Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 December 1899 — THE NINETY AND NINE. [ARTICLE]

THE NINETY AND NINE.

“Come in,” to the new; and “farewell” to the old; \ Ring out—or ring off. as may hap. Connect us with one nine naught naught; we would hold A century’s talk with the chap. No* hail to the cycle as yet unattached; Not platted with figured design. But big with the years that are soon to be hatched— Good-bye to old Ninety and Nine. My good resolutions, fresh born with last year. Where are they? Where are they? Ah, where? % To bet, nor to play, nor to taste of the beer; To spend, nor to smoke, nor to swear. They have passed with the months. With the century’s sun They have set (ne’er to rise. I divine). And living to-day there is nevera one That wasted old Ninety and Nine. Shall I start a new hundred with record as new? Shall I clean everything from my slate? Shall the ciphers betoken a life pure and true? Snail I virtues galore reinstate? Alas for the faults I have nurtured so well— Alas f<r the foibles of mine— Alas! for the vices, too many to tell— Oh, darling old Ninety and Nine! • -Leslie's Weekly.