Old Father Annum

Old Father Annum on New Year’s Day
Picked up his bag of months and years,
Thrust in his hand in a careless way,
And pulled a wee fellow out by the ears.
“There you are,"? said he to the waiting crowd,
“He’s as good as any I have in my pack.
I never can tell, but I hope to be proud
Of the little rascal when I come back."?