Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-01-11
To tho Z" Ola Tear"
WRITTEN NEW YEARS EVE.

with solemn thoughts.
Well we remember, Old Year,
when thy young head was crowned
with fiowcr ard vcrdure in the hap
py spring time, when the glad song
Of birds awoke the morning, and gen.
tie zcphyrs Ialled the day into repose,
We lntIe guessed then what
changes thy revolving months and
weeks would bring uG, as tlon roll3dst
The curtain Of mystery aud led us
forth into nntrica paths. But we
have Travelled those paths now, Old
Year. We have walked with bls
tered feet The great E" Sahara" and
" have been led into green pastures
and by the side OF still waters,-
Thou hast crushed our fondest hopes
thou hast blighted our brightest
anticipations-- thou hast leveIed to
the ground our aircastles, and filed
our sweetest cup with disappointment
Of al! Of that happy throng that
stood with us at thy chri,tcuiag, how
many hast thou left us? Oh we lit.
tie dreamed that ere the Nec Year
beltS again rang out their glad pcals
so many happy voices would cease
to wing their silver echoes, so many
bounding footsteps be stlIed--so
many loved ones gone--gone into that
terrible silence, where no voice ever
comes back to us. Thou hast left rs
only the memory Of loving word
and happy smile; and we gather up
these lit,Ic mementoes Of a happy
past, and after we have wept over
them in the secret chambers Of the
heart, far from the lighting trosts of
time and the careless gaze of the ont.
side world, where, in secret spirit, we
may hold sweet communion, through
them with the loved ones gone be-
fore. Yet, rs We think of the weary
toll and strife think Of the ragged
paths that have torn and bruised OUR
fect--thiuk Of the thousands Of wrecks
that stftw the life coast--wc can not
monrn for these bright lights gone out
so early; Lut rather thank God, that
the pattcring feet now turned aside
are treading the EIysean fields Of
Paradise; and the aching head is
resting safely in tLe Fathers bosom
Old Year, we can scarcely tell |
whether to love or hate thee most
we think what would We
not give to strike from the book of
lto all thy pages? But from mem
,ry's silent halls arise rebuking forms.
We think of the bright gems Of
bought we have CLEANED from the
lelds of literature and art. We
hiuk Of the golden hours thou hast
gwen us for improrement--ofthe geu
.rous impulses and good resolutions
hat have been born in our hearts
II the opportunities and advantages
hat thou hast showered upon us--ot
he long twilight reyerics and CONVEX.
atlon---the moonlight strolls and TO.
nance which we so much enjoyed in
by youth. And when we think of
III these thing, it seems that it more
han recompenses us for all the sorrow
ind tears those hast brought us, aud
t possible, we would fain call thee
back to us again.
But thou ant dying Old Year.
Thou hast finished thy work ci
gave it thee. Spirit hands are wcay.
ing thy shroud, and when time has .
rnng out few more changes, thou /.
wilt be laid to rest forever. Bat ere
thou dicst Old Year, let us kiss thy .
pale lips and say, We forgive thee. F.
Let us take thy cold hand lovingly in
our own and thank thee for the
strength and grace thou hast given
us--tho lessons Of patience and humh.
,ty thou hast taught. Aud now Old
\ car, a long farewell. The life blood
IS eongealng in thy ycins---the death.
damp rests upon thy pallid BROW.
and soon Shy last lingering tootstep
will have passed down the corridor Of
time to the Isle Of the long ago, -
and we shall see thee no more until
the resurrection morn-.-when we Shall
gather up all our earthly years and
weave them into the bright chain Of
bhss. M thou art gene, and close
following thee, the New Year comes
with bounding footsteps. Bc, ere
we join the glad New Year halfclu.
iah, amid tears Of pity and rcmorse,
we lay the memorial wreath upon thY
bier, and inscribe upon tho tablet