12 A NEW "Love Will YEAR'S JjJ.* BASKET ™ l ™™By jlxv FROEMCKS ROM the time I was a boy in kilts, calling on the Steeles formed S7T\ P art a "d parcel of my New Year's I (!«) day. They lived in a great stone vi ivJSy h° use across the way. Their V y windows were larger, their front door broader, and the iron pineapples on their gateposts bigger than any others in the neighborhood. I am sure about the pineapples, for Mary Steele and I meas ured them one day after a wordy battle. We used the hem of her pinafore as far as it would go, and finished the inches upon my pocket handkerchief. She was right, Their pineapples were twice the size of ours, and I admired her pretty, exultant face, as it pressed closely to see that I "played fair." She was so near that her breath blew her loose hair across my cheek. Suddenly, I snatched her close and kissed her again and again. She struggled and freed herself. Indignant tears ■were in her eyes. "\ou are a very mean boy," she said, "and I'll never speak to you again." It was a mean trick, and my cheeks flush yet when I think of it; but 1 was "only a boy," as Grandma Steele said, when she patched up the row; "and boys have im pulses, as well as girls." After that error 1 felt it my duty to become more winning and agreeable. I tried with my boy's might to keep myself neat, and corrected a dozen small faults, of which mother despaired, in order to stand well with Mary. Strive as I would, there was a lost something that could not be- re stored, and Mary's distrust of me made my self-love ache. It was only on New Year's day that she treated me with the interest I craved. Dear old New Year's days! Hove the memory of them. Though the Steele house was stately,out side, once within those hospitable doors formality was forgotten, until one met Grandma Steele. Her handsome fa<e and fine manner suggested high-breeding, and unconsciously one put forth one's best speech and conduct when in her presence. "1 SNATCHED HER CLOSE." I thought it a breach of courtesy to cough or sneeze before her, and many a heroic struggle have I had with self to avoid these spasms. Mary's mother was altogether different. She was a small, fair woman, with merry little ways, a continual laugh, and the manners of a child. The sort of a person that one must pet, and indulge, and ex cuse. My mother was also a very small ■woman, but her manner to Mrs. Steele was that of a tall woman bending to a midget. Year after year passed in pleasant, even fashion, until I reached the age of 12. Mother wakened me as usual one New Year's morning, but, contrary to her cus tom, seated herself on my bedside, and, facing me, clasped my hand in hers. "My son," said she, "you are old enough now to bear responsibility, and learn manly ways and ideas. Your father was a gentle man. He was kind, loving and tender; ever ready to defend a girl, a woman, and the right. He never drank to intoxication, and hoped his son might also be exempt from this temptation. If not, he prayed that strength might be given him to leave it entirely alone." I wondered why mother was saying this to me, when tears came in her beloved eyes, and she continued: "I am telling you this, dear lad, because you always visit the Steeles on New Year's day, and there are many young men whom you may see there—young men who drink too much, say too much, and whose man ners are not always the manners of gen tlemen." Then I understood, and putting my arms about her neck, pledged myself in the name of my dead fattier to be temperate, faith ful and true. The bells of St. Margaret's broke into a merry chime just then, and mother ran away crying: "Up, up, Jack! My son must not be a sluggard on New Year's day." The day had been dull and gray. A whitey sense of snow thrilled through tli€ •harp, wintry air, which made the warmth and comfort within intoxicating. From nine o'clock in the morning a line of callers had poured over the door-sill of the Steele house. Carriages emptied their loads ol elegant looking men at their curbstone, the tails of rich coats flourished like black wings behind the flying figures, while white satin waistcoats and light gloves gleamed in contrast as the callers rushed up the steps. Few little boys were among the guests, and my jealous heart absorbed a grain of comfort from this knowledge. I hurried frtffn my outlook, and into my hat and raglan, when mother called: "Come, Jack! It's four o'clock! Aren'l you going over to the Steeles?" When Pompey opened the door, h( showed all his double molars in astonish ment at my magnificence. I was clad ii broadcloth from shoulders to ankles, in stead of the velvet, short trousers and braid ed jacket that had fretted my masculine dignity for two years. Someonehassaid thai "a sense of being well-dressed gives one a self-possession that religion cannot be stow." . I felt this as I entered the parlor, anc caught a glimpse of M..ry. The fact, too 4hat Mar)-*« pink sash exactly matched mj necktie added warmth to the atmosphere; and made me accept Grandma Steele s for ma! kiss and Mrs. Steele's laughing greet ing: "My! 0! My! Jack, but you are a swell," as my rightful due. Mary was especially nice and glad to see me. She had two or three little tricks of speech lately that I liked, and her laugh was getting so sweet and low. Through the long parlors, under both the big prismatic chandeliers, was spread "the table," that wonderful feature of New Year's hospitality in olden New ork. It was laden with substantial* and delicacies, all beautifully arranged; and on a side table steaming coffee and chocolate, and rich punch were dispensed by Pompey, who made a capital bronze cup bearer, in color and figure, always ready to "serve de gem men." Mary and I were getting on very well. Grandma Steele had taken us to the pretty HE LAY PRCC-TRATE. table. We feasted, girl and boy fashion; I had proposed a philopena, and was about asking for one of those pink ribbons, when a party of gentlemen came in, and suddenly the air changed. In a moment it became evident they had imbibed too freely, and were too hilarious for the so ciety of ladies. Grandma Steele drew herself up very tall, proudly so. She smiled and talked, but her smile was like the frost on a window-pane, and her words were like bits of ice strik j ing the sides of a thin goblet. In a quick 1 undertone she gave Pompey to understand J the punch-bowl needed replenishing. It ! disappeared as swiftly as if he had been a ! prestidigitator; and the black conjuror for j got to bring it back. Clever Pompey! Mrs. Steele smiled and jested gayly, ex changing badinage in her light-hearted way, and looking very fair and pretty. She I rippled out a merry laugh, as one young ! man fell to his knees while making a gal | lant speech over her extended hand. Across j Grandma Steele's face came a flash of color, j She stepped quickly toward her daughter in-law, exclaiming: j "Mary! Be careful;" but she was too late. The daring young man was on his feet, and made a rush for the now fright : ened lady. lie caught her tightly in his drunken embrace, and started to run off with her. The other men were laughing helplessly, treating the matter as a huge joke. Mary groaned and covered her face with both bands, and I, in a fury of rage, dashed in front of the young man and tore open his arms with the power and ease of some mighty avenger. Mrs. Steele, thus freed, fairly flew up the stairs, her face filled with terror and distress. I stood by the newel post a second, flushed and panting; gazing down in disgust at the prostrate man. Then, as Pompey lifted the drunkard to his feet, a volley of curses, black and deep, that were intended for me, befouled the air. The memory of my morning's pledge came to my mind. I walked to the parlor, and said to the three gentlemen: "Your friend is ill. He is in his carriage. Pompey is waiting at the door. I will make ! your excuses to Mrs. Steele." j They bowed themselves out in a maudlin T HEAR the bells of midnight ringing ever sweet and clear, j \'ttffijt 'Neath the starry fields of azure whlls the earth is white with snow, j jj' '/ \ Tha wild winds bear their music ever hills and valleys far, ' / HWJmV \\ And Scho ' mon £thc dells that lie amid the snow impearl'd: ( JIM 7. lllfvH\w " seems ,0 f!oat ,loft and find * lodgment In a star { f*//;// / \ iIVX Th,t sheds 1,8 SOft 4nd radiant "* ht upon a sleeping world. jj V .'J// ! ill T THROW the casemer.t wide to hear the anthem of the bells 11. it jjll. Ju a\\ \v That ring at midnight's solemn hour to let the New Year In; I WI hi !\ 'v! I \ They breathe of happiness and peace and each glad one foretells ] I \j Wj j y j r ■ Thedawnlngof a cyclenew above the Old Year'sdln; I•' fla// Ij\V iI , Methinks J hear the footsteps cf the New Year young and strong, 'J i ivS\l I 1 v\\ \tv rad ' ,n '' '" ;s a ""'® child, he treads tha paths of night; 11 Ji;\ 111 jfc\\i l\ His scepter in his eager hand 3, his heart a living song. || Nraty'/ '" 11 C ° meS '° m "" onI wa '" n 112 by the morning's gates of light. j\ |BtK 'M \ fnE Old Year, flitting by us, leaves his foot-tracks In the snow, mS//A lilllva ' give the parting guest a smile to cheer him on his way; Aiiv/A\i7 * Methinks he stops a moment where the winter winds are low ij\\/ \ J 0 ca ' c ' l *' ,e music of the chimes that usher In the day: // f}illj\\// \WVVi\I He hears the bells at midnight and listens with a sigh, IV\ 'W The monarch old has left his throne and all his robes of state, mil fljw/jwi And onward cotries the youthful king beneath the bending sky, \fxHff 1 Eaith-welcomed by the glaesome bells, with childish heart elate. « O GOLDEN bells of midnight I the gladsome year ye bring (' ; \iKyi Is welcomed by a happy world, 13 crowned in every zone; 112 W In everr heart the chorus of the chimes is echoing, ffSffiaM \v VxvL And fills with Joy the humblest cot and aureoles the throne: 'iff/TVI/A The pilot on the vasty deep at midnight gaies far ML K\ IV <4 And hails the mystic music of the unseen blissful bells, MraE And steers his good bark homeward by the New Year's shining star, //%ss& KMm Tho while upon the distant shore the sacred pasan swells. ft BELLS that usher In the year I O chimes of love and peacel O tuneful bails that ring of change above the fleecy snow I Hearts gladsome grow and 'ncath your sway a thousand sorrows cease, As backward from some misty past come scenes cf long ago: Ring loud, O bells of midnight, that usher in the year, Tho portals of the morning fair, enwreathed, are standing wide; The Old Year drops upon the snow an unregrettsd tear. As the nations hail the New Yoar in hi 3 glory ar.d his prldj. CAMERON COUNTY PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1901. fashion; and it wa« the prouA»jt moment ol my life when Grandma Steele laid her hand on my yellow head and said, quietly: "My boy! My little protector! I thank you." Mr. Steele came in shortly after that. Grandma Steele met him at the door, and his order to Pompey, as I went home, was: "We are not. at home to-night, Pompey." That same month I went to boarding school, carrying my lady's color with me, in the shape of a pink hair ribbon Mary had worn on New Year's day. Surely, there never was a prouder knight than I. Year by year the good old custom dwin dled; killed by just such sights a« had dis gusted my young soul. The gorgeous toi lettes moderated to modest gowns. Luxu rious tables shrank to trays of cakes and wine, or cakes and coffee. Men walked, or rode in street cars, to pay their calls. Fam ily reunions began to be popular. Still I made my annual call on Mary and her mother, and grew no nearer. The stately Grandma had passed away, and Mary sometimes wore her pearl-set miniature. Then my home was desolated. My mother's death left me sad indeed. Mr. Steele was a kind friend in my trouble, and when the worst was past Mrs. Steele showed herself still merry, childlike, and young. Mary, alone, I could not fathom. 1 had been in Paris two years, and had corresponded with Mary in fraternal fash ion for more than a twelvemonth; when I suddenly wrote an impassioned letter, tell ing her of my life's love, and imploring her to be my wife. She responded briefly, and in the tone used through all her letters:"l thank you for the high compliment," she wrote, "but why not keep on in our old friendly way?" This was too much. I was hurt deeply, never answered her letter, and resolved to keep aloof, now and forever. Toward the end of December I became uneasy, and re solved togo home, or, at least, to old New York. We landed on New Year's eve, and on New Year's morning, as the bells of St. Margaret's were chiming for serv ice, I found myself opposite Mary's house, looking over at the old place, with the same old boyish interest. What a change from the old days! Every shade of every house on the block entirely covered its window, and on each bell-pull was a tiny basket fastened with a bunco of gay ribbons. I was indignant. "A nice way that," 1 argued, mentally, "to treat visitors on New Year's day." A closed houee, in deed! it should open to me! And that basket! Probably it was the gift of some fond lover, like the Mayday baskets of the olden time. Tied with Mary's favorite color, too! Yery well! I would take it down and offer her my congratulations, when I handed her the basket! So I mounted the steps and gave the bell knob a vigorous pull. Old Pompey opened the door. He knew me at once, and smiled broadly, as he said: "Miss Mary,she'll be delighted. Disvisit's so on-reglar; jes whut she likes." When Mary came, she seemed a little tremulous and confused. I remembered the basket. It had fallen to the floor. 1 pounced upon it viciously. In it lay a card: "Mr. Stewart Kingsley." "Mary," I gasped; "surely you are never going to marry the man who insulted your mother 12 years ago;" and 1 held up the card before her astonished eyes. "You silly boy," said she, and with that years vanished; we were young again. "This," shaking the basket, "is the way 1 people receive to-day. We put out our basket, and anyone who wishes may drop j his card in it." I "Then he did not send the basket?" j "Oh, no!" laughed Mary. ' "Well," said I, "what a silly fashion; to tie five yards of ribbon to one's bell-handle, ! that a friend may not pull it!" | "No. Only two yards," said Mary, i "Five," I protested, and then said: i "Come; let's measure it." So I took my | handkerchief to measure and finished | up the inches on the ribbon that hung *from her belt. This brought us very I near each other; my hand trembled, but I had gained a fine courage. A curl of | my yellow, tousled head brushed Mary's 1 cheek. She flushed prettily, and, putting her | arms about my neck, touched my lips light ly with hers. "That was a mean trick!" I cried, de lightedly, snatching my darling to my heart, "and I'll never speak to you again, unless you promise to repeat it every day of your natural life." THE WATCH NIGHT. Twa* like an old-time lovefeast—that Watch night, for It necmed That heaven was Just so near to us Its light around us streamed; Jerusalem, the golden, (lung all Its portals wide. And we felt thp shining presence of the crowned and crucified. We saw, as 'twere beneath a bright and all-revealing sky. That far-off land, o'er Jordan's strand, where our possessions lie; And heard, while all our songs of joy were thrilled and wafted o'er, A softer, sweeter music from the bright, celestial shore. The dear old songs of Zlon—the old and ever new— From praying lips and hearts that night were answered from the blue; We listened for the answer, with perfect faith, and then When one cried "Hallelujah!" soft echoes said: "Amen!" "Amen!" each face uplifted seemed all a shlne with light— The radiance of the realms that know no sorrow—neither night; Where never any blessing to Ills children He denies— When the Lord Himself shall wipe away the teardrops from their eyes. 'Twas like an old-time Lorefeast; old scenes were brought to view— We had the old-time singing, and the "old religion," too! We to'd how He had walked with us through valleys of Despair, Until at last, the dangers past, His love had led us there! And all sang "Hallelujah!" In sight of heavenly lands; 'Twas a glad shaking up of hearts, as well as shaking hands! And the Old Year died In music, ar.d the New Year dawned in light, And we passed to God's good morning from the glory of His Night! —Frank L. Stanton, in Atlanta Constitu tion. HOW JIMMIE KEPT HIS RESOLUTIONS On the first day of January Jimmie Wilson's mother said: "Well, my son, | what are your New Year's resolutions I this year?" It was evening, and Jimmie was j working on a problem in interest at i the time, for, say as much as they might about his not being neat in his j dress or his unpleasant habit of nod j ding his head when he meant "yes," | and shaking it when he meant "no," I no one could say that he was not the j leading pupil in arithmetic in Lee-s --[ town academy. Another thing that everybody had to admit was that Jim i mie was in love with his mother, but I to-night he scowled and worked on. j He heard Eva's siibdued laugh, and J without raising his eyes he saw Tom j kick Ned. He did not see his mother's face, I but he knew without looking that I pained surpris-e was written there, for I he had never been the boy to treat his j mother with disrespect. He might trip | Tom or s'trike Ned. he might even j tease Elsie or grumble when his fa | ther asked him to leave his problems j to post a letter for him or to mow the j grass on the lawn, but his mother al- I ways found him ready togo on an j errand or do the chores. By and by the figures began to act queerly. He found himself saying "nine times eight equals fifty-six," and once he discovered that he had multi plied the interest by the principal to get the rate. Determined not to give up, he tried to get his mind back to his work by adding a set of figures, three columns at a time, but he failed, and dropped to two columns; it was stil too much for him, and when he had gone to one column and had said "five and eight are—l won't talk tolifr before the others —eight and five are —they'd laugh if I did—are twelve; no, are —like as not Ned would ask me the time; pshaw! Five and eight—or else Tom would tell me to catch cold and get a crick in my neck—" he gave up and slammed book and tablet upon the table with such a bang that his mother dropped her work and Eva gave a frightened little screech that set the other boys into a roar of laugh ter. Taking advantage of the confusion, Jimmie whispered to his mother: "Come up to my room," and made his escape. He waited in the hall until his mother came out, and then he took her arm and together they went in silence up to his room. Pushing her into his own cushioned rocker, he went to a table and took from one of the drawers a little red book. Then he came and sat on the arm of her chair. Still he had not spoken, but his moth er was accustomed to his silent ways. Some people thought it queer that he should be so quiet, but when they mentioned it to his moth-r, she only smiled and called it "Jimmie's way." Opening his book well toward the back, he said: "You know I keep my school records in here and my monthly accounts and anything else that T want to have convenient to refer to. I've had it two years." He paused a moment, but his mother knew that he was warming to his sub ject, and at such a time he was siire to find the words that he needed. "Back here I have written my New Year's resolutions, and you know how I have broken every one of them. 'Jan uary 1, 1597.—1 hereby resolve to quit nodding my head and to say "yes" in stead. If I stick to it, mother will give me a new watch.* What happened?" His mother laughed, but he repeated almost fiercely: "What happened?" "Why, on the second day of January I took you to the jeweler's and showed you the kind of watch I would get you if you kept your resolution, and then I asked: 'lsn't it worth the effort?' " "And like a dunce, I nodded my head!" "So you did, and you have tried ever since to earn that watch, but it has proved too hard a battle. Neverthe less I will say: 'Try again.' " "WeH, here's January 1, IS9B. 'Once more 1 firmly resolve to quit nodding my head; moreover, I resolve not to give so much attention to arithmetic that I neglect my grammar.* What happened? Why, I nodded my head worse than ever and my year's average in grammar was one less than it was the year before." "Still, I believe that you made a de termined effort and you helped me to s«e how strongly your mind was turned toward mathematics. I think we have both been happier since," said his mother. From his elevated position on her chair arm Jimmie patted his moth er's head approvingly. "Now it comes to this year, and I know just what you want me to re solve to do. You want me first to say this: 'I am determined that the third time is the charm, and that not once during this entire year will I nod my head for vess or shake it for no.' Don't you?" "I should like it," she answered with a smile. "I should not like to have you give iip what once you have under taken to do." "Then you'd like me to add that I will be neat in my personal appear ance. Now I want to ask you a ques tion. Does being neat mean wearing a stiff collar and a white shirt and keeping my shoes blacked?" "I should think so." "Well, I can't do it." , "You can do it. You may not want to very much." "Suppose I fail?" "Try again." "Suppose Tom tells me to take a stiff neck so I can't nod?" "Don't hear him." "Yes, I will, and pound him, too." "Well?" "Why, of course, when you look at me like that I'll try if I die in the at tempt," and, taking a pencil from his pocket, lie recorded his two vows. On the following day Jimmie went down town and bought a half-dozen white shirts and as many collars. "I don't want any half-high collars, either," he said to the clerk. "I want regular chokers. Death can't come any too soon to a fellow that has to wear such things 1 . I want good points to them, too." When he appeared at dinner,hishead held high and his chin scraping the points at every movement of his head, the entire family looked the amaze ment that it did not dare to speak. Something in Jimmie's expression for bade it. With unfailing regularity, his l an swers fell: "Yes, mother," No, father," and if at times his head moved sus piciously, as if the nod or the shake were coming, he always caught him self and the words came in time to save him. Eva declared to her mother an hour later that her head and neck ached for Jimmie, and on each suc ceeding day through the week she wished for Saturday. Surelj- Jimmie would put on his old cotton shirt, for Saturday," she told ! her mother in another outburst of suf fering. "And if he does, I'll just hug 1 him. I like our sloucby old Jimmie a I hundred times better than I do this i high-collared 'Yes-Eva-ed' boy we have now." But Saturday brought, no change in Jinimie's attire, and still no one dared speak to him about it. Jimmie went to his room earlier in the evening - now than he used to do, and during the summer he spent many an hour alone in his room with his door looked. The year wore on and finally the 31st of De cember. 1599, had come and was almost gone. A party of young people had gathered at the house of the Wilsons to watch the old year out, but just be fore the clock struck 12 Jimmie touched his mother's arm, and togeth er they slipped off to his room. Going to the table drawer he took out the little book, and, opening it to the page on which he had written his resolutions, he spread it on the table and waited for the clock tostrike. When the last sound had died away he took his pencil and wrote across the page "Victory." Then he slowly re moved his high collar and threw in into his mother's lap. Standing di rectly in front of her, he said: "Mother, ask me if I am glad that 1900 has arrived." She repeated the question, and Jim mie deliberately nodded his head three times. "Now, ask me if I am going to make any more New Year's resolutions." She asked this question, and he shook his head three times, from right to left. Then he broke into a hearty laugh. "I just wanted to see if I knew how to do it,"he said. "I used to come off up here and take off my collar and rest my head and neck, but never once did I nod my head. Now, I think I can remember to say yes and no, but I've bought a box of new collars, and they are not high ones, either." He produced a box filled with the comfortable turn-over kind, and, se lecting one, put it on. Then he said: "We had better go downstairs. They have misled us. Hut don't say a word about this." "Tell me one thing more," said his mother as they started down. "How did you manage to remember not to nod your head?" Jimmie laughed again. "Oh,mj'collars always managed that for me," he said. —Chicago Daily Rec ord. Ceremony of Hand Klntlnß. On New Year's day at the Russian capital the princes of the imperial fam ily, personages of the court, function aries and servants of the palace, come in regular order to present their hom age and good wishes to the emperor, who kisses all the members of his family, and all the high officials three times, according to the Russian fash ion. People meeting in the street in Russia on New Year's kiss each other, whether acquainted or not. The fa vored ones who have been kissed by the czar are permitted to kiss the hand of the empress. The ceremony of hand kissing was suppressed for a time, but reestablished a few years ago under the reign of Alexander 111. ONE NEW YEAR'S NIGHT. A Dream That Warned Tliln Vonn| Man to Tarn from the l'dtk. »112 Sin. On (i certain New Year's night, old man stood by the window, and gazed with a long look of despair out on the immovable, forever-sparkling heavens, then down upon the white, sinless earth, whereon at that mo ment no one was so cheerless, so sleepless as he. His own grave stood near him; it was not decked with the verdure of youth, but it was covered with the snows of ages. And this old man had brought nothing with him from the rich, teeming life of the world, save errors, sins, and disease; nothing but a worn body, a rayless, desolate soul, a bosom brimming with remorse, and a frosted old age filled with regrets, writes William Masoa Turner, in New York Weekly. The glad mornings of his youth hovered around him on this cold win ter night like flitting apparitions; they carried him far back to that early, rosy dawn, when his father stood with him at the cross-roads of life—the right leading over sunny pathways into a quiet, distant land resplendent with golden harvests and white-winged angels; but the left road led down to the slums of vice, far away to a black cavern of drip ping poisons and twisting adders. Alas! the vipers hung around hi 3 breast! the poison-drops were upon his tongue! He knew where he was. His brain reeling, and while unut terable terror filled his bosom, he cried unto Heaven: "Give me, oh! give me youth again! Oh! father, place me again at the cross-roads of life that I may choose another path!" But his father, like his own youth, was of the Long Ago. He saw over the black morass a will-o'-wisp glittering hither and thither; then it' disappeared in a damp churchyard. "How like! how like my days of fol ly!" he cried. He saw a star shoot from the heav ens, and, shimmering in its fall, van ish in the darkness of earth. "Like myself!" he groaned from a. torn heart. And the serpent's tooth of remorse dug down deeper. His fiery fancy pointed to him the creep ing niglit-wanderers on the roof; and the spectral wind-mill raised its men acing arms. Then one shape remain ing in the ghastly charnel-house of | repentance and remorse, gradually j grew into his own image. | In the midst of'liis anguish, sudden j Iy the music of the New Year's night floated upon the air; and it was the j silver chiming of belfry bells. His I soul was stirred within him; he gazed j around the murky horizon, and over j the spreading earth. The memory of ! the friends of his youth came to him; i they were now honored teachers in ! the world, and the glad fathers of j children. Again he wailed out: | "Alas! like you, I, too, on this New j Year's night, could have slumbered j with tearless eyes, if I had only | chosen aright! Alas! my fond par \ ents, I, too, could be happy had I but j heeded your warnings and wishes of i the New Year's Eve!" Then before his feverish memory the heydey of his youth arose—even as in the bleak charnel-house the specter had taken his own image. * * * He could look no longer; he veiled his eyes and agonized by his sorrow a thousand hot tears streamed down his furrowed face. Comfortless and in abject misery he could only murmur: "Oh! youth, come again! Come again!" And it came again; for it was but a horrible vision of sleep which had passed before him on this cold New Year's Night. lie was still in the hey dey of his youth, and he thanked Heaven that, still young and treading the frail paths of vice, he had time to turn away to the sun-lit avenue which led to the land of harvests and happiness. Young reader, turn you with him, if you stand in the path of sin. Be warned by this dreain, for the time may arrive when you, too, may cry: "Come, oh! come again, sweet time of youth!" And it will not come. A Day for Cnnilj-Mnkiri. There is a street in Paris to which New Year's day is a whole year's fortune. This is the Ituo des Lom bards, where the wholesale confec tioners reside. For days preceding January 1 this street is blocked with wagons loaded with sweetmeats ready for shipment. There are all forms and descriptions made of sugar and hollow to hold bonbons. It is said that for sweetmeats alone SIOO,OOO is spent annually on this day in Paris. Jewelry is also sold in great quantities, for no Frenchman calls empty handed. The day is filled with exchange of visits and bonbons, and the oecasion is one of enjoyment and rejoicings. A Suxoii Sew Year's Cnxtom. Many curious customs and associa tions cluster around New Year's day. The Saxons in "ye olden tyme" used to dance around an apple tree on New Year's eve, singing a song, to insure a good crop, and bells were rung to an nounce the death of the old year and usher in the birth of the new. In other parts of England at midnight the house door facing the west was opened to let out the old year, while the door facing the cast was opened to welcome the blithe new year. Celebrate with llontircn. Bonfires of mammoth proportions are kindled on New Year's-eve in Per sia—New Year's is March 21—and peo ple dance about them. This holiday is the most important of the year and feasting lasts for ten days; every on» appears in new clothes.
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