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aspirations, tho noblest sentiments of
which he may ho the possessor and for
which he would feel ait inspiration to de
devote his life's work to achieve.
A. W. F.
"7AT MKMOlUA.Ur
"I wish you a Happy Year and a
whole one."
The speaker passed on. Tho boncdic
tion lingered, the one cadence in the New
Year symphony which could not die. It
had been a day in which Nature out
rivaled herself. In the eastern horizon,
the grey dawn merged into pale rose, then
ruby tints, as (hough a hurried giimpsc of
the inner glory were the first offering of
the incoming year.
Youthful eyes hailed it a harbinger of
nearer joy, for maiy a morning toilet was
made earlier than its wont and with more
care. Ladies who had long disguised the
grey hairs time had facetiously woven,
washed out the dyes and gave the silver
threads due prominence. Maidens shook
the "diamond dust" into raven or golden
tresses alike. Forsooth, Dame Fashion
had grown gray with the weight of her
infirmities. Youth and age alike, her loy
al subjects, must don the white cap of ex
perience. Alas! for tell-tale eyes, the
youthful lire and fervor could not so easily
take on the frost breath. Nor length of
skirt train, nor lightness of tissue tone
down the deep lines of care, or soften the
angles of sorrow. The exchange of pur
loined beauty however is mutual, and be
guiling the real with semblance, the two
clascs meet for an hour midway on
lfes grand" staircase.
The day drew on. Carriages dashed
along the streets, footman and steed restive
with proud burdens. Gay riders with
smiles and courtesies and kids fresh per
chance, from a twelve month's sepulture.
The soft air wore the mellowness of
spring w inter's wooing robe which no
where she puts on so coyishly as ir. our
own beautiful Nebraska. When at last
spring appears, with bud and leaf and
bird song, it is but the denouement of a
three month's courtship.
But to the parlors, where ferns from far
away forests, trellised vines from conser
vatories, the twitter of song, from birds in
cages, and birds awaiting their cages,
muffle the footfall, and dissipate the
breath of the frost spirit.
It is June in the sunshine, June in
the drawing-room, June in the heart.
Salads and celeries, jellies and floats, fruits
fresh from the "Golden Gate," sp'.ccd
meats and savory eollec, ringing laughter,
(for our prairies are broad) wit, and Hash
ing sarcasm for relishes. Evergreens
wrought in fantastic imagery upon, and
occasionally about, the table. These, with
etceteras and side-dishes, make up the con
tingent bill of fare.
Pardon the divergence if we pause to
pronounce a eulogy upon our capitol
city. So young in years that, to use Ilaw
thorncs novel simile, she presents to a
stranger much the appearance of a "dis
arranged checker board." Yet so cosmo
politan in tone that men of letters or loves
of mcrchautile or professional dash, be.
come enthused; where "vim" is the cur
rent password, and plodders and conserva
tives only are jostled. Here woniou at
least build no shrincb offer no sacrifices
to Bacchus. Two or three ollieial fami
lies, trembling for the distinctions of
caste, since the innovation of Grant, still
hold the issuance of an annual death set
tenceortwo essenttal to the dignity of
subordinates. "Willi these exceptions
jewelled fingers sot no Vampires, nor in
cut glass offer adder's fangs. Hence,
when the greeting passed from lip lo lip,
as the day wore on, "I wish you a Happy
New Year," no tongue stiffened with a
response, no gleaming eyes shot back to
heart depths the hot words "You lie."
But we linger too long. The hours van
ished, as all hours we seek to hold. Vi
ands and guests disappeared. "We gathered
up the fragments of the day and amid
much rubbish espied this jewel, dropped
by Prof. Dake of our State University.