The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-09-13
mence the

- IS q SOOd lnlnS 70 ~
mence the new year with HAPPY
thoughts. Each member of my
beloved household appeared before me
in pleasant association and with a dis
tinctness of feature that my waking
hours have not dissipated. There are
not, however, at any time, moments
when those features cannot be sum
moned before my minds eye NO, no;
they are all too deeply engraved,
daguereofyped upon my heart.
The earth is covered with snow, out
the sun shines out brightly and beau
tifully this new years morn-typlcal
let us trust of brighter and better
days. The mantle of white is per
haps, a fitting vestment for the infant
year, emblematic Of innocence and
purity, for, as yet, it knows not dis
aster, and crime, and blOOdShed-an
immunity which it's mature rogre
ma not long afford it. Let it, like the
new born babe, look pure and fresh
as it is in its cradle. with its young
eyes Just opening to the light of time,
for lapse of days will bring as with
expanding mortality, both trouble and
guilt.
/ must e~ndeavor, with the com
mencement of a new annual chapter,
to throw somewhat more cheerfulness
into this diary. Or, rather, / must so
deeper L must Try 10 CullINdle ii SplIlt
of greater resignation under mlsfor-
tune-must essay to bear my fate with
a more serene temper. For what is,
or shall be, a diary, but in a certain
sense, the reflex OF ones inner life
and emotions?
With fervent hopes and aspirations
for a speedy and favorable change
in the present gloomy aspect of our
national struggle for deliverance; fol
the restoration to home and kindred
of all who are grooming IN the house
of Imprisonment for the once more
~brOOding presence of doVe-like feace
Ger our suffering. agOnized land, and
invoking Heaven to preserve for me
safe and bright, the jewels that are
gathered in my hearts BASKETBALL
the New Year!
The services today by Mr.. Kinsolvir
were peculiarly appropriate The
seth hymn was impressfvely sung by
our little regular group of worshippers
beginning
The God of life whose constant care
With blessings crowns each opening
year,
Ny scanty span doth still prolong,
And wakes anew mine annual song
III 3.-Heard of the failure O.
the Porter-Butler expedition agains
Wilmington, about which l had enter
tanned considerable anxiety. We are
all disposed to accept it as an augury
IHdt the tlde OF our adNeTSitN is at las
turning. mo Of exchange, also
are very current, but though invest
ed with some degree OF plausibility, !
am afraid to place any reliance upOr
them. The outside pressure in favor
of the policy seems to be very strong
upon the Yankee Government.
January 4-More snow. Three ad-
ditionai cases of smallpox reported
and moved out of the barracks.
January G.-Intensely cold. TIL,
bay has been frozen over for a few
days past, and-in consequence W,
have had no papers-Or, rather, III
paper, for. as / have heretofore said
that m~endacious m sensational sheet
the 'Phila- Enquirer" is the only on,
we are privileged to receive.
Another case of smallpox was car
ried out today and disinfectants in
troduced into the Division rooms.
feel but little concern about his, dis
ease, some how Or other, though tn
time has been when / should hav,
been greatly alarmed by its proximity
Why is this? Are the painful sens
of imprisonment and the wretched
ness Of the situation such as to bin,
the eyes and render Indifferent the ap
~prehensiOn to other evils? Or do the
cause life to assume a less a~ttractiv
phase and make the desire for it les
keen? l can say, from my own ex
perience that the haunting idea Of re
SlIdlnl anu CODIlneInent does some
times beget a torpidity Of hope, a kin
of mental atrophy, and an abatemen
Of physical energy, that close In tn
horizon to such an extent that but fey
charms are visible. in existence. Il
subjected. however, to the crucial ties
we would probably find It as preciou
as tho all the world were before u
Tor our solace and enjoyment.
january S.-The sun is out tn
Sabbath morning,-an unusual an
unfrequent visitor. Our casual CLEAN
of hope for d~eliverance hence ar