Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-01-01
MISCELLANY.
Ffoa. nc Doiiar NJ sgaper
4 Glance at The. Old Year;
AUNT moRroNss CONFESSION.
=
ny isAcEL AFnFIw0nn !

The old year was passing quietly away !;
the farewell hours were gliding swiftly on
ward, fike the dying throbs Of mighty
hearti each tremulous pulsation betokened
tie years dissolution, aud told that the
stroug mSn was about to Pass away and be
gathered with the great brotherhood Of
years, whose histories are among the records
of Eternity.
The old year with. its joys and grievances
Its gladness and grief--its blessed memo
ries and bitter regrets; how like am old
friend does it seem to extend kindly hand
at parting mingling blessing with its a
dieu- whispering Il word Of advice for the
welcome We shall bestow upon the new
friendswho$e step is already on the threshold
w+thopt DR., perhaps, breathing in our ear
the warning word that will bid us dwell wiser
and happier in the future, than We have in
the past
Il was, then, the last night Of the old
year l84-ra bright moonlight in the world
without, and scarcely less brilliant and en-
liyening in the little world within We had
come up to Aunt Morton's noble old farm
fortnight before, TO spend the merry holt
days as joyous band of nephews, nieccs.
and care for nothing cousins, as ever cen RE-
gated IN. tho cheerful halls Of pleasant old
homestead From our very Ioyhood that
had beer second home to some score of us;
for more than half century Aunt Morton
had dwelt on in tAe same quiet old place
where she was born, and as family ties we're
discovered, and brothers aud sisters success
siyely departed for other abodes. leaving her
sole occupant and possessor of the old dwell
ling, she gathered around her group of
youth aud iilarlEy lived over again her own
young years.
Escaped from paFontal control, and the
restrictions Of careful guardians, we were
all privileged while et the homestead 70 be
as Wild aud wiIful as We. pleased and-.a al
though Aunt Morton was 10 some matters
stries discipliharian, our merriment was
usually allowed tozfow unrestrained, without
the fear Of graui bling uncle, or the dread
Of an after lecture from mamma. Dear
Aunt Morton that must have been a reyer-
antfal love with which we all looked up to
her They had given her the old name Of
old maid old maid, forsooth We used to
wish if She, so full of loving thoughts aad
gentle feelings, were specimen of the sis
terhood. that half the world were numbered
among its members. 7
There was cheerful, cog apartment IN
the homestead to which some dozen of the
Young girls through all our lives had as if
by commencement, annually resorted We
had given it the name of Aunt Morton 5
Confessional" and there, as faithfully as
camezthe farewell Of the old year, when cay
light was. waning away, aud the quiet night
stole over the world, could you find US
grouped in the freight, togetleS with Aunt
Morton in our midst; the dearest, best,
most loving confessor that eyer granted alb
solution to mailens penitenta s maldeng in
/ their teens can be. La childhood VIC had our
childish sorrows and baby joys to recount
| with maturer years came the hearts history
Of care, aud trial, and womanly duties Il
| perform and while We listened TO the gentle
/ admonition, or kindly advice from the lip
! we loved SO we'll the night would wan,
away, and, hqlf regretfuAy, we would risS
and receive the New Year blessing, leaving
Aunt N ofton and the Confessional as on
Y does 4 charmed presence
am going 10 tell you of one Of thas
nights Histories. reader it has nothing
new or startling to invite your attention,
4 is only the dotfirgs down Of years adyen
4 lures, in the lives Of some loving girls;
i vcuare disineliued TO follow me, pass it by
i If you are interested sufficiently, go.with M
to fhc end
/ It bad been gar, happy week With Us
i tie last dag Of cur visit was drawing e
Iclose, pnd somethiug perhaps Of sadnes
lsdawnedin our hearts, even amid the helida.
festivities, as ne thought Of the morrow
\ parail,S. Of the going back to our seycra
i 6sncs, Of the division that must ereepin be
twecn those who had been for many day
4 dwelIers beneath one roof. and thoughts 3
j the changes, too, that might, nay, localities
/ ecozk4 ensure, ere We mct at the heart
next year. One b. oneawe left the haa
and buz Of converse in the great old parlol
where annts and uncles, and an ihlinit
variety Of cousins always assembled at thes
fs,nily reunions, and stole cut 70 that dir
confession. Aunt Morton had not yet 81
tsFsa, AID re grouped around the amp
/ hearth IA pleasant silence watching g
j glow Of The aazing faggets:Fsnd tracing q
fantastic fluages, slsaaowea bg the iiEeAgi
asaiass tie tie holly on I'll ! vall--as il sae
one vas too much occapied IN eommnaIns
With Esg own heart to break the unpsa'
Stiffness
By.aal-bv. she door softly opened, Al
as again Is sofslT closed, and Aunt 9io
tan,s node form. still unbewed by age, can
plisiisg auietly forward. aud occupied 4
Ed FASHIONED arm chair. placed for her
our very midst There was the same Qu
kerslike sirnpiicitY-the same nice precisis
& saauuer that had won our hearts yea
before-even 10 the folding cf the bee