Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-07

(Nathaniel Hawthorne, iao4-lS64, was
an American writer Of romances and
short :tSf:T Amo1g b. s searet Letter.
s"Tanglevood Tales" etc.
Last night, the last night of the old
wear. between IL and IL O'Clock, when
the Old Year was leaving her final foot-
prints on the borders OF Times empire.
aha found herself In possession OF lew
snare moments and sat down-oi al
places in the world-on the steps OF tne
CITY Hall. The Wintry moonllgnt
showed that she looked weary Of body
and sad of heart, like many another
wayfarer Of the earth.
While she thus awaited the midnight
knell that was to summon her 10 the
innumerable sisterhood Of departed years
there came q young maiden treaolng
liehtsomely on tiptoe along the street
from the direction of the railroad depot.
There was q smiling cheerfulneSs In TINS
fair maiden's face which bespoke ner
fully confident Of her kind reception
from the multitude Of people with whom
she was soon to form an acquaintance.
The New Year-for this young maiden
was no less personage-carrleo al
her goods and chattels In basket OF
no great size or weight, which nung
upon her arm. She greeted the dis
consolate OLD Year with great affection
and sat down beside her on the steps
Of the City Hall, waiting for the signal
to begin her rambles through the world.
The two were own sisters, being both
rrauddaughters of Time; and though
one looked 50 much older than the
other. it was rather owing to hardsnlps
and trouble than to age, since tnere
was but q l2-month difference between
them.
"WelI. my dear sister," said the New
Year. after the first salutations, you
look almost tired to death. WHAT nave
YOU been about during your soJourn IN
this part of Infinite Space?"
ST have opened the railroad, salo
che elder Year. land half q dozen tunes
a day YOU will hear the ball announc-
tng the arrival or departure OF the Trans.
Old Salem now wears o much LveHer
expression than when first beheld her.
strangers rumble down from Boston by
hundreds at q time. New faces throng
in Essex street. Railroad hacks ana
omnibuses rattle the pavements. There
is a perceptible increase OF oyster shops
and other establishments for the ac-
commodation of travellers.
But q more important change awaits
the venerable town. An immense accu-
mutation Of musty pre1udices wiii pc
carried on by the free circulation OF
society. A popularity OF character, OF
which the inhabitants themselves are
hardly sensible, will be rubbed down
and worn away by the attrition OF Tor
elm substances. Much OF the result
win be good: there will likewise be
few things not 30 good"
The Old Year was about TO take hef
departure. But her sister detained her
while longer by inquiring the contents
Of the huge bandbox which she was 30
laboriously Juggling along with her.
There are merely q few trifies," re-
piled the Old Year, which have pick
ed up In my rambles and am going 70
deposit in the receptacle OF things past
and forgotten. We sisterhood of Years
never carry anything really valuable out
Of the world with us. Here are patterns
of most Of the fashions which brought
into vogue and which have already out
lived their allotted term. You will sup
ply their place with others equally
ephemeral.
Here, put up in little china pots, like
rouge, Is q considerable lot of beautiful
wonen's bloom, which the disconSolate
fair ones owe me a bitter grudge for
stealing. I have likewise quantity OF
mems dark hair, instead OF which I
have left gray locks or none at all. The
mortalS who have received comfort
during the last IL months are preserved
in some dozens of essence bottles, well
corked and sealed.
IT have several bundles OF love let
tiers, eloquently breathing an eternity
Of burning passion, which grew cold
and persisted almost before the ink was
dry. Moreover here is an assortment
OF many thousand broken promises, and
other broken ware, all very light and
packed into little space. The heaviest
articles in my possession are a large
parcel Of disappointed hopes, which. 9
little while ago, were buoyant enough
to have inflated a balloon"
ST have fine lot of hopes here in my
basket" remarked the New Year
"They are a understanding flower-s
species Of rose"
They soon lose their perfume" re-
piled the somber Ole Year. What else
have you brought to insure welcome
from the discontented race of mortals!'
why, to say the truth, little Oh
nothing else" said her sister, with
smile. Save few ANIMALS and calen
dars, and some New Year gifts for thu
children. But I heartily wish well tt
poor mortals, and mean to do all car
for their improvement and happiness.
1T is a good resolution" rejoined thu
Old Year, and by the way, I have ;
plentiful assortment Of good resolutions
which have now grown SO stale ant
rusty that I am ashamed to carry then
any farther
And must I also pick up WORTHLESS
luggage in my travels?" asked the NeV
Year.
Most certainly-and, well you will b
If you have no heavier load TO bear
~%ka AVzl V1SU
sister, must bid you farewell, earnest
ly advising and exhorting you to expec
no gratitude or good will from thi
peevish, unreasonable, inconsiderate
ill-intending and worse behaving worlo
HoSRever warmly SIS inhabitants nla