HOW THE NEW YEAR CAME

Auckland Star, Volume 304, Issue 304, 23 December 1926, Page 6 (Supplement)

HOW THE NEW YEAR CAME

(By j. m. McGregor.)

Jill had heard ncr mother and fathei talking to their friends about the Xew Year. Though she had heard much talk of Xew Year revels, she had never managed to keep awake to see what happened. Where did the old year go when it died, and where did the new year come from? She asked Daddy about this, but he looked puzzled and said, "Ask Flip." Flip was a tiny impish fairy, and Jill's greatest friend. Xo other mortal had ever seen him, not even -lummy and Daddy, although they believed in him. Jill determined to ask Flip the important question the day before Xew Year's Eve. So when she wont to bed she called Flip very softly and he slid down a moonbeam and stood smiling at the rail of her bed. Jill lost no time in greetings but asked the burning question. But all the little fairy said was, "You wait till Xow Year's Eve," and off he liow again. How Now year's Kve dragged. Jill was just longing for night to come till she ..aw Klip again. She wont to bod very early that night and struggled bra vol v against sloop. The clock struck nine and still Flip had not come. "He must have forgotten," Jill, said to herself sadly. Very soon in spite of her struggles" she fell asleep. The hours rolled by; the old year was fast slipping away. " A quarter to twelve struck. Down the moonbeam slipped Flip. "Wake up, Jill," he said quickly "We must hurry now." In an instant Jill was out of bed wide awake. Flip took her hand, which, of course, gave her fairy power. Together they Hew out of the window and on to the" beach. The tide was ebbing, the baby waves singing soft sleepy dirges to the Old Y'car. The moon high in the sky threw a ladder of beams to the sandy shore. "They will soon be here, now," Flip said, squatting on the shore. Soon somewhere far away bells rang sweetly twelve tinkling echoing rings, and then for a second silence. "Chiming for the X'ow Year and tolling for the Old Year," Flip said. Then he whispered quickly, "It's going." Everything was very still. It was as if a cloak of blackness was spread all around them. And, indeed, so it was. For a few seconds Jill could see nothing. Everywhere was blackness and an unusual silence. Then the moon appeared with its bridge of beams; at first just pale then growing brighter till it shone with unusual brilliance.

"There he goes. Poor fellow! He ha. been a good year to mc. I an, sorry to say good-bye. But ho i. _ O i„ L , to Z-™ nor of Fairyland where u :i his brothers live. He will bo with th,m all On special festival times in Fairyland they will all come and join v*. There go the twelve Months with him. Farewell" And Flip flung him-olf on the shore. Deeply touched, two big tears trickled down Jill's cheeks. "I do wish he could stay," she said sadly. Flip rose quite cheerful again. •'X'ever mind," he said gaily, "1927 is coming and he may be even better, Be ready to welcome him." And he shouting words of welcome. Soft tinkling bells wore hoard, every minute growing louder. Thou followed merry peals of music, as if all Fairy, land was singing. The moon neerned to grow _o big that Jill thought it would hurst. Then a part of it suddenly crinkled and a piece broke off and fell into tho sea with a splash. From out the sparkling opening came the twelve Xow Months iv grand array. They wore young and life was before them, so they tripped down gaily, with never a care. After these came the New Year, laughing and singing. One moment he would try to be dignified, as he felt was becoming to him, the next minute he would forgot and laugh again. Behind these came all the spirits and elves of Fairyland. All were gay and singing their praises to the X'ow Year. Tho trees and silent housetops flung the echoes back to them. The stars twinkled merrily and flashed messages across the sky. The ripples on the shore splashed into a thousand good wishes for 1927. Every sparkle on the water reflected goodwill. Jill was all smiles again. "Isn't it lovely," she whispered. Flip nodded hi» head. Then the sky seemed to change into a soft misty light. Morning was coming. The sun was waking to pay his homage to the new year. The moon faded. The New Year and his attendants faded away, too. The waves splashed softly again. The stars were once more misty. The magic had vanished. All was quiet and still. "I must go," Flip said. "Good-bye." "Good-bye," answered Jill. "Not good-bye, but good morning," mother said, standing by the bedside, with a tray of breakfast for Jill.