Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1917 — Old Year’s Party [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Old Year’s Party

By Marguerite Hope

It was New Year’s eve and a thin old man with a Wizened face was sitting by tlij fireplace. At first sight you would have said that he was rather a disagreeable old chap, but on closer inspection you found out that he had very bright eyes and quite a humorous smile round his mouth. It was surprising that Old Year was feeling rather sad. It was his last night on the dear old Earth. The next morning, long before it was daylight, he must fly away in a big snowstorm, and New Year, all fresh and rosy and splendid, would take his place. Old Year wasn’t the least afraid of what the future might bring, only he

felt a little sad about saying “good-by” to his friends, and a tiny bit Jealous about New Year’s arrival. As he sat there musing a pretty little snow flower dropped on the floor at his feet. “You beautiful thing!” he cried. “Where did you come from?” As he spoke the flower expanded,

throwing Its petals all over the floor, and a little man stepped out. He was white from head to foot. “Bless me! If you aren’t Brother January!” said the old man. “What brings you to visit me? It’s only the thirty-first of December.” “But I’m last January,” said the little fellow. Old Year laughed. “Of course you are. You came In my waistcoat pocket and popped out before the others —they were afraid of the cold.” “Oh! glad you haven’t quite forgotten me. Now listen, Old Year, we Months have a great scheme for tonight. We're going to feast you In the Ice Palace on Time Mountain. We shall all be there, the whole lot of us, and you too.” “You’re vfry kind,” said Old Year, "but really I’m so tired I’d rather sit here and dream away my last hours.”,> “Now, don’t talk like that. Old Year, the party can’t take place If you don’t come. How can we Months hold together without you?” Old Year smiled. “All right,” he said, “I’ll come, but all my clothes are worn out.” “Another excuse,” cried January. “Come along, they’re all waiting. Besides, there’s a surnrlse outside.” Old Year startei at the word “surprise,” and then he strode out of the house with January on his shoulders. Now although he had lived every minute of the year there was one thing that Old Year had never done — he had never flown in an airplane. So imagine his astonishment when he saw a great white biplane covered with sliver frost outside his door. A gay, breezy little fellow, whom he recognized as March, sat in the pilot’s seat. He wore silver goggles and looked every inch an aviator. Old Year and January got In behind the pilot, and soon the great silvery bird was soaring up into the cold, starry night. Thqy passed over cities and villages, lakes and forests, and everywhere Old Year noticed preparations for the coming of his successor. “They’d be surprised if they knew where I was now,” he thought. And then he gave up his spirit to the joy of the flight. Finally Time Mountain came in sight, and as they approached they saw a dazzling sight. The whole mountain was blazing with light, and the trees shone as their boughs radiated electricity. When the airplane came into view a great cry of joy was heard, and a

chorus of happy voices cried: “Hurrah! for Old Year!” March executed a wonderful volplane and softly the Sliver Bird settled to earth at the foot of the mountain.. Thousands of little people rushed to greet the Old Year. These were the Minutes and the Seconds. They were dressed in red, sparkling

with electricity, and they talked very fast. Old Year patted them kindly with his big hands. They flew round him very quickly, and in some magic way Old Year was carried to the top of the mountain. There Ije saw a wonderful ice palace and over the door was written in huge letters “In Honor of Old Year.” Accompanied by the Minutes and seconds Old Year entered the palace, and in the great bright hall he saw 12 of his dearest friends, the Months. Very beautiful they looked in artistic groups about the halL January, February and March were standing together in a miniature park, with a lake in the middle of it; they

wore winter dresses and February was Jn skating costume. April and May were sitting on a grass bank. April was dressed like a beautiful Bloodroot, In a pure white dress, with yellow .stars in her hair, and she wore shoes and stockings of a blood rod color. May was lovely; she looked like daffodllls on a moss bank, and tiny streams trickled off her dress. June was a glorious mass of roses and green leaves. She fluttered with pleasure as Old Year approached her, and threw a rose at him crying: “In memory of the happy morning when you hade me live.” July was resplendent and Old Year felt warm all through when he got near to her. “Beautiful summer month,” he murmured, “is this the last time I’ll feel you?” As he said this May let one of her little streams trickle down —she was crying for the Old Year. August wore a sailor costume and smelled of blue grass. September and

October were a mass of colors. It wasn’t very long since Old Year had visited them, so they were quite familiar with him. October tossed some her pretty leaves into his face. This was h£r way of kissing. November looke d hale an d iearty, and Detember, in snowy robe, carried a

Christmas tree over his shoulder. After exchanging kindly greetings with the whole company, Old Year stepped up to June and asked her to open the ball with him. For reply she strewed him with her petals, and then such a dance began as never was seen before. The Minutes flew In by the windows, and the Seconds jumped out of the cracks in the ice floor. Everyone was giddy with joy and excitement, and Old Year,who a few hours before was meditating by the lire, now danced till even lively June began to weary. Then he took sweet April In his arms and the little red feet and legs positively twinkled round the hall. March executed a wild dance with October, and blew so hard that bits of his partner’s dress were strewn over the floor. At half past eleven some of the Minutes screamed out that supper was served, and Old Year and his friends flew to take their last meal together. Every imaginable dainty was on the table and the dancing had made the revelers hungry. The Minutes and Seconds ate like lightning, and then one after another,

t hey fell asleep round the table. They would never wake again, but their short Ilves had been very happy. Then the' Months began to get sleepy, and Old Year too. He sank into a big chair and tired June fell into his. arms and slept cozily in their embrace. At last December and Old Year were the

only ones awake. Then the clock struck midnight, and they closed their eyes and slept, too. At this moment some beautiful snowflakes flew in through the windows. They formed themselves into a kind of blanket and wrapped Old Year tenderly ifi its folds. Just as they were going to cover up his face a pale blue spirit floated over him and kissed his sleeping brow. It was the Spirit of New Year kissing the Spirit of Old Year.