Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-01-03

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round and presented the mystic key to Ag-
mes Thornton, who had to 90 out while he
took her place. She was told to give it to
whoever had the longest nose She present
cd 1t to her warm admirer Charlie Eck,rsall,
who, in his turn, was told by aunt Mary to
give it to whoever he thought the best dressed
person in the room. SO it went on, every
time the key changing hands, till at lcngth
aunt Mary rcappearcd and began:
why did you give the key to Agnes,
George" {"
Because she is the clavorest person in the
room"
why did you give the key to Mr.. Ecker
sail. Agnes ?''
Because he has the longest nose"
So the questions went on, and some Of the
answers were so ridiculous that bursts Of
laughter followed. 1t was decided that this
game ought to be called Compliments" "
Now came supper, and the great feature was
n large dish Of smoking sunpdrngon. The
little ones nearly burnt their mouths and flu
gers as they pulled out the hot raisins scream
ing with delight at the blue flames that
bazed SO prettly. When all had returned to
the drawing room it was very plainly to be
seen that another performance in the bay
window was yet to come Now and then Il
hand or foot could be detected behind the
curtain, or a whisper with a long "Hush :"
after 1t could be heard, which was evidently
not intended for the cars of the audience.
Presently the curtain was drawn back and 10
and behold there was old Father Christmas
standing out in n large ermine mantle his
beard of frosted tow reached to his waist, hc
had wreath Of gistcning holly round his
white head, a branch Of mistletoe in one
hand and glittering basket hung round his
neck. No one recognized Frank Thornton,
he was so completely transformed into the
well known figure long familiar in picture
books. The Soldiers Chorus from Faust"
was now played on the piano. and all. old
and young, had to 20 forward aud make Il
low bow or courtesy while Father Christina,
solemnly presented each with some gift from
nus hnsket. To one hc gave box Of sugar
plums. To another book. to another AN illu-
minated almanac, to another doll or IA
bunch of charms. The gifts were not very
valuable, but they cr, at,d "a great deal of sur
prise, excitement and Whispering The cur
tain Was now drawn again but only for few
MINUTES. Very soOn the lights were lowered,
the room was left in partial darkness, and the
curtain drawn back, this time to display two
figures; one was that of very old man
crouchiug on a heap of rags. as if he were at
his last gasp. In the foreground stood Goldie,
looking perfectly radiant His wire wings
were covered with silver-striped gauze he
had tunic of pink gauze, studded with sill
Yer stars hc had Il glitteriug bow and arrow
IN one hand his long, shining hair fell over
his shoulders like an aureole. and had one
silver star just at the top. The stars were
only made Of bright tiIfoil, but they shone
brilliantly and Mrs Thornton was not the
only one who thought that little Goldie looked
Ike Little angel. Over the crouching fig
ure was seen in dingy red letters, The Old
W ~ hill. (rpIIt.fg I..l -,
bright gilt letters, The New Year"
Every one pushed forward to get a better
view Of this dazzling appurition, and just
then Teunyhon's poem, The Death of the
Old Year" was recited 10y n voice which only
II few of the initiated knew to be that of
cousin George, who was hidden behind the
curtain. He had full deep voice and recited
well. The words, 70 familiar, but always 80
beautiful, sounded doubly appropriate Just
now, for the old year had only a few minutes
more to run:
Pull tnee-de,p lies the winters snow
Ard the Winter winds are Vearily siRhnr,
Toll ye the church bell shd and slow,
And trebd softly and speak low,
For the Old Year he's a-dyiDg.'
The crouching figure now uttered low
groan. the lights were almost extinguish,d,
radi ant Goldie advanced and shook his gilt
tering bow and arrow, while the voice pro
ceeded
His face j. growing harp and thin,
Alack! our friend Is gone.
Close up his eyer, tie up his chin.
Step from the corpse and LET him in
That staudeth there alone,
And Waiteth at the door.
There's new foot GU the fcor my friend
Aud new face Al the door, my friend,
And face at the door"
just as the last words died away the clock
struck twelve, the gas was turned on. the
church bells rang out merry peal, every
one start,d up, shook hands with whoever
stood n,ar #, and cried-"The New Year!
God bless it,"
And 50 say wc.-R,tldo Spring.