Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-01-26

mode Of expression. picturesque and
beautiful, full to the brim Of poetic
Imagery, but just as full. methinks,
gRrlands Of song. Orators have en-
bellished with 1t their great speeches.
Historians have used 1t for book
marks. as they turned the pages Of
matter -of-fact scientists have not hes
itated to use it freely, whenever and
wherever 1t suited their convenience
to do so. 1t is the expression which
marks the transition of years Ac-
cording to this expression, the Old
Year is in his dotage. He sits in the
chimney corner with bowed head
and dim. sad eye. brooding over the
things of the past, or lies upon his
bed waiting for the last throb Of the
falling pulse. which, when 1t Is fin
ished, consigns him to the grave Of
utter nothingness.
| AS the bells that ring out the death
Of the Old Year cease. their solemn
toll is replaced by the merry peal of
the New Years birth bells, and the
air is laden with their melody.
The New Year, born in midnight
darkness. Is represented as innocent
and pure
RED with blood Of youth his cheeks
were,
Soft his eyes as stars In spring time"
And as he looks around on the snow
lowered world. as he beholds the jew
eled beauty of the trees and ewes
and jutting cliffs, which Jack Frost
has decorated with such lavish gener-
osity, he clasps his little hands and
laughs; and his laugh brings forth
the sunshine. which adds still greater
luster to the scene. Bounding from
his cradle. the New Year goes for
ward. Frightening all around him,
and sending Joy to every heart.
He passes the springtime as gaily
as the new fledged birds or skipping
lambs; but like them when summer
approaches his blithesome spirits
cease their evanescent lightsomeness,
and become sober and earnest
Autumn winds blow-and the year,
young no longer, feels rheumatic pains
beginning family to lay hold upon
him. He wraps himself in a varie-
gated mantle and lets his silver
sprinkled beard and hair grow longer.
Winter is upon him, and his hair is
/ an6 no has
taken the place of his predecessor
and waits for the approaching figure
which bears the scythe and hour
glass.
Very beautiful! very poetic Is all
this! But is it true? Are all the past
years dead and laid away in apnihila-
tion's burying ground? Do years like
men, grow feeble and dotted? Do
years come like newborn infants to
be nursed in the maternal lap of
Dame Nature until they can shift for
themselves?
No! The year comes in its full
strength and goes in its full strength.
The years are capable Of taking all
their responsibility at the beginning
and bearing away, at the end. their
heaviest burden.
Let me paint the true picture Of
the years. 'Tis night. Humanity.
save for the revelers and watchers. Is
sleeping. The huge clock in the tower
is marking time in dull monotony
The owl and the night-hawk fit care
lessly under the pale beams Of the
December moon, and the winter
winds moan and groan dismally
around the homes of rich and poor.
Is 1t because the year is dying? Not
at all! He Is alive and we'll, Multi
|tudes of other creatures are dying all
over the earth: but not he.
The winds have good cause for
their moaning and groaning, for do
they not come into constant contact
with grief and sorrow. want and
crime every moment that they fly
over the snow-covered earth? It Is
for other reasons that they moan. and
not because the Old Year is dying.
What then, is to become Of him?
A New Year Is soon to take his place.
Where then will the Old Year go?
"Rehold him." says a voice: and
glancing around, / see Imagination.
with outstretched finger, pointing to
a strong, athletic form, which Is bend
ing under a loaded pack. Only a
glance we catch, ere the Old Year.
with rapid tread, has passed from our
wondering sight.
whittier goes he?" We ask.
ITO the Great Judgment Bar"
comes the answer
whats that great bundle on his
back?"
1T is the record of all the thoughts
and deeds of humanity, during the
time he has remained on earth. And
at the Great Day, when the assem-
bled multitudes shall stand before
God, he shall render his testimony
regarding every case that shall come
within his appointed field"
"Will my record be found there?
Are all the sins that 1 have done
sins Of omission and sins Of commits
sion-recorded and carried before
me to Judgment by that dreadful be-
ing?"
They are: and his record must
stand. for 1t Is true"
Look again." says Imagination.
and I see another form where the old
lyear had stood.
; Before him Is open an immense
book and over its pages flies. with
the rapidity of lightning. the pen Of
another of Gods reporters-the New
Year. | scan the page, and already
1t Is full. My name is there, and
yours: but he turns the page and I
know what the record was.
] day has passed. The volume is
full He closes 1t and opens another.
With what tremendous celebrity he