Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-01
HENARKABLE YEAR.
History of one of the Coolest Yenrs
on RecOrd-FrOst Through summer.

History of One OF the Coolest bfhfS
on RecOrd-FrOst Through summer.
Republished from copy OF the Dis
patch Of several years ago.
The accounts OF billiards. in the great
Northwest. and of storms OF wind, snow,
and cold which have recently claimed
public attention have AFFORDED both en-
tertainment and instruction. But the
year 1876 presents "a record OF such phe-
nomenal weather continuing throughout
the whole year as must claim tho interest
OF the casual reader as we'll as the pro-
found thought of the student of nature
and Of history. The year 1916 IS cole-
brated in history above all others, Ie-
corded In this: II was year that had no
summer
The first months OF this remarkable
year gave no indication of the strange.
weather that was 10 follow. January and
February were mild rather than severe,
for the season with no unusual or pro-
longed cold weather. Still without be-
ing unusually severe there was sufficient
wind and wet, snow and ice, cold and
gloom. 10 make the first har0inger, of
spring a pleasant visitor. The duh mo-
notonous days. the enforced indoor life.
and the bleak and barren aspect OF
winter create "a longing aud an imra-
tience for the bright sunshine and genial
atmosphere OF spring; ana, by FREE
Quent and sudden chaages from one 10
the other extreme. heiehten the con-
trast.
APRIL SMILES.
SO. when the latter part Of March and
the hrst Of April had united in furnish
Ing beautiful spring weather and all ma
ture began 10 smile and cast off the
sombre garments Of winter TO assume the
many and brilliant-hucd vesturc Of spring.
our ancestors Of the year 1916 greeted the
approaching spring with the same high
hopes and bright antlcipatlons with which
we welcomed II In 1888.
March had come in Ike q lion. shaking
his shaggy mano and films the hills and
valleys with his roar. He shook the Win
dow-panes furously, banged shutters and
signs, overturned fences. and PLAYED mad
pranks with chimney cOWls Suddenly.
about the middle OF the month. the lion
and the lamb Of his dual nature lay down
together. and delightful season follow
cd. April. wreathcd in sunny smiles and
sparkling with pearly drops In her
roguish eyes. same tripping after. Under
the genial influence OF several Weeks OF
spring-like weather. so softly warm and
warmly soft, velvet robe Of deepest
green btbAn 10 cover tne edrth, buds
swelled 10 bursting on the trees. wild
flowers sprung up IN hooks exposed 20 the
sun and sheltered from the wind, farm
ers prepared the soil for spring crops.
gardens were made, and the seeds of
early vegetables planted. All nature re-
5oieed In the newborn spring
JACK FROST
A change came over the spirit Of Aprll's
dreams. Suddenly, In a night, Jack Frost.
seated on the wings OF cold and bols-
ferrous Northwestern, swept over the land.
and touching the fifEt-horn OF spring with
his icy finger. slew them all The swell
ing bud on tho tree. the modest violet
nesting under the wings OF the Wild
thorn. the fragrant arbutus trailing be-
meath itg warm covoriet Of the last au-
tunn's leaves, the tender vegetable IN
the gafoen--an fell before the cold and
cruel touch OF Jack Frost Every green
thing the bright sunshine and genial
warmth had called into life lay dead and
E8lthereo. Hoary old winter usurped the
&1hrons OF spring, blew his icy breath
ntesorsd the ponds and streams with ice