The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-12-26

~ HERE were Richard and Paul
G and Ruth and Mamma and
A goodness me, 1 all but forgot it
~ this mysterious thing which
rownups call a New Year Resolu-
ion. Now the brothers and sisters
mo Mamma were sitting in the big
living room on the afternoon of Jan
larry list when the New Year Resolu-
ion had to pop In and spoil their
ovely party, as you shall see later on.
Not that New Resolution is any
hing you can touch, or smell, or taste,
r hear, or see-for you can't But,
omehow, it has a mysterious and
host uncomfortable way of bobbing
p around the first of the New Year
nd worrying people, little and grown
p, just lots.
Richard himself really had no idea
. was going to ask such question
Wo seconds before he did; it Just
opped out of his mouth-and, as they
by, the ball was started rolling.
Mamma he asked, what is New
lear Resolution"
plve," she explained, mot to do a
britain thing one has been in the habit
doing, or to do a thing one has not
cen in the habit of doing-from the
rst day of the New Year right on
hrough to the very last day of that
ear. I'm afraid that Is about the best
kplanation can give-is it too big
br such little ears?''
"Oh no." said Richard promptly for,
nee he was in the fifth grade, he
ute prided himself upon being able
understand "grown-up talk" as he
allied it.
But Paul was still little in doubt
Do you mean, Mamma" he asked,
hat you say you're going to do some
hing, or you're not going to do 1t
inland then you-you stick to what
bu've said? ?"
Exactly" laughed Mamma. I'm
ct Paul, believe your definition is
fally better than the one I gave"
AS for Ruth, why she knitted her
tile brows together and cupped her
hinty chin in her chubby hand and
[ought-and thought-and thought.
Fesently she looked up. ooh, see!'
le cried. IF Paul says he won't pull
y hair any-not at all-this year, is
lat-?"
Exactly" said Mamma again, and
It'll an even heartier laugh, exactly
provided Paul sticks to what he
US. The moment he forgets, how
Ter, and pulls your hair then it is
longer a New Year Resolution; or,
Their, it is broken one. Which,
as, my dears, is the kind most of
ar, haf ;e.
ry old. People, you know, find it
Their easy to make such resolutions.
1T very, very hard to keep them!"
"Humh! I don't see WHY" said
chard scornfully II bet you If I
hde New Year Resolution I could
Fep i'll don't see anything hard in
att"
"Weli," suggested Mamma, Sup
SO you resolve not to use the words
bet you from tomorrow clear on
rough the year, every day, until the
st of the next new year? Do you
ink you could keep that, Richard ?
by, goodness me. you've told me
Rny times that you would remember
t to use those horrid words-and an
ur later you say them without hest
tion!"
Richard hung his head and made
reply.
''It is easy, oh so easy to make
en-" Mamma continued, but so
I'd to keep them. Now I dare say
tie Ruth, here, might resolve most
hcerely not to bite her finger-nails
ring the coming year. But, bless us,
have rather feeling that before
wv Years Day is over those fingers
hers will have been popped into
mouth--and she'd declare she
int know how they got there!"
Paul snickered.
and Paul"-Mamma turned and
tied him on the shoulder-"why
ul might make resolution not to
ter the front door without first wip-