Mower County Transcript

Oh, good companion, stand fast awhile:

We've walked together many a pleasant mile,

And I would catch thy last, faint, parting smile

And say, "Good-bye, old year."

Here at the glowing hearth let me retrace

The splendid tokens of thy fleeting grace,

Thy ever open hand and smiling face,

And say, "Good-bye, old year."

The January bells and gifts—the snow.

The flying sleigh, the skaters all aglow

The glancing eyes, the whispers soft and low—

Ah, well: good-bye, old year.

The February joys, the splendid play

The witching opera, and the ballroom gay;

The shopping, and the flirting—welladay!

Good-bye, good-bye, old year.

The pleasant sighs that came with March again,

The park's gay drive, the gallop in the lane,

The planning and the dreaming! I would fain

Live over them, old year.

But, oh, the April hours! when happy trees

Grew green with gladness in the warm south breeze

And all the birds came singing o'er the seas,

Singing of joy, old year.

The glory of May, the warm, white showers,

The orchard blooms, the golden-tinted flowers

The building nests in all the woodland bowers

What memories, old year!

And then the roses in the month of June,

The balmy freshness of the busy noon,

The silver splendor of the young spring moon—

All these were thine, old year.

As were the July skies, the scented hay.

The dreamy languors of the summer day,

The drifting boat upon the calm blue bay;

Can I forget, old year?

Or hope to hear again a song so sweet

As when, one night, with slow, consenting feet.

I walked with love among the August wheat;

Oh, love's sweet song, old year.

Its echoes haunt the shaded, scented place

where brown September met us face to face,

And crowned us with the vineyard's purple grace;

Oh, grapes! oh, love! old year!

Oh, wine, and corn, and fruit, and little sighs!

Oh, misty splendor of October skies!

Oh, Indian summer caught in lover's eyes!

Oh, sweet still days, old year!

Oh, blazing hearth! oh, home! oh, comfort rare

Of dear November with its pleasant care,

Of grateful Thanksgiving and dainty fare,

And heart of love, old year,

Thus did we dwell together, thou good year,

Till hale December brought the Christmas cheer.

Now shall we part? Old friend, there is no fear;

Thou shalt thy strength renew.

Yet ere this charmful circle pass away,

Turn the familiar face—one moment stay

While love and gratitude find space to say,

Good-bye, old year, good-bye.