Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1891-01-01
ON THE CURBST0NE.

My calendar tells me that this is the
last day of the year. suppose it would
be the proper thing to look back, sum
up my misdeeds and start in for fresh
ten years with fresh determination to
sin no more, at least, in the way that
have heretofore sinned. That's what
lots of folks consider as the proper thing.
But, TO be eccentric, don't think will.
Pm sure, | can't see why man should
make spasmodic effort to be pious at
this season of the year, only to let his
good intentions fly away on the winds OF
March. Ii man wants TO reform, swear
off from drinking cocktails, smoking
cigarettes, playing freeze-out or any
other such reprehensible habit, he ought
to do il when the necessity for such ac-
ton strikes him and not because it hap
pens to be the fashion. 1t is my inn
preston that a "New Year Bwear-oH"
is utterly without value.
THERE are many things about the
holiday time that are pleasant. Some
how people are, through the influence
Of the season, more jovial and whole
of the year. The children are rapturous
as long az the novelty OF their toys en-
dures and a spirit Of social good will per-
vades all classes OF society. The cares
of business are relaxed TO some extent
and attention is paid in marked de-
gree TO the pleasures OF the table.
Among the religious the season is one OF
commemorative rejoicing at the birth OF
the Babe OF Promise and the occasion is
seized to refresh their faith in the doc
trines Of Him who brought light to the
world.
STILL there are drawbacks to the COM
plete enjoyment OF Christmas-tide, just
as the sharpest thorns are hidden under
the loveliest roses. About the sharpest
thorn is in the beautiful custom of giving
presents. can't see how some young men
in society manage to stand the pressure.
The young ladies, bless their diminutive
hearts, while their mothers are engaged
in cooking three meals day, with wash
ing dd tibitunl, put in their time on
smoking caps and tides and boot-jack
cases and book marks for those gallants
who have already expended ducats
galore in paying the costs incident upon
an escort to the balls and theatres OF
season. And the young man from his
sixty-dollar salary Is expected to return
the compliment in dainty triaes" that
cost about twenty dollars trife. Verify
man is Of few days and full OF trouble.
DELvINo back into history,w we find that
New Years would not be the first day of
the year, dating from what is termed
the Christian era. II the chronological
reckoning had not been changed by a
Roman pontiff, New Years Day would
come along sometime in the beginning
OF summer. But how much nicer it is
az it is. 1t now comes at a time when
the warmth Of hospitality is appreciated
to its fullest extent, when the bowling
winds and flying snow in many lands
give to the holiday festivals additional
pleasure by reason OF the contrast.
Then, too, the season of good cheer
comes at time when the poor and the
inprovident need most OF all times the
aid OF the charitable and opportunities
for doing good are not difficult to find.
Christmas and New Year come when
man is braced to the utmost OF his
yigor. They would lose their charms