Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-10-17


"Watchman, what of the nightT
When night came down on Babylon,
Nineveh and Jerusalem they needed care
ful watching; otherwise the inccndiary's
torch might have been thrust into the
very heart Of the metropolitan splendor,
or enemies, marching from the hills,
might have forced the gates. All night
long, on top of the wall and in front of
the gates might be heard the measured
step of the Waterman on his solitary beat
Silence hung in air, save a. some passcr-
by raised the question, ''Watchman, what
of the nightT'
1t is TO me a deeply suggestive and sol
cnrh thing to see man standing guard
by night. 1t thrilled through me a ut
the gate of an arsenal in Charleston the
question once smote me, WHO comes
there 2" followed 10y the sharp command,
"Advancc and give the countersign.' Ev-
cry moral teacher stands on picket or
patrols the wall as Waterman. His work
is to sound the alarm, and whether it be
in the first watch, in the second watch,
in the third watch or in the fourth watch
to be vigilant until the daybreali filings its
'mornng glories" of blooming cloud
across the trelis of the sky.
The ancients divided their night into
four parasitic first watch from & TO Q;
the second, from Q to 10; the third from
IL to 3, and the fourth, from 3 to &. |
speak now of the city in the third watch,
pr from II to 3 O'Clock.
never weary of looking upon tho life
of the city in the first watch. That is the
hour when the stores are closing. The
aborng men, having quilted the scaffold-
ing and tie shop, are on their way home.
1t rejoices me to give them my seat in
the city car. They have stood and ham
mered away all day. Their feet are
weary. They are exhausted with the tug
of work. They are mostly cheerful.
With appetites sharpened on the swift
turner's wheel and the carpenters whet-
stone they seek the evening meal. The
clerks, too. have broken away from the
counter and with brain weary of the long
line of figures and the whims of those
who go a-shopping seek the face Of moth
or or wife or child. The streets are
throngcd with young men setting out
from the great centers Of bargain making.
Let idlers clear the street and give right
of way to the besweated artisans and
merchants. They have earned their bread
and are now on their way home to get it.
The lights in full jet hang over 10000
evening repasts-the parents Mt either end
of the table, the children between Thank
God, "who setteth the solitary in fam
lilies"
A few hours later and all the places OF
amusement, good and bad, are in full tide.
Lovers Of art, catalogue in hand. stroll
through the galleries and discuss the pic
lures. The ballroom is Respondent with
the rich apparel of those who, on either
49,. L. 10 hoo rJs al IL
the signal from the orchestra. Concert
halls are lifted into enchantment with the
warbe Of one songstress or swept out on
sea Of tumultuous feeling by the blast
Of brazcn instruments. Drawing rooms
nre filled with all graccfulneSS Of apparel,
with all sweetness of sound, with all
splendor Of manner; mirrors are catching
up and multiplying the scene, until it
seems ms if in infinite corridors there were
garlanded troops advancing and retreat
ing. The outdoor air rings with laughter
and with the moving to and fro Of thou
sands on the great promenades. The
lashing span. adrp with the foam of the
ong country ride, rushes past as you halt
It the curbStone. Mirth, reyelry beauty
ashton, magnifcence, mingle in the great
metropolitan picture until the thinking
nan goes home to think more seriously
md the praying man to pray more ear
nestly. \ beautiful and overwhelming
Thing is the city in the first and secont
watches Of the night.
Third Watch OF the Night.
But the clock strikes l.. and the thirt
watch has begun. The thunder of tn,
rity has rolled ont of the air. The slight
EST sounds cut the night with such dis
Vino 70 aft
The tinklng of the bell of the street ca
n the distance and the baying of the dog
The stamp of horse in the next street
The slamming of a saloon door. TIL
Aiccough of the drunkard. The shrek
pf the steam whistle five miles away
Oh, how suggestive, my friends the thr'
watch of the night.
There are honest men passing up an
down the street. Here is n city mis-
,onary who has been carrying a scuttl
bf coal to that poor family in that dar
place. Here is an undertaken going u
the steps of a building from which ther
comes IA bitter cry, which indicates tina
the destroying angel has smitten the first
born. Here is n minister Of religion VIII
has been giving the sacrament to dyn
Christian, Hero is physician passn
along in great haste. Nearly all tn
lights have gone out in the dwellings, 70
II Is the third watch of the night. Tha
light in the window is the light of tn
watcher, for the medicines must be AZ
nnistored, and the foyer must be watcl
ed. and the restless t6sking off Of the co,
crlid must be resisted. and the ice mus
be kept on the hot temples, and the pc
petual prayer must go up from heart
soon to be broken.
Oh, the third watch Of the night. Whi
stupendous thought--a whole city
rest! Weary arm preparing for tomo
rows toll. Hot brain being cooled OF
Rigid muscles relaxed. Excited nerve
Hoothed. The white hair of the octoc
marian in thin drifts across the PILLOW
fresh fall of flakes on snow already fal
en-. Childhood, with its dimpcd hanC
thrown out on the pillow, and with evel
breath taking in a new store of fun al
froic. Third watch of the night! God
Flumberless eye will look. Let one gree
wave of refreshing slumber roll over Il
heart of the great town, submergng ca
and anxiety and worrimcnt and PAL
Let the city sleep.
But, my friends, be not deceived. The
will be tonight thousands who will II
sleep at all. Go up that dark alley, NJ
be cautious where you tread lest you fl
over the PROSTATE form Of drunka
lying on his own doorstep. Look abo
you, lest you feel the garroter's hr
Look through the broken window pa
and see what you can see. You SO
"Nothing." Then listen. What is