The Helena independent., 1894-01-01
DAILY nDEEaDGNTHMENA. MORNING. JANUARY 1so4

fast just 10 amasc myself, but the porter
has forgotten my MORNINGS milk, aud thu
preserve jar II empty Another would bs
detected and cross; effect the lauRhticst
indifference There Eemains hard crust
Of bread, which break BY main strength,
and which nonchslantly nibbIe like Il man
faF+above worldly vanities and soft bread.
And yet do not know why my thoughts
should grow sad because OF tho difficulties
Of mastication, once read the story OF
IN Englishman who hung himself because
some one served him ten without sugar.
There are hours In life when the most fu-
tile coptrariness assumes the proportions OF
acatastrophy. Ourdisposition resembles q
spyglass, which, according to the end looked
through, shows objects diminished or en-
larged.
Usually the prospect which opsns before
my window delights me, Il Is C. chaos OF
roofs whose ridge poles interlace, cross and
overlap each other, and above which high
chimneys rear their tops, Yesterday even
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
floats upward In light clouds, instead OF
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 the the effect OF IN
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 garret.
The influence of New Years makes itself
visibly felt there. The servants have an
air Of eagerness which Is proportionute to
the value Of the presents already received
or to be received. see the landlord cross
ing the court with 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
riEge entrance is thrown open. A new
barouche, drawn by race horses, stops at
the foot OF tue steps. 1t is doubtless the
New Years present Of the gentleman to
the lady Of the house, for she herself comes
out to examine the new equipaRe. She
gets in shortly with 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 SO everybody today makes an ex-
change OF good wishes and presents. !
alone have nothing to give or receive, Poor
hermit, do not know single preferred
being for whose happiness can express .
wish!
How my wishes for happy New Year
long to seek out all my unknown friends,
lost in this multitude that rumbles anti
roars ut my feet! .-
To gain, first Of all, hermits of the cities
for whom death and poverty have made q
solitude in the midst OF thousandsl Mel
ancholy toilers condemned to eat in 81,
lence and deserted the bread earned each
day, and whom God has weaned from the
Intoxicating pains of love and friendship!
10 you, agitatel dreamers, who go
through life with eyes turned toward some
polar star, walking with indifference over
the rich harvests OF realityl
To you, brave fathers, who prolong the
night labors to provide food for the family;
poor widows, weeping and working by the
side Of q cradle; young men, striving to
open in life way large enough to lead
through 1t by the hand chosen wife; to
you all. valiant soldiers of toll and sacri-
feet a a.s
To you, finally, whatever may be your
title and yo~ name, who love goodness.
who pity the suffering, and who walk
through the world like the symbolic virgin