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 that the whole City , with our new Mayor , and the Aldermen and Common Council at its head , would make a general rush to secure copies . INTRODUCTORY TO `` THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES '' The snow-storm lasted another day ; but what became of it afterwards , I can not possibly imagine . At any rate , it entirely cleared away , during the night ; and when the sun arose , the next morning , it shone brightly down on as bleak a tract of hill-country , here in Berkshire , as could be seen anywhere in the world . The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside . But , while waiting for breakfast , the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched peepholes with their finger-nails , and saw with vast delight that -- unless it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside , or the gray effect of the snow , intermingled with the black pine forest -- all nature was as white as a sheet . How exceedingly pleasant !
And , to make it all the better , it was cold enough XXXXX nip one 's nose short off !
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