Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-15


n NesU Years. Story.
BY RUTH McHpsRy STUART.
Copyright 1894, by Bachelor, Johnson &
Bacheller.)
CONTINUED from April IL.
II Innocent curiosity and love OF fun
had carried many to the New Year
handshaking three years before,
more serious interest, not unmixed with
curiosity still, swelled the party to-
night.
It was mile out Of town. The night
was stormy, the roads were heavy and
most of the wagons without cover, but
the festive spirit is impervious to
weather the world over. and there were
umbrellas in Simpkinsville, and over
coats and 'tarpaulins.
Everybody went. Even certain per-
sons who had not previously been able
to master their personal animosities
sufficiently to resolve to present them
selves for the midnight handshaking,
and had decided to nurse their griev-
ances for another year, promptly de-
cided to bury their little hatchets, and
Join the party.
To storm a citadel of sorrow, whether
the issue should prove victory for
Ibesiegers or besieged, was no slight
lure to a people whose excitements
were few, and whose interests were
1imited to the personal happenings of
their small community.
It is a crime in the provincial code
social to excuse oneself from a guest.
ITO deny a full and cordial reception
Ito all the town would be to ostracise
loneself forever, not only from its So
|ciety but from all its sympathies.
The weak-hearted hostess rallied all
her failing energies for the emergency.
And there was no lack Of friendliness
I'm her pale old face as she greeted her
most unwelcome guests with extended
hands.
II her thin cheeks flushed family as
her neighbors' happy daughters passed
before her in game or dance, her So
llicitous observers, not suspecting the
pain at her heart, whispered: "Mis'
Meredith is chirpin' up already. She
looks a heap better n when we come
in" So little did they understand.
! II mirth and numbers be a test. the
lold year party at the Merediths' was
Iassuredly success.
Human emotions swing as pendulums
from tears to laughter Those of the
guests tonight who had declared that
they knew they would burst out crying
ms soon as they entered that house
were the oneswho laughed the loudest
"Spinning the plate" "dumb-cram-
,"'pillow," show, when and where"
such were the innocent games that
composed the simple diversions of the
evening, varied by music by the village
string band and occasional songs from
the girls, all to end with Virginia
breakdown just before twelve o'clock
when the handshaking fun should
commence.
1t seemed very merry party and yet,
in speaking Of it afterward, there were
many who declared that it was the
saddest evening they had ever spent in
their lives Some even affirming that
they had been Obliged to set up an
giggle the live-long time to keep from
cryin' every time they looked at Mis-
Meredith"
Whether this were true, or only
seemed to be true in the light of sub
sequent events, it would be hard to
say. Certain it was, however, that the
note that rose above the storm and
f1oated out the lighted windows was a
note OF joyous merrymaking. Such
was the note that greeted certain
slowly moving wagon, whose heavily
clogged wheels turned into the Mere
diths' gate near midnight. The be-
lated guest was evidently one entirely
familiar with the premises, for, not
withstanding the darkness Of the night,
the ponderous wheels turned accurate
ly into the curve beyond the magnolia
tree, moved slowly but surely along
the drive up to the door, and stopped
with hesitation exactly opposite the
landing" well-nigh invisible tonight.
After the ending of the final dance,
during the very last moments of the
closing year, there was always at the
old year party an interval of silence.
The old men held their watches in
their hands, and the young people
spoke in whispers.
1t was this last waiting interval that
In years passed the old man Prophet
had filled with portent, even though,
until his last prophecy, his words had
been lightly spoken.
AS the scrowd sat waiting tonight,
watching the hands of the old clocL
,a-..>