Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-12-27
4|9s.
20 e T e Y
WILL THE NEW YEAR CONE TONIGHT?

| WILL THE NEW xEAk CU&E TO.Nl6HT
| BY CORA N. EAoER.
Win the New Year come tonight. mamma
| I'm tired Of waiting so;
Ny stockings hung by the chimney-side full
| three long days ago.
I ran to peep within the door, by morning.
early light.
IT'S :empty still. Oh. say. mamma, will th'
New Year come tonight
| VIII the New Year come tonight, mamma
| the snow II on the hin, ~
The ice must be two inches thick upon tn,
meadow rill.
heard you tell papa. last night, his son mus
have sled
Il didn't mean to hear. mansma.) and a pair o
skates you said. ="
prayed for just these things. mamma; o.
shall be full of glss -. =
1 And the orphan boys in the village school vii
all be envyins me;
But I'll give them toys, and lend them books
and make their New Year glad;
For God, you say. takes back his gifts wher
little folks are bad.
And won't you let me go, mamma, upon the
New Years day,
And carry something nice and warm to poor
old widow Gray?
The New Year comes tonight, mamma-place
your cold hand on my cheek.
And raise my head little more-it seems &C
hard to speak;
You need not lfll my stocking now, cannot
go and peep;
Before to-morrow's sun is up pll be 80 sound
asleep.
shall not want the skates. mamma, I'll.never
need the sled;
But won't you give them both to Blake who
hurt nee on my head?
He used to hide my books away, and tear the
pictures. too:
But now he'll know that forgive, as then /
tried to do.
And If you please, mamma. I'd like the story
book and slate
To 60 to Frank, the drunkard's boy, you would
not let me hate;
And, dear mamma you won't forget, upon the
New Year day,
The basket full of something nice for poor old
widow Gray.
seems SO very soon.
think God didn't hear me ask for Just anoth.
er June.
know I've been a thoughtless boy, and made
you too much care;
rll leave the basket near the door, within the
garden gate.
Will the New Year come tonight mann ma ?
1t seems SO long to wait.
The New Year comes tonight. mamma, I saw
it in my sleep:
My stocking hung SO full, thought-mamma.
what makes you weep?
But it only held little shroud-a shroud and
nothing more;
An open coffin-open for me-was standing on
the floor.
1t seemed so very strange, indeed. to find such
gifts instead
or all the toys wished SO much. the story.
book and sled;
But while wondered what it meant. you came
with fearful Joy
And said: "Thou'lt find the New Year first;
God calleth thee, my boy"
It is not all q dream, ,tmamma, know it must
be true;
But have been SO bad boy God taketh me
from you?
1 don't know what papa will do when 1 am
la1Q TO rest,
And you will have no willie's head to fold up
on yeur breast.
And maybe for your sake, mamma,
He doesn't hear my prayer.
It cannot be; but you will keep the summer
flowers green,
And plant a few-don't cry, mamma-a very
few. mean,
When Pm asleep; I'd sleep so sweet beneath
the apple tree.
Where you and robin. in the morn. may come
and sing to me.
The New Year comes-good-night, mamma
81 lay me:down to sleep:
pray the Lord"-tell poor papa-"the Lord my
soul to keep;
IfI"-hOw cold it seems-how dark kiss me-
cannot see;
The New Year comes tonight, mamma. the
Old Year-dies with me.