The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-01-01
the OLD And THE NEW
A aournfuI Parting for 1895 and a 10y
full Welcome Accorded 1896.
THE BELLS RAAG AND WHISTLES BLEW
%iSoniircs Even Dlnxra on Mnin street
TO Li,:ht the sew Yenr Iu-watch
Night ~serrices Held at CRANKY
Street Mcthodis, Church ni.d nj
The \. H. q. A.'Th Speakers.

with the ringing OF bells. the blowing
Oh steam whistles. the beating of drums
ana the discharge of fire rackcrs the
new year was ushs red in this morning.
II was Il joyful welcome. and must have
iiiue rather Time feel ashamed OF him
sell OF oil the people OF this city for the
manner In which the cid year was
uSliered out.
IT was just 1859 O'Clock when Officer
iteld o down the rope OF the big bell
at me city jail IL pulled on 1t. ~
solemn "l5ang" came forth and I'm an in,
staht dozens of steam whistles on boats
IN tbs harbor hogan blowing. 4 mo-
neht later another stroke of the big
bcll was answered by the beating Of
drums; in the lower part of the city and
as stroke after stroke was given. fire
crackers and innumcrablc small bells
added to the din, until at midnight, IT
seemed as If the whole city was astir.
anu every II trying to Guido everyone
else in noise making.
Along Main street an animated scene
was presented. Groups of young men
sci off fire crackers. sky rockets and
roman candles and In front of a lunch
room n crowd. mere iubilant tina the
average citizen. started II bonfire. AT
l2"O this morning. however. the city had
assumed its usual quiet.
Watch night services were conducted
by the MethoGists at CRANKY Street NJ.
+. Church. the sermon being dcllvcred
BY Rev. w. Il. Atwill. Of Cumberland
Street Church. y large congregation
was present.
y pleasant watch meeting was con-
Quoted in the Y. NJ. G.. y. parlors by
DIR. j. J. Hall. The audience sang three
Gospel hymns. and cnc member L: the
Wda!ey2n Glce Club played the piano.
y prayer was offered by DIR. j. j. Hall.
who also delivered an address and read
Il poem. "a New-Yo2r's Rsveric."
Mr.. Towspn, the secretary, then led in
prayer, WE.ch was followed by am
other prayer by DIR. Hall. The meeting
was clczad with singing of the DoN,io-
gy, and the guests We're invited to par
take of Refreshments. Previous to the
matchmaking a reception took place
in the parlors after the CONCERT given
by The Wesleyan Glce and Mandolin
Clubs. which Contributed three ul.Te
ciUruses. standing in the midst Of the
audience. and treating their hearers
afterwards with their University yell.
y lhatie young lady. Miss Christine
GirNes played and sang very nicely.
mo- showing any fear or embarrassment
for enc so young Miss Cook. Of the
Rylani lnSttitute. rcc!tad. "Gopl-hy.
My Lover, Gucd-by." and MIR. Trinkaus.
one OF the Wesleyans, played another
flute sGio. III. Wharton made some
very appropriate remarks about music,
flowers and onlcn saying that all those
things make us happy. He aisA quoted;
I'VE can live without music: we can
live without books:
But civilized men cannot live without
cooks"
Little Christine Groves then recitcd Il
beautiful story, which brought her
much applause.
y recess of fifteen minutes for social
interciHrsc WAS thc next number ~ .thG
programme. and the Wesleyan students
enjoyed it immensely TO exchange
some pleasant words with the fair sex,
which was present in glodiy numbers.
The old year passed into eternity during
the watch meeting. and in tha New
Year n people enjoyed the refresh
mcnts after the musical treat.