New-York tribune., 1907-01-01
OLDTIHE NEW YEARS..
Rec0llections of a Teteran Who
Made Calls an q HearSe.

There more IN New Years Day when was
a young fellow" said a member of the rocking
chair contingent OF the club, and looked forward
to the day differently from the you do now. 1t
than a day OF reckoning for the entire
family and for resolutions for the year to come.
The thing that made IT tine jolly day the call
Ing. / think OF the time but l fancy myself
in light trousers and long frock coat
kid gloves of delicate shade. and tie to match
We used to stay up until all hours seeing the old
year out and the year in nj stag parties. but
were on hand early the next morning 10 call on
the ladies.
NO thought OF the midday meal but we
usually timed calls that would be at the
home OF OF friends where we knew there
would be elaborate spread. Our calling list
embraced the names OF all friends and the
tour usually began before II o'clock in the morn
ing The people who did not wish 10 entertain
their friends used TO hang tiny basket on the
doorbell. and then we would simply drop card.
but nearly every kept open house, except the
families who were in mourning.
'As to conversation. the receptions were rather
monotonous. There WINS not time for much talk,
" Wish you happy New Year
" Thank you. l wish you great many
Its fine Cor bad. as the condition OF the
weather suggested) day.
&" Isn't calling n nice custom?
Yes. So glad
Won't you stop in the back room and have a
bite and drink?
Thank you-must hurry. Have sixty calls to
make
- Goodness! How do you manager
BY that time another group had come IN and so
Il all day When went In parties of
four Il often happened that some of would have
TO be introduced hostess but that was
nothing-we knew all welcome, The girls
always looked their best, and although IL was no
little task to receive all day. l am sure they en-
joyed IL.
'Of course there were shadow sides to the pict-
became tired toward the end OF the calling homr
but they always taken care OF and their
failure 10 continue was charitably charged
10 their inability TO stand the continuation OF Mrs
Smiths delicious egg-nogg and her neighbor's
equally good punch. There many houses
where only coffee. and chocolate were served
also. where table was laid. but l must say that
matter how nice the people may have been the
places of that kind were not among the most
popular
II dd my share OF New Years calling In the
ffties and sixties and before great distances and
other conditions which go with modern times
Joyed a day of II more than year when be-
cause OF our neglect 20 make our arrangements in
Wa found that unless some one would resign In our
favor would be compelled to walk This we
did for a little while. and then we made an ar
rangemcnt with livery stable keeper by which
we had tho use OF an old fashioned hearse for the
rest OF the day. on this mad calls, TO the
delight of some and the horror OF more OF our
the houses when called taking the cards OF
the other two of our party. who slept TRANQUILITY in
unique conveyance.
Those were great times and | like 10 remember
how the girls paid me and my chum particular at
tention the year when we were home from the
front on furlough and made calls In uniforms
bes telephones, airships and subways:
the people palmer than they and not
their children have forgotten. and that how
10 celebrate New Years day