A CHILD'S PUZZLES.
Reading edition
BY MRS. MARGARET E. SANGSTER.
Pray where do the Old Years go, mamma, When their work is over and done? Does somebody tuck them away to sleep, Quite out of the sight of the sun? Or, perhaps, are they shut into crystal jars And set away on a shelf In a beautiful closet behind the stars, Each Year in a place by itself? Was there ever a Year that made a mistake, And staid when its time was o'er, Till it had to hurry its poor old feet, When the New Year knocked at the door? I wish you a happy New Year, mamma— I am sure new things are nice— And this one comes with a merry face, And plenty of snow and ice. But I only wish I had kept awake Till the Old Year made his bow, For what he said when the clock struck twelve I never shall find out now. Do you think he was tired and glad to rest? Do you think that he said good-by, Or melted away alone in the dark, Without so much as a sigh? Do I bother you now? Must I run away? Why, that's what you always say; The New Year's just the same as the Old; I might as well go and play. Oh, look at those sparrows so pert and spry! They are waiting to get their crumbs. For the New Year's sake they shall have some cake, And I hope they'll fight for the plums.