
could be seen. A bar Of bright white
light seemed to cut the mass of dim
dickering yellow lights in two parts. 1t
was Market street, lighted with the arc
electric lights Of to the southwark small
patches Of light could be seen. They
were the towns of New Castle, Middle
town, Smyrna and others.
"We won't go down the state to
night, said the Keeper, and he threw
back another lever. The car began to
move slowly in wide circles, directly
over the city.
Take these and look down" said the
Keeper, handing the reporter pair OF
field glasses. "'They are Of wonderful
strength. " The glasses brought the city
streets apparently as close as they would
be to any one looking down from third
story window The whole city was be.
meath. Many people were on Market
street, waiting for the City Hall clock to
strike 12
Put these receivers to your ears, -
said the Keeper "The wires lead to
strong transmitters attached to the bot
tom OF the car !" A confused hum greeted
the reporters ears at first
IN which strains Of music coulC
be heard. Soon he could dis
tinguish separate sounds. The occa.
sional toot Of horn could be heard, and
now and then the boom Of big fir,
cracker. Conversation on the street an,
in houses could also be heard distinctly
The reporter watched a couple he knew
walking on Market street above Eighth
He had suspected that they were growing
fond of each other, but was not prepared
for the loving words he heard, which lef
no doubt Of the situation. The laugh
jest and repartee of party Of younI
folks came clearly TO his ears, while tn
remarks OF a youth to young girl by hi
side. were such as should have brough
the blush of shame to her cheeks.
The Keeper Of the Gates took tn
glasses. and affixing a curious looking al
tachment to them, handed them bach
saying that he had attached the indoc
refectors. You can see what Is In ever
! room in which there Is light, said h'
/ "The smallest ray of light from rooi
is reflected by the numerous rehectors,
your ewes.
The attachment was magical Poop
: could be seen in their houses in ever
r part of the city. There were sights this
I were laughable, pathetic, sorrowful al
Q sinful. For moment, the reports
9 swept the magical glasses ov'
q the city, then he began
@ look at separate houses. Il
+ glanced down at Eden Hall The OS
Fellows we're performing some myster
GUS ceremony connected with the closir
of the year. In the dancing academy
waltz had begun, to the rapturous mea
ure Of which, the dancers At the Brig
! Violet Tennis Club Reception won
dance out the year Every saloon WI
open and men drank the health Of Il
/, incoming year Merry laughter float
! up from bri lliantly lit residence
Delaware avenue, where a party of your
y people were seeing the New Year in.
In a small house in the eastern part ,
the city, bare OF comforts, poor moth
!. was weeping over child whose life h
\ gone out with the old year In 9th
\ halls and homes there were gladness a
u joy,or grief and sorrow. With a sudd
~ thought the reporter turned the glass
a on a house whose threshold he oft
ne crossed He saw a young woman. who
! him was always beautiful, In her roo
seated In large arm chair, before an op
crate fire. Her dark hair was loose s
% leaned her cheek upon q dimpled ha
"a and gazed into the FIRE. The reporte
in magical glasses could not tell him /
\. thoughts, and her lips did not mo-
N From this fascinating scene his "a
ev turned to churches in which worshipp'
were bowed in silent prayer waiting I
stroke of 10.
In the offices Of the morning new
r. papers all were busy. Some Of the
he porters were missing In one Office. a
,e. looking towards their homes they VIZ
on discovered In bed with "La Grippe"
he 'It wants minute to 12" said t
Keeper II must signal my assistants
button. and four globes Of light, gree
IN red, white and yellow, shot to the 70
tes points of the compass from the top
on the car, looking like meteors and SC
B. fading. The Keepers eye was.on d
zen in the car. The seconds beat to m
night and another button was touch
There was blaze of light as power
electric lights in the car flashed out.
a.