Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-01-12

with an expression of scorn, and satir-
ical smile is on his lips.
"What not married yetp' he says.
"Still single? Still on your preferment?
l am the Old Year; when | was born,
365 days ago, you made VOW that, ere
the time came for me to die, you would
no longer be living in single-blessed-
ness; one hour alone remains of my
life, and your vow is untitled. How is
this? Are you quite sure you have tried
every means in your power to obtain a
husband ?"
! endeavored to speak, but my tongue
refused to obey my desire; l cannot
stir-my strength is gone.
The Old Year laughs mockingly-
"What No answer? No excuse p
Well, well, l must call in those who
will speak for you, and tell you the true
reasons for your repeated matrimonial
failures. Winter Father Winter ~
A rush of cold air fills the room, and
snow flakes fall thick and fast, as hale
old man appears at the foot of the bed ;
he is clad in glittering white garment
a chaplet of holly and mistletoe is on his
hoary head, and icicles are intermingled
with his beard.
'"Te!l me, my friend, what is your
opinion of this LADY," says the Old
Year, pointing his finger at me. "Why
did she not obtain a husband during
your reign over the earth ~
Without moments pause shrill
voice exclaims, because she bestowed
all her time and her attention on her
outu0rd appearance, in total forgetful-
ness of inaoard WORTH and the hoary-
headed man has disappeared as quickly
as he came, the snow flakes cease to fall
and the air is no longer cold. Again
mocking laugh issues from the lips of
the occupant of the bed, and again he
calls aloud
"Spring! come hither, thou beauti-
full, but treacherous maiden
A piercing wind passes through the
room, followed by cloud of dust, and
then lovely girl glided before me, ar
rayed in bright green robe adorned
with clusters of violets and snow drops
traces Of tears are on her cheeks, but
smiles play round her mouth; in her
hand is spray of hawthorn, and cir
die, resembling rainbow in colors, en-
circles her waist
"This lady has arrived at the mature
age of thirty-fve, and, in spite of her
anxiety to become wife, she is still
SINGLE" observes the Old Year, with a
malicious glance at me. "Can you give
her any advice on the. subject, lovely
maiden ?-and hints respecting her fu-
ture behavior?"
at does not always answer to hang
out false colors," is the ready reply.
"Deceit, vanity, and frivolity are not
the most attractive qualities in the
world, neither are they calculated to
produce happiness in the state matrimo-
nial," and with a graceful inclination of
her head, the beautiful girl retreats !;
the wind blows no longer, and the cloud
of dust is dispersed.
"Worse and worse" murmurs the
Old Year. "Small wonder it is you
have been unable to keep your vow
but l must not delay. Summer, art
thou near?'
A blaze of sunlight almost dazzles
me; the heat is intense; l feel faint
and sick, but | cannot move or speak.
a lady, in the meridian of life, is
standing by the bedside; her dress is
celestial blue, adorned with festoons of
the gayest flowers, which fill the air
with their sweet perfume her golden
hair falls about her like veil, and is
occasionally the resting place for some
of the numerous butterflies which hover
around.
"Fair Dame, what obstacles beset the
path of this aspirant to matrimony ?"
demands my tormentor, in tone of
mock solemnity. "The chief object of
her life is to change her name, but mo-
body comes to WOO Surely hers is
hard fate 2"
ga hard fate - repeats the lady,
"say rather, a just recompense, a nat
ural consequence Who would be fool
ish enough TO choose gaudy, Haunting,
artificial flower, in preference to
blushing rose or modest lily Is not the
smallest real pearl of greater value than
the largest false diamond? Who would
desire to wed wife whose attractions
were owing to the arts Of skillful toi-
let, and who considered fashion and
personal appearance of more Importance
than aught besides? Real beauty is on
ly skin deep;' what, then, shall be
said of that which is feigned I have
done Fare-ye-well !" and the lady and
the sunshine are gone in moment.
"There is but one more witness
against you," says the Departing Year,
in feebler voice-only one more; my
minutes are numbered, my breath is
failing fast. Autumn, come quickly, or
1t will be-too late"
l hear a rustling sound, dead leaves
are falling on every side, and in the
midst is a middle-aged man, attired in
suit of reddish brown, and holding a
basket of the choicest fruit in his hand.
"Tell me" !" gasps the Expiring Year,
"why the hand of-of this lady-was
not sought i'm NOTWITHSTANDING
your lifetime. Quick !. | shall soon
be gone soon-soon ~
''There are many men in the world
who care little or nothing for beauty
is the immediate answer, Sand who
would gladly wed wife of plain, un-