I will offer them freely whatever good gifts Providence permits me to distribute , and will tell them to be thankful for what they have , and humbly hopeful for more ; and surely , if they are not absolute fools , they will condescend to be happy , and will allow me to be a happy Year . For my happiness must depend on them . '' `` Alas for you , then , my poor sister ! '' said the Old fear , sighing , as she uplifted her burden . `` We grand-children of Time are born to trouble . Happiness , they say , dwells in the mansions of Eternity ; but we can only lead mortals thither , step by step , with reluctant murmurings , and ourselves must perish on the threshold . But hark ! my task is done . '' The clock in the tall steeple of Dr. Emerson 's church struck twelve ; there was a response from Dr. Flint 's , in the opposite quarter of the city ; and while the strokes were yet dropping into the air , the Old Year either flitted or faded away ; and not the wisdom and might of Angels , to say nothing of the remorseful yearnings of the millions who had used her ill , could have prevailed with that departed Year to return one step . But she , in the company of Time and all her kindred , must hereafter hold a reckoning with Mankind . So shall it be , likewise , with the maidenly New Year , who , as the clock ceased to strike , arose from the steps of the City Hall , and set out rather timorously on her earthly course . `` A happy New Year ! '' cried a watchman , eying her figure very questionably , but without the least suspicion that he was addressing the New Year in person . `` Thank you kindly ! '' said the New Year ; and she gave the watchman one of the roses of hope from her basket . `` May this flower keep a sweet smell , long after I have bidden you good by . '' Then she stepped on more briskly through the silent streets ; and such as were awake at the moment , heard her footfall , and said , `` The New Year is come ! '' Wherever there was a knot of midnight roisterers , they quaffed her health . She sighed , however , to perceive that the air was tainted -- as the atmosphere of this world must continually be -- with the dying breaths of mortals who had lingered just long enough for her to bury them . But there were millions left alive , to rejoice at her coming ; and so she pursued her way with confidence , strewing emblematic flowers on the doorstep of almost every dwelling , which some persons will gather up and wear in their bosoms , and others will trample under foot .
The Carrier Boy can only say further , that , early this morning , she filled his basket with New Year 's Addresses , assuring him XXXXX the whole City , with our new Mayor , and the Aldermen and Common Council at its head , would make a general rush to secure copies .
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