The tears of widows and other afflicted mortals who have received comfort during the last twelve months are preserved in some dozens of essence-bottles well corked and sealed . I have several bundles of love-letters eloquently breathing an eternity of burning passion which grew cold and perished 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 a little while ago were buoyant enough to have inflated Mr. Lauriat 's balloon . '' `` I have a fine lot of hopes here in my basket , '' remarked the New Year . `` They are a sweet-smelling flower -- a species of rose . '' `` They soon lose their perfume , '' replied the sombre Old Year . `` What else have you brought to insure a welcome from the discontented race of mortals ? '' `` Why , to say the truth , little or nothing else , '' said her sister , with a smile , `` save a few new Annuals and almanacs , and some New Year 's gifts for the children . But I heartily wish well to poor mortals , and mean to do all I can for their improvement and happiness . '' `` It is a good resolution , '' rejoined the Old Year . `` And , by the way , I have a plentiful assortment of good resolutions which have now grown so stale and musty that I am ashamed to carry them any farther . Only for fear that the city authorities would send Constable Mansfield with a warrant after me , I should toss them into the street at once . Many other matters go to make up the contents of my bandbox , but the whole lot would not fetch a single bid even at an auction of worn-out furniture ; and as they are worth nothing either to you or anybody else , I need not trouble you with a longer catalogue . '' `` And must I also pick up such worthless luggage in my travels ? '' asked the New Year . `` Most certainly , and well if you have no heavier load to bear , '' replied the other . `` And now , my dear sister , I must bid you farewell , earnestly advising and exhorting you to expect no gratitude nor good-will from this peevish , unreasonable , inconsiderate , ill-intending and worse-behaving world . However warmly its inhabitants may seem to welcome you , yet , do what you may and lavish on them what means of happiness you please , they will still be complaining , still craving what it is not in your power to give , still looking forward to some other year for the accomplishment of projects which ought never to have been formed , and which , if successful , would only provide new occasions of discontent . If these ridiculous people ever see anything tolerable in you , it will be after you are gone for ever . ''
`` But I , '' cried the fresh-hearted New Year -- `` I shall try XXXXX leave men wiser than I find them .
after at before by for if of on that to