little children wandered away quite into
forbidden paths, and it was the angel over the _left shoulder_ who
recorded her diligence.

Now the observer as she looked, felt that this was a faithful and true
record, and was to be kept to that journey's end. The strong clasps of
gold on those golden books, also impressed her with the conviction that,
when they were closed, it would only be for a future opening.

Her sympathies were warmly enlisted for the gentle traveller, and with a
beating heart she quickened her steps that she might overtake her. She
wished to tell her of the angels keeping watch above her--to entreat her
to be faithful and patient to the end--for her life's work was all
written down--every item of it--and the _results_ would be known when
those golden books should be unclasped. She wished to beg of her to
think no duty trivial which must be done, for over her right shoulder
and over her left were recording angels, who would surely take note of
all!

Eager to warn the traveller of what she had seen, she touched her. The
traveller turned, and she recognized or seemed to recognize _herself_.
Startled and alarmed she awoke in tears. The gray light of morning
struggled through the half-open shutter, the door was ajar and merry
faces were peeping in.

"Wish you a happy new year, mamma,"--"Wish you a _Happy new Year_"--"a
happy noo ear."

She returned the merry greeting most heartily. It seemed to her as if
she had entered upon a new existence. She had found her way through the
thicket in which she had been entangled, and a light was now about her
path. The _Angel over the Right Shoulder_ whom she had seen in her
dream, would bind up in his golden book her life's work, if it were but
well done. He required of her no great deeds, but faithfulness and
patience to the end of the race which was set before her. Now she could
see plainly enough, that though it was right and important for her to
cultivate her own mind and heart, it was equally right and equally
important, to meet and perform faithfully all those little household
cares and duties on which the comfort and virtue of her family depended;
for into these things the angels carefully looked--and these duties and
cares acquired a dignity from the strokes of that golden, pen--they
could not be neglected without danger.

Sad thoughts and sadder misgivings--undefined yearnings and ungratified
longings seemed to have taken their flight with the Old Year, a