Litchfield enquirer., 1852-01-15

| "O udu SNCu IL inc uaklo u AUuI MOS
toms Confessional" aud there, rs Efithfut-
" Ms came the farewell Of the old year.
| when daylight was wandering away, and
the quiet night stole over the world, would
| you find us grouped in the freight. TO-
gether with Aunt Morton in orr midst the
dearest, best, most loving cOnfessor that
granted absolution 10 maidens in their
teens can be. In childhood We had our
childish sorrows and baby joys to recount
with mature years came the hearts hissOs
~ Of care. and trinl, and womanly dnties 10
perform and while We listened TO the gems
lie admonition, or kindly advice from the
lipsws loved so we'll, the night would wine
aud receive the New Year blessing, leaving
Aunt Morton and the !" Confessional as
one does charmed presence.
] am going to tell you Of one Of these
nights histories, reader; 1t has nothing
new or s'ratling to invite your attention,
it is only the dOttings down Of q years adj.
ventures in the lives OF some loving girls.
il you are dis;nclined TO follow mn, pass It
by-if you are interested sufficiently, 60
with me to tho euti. ~A
One by one we left the hum and bug OF
converse in the great old parlor, where
aunts aud uncles. and an infniie variety
ofcousiBS always assembled at these fami>
Iy reunions, and stole out to that dim con-
:essional Aunt Morton had not yet enter-
ed, and we grouped around the ample
hearth in pleasant silence. watching the
glow Of the blaziug faggots and tracing the
fantastic images sh allowed by the freight
against the holly on the wails--as if each
one was too much occupied in communings
IL k,o 4,
stiffness.
By and by, The door softly opened, and
was again as softly closed, and Aunt Nor
toms noblc form, still unbowed by age,
came gliding quiletly forward, and occupi-
ed the old fashioned arm chair, placed flor
her in onr very midst. There was the
same Quaker like simplicity-the same
| nice precision Of manner that had won our
hearts years beforc-even 10 the folding OF
| the book muslin kerchief over the simple
olive dress all remained unchanged.
For few m ,ments Aunt MortJn's 6ue
head vas bowed upon the walnut table be-
side h err as iinploring blessing upon the
group around, then her hand rested upon the
headofa y lung gill uho SAT at Ter right our
proui qusenly city KITE. ss
. Tell US. 10 night. dear Catharine has
the year brought aught Of change 10 you?'.
| Kate was leaning lis,lessly upon her
arm and with shaded face sat half aver
ted from the rest 5; painful flush shot
over her matchless features as; she rspli-
ed in a self accusing tone !. ess fs
The year at its close brings naught to
me but sad regrets and bitter memories
regrets for time misused and gifts peryer.
ted-bitterness that mine has been y life
tins Of usefu 'eness. Hook back to night
upon year Of case aad self indulgence,
which has witnessed no struggle for the
mastery over tho frailties Of my own ma
ture, a year Of triumph and worldly plea
sure. in which have offered up no good
thought performed no good deed that
will be remembered with joy in Heaven.
have been the idol in a luxurious bow.
er. caressed and sought after whore the,
laugh and jest rang out; have mingled
in the dance and joined in the song. yet
/ have whispered no word TO the erring !:
have not stiiven to recall the wanderer.
or ministered with the might Of gentle
words and = giving hand to my frau or
furnishing sister woman. The year il
lost--is lost to me! n s.ts os s.,..,, /
Kate buried her face in her hands. and
the hot tears rainol through her slender
fingers. A tear, too. trembled IN Aunt
Morton's mild haz:l eye rs she answered
soothingly- 7.
you have written bitter things. Cath
arine dear, for the old year TO bear away
but the now year is coming in, my child !;
I the new year with its uhtried hours and
golden promises. It is not too late to
begin to live aright--not yet too late to
redeem the past. and perform wonan's
{ hottest mission that of doing good.
Then Aunt Morton pointed out clear
open pa.h for the impuisiye Kate to tread
aud while We listened to her mild rea-
J soning. we each felt that ii was good and
. probable to walk therein. s
II Theie was cequetish little being nest
d ling at Aunt hlorton's feet. the pet and
: darling Of The entire household /: her head
!, was resting on Aunt's lap. and over hel
8 snowy apron ftll shower Of bright curls
r Ike food of golden sunshine. Cousin
u Lucy was a loving lovsable Gypsy. and
: over her fresh young lace broke the most
I beautiful blush when Aunt Morton ques.
/; toned her ~
Tell us. Lucy, what has the year
d brought TO you?'.
y she folded her rosy palms together
$ and whispered. half demurely.
r : IL has brought dream to my heart,
! dear Aunt; OH the most Beau,ifuldrean'
in all tho world; il has Huttered and
!, struggled like wild bird claiming adj
B mittMncs. but it will not be gone. and
= nov | have named the pretty thing
Lovet il has opened up . new world q
my wondering gaze-a new hts mystic
and beautiful, whose birth y " the old
year that is going out. Whose duration
!. will be that Of eternity Oh idaar Aunt.
! the old year Irasss me yory happy ~,
~ \ ~