The Old Year having talked away nearly all of her little remaining breath , now closed her Book of Chronicles , and was about to take her departure . But her sister detained her awhile longer , by inquiring the contents of the huge bandbox , which she was so painfully lugging along with her . `` These are merely a few trifles , '' replied the Old Year , `` which I have picked up in my rambles , and am going to 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 I brought into vogue , and which have already lived out their allotted term . You will supply their place , with others equally ephemeral . Here , put up in little China pots , like rouge , is a considerable lot of beautiful women 's bloom , which the disconsolate fair ones owe me a bitter grudge for stealing . I have likewise a quantity of men 's dark hair , instead of which , I have left gray locks , or none at all . 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 XXXXX 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 . ''
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