Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1896-12-31

Ills tOuA@ IVY a IVoAs SAipPAN>i. SA'NA
haired unhappy old man.
Can I-may l look at some of the
other parcels. my poor old friend?" 1
asked. hesitatingly, for feel that per-
haps it is none of my business what
others have put upon him; my own
share is enough for me to attend to-a
fact which. with faint smile, my
strange visitor soon convinccs me of.
mo; am not permitted to disclose
any ones failures but their own: l
know hu":an nature too we'll"
The last With dry little chuckle. so
devoid of mirth that it sounded more
like 4 groan than something meant to
resemble a laugh. Yes" he contin-
ucd. as lie changed his position so as
to rest his withercd. crooked little legs
ara inst book on his right side. while
his head was supported by another. for
every moment he is growing weaker
and nearer the end; Eyes. l am anxious
for you to see you: own shortcomings
before you have begun to pile them
upon the back of the new year. who
will come i'll presently, just as gay and
happy as l did last year at this time.
Poor little fellow! How my heart
:ohes for him. He little knows what
unfeelng mortals he. is coming to live
among. OF how they will promise him
such beautiful things; so many fine.
lofty ambitions; all the ships that go
sailing out Of the harbor of hope
freighted With sacred vows and plight
ed words that are to crown him at the
| end OF the year. so that he may pass
out satisfied with his sojourn here and
| be able to carry good report into
! eternity. But. alas! | fear he will
meet with the same fate that has be.
; fallen the rest. every one of us. so far.
But. see here; look at this package.
| This is labeled 'cigar-bundle-' You
| swore off when l first knew you, and
| the spell lasted just three days. You
see. had to begin with many of my
bundles the second day after my arriv-
al among YOU. ana they Increased ev-
! cry moment from that time until my
poor. aching back almost refused to
carry its burden. l am glad am al
most ready to shuttle off; only one hour
more. and l shall be at rest
The gray head falls lower down
upon the faintly-heaving breast, and
the weary lids close over the sunken
eyes. as though too tired to ever lift
again.
is there nothing--nobody that the
parting from gives me pain, you ask?
''Oh, yes! There are many little chill
dren, and few grown-up children. Il
very few of the last-named who are
so dear to me that it almost breaks my
heart when l think of leaving them.
Those who have faithfully lived up to
their vows-kept their New Years
promises. they arc my own dear chill
dren, and only wish / might take
them With me into eternity"
The tears are running down the
cheeks of the Old Year as he talks of
those he loves. and my heart is filled
with pity, remorse and disgust for my
own miserable failures, and Il mental
promise that the coming happy child
shall not carry any OF my broken prom
ises or unkept VOWS. no matter what
the struggle may cost me.
Il suppose you haven't time to show
me any more of my bundles of broken
promises have your l asked. as he
sits gazing m"aitatively into the fire.
Il will show you just one more" is
his answer, in Il very weak voice. while
his head troops lower and lower as the
moments go by. Here it is-youl
promise to write every week to your
lonely old mother, who grieves and
watches for your letter that never
came. wondering what has happened
to you and worrying herself half sick
over your long silence"
"But isn't that rather a small ofTrnsl
to make such Il great bundle ont of:''
l ask, trying to find some excuse for Il
fact know only too well IS truc.
Small! small! do you call neglect OF
your mother in any way. 10 matter
how small it may sound or appear.
say. do you call ii n small otfcnsc:"
lie fairly shrieked these words ut
me. and was really afraid the old fcl
! low would fall In n tit, instead of dy-
Ing II NATURAL death
"Do you know. young man. that
these are the lienvicst loads tia, 10 put
upon me the things you mortnls cal
triiios aud such things. Yes. sir! II Is
Tie little things TINT make these grr,:
bundles for me to carry every dny j.
the year"
| lie became silent ngrin, for his voic.
had grown WI faint and weak TINT
can sgagcely lcnr-bearIt. .....