While she thus awaited the midnight knell6 that was to summon her to the innumerable sisterhood of departed years, there came a young maiden7 treading lightsomely on tip-toe along the street from the direction of the railroad dép?t. She was evidently a stranger, and perhaps had come to town by the evening train of cars. There was a smiling cheerfulness in this fair maiden’s face which bespoke8 her fully9 confident of a kind reception from the multitude of people with whom she was soon to form acquaintance. Her dress was rather too airy for the season, and was bedizened with fluttering ribbons and other vanities which were likely soon to be rent away by the fierce storms or to fade in the hot sunshine amid which she was to pursue her changeful course. But still she was a wonderfully pleasant-looking figure, and had so much promise and such an indescribable hopefulness in her aspect that hardly anybody could meet her without anticipating some very desirable thing — the consummation of some long-sought good — from her kind offices. A few dismal10 characters there may be here and there about the world who have so often been trifled with by young maidens11 as promising12 as she that they have now ceased to pin any faith upon the skirts of the New Year. But, for my own part, I have great faith in her, and, should I live to see fifty more such, still from each of those successive sisters I shall reckon upon receiving something that will be worth living for.
The New Year — for this young maiden was no less a personage — carried all her goods and chattels13 in a basket of no great size or weight, which hung upon her arm. She greeted the disconsolate14 Old Year with great affection, and sat down beside her on the steps of the city-hall, waiting for the signal to begin her rambles15 through the world. The two were own sisters, being both granddaughters of Time, and, though one looked so much older than the other, it was rather owing to hardships and trouble than to age, since there was but a twelvemonth’s difference between them.
“Well, my dear sister,” said the New Year, after the first salutations, “you look almost tired to death. What have you been about during your sojourn16 in this part of infinite space?”
“Oh, I have it all recorded here in my book of chronicles,” answered the Old Year, in a heavy tone. “There is nothing that would amuse you, and you will soon get sufficient knowledge of such matters from your own personal experience. It is but tiresome17 reading.”
Nevertheless, she turned over the leaves of the folio and glanced at them by the light of the moon, feeling an irresistible18 spell of interest in her own biography, although its incidents were remembered without pleasure. The volume, though she termed it her book of chronicles, seemed to be neither more nor less than the Salem Gazette for 1838; in the accuracy of which journal this sagacious Old Year had so much confidence that she deemed it needless to record her history with her own pen.
“What have you been doing in the political way?” asked the New Year.
“Why, my course here in the United States,” said the Old Year — “though perhaps I ought to blush at the confession19 — my political course, I must acknowledge, has been rather vacillatory, sometimes inclining toward the Whigs, then causing the administration party to shout for triumph, and now again uplifting what seemed the almost prostrate20 banner of the opposition21; so that historians will hardly know what to make of me in this respect. But the Loco–Focos — ”
“I do not like these party nicknames,” interrupted her sister, who seemed remarkably22 touchy23 about some points. “Perhaps we shall part in better humor if we avoid any political discussion.”
“With all my heart,” replied the Old Year, who had already been tormented24 half to death with squabbles of this kind. “I care not if the name of Whig or Tory, with their interminable brawls25 about banks and the sub-treasury, abolition26, Texas, the Florida war, and a million of other topics which you will learn soon enough for your own comfort, — I care not, I say, if no whisper of these matters ever reaches my ears again. Yet they have occupied so large a share of my attention that I scarcely know what else to tell you. There has, indeed been a curious sort of war on the Canada border, where blood has streamed in the names of liberty and patriotism27; but it must remain for some future, perhaps far-distant, year to tell whether or no those holy names have been rightfully invoked28. Nothing so much depresses me in my view of mortal affairs as to see high energies wasted and human life and happiness thrown away for ends that appear oftentimes unwise, and still oftener remain unaccomplished. But the wisest people and the best keep a steadfast29 faith that the progress of mankind is onward30 and upward, and that the toil31 and anguish32 of the path serve to wear away the imperfections of the immortal33 pilgrim, and will be felt no more when they have done their office.”
“Perhaps,” cried the hopeful New Year — “perhaps I shall see that happy day.”
“I doubt whether it be so close at hand,” answered the Old Year, gravely smiling. “You will soon grow weary of looking for that blessed consummation, and will turn for amusement — as has frequently been my own practice — to the affairs of some sober little city like this of Salem. Here we sit on the steps of the new city-hall which has been completed under my administration, and it would make you laugh to see how the game of politics of which the Capitol at Washington is the great chess-board is here played in miniature. Burning Ambition finds its fuel here; here patriotism speaks boldly in the people’s behalf and virtuous34 economy demands retrenchment35 in the emoluments36 of a lamplighter; here the aldermen range their senatorial dignity around the mayor’s chair of state and the common council feel that they have liberty in charge. In short, human weakness and strength, passion and policy, man’s tendencies, his aims and modes of pursuing them, his individual character and his character in the mass, may be studied almost as well here as on the theatre of nations, and with this great advantage — that, be the lesson ever so disastrous37, its Liliputian scope still makes the beholder38 smile.”
“Have you done much for the improvement of the city?” asked the New Year. “Judging from what little I have seen, it appears to be ancient and time-worn.”
“I have opened the railroad,” said the elder Year, “and half a dozen times a day you will hear the bell which once summoned the monks39 of a Spanish convent to their devotions announcing the arrival or departure of the cars. Old Salem now wears a much livelier expression than when I first beheld40 her. Strangers rumble41 down from Boston by hundreds at a time. New faces throng42 in Essex street. Railroad-hacks and omnibuses rattle43 over the pavements. There is a perceptible increase of oyster-shops and other establishments for the accommodation of a transitory diurnal44 multitude. But a more important change awaits the venerable town. An immense accumulation of musty prejudices will be carried off by the free circulation of society. A peculiarity45 of character of which the inhabitants themselves are hardly sensible will be rubbed down and worn away by the attrition of foreign substances. Much of the result will be good; there will likewise be a few things not so good. Whether for better or worse, there will be a probable diminution46 of the moral influence of wealth, and the sway of an aristocratic class which from an era far beyond my memory has held firmer dominion47 here than in any other New England town.”
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 a while longer by inquiring the contents of the huge bandbox which she was so painfully lugging48 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 vogue49, and which have already lived out their allotted50 term; you will supply their place with others equally ephemeral. Here, put up in little china pots, like rouge51, is a considerable lot of beautiful women’s bloom which the disconsolate fair ones owe me a bitter grudge52 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 afflicted53 mortals who have received comfort during the last twelve months are preserved in some dozens of essence-bottles well corked54 and sealed. I have several bundles of love-letters eloquently55 breathing an eternity56 of burning passion which grew cold and perished almost before the ink was dry. Moreover, here is an assortment57 of many thousand broken promises and other broken ware58, 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 inflated59 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 heartily60 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 plentiful61 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 Constable62 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 auction63 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 exhorting64 you to expect no gratitude65 nor good-will from this peevish66, unreasonable67, inconsiderate, ill-intending and worse-behaving world. However warmly its inhabitants may seem to welcome you, yet, do what you may and lavish68 on them what means of happiness you please, they will still be complaining, still craving69 what it is not in your power to give, still looking forward to some other year for the accomplishment70 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 to leave men wiser than I find them. I will offer them freely whatever good gifts Providence71 permits me to distribute, and will tell them to be thankful for what they have and humbly72 hopeful for more; and surely, if they are not absolute fools, they will condescend73 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 Year, sighing, as she uplifted her burden. “We grandchildren of Time are born to trouble. Happiness, they say, dwells in the mansions74 of eternity, but we can only lead mortals thither75 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 remorseful76 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 maidenly77 New Year, who, as the clock ceased to strike, arose from the steps of the city-hall and set out rather timorously78 on her earthly course.
“A happy New Year!” cried a watchman, eying her figure very questionably79, 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-bye!”
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 quaffed80 her health. She sighed, however, to perceive that the air was tainted81 — 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, strewing82 emblematic83 flowers on the doorstep of almost every dwelling84, which some persons will gather up and wear in their bosoms85, and others will trample86 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. Kind patrons, will not you redeem87 the pledge of the New Year?
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1
wayfarer
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| n.旅人 | |
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foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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trudging
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的现在分词形式） | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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retrospect
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| n.回顾，追溯；v.回顾，回想，追溯 | |
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knell
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| n.丧钟声；v.敲丧钟 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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bespoke
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| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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chattels
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| n.动产，奴隶( chattel的名词复数 ) | |
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disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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rambles
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| （无目的地）漫游( ramble的第三人称单数 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论 | |
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sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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touchy
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| adj.易怒的；棘手的 | |
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tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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brawls
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| 吵架，打架( brawl的名词复数 ) | |
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abolition
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| n.废除，取消 | |
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patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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invoked
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| v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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retrenchment
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| n.节省，删除 | |
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emoluments
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| n.报酬，薪水( emolument的名词复数 ) | |
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disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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beholder
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| n.观看者，旁观者 | |
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monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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41
rumble
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| n.隆隆声；吵嚷；v.隆隆响；低沉地说 | |
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throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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diurnal
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| adj.白天的，每日的 | |
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45
peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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diminution
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| n.减少；变小 | |
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47
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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48
lugging
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| 超载运转能力 | |
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Vogue
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| n.时髦，时尚；adj.流行的 | |
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allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
rouge
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| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
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grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
corked
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| adj.带木塞气味的，塞着瓶塞的v.用瓶塞塞住( cork的过去式 ) | |
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55
eloquently
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| adv. 雄辩地(有口才地, 富于表情地) | |
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56
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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57
assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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ware
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| n.(常用复数)商品，货物 | |
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59
inflated
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| adj.（价格）飞涨的；（通货）膨胀的；言过其实的；充了气的v.使充气（于轮胎、气球等）( inflate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）膨胀；（使）通货膨胀；物价上涨 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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auction
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| n.拍卖；拍卖会；vt.拍卖 | |
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64
exhorting
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| v.劝告，劝说( exhort的现在分词 ) | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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peevish
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| adj.易怒的，坏脾气的 | |
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unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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68
lavish
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| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
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craving
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| n.渴望,热望 | |
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accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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71
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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72
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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73
condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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74
mansions
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| n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) | |
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75
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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76
remorseful
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| adj.悔恨的 | |
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77
maidenly
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| adj. 像处女的, 谨慎的, 稳静的 | |
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78
timorously
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| adv.胆怯地，羞怯地 | |
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79
questionably
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| adv.可疑地；不真实地；有问题地 | |
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80
quaffed
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| v.痛饮( quaff的过去式和过去分词 )；畅饮；大口大口将…喝干；一饮而尽 | |
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81
tainted
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| adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
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82
strewing
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| v.撒在…上( strew的现在分词 )；散落于；点缀；撒满 | |
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83
emblematic
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| adj.象征的，可当标志的；象征性 | |
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84
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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85
bosoms
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| 胸部( bosom的名词复数 )； 胸怀； 女衣胸部（或胸襟）； 和爱护自己的人在一起的情形 | |
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86
trample
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| vt.踩，践踏；无视，伤害，侵犯 | |
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87
redeem
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| v.买回，赎回，挽回，恢复，履行（诺言等） | |
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