Good-Bye, Old Year!

Northern Advocate, 10 January 1939, Page 2

Good-Bye, Old Year!

(Sent in by Valerie Menzies, 10 Graham Street, Whangarei. Age 15) It was as I was walking , down the old road one very moonlight night. ' At the end of the road were three little lanes .and as I went Closer I saw • thriee persons advancing. Ofte an old bent man with a, very wrinkled face and white scraggy hair, and beard; the second was also an Old man with white scraggy hair and beard. Over one shoulder he had a scythe while in one hand he held a ,lantern; the third was a young fairheaded lad who came skipping and ‘dancing down the lane. He was laughing all the while. Not wishing to be seen by any of •the tfio When they met, I stepped behind a : bush where I could see easily and hear what they said. “Once agfiiri,” I heard Father Time say, for it was he who had the scythe. “Once again I must say good-bye to another friend and greet a new one.” He was addressing the other two persons—Old Year and New Year. .; “Please, Father Time,” begged Old Year. “Please let me stay ,just a little while longer.

Father Time shook his head sadly. “I am very sorry to make you go,” he said. “Very? sorry. But it must h 6 so.” All this time the fair-headed lad had been , standing by listening.. He .stepped forward and touched Father Time lightly on the arm. *T am quite Willing to let him carry on,” he said eagerly. “No!” said Father Time, “it cannot be. Old Year must go.” “New Year looked sadly at Old Year. Just then the clocks in the nearby town chimed twelve. There was a loud noise of ringing bells and the cheering of people, as soon as the chimes stepped. “Doesn’t seem as though I’m wanted to stay,” said Old Year, half wistfully and half sadly. He gave One - longing look towards the town and then disappeared. Father Time put his hand on New Year’s shoulder. “Go and continue your father’s good work,” he said, and then both disappeared from my sight. “.Perhaps,” I said to myself as I walked slowly home, “Perhaps I would rather have Old Year, for I know not what New Year holds for me.” —Original.