The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-01-07
M farslII reotts.
From Biackroods MGgasiae.
NEW YEARS MIGHT.
FROM THE GERMAN.
CHI ].

Old Catharine, the watchmans wife, at nine
o. clock on New Years Eve, opened her little win
dow, and put out her head to see if it was fair
The snow was falling in silent, heavy flakes up
on the street. She observed crowds of people hur-
rying to and fro, pouring out Of the various inns
and coffee houses, and going TO the dances and 9TH
err entertainments with which it is customary TO
welcome in the year. But when huge flake OF
two had lighted on her nose she drew back her
head, closed the window and said TO her good man,
"Gotllieb, stay a, home and let Philip watch for
YOU tonight; for the snow will be u foot deep ere
long, and you know the cold does your old bones
no good The streets will be alive all hight
There seems dancing and leasng in every house.
Nasqueraders are gong about, aud Philip will en-
JOY tho fun,
Old Gouieb nodded his assent.
"Nly barometer he SAID, the old wound above
my knee, has given me warning all day OF change
of weather. II is on y right that the son should
help me in the duty, since he is 10 be my success
scr in it,
We must give the reader TO understand, that old
Golteh had been gallant servant of his king and
country; had been the first 10 mount the wall of II
hostile fort, and had received muskct bullet in the
thigh, The officer who commanded the attack
gained rank aud honorS IN consequence of lis sue
ess-whe Goltllcb was fam TO creep homewards
on pair of crutches. After supporting hnseIby
keeping school he had been promoted to the post
of Waterman, with the IeverslOn Of 1t 10 his son
Philip, who had in the mean time bound himself
TO gardner. 1t was only the good housewllcry
ofCaheIno and the extreme moderation Of old
Golleb, that enabled them to live on the scanty
pltance they possessed. Philip gave his services
the gardener for his DO ard and lodging, and had
hat h,,n lie ,nI .hnnb o
carried home flowers to the rich people Of the
town. lie was fresh handsome young fellow,
Of five and twenty; and perhaps it was on accoun,
of his good looks, as well as his taking manners,
that he received sundry extra dollars from ladies OF
botanical turn of mind. The good old mother
bad already put on her conck 10 90 tolhe, gardner
house to fetch her son, when he entered the little
apartment.
Father said the young man, giving hand
each TO the old couple, - Is showing, and the snow
won't do much good to your rheumatism. I'll
take the watch tonight, and you can get comfort
ably to bed
You're good boy said old Gottlieb.
'And then I've been thinking, continued Philip,
that rs Tomorrow is Ncw-ycars' day, may cone
and spend with you. Mother Perhaps his no
Joint in the harder, and so---
no, interrupted the mother, we've not exactly
any iuu, Gpt then wc have the rest OF that pound
Of yenson; aud that let me tell you, win roast Eo-
latues for relish, and little rice (wilh laurel
leaves, by way of an ornument,) viii make very
comfortable meal. Next week wc may do better,
for the New-ycar's gifts will be coming in and Got
t,ieb's share will be something; but sill, ycnIson,
roast potatoes, rice
Not to mention Iaurel-eayes, mother
and flask or ,wo Of beer, will be entertain
ment tit Tor a prince
And so it will, dear mother said Philip; 'but
have YOU paid the rent Of cottage yeti:
Old GOltIieb shrugged his shoulders,
Philip laid purse upon the table.
"rhere ure two and twenty dollars that have
gathered. can do very well without them; take
Them for New-years gift, and then we can all en-
ter on new year without debt or care. God
grant you may both be happy in this year, and see
many more For everything else we must trust 10
the goodness of lleaven!'
Tears came into the mothers eyes as she kissed
her son old Goticb said solcmny; philip You
are the prop and stay Of our old age. God will re-
wardIyou. Continued to be honest and good, and TO
love YOUR parents; SO will blessing rest on you.
can give you nothing for II Ncw-year's gift, but II
pra,e that you may keep your heart pure and
iruc-then Won will be rich enough-lor clear
conscience Is the only wealth worth having.
So said old Go,lIieb, with his hand on the head
of Philip, who had bent down 10 receive his bessy
ing; and then he wrote down in an accouni-book
that Law by his side, the sum Of two and twent-
dollars that his son had given him.
AN the cost your keep and education is now
nearly paid up. Your saving amount to three
hundred and seventeen dollars, for which | have
given YOU my receipt
.Tbree hundred and seventeen dollars cried the
old mother, in the extremity OF amazement-and
then turning 10 Philip with n voice full of tender
ness, 'Ah, Philip said she, You grIere me-
Yes, indeed YOU do YOU had saved that mon
cy for YOURSELF you might have bought some land
with, it and started as gardner on your own ac-
count, and married Rose. Now that is impossble.
But take comfort Philip: we are old and feeble,
and you will not have TO support us long
| Mother, exclaimed Philip: and he iIowned a
lue-.what are you thinking of: Rose is dear
| to me as my life, but | would give upa hundred
Roses rather that TO desert you and my flther or
wish your lives shortened by an hour
you are RICH, Philip said Gotteb; slowing and
marrying ure not in the commnndmcnts-but to
honor your father and mother is duty enJoined
on you BY God TO give up your own wishes to
YOUR parents is the trucst gratitude OF son. II
will gain you the blessing from aboye-it will
make YOU rich in your own heart.
If it were only not too long for Rose 10 wait,
said Catherine. sadly; 'or if you could give up me
engagement altogether! For Rose is pretty gIrl,
that can't be denied; and though she be poor there
wouId be no want of wuoers. She is as good as
beautiful, and understands housekeeping as well
u.s.
Never fear, mother, replied Philip; 'Rose has
soen.niy sworn TO marry no man bu, me-and that
il sufficient. Her mother has nothing TO object to
me. And if I had money enough 10 keep w'lc
with. Rose would be mine Tomorrow The only
hardship is, that her mother will not let us meet
20 often as we wish. She says frequent meetings
do no good bni | differ from her, and so does
Rose-lor wethink meeting often does us both a
yreot deal of good Aud SO we have agreed TO
NEE, to night at the great door of ST. Gregory $
cburcl-for Rose is bringing in the year at a irleds
house in the neighborhOod; and then will take
her home
In the midst Of such conversation the clock
struck three quarters and Philip took his fathers
great roat from the warm corner where Ca'houn'