The evening times., 1898-12-31
IT'S REQUIEM SUNG
BY DROPS OF Rain
Passing of the Eventful aDd
Historic 1898.
Bright Skies and Crisp Air to Usher
i'm the New Year.
The Wenther Prophet Says n Cold
Wave is CominE-StronE
Winds TO Prevail.

The year 1898 has run its course and
closes its career in flood of rain.
1t may be that the old year weeps be-
cause it leaves us. 1t may be that the
dying year sheds this deluge of tears from
a mournful sky because OF grief
Yet, the old year may have other rea-
sons for this farewell rainfall. Ii may be
its final housecleaning before surrendering
the premises TO the New Year
Rain has fallen in a whirling, driving
way all day. Little rivers have coursed
along the streets, plunging at the corners
into their subterranean channels and rush
ing on in fretful, restless way 10 swell
the muddy tides of the Potomac.
The wind has sung dirges in the bare
branches of the trees. The unleaved elms
and naples have bowed their tops and
swayed their naked arms as though ges-
turing a sad good-by TO 1898.
In the public parks the chIySanthemums
that lately glowed in yellow. white and
red have put on sombre black. Death has
either touched them with the color OF MS
choice or the flowers have donned Grape
for the passing year.
The clipper of no sparrow is heard.
They keep close in their nests among the
caves They are fond of 1898. With many
of them il is the year Of their birth. 1t
has given them many sunny days 10
prompt them TO song. Ii has furnished
them with brilliant mornings and radiant
afternoons. Ii has draped the trees with
soft and fresh green leaves in which TO
play and rest. 1t has oarpeted the fields
with yerdure and embroidered them with
daisies. Il has painted the skies blue and
gold and crimson and has waited great
clouds in majestic confusion through the
air The sparrows are fond of the old
year that is passing away. They are sor-
ry TO see il go.
There is a good deal of gloom in the
city today. And in the country the aspect
is drear. Streets are dotted with dark
umbrellas that go bobbing up ana down
in grotesque fashion. The tread OF the
multitude is softened by rubbers and gum
boots into sWishing, suction sounds.
The electric cars throw spray and make
splashes as they go. To some men whose
holiday induigences have been long and
deep, these street cars appear as great
green and yellow monsters that so rush
ing over concrete and swimming acros.
rain lakes like things amphibious.
The telegraph poles and the wires are
biackened by the wet and the walls o
buildings are stained by rain.
Cornices and awning frames drip, drip
drip.
Groups of shiyering and bedraggle,
men stand under awnings and other shell
ter. They seem blue. They dc not ap
pear to be thinking of the happy New
Year Their thoughts are of today.
The prospect is not SO gloomy at th'
present
The weather prophet forecasts that
will be clearing tonight. and fair tomor
raw A cold wave is said to be coming
and will continue until Tuesday. Their
will be strong winds.
The cold wave has advanced eastward
and covers the whole country from tn
Mississippi Valley TO the Atlantic States
except the Middle and South Atlanu
States Little Rock reports a fall Of 4
degrees in twenty-four hours and TO - de
grees, and Palestine a fall of 20 degrees
Rain or snow has fallen in the Lowe
Lake region, the North Atlantic States an
Upper Ohio Valley. Rain has fallen on tn
Gulf and South Atlantic States. and tn
Middle Mississippi Valley. Light rain ha
fallen on the north Pacific coast. and tn
temperature has remained stationary o.
that coast.
The cold wave will cover the middle AM
north Atlantic States, Georgia, and West
ern Florida, and western portions of Nortl
Carolina, and South Carolina tonight, ant
will extend over the eastern portions o
North and South Carolina and northern
Eastern Florida Sunday night. The col
weather will continue in the Atlanti
States till Tuesday. The weather viii
clear in the lower lake region, middle an
north Atlantic and middle Gulf States
rain, followed by clearing in the south AT
lantic and middle Gulf States, and fair il
the west Gulf States
Storm signals are displayed on the AT
lantic coast from Delaware Breakwater {,
EaStpCrt, and at New Orleans.