T.S. Arthur conveys a message of repentance in his short story “The New Year’s Gift.” The story begins near the end of the year. As New Year’s Day approaches, Henry Foster realizes that he must return to his family, whom he has neglected and abused throughout the years. However, he doubts they are anticipating his coming with excitement.
A Dreadful Past
Six days before New Year’s Day, hired laborer Henry Foster sits in his employer’s farmhouse and listens as the mother, son, and daughter excitedly await the father’s return on Jan. 1. They can’t wait for him to come, and the mother says: “Oh! I think I never loved him so well in my life as I have since he has been away.”
Foster walks out into the cold, miserable at the thought of his own homecoming. For years, he has worked but has given less than half of his earnings to his family. He’s squandered most of the money on alcohol. Thus, he knows that his family anticipates his return with dread and anxiety.
In fact, while Foster thinks of his family, they sit in their meager home as the sun sets. Mrs. Foster has been busy all day with washing and cleaning and has just begun her sewing when their landlord abruptly barges in. The heartless man warns Mrs. Foster that if they don’t pay their bill soon, he will take their cow as payment.
The landlord’s words fill Mrs. Foster with dread, and this dread increases when her 11-year-old son, George, returns from work with his hand bandaged. He falls on her lap and begins sobbing, for he won’t be able to work until his hand has healed. Although he only makes a dollar and a half per week, this money is vital to their survival.
A Change of Mind
Emma, who is only 9, offers to take George’s place at the mill, but her mother refuses since she is too young. Nevertheless, the brave little girl is determined, so the next morning she sneaks out of the house and makes her way to the mill.
The owner of the mill sees her coming and greets her: “Bless me! little one! … Who are you, and what do you want?” She explains that she is George’s brother and that she has come to work. The owner is touched by this display of courage and love.
A little while later, Mrs. Foster sees Emma and the mill owner walking toward the house. The owner amicably presents Emma to Mrs. Foster and explains: “George shall have his dollar and a half, the same as ever, until he is able to go to work again.”
This gift is a wonderful surprise, but Mrs. Foster still fears the landlord’s threats. However, New Year’s Day promises to bring an even greater surprise.
Through this story, Arthur shows that no matter how misguided one may be, it’s never too late to change, especially on New Year’s Day. The new year presents us all with the opportunity to seek change and open our minds to repentance and a new perspective.
As Sophocles wrote in his play “Antigone”: “To err is common/ To all men, but the man who having erred/ Hugs not his errors, but repents and seeks/ The cure, is not a wastrel nor unwise.” Thus, repentance, as a change of mind and heart, grants to those who seek it not only the ability to conquer their faults but also wisdom and growth.
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