Year: 1878

We are now as near IN the mid
die of winter as you could put your
finger. Since l wrote you last
many changes have taken place in
and around Vale Mills. Some have
married, some have moved away,
some have moved in and some have
died. Poor old Mr.. Jack McKis-
,ack night before last breathed his
last-it was not unexpected but yet
the manner of his death excited
some curiosity. He died in his lit
tie store entirely alone, and next
morning was found standing on his
feet with his hands resting on his
arm, which was lying on little box
on his counter. had so often seen
him in the same position that it
was hard to believe that he was
dead. Poor man, he had his faults
(and who has noL;) but he was san
honest man, the noblest work
of God" Let us hope that he has
happier home than earth afforded
him.


Mr.. Joshua Carter was buried by
the Masonic fraternity last Sunday
at Moriah. Notwithstanding that
it was wet and cold day there was
a larger turn out of friends and
neighbors than is usual to be seen
on such occasions. No louder fu-
neral dirge could have sounded his
requiem,


Well, kind reader the old year
has passed away. Much as we dis
like to part with our old friends,
yet we cannot say that we felt much
of sadness as we shook hands for
the last time, as we might have
done had she behaved little better
the last few days of her ephemeral
existence. Nature robed her with
green verdure and blooming flow
ers. Yet she tore the garment Of
beauty from her bosom and wore a
mantilla of the blackest and wettest
clouds that she could find in the
wardrobe of the "thunder's home"
"Remorseless time" groaned in
tones her requiem, and the lurid
lightning flashed their torches DER
the tomb in the cemetery of depart
ed ages.


Still not in anger do we part, for
her life was like the midnight ia
per of the students lamp-sent up
its brightest jets as she was dying,
AID ere she left she ushered into
existence a bright and glorious New
Years day May it be a happy
New Year to us all. 1t is indeed
sad to look back upon the old year
and see the fragments of mispent
hours and neglected opportunities
all strewn along the path that we
can never retrace. But how kind
has providence been to us all by
telling us that there is always
sunshine behind the Clouds"


All, yes how true it is.


"If lie be not all smiles


II is not all snears


1t admits honest laughter


And it needs honest tears


God meant for us all to Re happy be sure
And he SENDS no sorrows that have not


some curen


Doubtless we always feel the pain
OF hopes retreated and regrets that
remain. But can we not be happy
over the remembrance of some well
spent hours. Oh, well spent hour
is glittering link in life's rusty
chain, and it will shine even when
the twilight of the grave gathers
around and the star of memory is
fast sinking below the horizon.
Well spent hours; do they not form
a pleasing picture in the half closed
volume OF life-a picture that will
exhibit all its finest touches to the
last, unsoiled by the hands of for
getfulnes! Gentle reader, if we
spend the present year according to
the rules laid down in the deca
logue, Hope will pluck a quill from
her own eagle wings and write upon
the blank page of futurity that our
latter end will be crowned with the
rich relics of by gone days to serve
as play things when we shall have
verged into the childhood of age.
Furthermore, if we determine to
spend this year in doing unto 9th
ers half as well we would they
should do unto US, | doubt whether
death itself could wipe of the rec
ord OF such holy intentions from
the tablet of remembrance-even
with hot water, soap suds and the
rag of oblivion. 1t might be well
to glance at the other side OF the
picture, for l tell You it would be
'some."


But we have not time. Suffice it
to say that II we spend it amiss, in
stead of having precious relics of
the past TO JOY over, famished mem
ory will have but few dry bones TO
pick, and the ghost OF departed
years will cause us to tremble like
an aspen in the gale. Now, Mr..
Editor, whose paper has served TO
beguile so many tedious hours, may
you live TO see a thousand happy
new years and then turn TO some
thing good To eat, and be there 10
eat you. h. N. PEPPER.