The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-01

fast Just 20 amuse myself, but the porter
hns forgotten my mornings milk, and tho
preserve jar u cmptyl Another would be-
detected and cross, / effect the haughtlest
indifference. There remains a hard crust
OF bread, which break BY main strength.
and which nonehaiantly nibble like man
far above worldly vanitics and soft bread.
And yet do not know why my thoughts
should grow sad because Of the difficulties
Of mastication. | once read the story Of
an Englishman who hung himself because
some one served him tea without sugar.
There are hours In life when the most ia
tile contrariness assumes the proportions Of
acatastrophy. Ourdisposition resembles
spyglass, which, according 10 the end looked
through, shows objects diminished or en-
lArged
Usually the prospect which opens before
my window delights me. IL Is e chaos %
roofs whose ridge poles interlace, cross and
overlap each other, aud above which high
chimueys rear their tops. Yesterday even
detected In them an Alpine aspect, and 1
was awaiting the first snow TO see glaciers;
today ] perceive only tiles aud chimney
stacks. The pigeons aiding my rude illu-
sions no longer Seem TO me other than some
miserable winged things that have taken
the roofs for a courtyard; the smoke which
making me think Of the breathings OF We.
suvius, reminds me Of culinary preparations
and dishwater. and. finally, the telegraph
pole which perceive far over the old tower
Of Montmartre gives me the effect Of an
ignoble gallows whose arm Is stretched out
over the city.
And so, wounded by everything they met,
my eyes fall upon the mansion which stands
opposite my garnet.
The influence Of New Years makes itself
visibly felt there. The servants have an
air Of eagerness which is proportionate to
I the value Of the presents already received
OF 20 be received. l see the landlord cross
/ ing the court with a morose expression
which his forced acts of generosity give,
and the visitors multiply, followed by serv-
ants who bear flowers. bandboxes or
playthings. All OF sudden the great car
rirge entrance IL thrown open. A new
barouche, drawn by race horses, stops at
the foot Of the steps. II Is doubtless the
New Years present Of the gentleman to
the lady Of the house, for she herself comes
out 10 examine the new equipage She
gets in shortly with a little daughter
streaming with laces, plumes and velvets
and loaded with articles which she Is going
TO distribute as New Years presents. The
gateway is closed again. the windows are
drawn up, and the carriage goes away.
And 80 everybody today makes an ex-
change Of good wishes and presents
alone have nothing to give or receive Poor
hermit, do not know a single preferred
being for whose happiness can express a
wishl
How my wishes for a happy New Year
long 10 seek out all my unknown friends,
lost in this multitude that rumbles ami
roars at my feetl
To gain, first of all, hermits OF the cities
for whom death and poverty have made a
solitude In the midst Of thousands Mel
anoholy toilers condemned to eat in o.
lcnce aud deserted the bread earned each
day, and whom God has weaned from tho
intoxicating pains of love and friendship
10 you, agitated dreamers, who go
through life with esturned toward some
POLAR star walking with indifference over
the rich harvests of renlity
To you, brave fathers, who prolong the
night labors 20 provide food for the family
poor widows, weeping and working by the
side of cradle; young men, striving &c
open in life a way large enough 70 lead
through il by the hand chosen wife; &c
you all. valiant soldiers of toll and sacri
fcel
To you. finally, whatever may be youi
title and yo~ name, who love goodness
who pity the suffering, and who wall
through the world like the symbolic virgin