The Globe-republican., 1896-12-31
ing young boy poor. crippled, silver
Ia irad rnllannY old man


haired. unhappy old man.
Can I-may l look at some of the
other parcels. my poor old friend:" l
asked, hcsitatingly. for feel that per
haps it is none of my business what
share is enough for me to attend tO-a
fact which. with 4 faint smile, my
strange visitor soon cOnvinceS me of.
'NO; am not permitted to disclose
any ones failures but their own;
know huoian nature too WELL"
The last with dry little chuckle. go
devoid Of mirth that it sounded more
like q groan than something meant to
resemble laugh. Yes" he contin-
ued. as he changed his position so as
to rest his withered. crooked little legs
against book OH his right side. while
his head was supported by another, for
every moment he is growing weaker
and nearer the end; yes. l am anxious
for you to see ycu. 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 ut this time.
Poor little fellow! How my heart
cches for him. He little knows what
uneecling mOrtals he is coming to live
among. or 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 10 crown him at the
end OF the year. SO that lie may pass
out satisfied with his SOjOurn here and
be able to carry a good report into
eternity. But. alas. l 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-Gundle.' You
swOre off when first knew you, and
the spell lasted just three days. You
see. l 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 I am al
most ready to shuttle off; only one hour
more, and shall be at rest
The gray head falls lower down
upon the faintly-heaving breast, and
the weary lids close over the sunkcn
eyes, as though too tired to ever lift
again.
us there nothing-nobody that the
parting from gives me pain. you ask?
''Of. yes: There are many little chill
dren, and Il few grown-up children. a
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 are my own dear chill
(lren. and l only wish l 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 filed
with pity, remOrse and disgust for my
own miserable failures. and a mental
promise that the coming happy child
hall 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 meditatively into the fire.
Il will show you just one more" IL
his answer. in very weak voice, while
his head drOOpS lower and lower as the
moments go by. Here 1t is+yOur
promise to write every week to your
lonely old mother, who grieves and
for your letter that never
came. wondering what has happened
70 you and worrying herself half sick
,ver your long silence"
But isn't that rather a small onensc |
% make such great bundle out of"
ask. trying to find some excuse for a
'act know only too well is true.
Small! small: do you call neglect Of |
FOUR mother in any way. no matter |
how small it may sound or appear I !,
ny, do you call it q small offense:"
He fairly shrieked these words at |
ne, and was really afraid the old fel- !
0w would fall in a fit, instead of dy-
ng q natural death
do You know. young mar, that
hese are the heaviest loads that re put |
lp0n me-the things you mortals call
rifles and such things. Yes. sir! It Is
he little things that make these great
bundles for me to carry every day In
he year"
He became silent again, for his voice
nd grown 50 faint and weak that I
an eOo v,r,clv hear hear If