The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1909-12-23
" -y9I
The Old Year
and the New

iBnt--ninc! DO yOu hear
that?" asked the old clock in the cor
oer. Here Il is full hour nfter your
bedtime. and yet you sit there staring
into the fret"
In front OF the fire sat an old wom-
an-gray haired. wrlnkled. feeble The
voice OF the clock did not disturb her
but as she watched the ftful flames.
enc could have read her thoughts.
But it's excusable on this night"
continued the clock. in soft tones.
-HeIgho! but it's the last night OF the
I'D year! Three hours more and we
are done with 1909. You and / are
going to watch the old year out to-
gether. Let's sees How many years
have | seen come and go7 Forty-ex.
Actiy forty with this one. That's long
time, long time"
The woman rocked gently 10 and
mo. and by and by the clock suddenly
sailed out:
what tears In your eyesi Come,
aDw. but that's no way TO end the
year. We are thinking Of tte same
&ing. Yea. he was q good and loving
knsband. and III say this for both Of
yoS. that never heard an unpleasant
word between you. 1t is ie years
,since he died. could ouly look into
90 face a. he lay ON his dying bed
and IL ever heaven seat its light tn
aoad q s0ui across the dark valley Il
WAS given TO him. remember your
tears and aOans and sobs, sad you
Srayed that death might cune to you
AZ we'll"
The woman wiped her tears, and
there was a feeling Of su6ocation as
me let memory bring up the events.
Eight -uinc-ten." called the clock
after while. How time does ayl
distinctly remember striking the last
hour Of 1908. Let me see! Some one
tten went with you at that bedside.
ThVrr WAS a son and q daughter All!
NOV recall their faces-their gentle
Ways--thelr loving words. Two years
lAtter there was another death-bed.
more walls and sobs. and I saw the
Pall-bcarers as they carried the daugh-
tet's body out OF the house. II seems
as IL the last blow must crush you.
and well remember saying TO myself
uhnt II wouldn't be long before you
xcre called to 60"
The woman choked back her sobs,
And her lips moved "a IL she were
speaking the names Of her dead ones.
Eor many minutes her Yeverie was
nnbroken. and she heard not the tick
4 - a. old
dock.
mine - ten - eievex!'' suddenly
called the clock. THE son7 All! how
ki,sentminded | have becomei Well
do l remember the day a woman with
q pale face aud frightened eyes opened
the door and handed you letter.
which bore the insignia OF death. You
Opened II with trembling fingers. and
next moment you we're like one dead.
There were days and days when you
hovered between life and death, and !,
Tor my part gave up all hopes. Died
In a foreign land; buried among
strangers over the sea. Il was blow
aimed at a heart twice broken"
The woman covered her face and
moaned In anguish, and the clock con
Gnued:
Don't grieve so. the dead are at
rest foreyermore. LIES mistakes may
need Co be washed away with tears.
but the dead reaped their reward. You
are old and poor and broken, but who
Gnu tell what new friends the new
year may raise up for you? cannot
tell you to forget the past. for moth.
er's heart ever goes out for her dead
bat the new year may have more
sunshine. Come, now ! am about 10
strike the old year out and the new
gear In. Let us greet the new with a
smile OF welcome as count-ten--
saeven--twelye--a happy New Year."
The woman did not move
''Heigho!" called the clock: I'VE
and the only way 60 be helped is TO |
- helpful. and the way 10 saiR hfe Is
70 lose II Tor others, and the way 20
20 NJ Il 20 go down, for The meek
|e,Eki inherit the earth" slie that
lbleth himself shall ~ exAIted." Il
city 10 live for self. Il Is grand 10
(or frtends but tia sloslOus 70 (
49, &nl. A. - -