. ,4 ^(^ B5 
 
 
 -Mr 
 
 'I'lmii' vS 
 
 
 04^^ 
 
1 
 
BLOSSOMS. 
 
 A Book Of Poems. 
 
 BY 
 
 Mis3 Nellie E.Adams. 
 
 <5,Y 
 
 OF I 
 
 ?^^ 
 
 o SEP 2(5 1885 ' 
 
 rviit.\sn%v BT 
 E.A. KAH.VRL. KXKTER. N. H. 
 
Entered Mcordiof to act of Confrosg, in the jesr 188S, 
 by E. A. Kaharl, in the office of the Librftrian of Congress, 
 at Washinj^B. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Grandmother's Spinning Wheel 1 
 
 The Elm Tree's Story 2 
 
 Now and Then 3 
 
 j'wo Wrecks 4 
 
 Lines on the Seveuty-Iirst Birthday of A. D. Hatch 5 
 
 Happy New Year . . . . , 5 
 
 The Pastor's Silver Wedding 6 
 
 Heralds of Spring - • 7 
 
 Come 8 
 
 When my S'aip Comes In 8 
 
 Where has tlie Sunshine Gone? 9 
 
 After Many Days 9 
 
 The Old Man's Farewell 10 
 
 Farevrell and Greeting • H 
 
 Down by the Sea, Cheer Up 12 
 
 Out of the Ranks, On Duty again 13 
 
 Whom I Call Friend 14 
 
 () Give Me Sleep 15 
 
 Willie 1*> 
 
 A Farewell to the Class of ISSo, R. F. S 17 
 
 A Requicu), 188.";, (U .S. Grant), The Debt is Paid 18 
 
 Twilight rhoughts. Our Gifts 19 
 
 The Old Willow Cradle '20 
 
 In Memorian, 1882, (Bertha M. Collins), Echoes '21 
 
 Every Day 22 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 At the request of friends this little volume is introduced 
 to the public. Poems which have before appeared in print 
 have been collected, but the ^eater part were written ex- 
 pressly for this volume. It is hoped you will be charitable 
 in your criticisms, for youth an«l inexperience seems to call 
 for forbearance. Blossoms has, I trust, been rightly 
 njimed; and, in the future, when riper^years, richer experi- 
 ences, and a broader c«lture shall have been obtained, may 
 you behold the full blooms. 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
( 1 ) 
 
 (i landniotticv's Spinning- Wheel. 
 
 J v:is gearching in the garret, one misty, rainy day, 
 Passing 'mid the chests and boxes the lonely hours a- 
 
 ■\\ay, 
 Finding rare and ancient treasures of the days of yore, 
 ^Vllich would nevermore ])e needed,— nevermore. 
 I sal there sadly tliinking of the by-gone, 'youthful 
 
 years, 
 That were as full of pleasure as the present was of 
 
 tears, 
 When, in a distant corner, Grandma's spinning wheel 
 
 I spied, 
 Tilany years it had stood there, ever since the day she 
 
 died. 
 Oh the many recollections that came thronging to me 
 
 then, 
 Ai 1 thought of vanished pictures, of times that on(?e 
 
 had been, 
 I wandered back to childhood's artless, happy days, 
 Ere I knew pain or sorrov/ or the world's deceitful 
 
 ways. 
 Once more I heard the stories told by grandma, as she 
 
 spun, 
 And across the broad, white floor saw the golden sun- 
 
 b'>ams run. 
 Cut a time camejwhen forever ceaced the wheel's loud 
 
 hum. 
 And the voice that told the stones, was in death forever 
 
 dumb. 
 AVhen the wrinkled, trembling hands that ne'er lay iu 
 
 idle rest, 
 AVere folded white as marble, on u cold and pulseless 
 
 breast ; 
 We missed the dear old grandma when her form was 
 
 laid away. 
 And our sorrow, it was almost too deep for us to pray 
 And when, back to the homestead, I came from o'er the 
 
 sea, 
 I found no one waiting here, no one to welcome me; 
 For all familiar faces Avere hidden 'neath the sod. 
 While their spirits had ascended to their home with 
 
 God. 
 I a n growing older, grayer, as the days glide slowly 
 
 And the time comes soon or late when I too nmst die. 
 And, like me, this spinning-wheel is growing older, day 
 
 by day. 
 It I'll keep, a sacred treasure, till we both to dust 
 
 decay. 
 
^ -i ) 
 
 The Elm 'i'l-ee's Stoiy 
 
 I watcli iTo.n my simj;- corner the t-umhiji" ami [jioiug of 
 
 men, 
 Some in their youthful vigor, otheis wreck? of what 
 
 has been ; 
 Merry children with their school-books, daily passing 
 
 to and fro, 
 Happy, care-free, knowing nothing of the future's weal 
 
 or woe. 
 I have watched the little ones grow old and worn and 
 
 And seen the long procession l)ear their forms to rest 
 
 away. 
 Some, when grown to nol>le manhood, wearied of their 
 
 childhood's home, 
 Followed by sincere regretting, to other parts did 
 
 roam. 
 ^Menioiy now her flight is winging backward some 
 
 seven years and more. 
 Ever green 1 hold the remembrance , of those happy 
 
 days of yore ; 
 Then the children pLiyed about me at the closing ot" 
 
 the day, 
 Or s:it and told their stinles when w earied w itli their 
 
 play. 
 Oh 1 loved, I loved the children, so aitless and lull of 
 
 glory, 
 And two there were amor.g them, whom, I i.iared to think 
 
 loved me. 
 One was brown-eyed and diiiipkd, and her heart was 
 
 warm and true. 
 The other was less comely, fair-haired witl» eyes of 
 
 blue. 
 Oh merry little maidens, ye loved eadi other long, 
 When one cast aside the mortal, did the old love seem 
 
 less .strong':' 
 Seven years ago 1 watched you standing yonder by th<' 
 
 gate. 
 Heeding not the gathering darkness, knowiiig. not the 
 
 hour was late. 
 Did something whisper to you of the life ere you 
 
 Avould nieety 
 iilue-eyes, must ott grow \\eary, but brownie's little 
 
 feet 
 Soon crossed the deep, dark river, bounding the other 
 
 shore 
 And was safe from sin and sorrow. i)ain and death 
 forevermore. ■ 
 
( 3 ) 
 
 Blue-eyes standing 'ueath me saw them bear her mate 
 
 away, 
 And all her soul within her grew dark as the sunless 
 
 , day ; 
 Then back to the world she turned her childhood forev- 
 er o'er, 
 Life never again to be the same as it had been before. 
 And ever, thro' all of the onward way, a dear, laughing 
 
 face that is gone, 
 And a chubby, dimpled hand, now still, are beckoning 
 
 blue-eyes on; 
 Beckoning her on to higher paths, a crown of glorv 
 
 to win, 
 Beckoning her to where at last, there \^ill be uo parting:, 
 
 no death, no sin. 
 And now I have finished my story, I must say to you 
 
 good-bye, 
 And when, felled by some ruthless hand, on the green 
 
 earth dead 1 lie. 
 Perhaps some one will mourn for the old friend gone at 
 
 last, 
 Perhaps some one will drop a tear in memory of the 
 
 past. 
 
 Now and Then. 
 
 Now the working and the waiting 
 For a time which does not come ; 
 Then will come the joyful reaping, 
 Gathering of the harve;^t home. 
 
 Now the longing and the weeping 
 For those we see here no more ; 
 Tiien the rapture of the greeting 
 On heaven's sinless, happy shore. 
 
 Now the grief sin briiigeth to us. 
 And the struggling for a life; 
 Then each shadow swiftly fadeth. 
 For in heaven there is no strife. 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 Two Wrecks. 
 
 The sea moanerl, swelling heavily 
 Under a gloomy sky, 
 
 While the seething, white c.tpped breakers. 
 Tossed their briny foam on high. 
 
 And the ship, that sailed at daybreak 
 Out from the Harbor bar, 
 Beneath a sunny heaven. 
 Floating proudly stripe and star, 
 
 Was being widely driven. 
 Like a bird, before the gale. 
 Her anchor lost in the sea-flood, 
 And torn each suowy sail. 
 
 Before the arching rainbow. 
 Told that the storm was o'er, 
 She sank beneath the billows 
 To rise, to rise no more. 
 
 Out in the gathering darkness. 
 Out in the wind and the sleet. 
 With face upturned to a pitiless sky, 
 Lay a body in the street. 
 
 The wreck of a once proud manhood, 
 Of a life that promised fair, 
 Ox loves, and hopes, and ambitions. 
 The end of all lay there. 
 
 Somebody kis^-o 1 t'lat bloated face. 
 When it was young and fair ; 
 SoniaDne cui-led round a baby head 
 Those ringlets of sunny hair. 
 
 Somebody thought of the comfort and prid( 
 He would be in the after years ; 
 Somebody sank into the grave 
 In bitter woe and teirs. 
 
 And now it is left with'y^u to decide, 
 For each and all of you can, 
 Which do you think was the sadder wreck, 
 That of the ship or the man? 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 Line? on tbc Sevcnfy-first Rirthcliiy of Col. A. 1). Hatch. 
 
 Scveiity-i)iio ye.ir.s on this broad earth, 
 'rasting life's bitter and its sweet; 
 Finding the patli that upward leads, 
 Oltentinies thoiny to I lie leet. 
 iiising by thine own inward strength, 
 True to thy country thro" good an-i iil, 
 ^Vhen called by her in peace and war, 
 i'osts of honor and trust to liil. 
 r.eaping reward for the years of youth, 
 t?i ent in making a place and name; 
 Finding that toil from dawn to dark, 
 Is the only w ay to fame. 
 Passing not by thy brother man, 
 As if thou wei t of a better race, 
 Dut re idling down a kindly hand, 
 And helping him to a higner place. 
 And as a tribute ru thy worth, 
 Accept this little song, 
 Yvom one wdio knows there,s need in life 
 Of a purpose true and strong. 
 Hoping the years now seventy-one, 
 May lengthen to many more, 
 .V..i I the l)read c.i.^t on ear. lily waters, 
 iieturn on the other shore. 
 
 Happy New Year. 
 
 "Happy New Year ' we've been wishing 
 
 ']'<> all friends we chanced to meet; 
 
 Whether by the cosy tii-eside, 
 
 ( ;r ui)on the crowded street. 
 
 Sometimes we tlie words have uttere I 
 
 \\ ith an undertone of fear; 
 
 !• caring some will be called hisrher, 
 
 Ere the closing of the year. 
 
 Knowing hot the joys and sorroAvs 
 
 ^\ hich may each of us befall; 
 
 Yet should we press on with courage, 
 
 l''or the Father knows them all. 
 
 Lovingly let's do our duty. 
 
 Then we need to have no fear, 
 
 I.ut our wishes may be fulfilled 
 
 Jn the newly-opened year. 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 T'.ie P.i8tor's Silver Wedding-. 
 
 Written for the Silver Wedding of Eev. and Mr;-. J. N. 
 Ch ise, 3e..t-mber 12, ISS!. 
 
 Here in t'.iese pleasant rooms to-night. 
 tTa":ing on each familiar face. 
 Manv bearing the impress of year-, 
 M.ijy fair with a youtif .il grace. 
 
 Let 'IS glance at the lights and shad^ •• 
 Of the swiftly vanished years; 
 Years into which <iod's blessings 
 Have brought moi-e siniles than tears. 
 
 Yos it is twenty-tivc years ;igo. 
 Since the marriage vow was said. 
 And two hearts looked to the f^itarc, 
 AVith a faith unmixed with di-ead. 
 
 There came a lovely MAV-llower, 
 Budding in old Deepriver ; 
 Anl she Ming arou id by it^ sweet life, 
 A fragrai)C3 to last forever. 
 
 B it one de ir little bahy-bu'l, 
 The only blighted one. 
 G y\ t >ok h ^m"^ to bloo-n above, 
 Its brief earth-life was done. 
 
 Am 1 then came a double blcs ;iit;.v 
 Of both a Will and a Wav ; 
 Au 1 m ly eacii Will for right je strong. 
 i*ie:i?aut and plain each Way. 
 
 Looking into the future Mdth longing eyes, 
 Our studious Emma we see; 
 Waiting for what the years will bring. 
 Wondering if she too will a schoolmarm be. 
 
 La3t, but ii)t least, co.aes little John, 
 PaLlenlly plodding his upward way, 
 Knowing though long, it leads at last 
 Up to eternal day. 
 
 Now the home ties are all complete, 
 Audlhe golden link ^f love. 
 Binds the hearts of those below. 
 To the little one above. 
 
 Twelve years of sowing and reaping, 
 
 Have they >peut with us, our pastoi- and wire, 
 
 Sympathizing with us in joys and in rorrows. 
 
 May God"s richest blessings attend them through life. 
 
< 7) 
 
 Forever may love, and joy, and peace, 
 Light round their paths be shedding; 
 And may we gather at the golden, 
 As at the silver wedding. 
 
 And now , dear friends, we ofter 
 Unto you, these tokens of silver; 
 With a prayer that peace and plenty 
 May he yours now and ever. 
 
 Hta-alds of Spring. 
 
 Winter with its snowy robes, spotless and fair to see. 
 Has fled, and the welcome springtime is not forgotten 
 
 hy thee. 
 Oh tiny sparrow and robin, bluebird and thrush and 
 
 wren, 
 And, musical heralds of sprirgtinie, we joyfully greet 
 
 you again. 
 Gone is the mourning time of nature, when thy welcome 
 
 not«=s were still ; 
 Now Spiing for thee doi.s her newest robes, and laughs 
 
 in each rippling rill. 
 Little 1 umblc, brov n-backed sparrow, you are with us 
 
 in storm and sun. 
 And your mission in cheerirg life's gloomy hours is 
 
 surely a glorious one. 
 There are birds of brighter plumage, there are those of 
 
 sweeter song. 
 Than these which trill their carols, our hills and vales a- 
 
 mong. 
 Kut the merciful Father who watcheth fiom his high 
 
 throne_above, 
 'ITirows round the smallest and humblest his protecting 
 
 arms of love. 
 'Neath milder suns the mocking-l ird's song deceiveth 
 
 the foolish an I wise. 
 And the rainbow hues are reflected in the birds of para- 
 dise; 
 But to us our feathered warbler's one only song of 
 
 praise. 
 Is very grateful and cheering after the silent days. 
 And we learn from the birds a lesson it is well for us to 
 
 know, 
 A lesson of trusting and praising while in this life be- 
 low; 
 As not even thetbe tiniest birdie doth unrainded fall, 
 For the Father who createth, loveth and careth for all. 
 
( 8) 
 
 Come. 
 
 "Come to nie all ye that labor, 
 All who in siu's paths do roam ; 
 Why, oh why, will you wait longer? 
 Just as you are, just now, come home. 
 
 On the earth for you I suffered, 
 With my blood your pardon bought; 
 "Twas for love, that I might save you, 
 Shall it have been done for nought? 
 
 You have tried to serve two masters. 
 This, you find, you cannot do ; 
 Choose this night whom you tvill live for, 
 Come, oh come, I wait for you." 
 
 Thus with me the Savior pleaded. 
 How could I resist the call? 
 I was weary with my doubting. 
 And I jnelded to him all. 
 
 Cast myself, in all my weakness, 
 At the foot of his dear cross,* 
 Counting all these years of striving. 
 With their gain, as bitter loss. 
 
 Finding peace, and love, and sunshine, 
 Where but conflicts raged so long ; 
 All my darkness changed to brightness. 
 All my sighing into song. 
 
 When My Ship^ Comes In. 
 
 I will see that wrongs are righted, 
 
 Hopes fulfilled, which now are blighted, 
 
 Worth be known, which none have sighted^ 
 
 When my ship comes in. 
 
 I will lighten hearts now weary, 
 
 I will brighten lives now deary. 
 Hearts and lives with sorrow weary. 
 When my ship comes in. 
 
 Help to raise a fallen brother. 
 
 Scorned, neglected, by another. 
 Show how one may aid the other 
 When my ship comes in. 
 
(») 
 
 \Vli('re has the Sunshine Gone. 
 
 The sky was oloudy, and snow had been fidlitia;, 
 Piling in tleecv drifts all the morn, 
 And the little one at the window whispered, 
 " 'Ellie, where has the snnshire gone? 
 S'i)ose it has gone so far away from us 
 'i'iiat it will never come back any more?" 
 Thus the girlie plied me with questions, 
 All she ould find in childish lore. 
 
 Then I explained that the sun was shining, 
 Clouds \\cre hiding it Irom our sight. 
 How it would burst forth in glorious beauty 
 (iilding the earth wiLh the golden light. 
 She seemed not quite to comprehend it. 
 And looked at me in a puzzled way, 
 '•Doesn't fink I undersands it, 
 Hut I believes it, what 'ou say." 
 
 We, who are older, are slow in believing, 
 
 VVheif we are balHed, and weary with strife. 
 
 That behind the clouds God's sunshine's streauung, 
 
 Ke;idy to scatter the shadows of life. 
 
 And so in all the darkened places. 
 
 With doubting, our hearts are rife, 
 
 And the cry swells up from tye soui's deep fountains, 
 
 "Where has gone the sunshine of life?" 
 
 After Many Days. 
 
 ''Cast thy bread upon the waters," 
 
 Thus we in the scriptures read ; 
 There's deep meaning in this portion 
 
 Of the olden preacher's creed. 
 "For it shall return unto you," 
 
 Though its ''After many days;" 
 This, niethinks, he WTOte for comfort. 
 
 As we tread life's devioTis ways, 
 For it often may seem to us. 
 
 As we sow in fearfulness, 
 That no after-harvest cometh. 
 
 No reward our toil will bless. 
 But take courage, all ye toilers. 
 
 "Cast thy bread," on all life's ways; 
 The reward is surely coming, 
 
 Though its "After many days.'' 
 
(10) 
 
 The Old Mail*? Farewell. 
 
 "Good evem'n": Pir,gr«ori evf-tiiiij'r, 
 
 ^s .you arp ijoii g uujiv, 
 
 1 th(»ii.v:ht Id coine and s*"" ym. 
 
 As 1 have sornetliinp^ <> J«ay. 
 
 "i ou'vc hpeii a jiiKni tiiond to nie. 
 
 Ai>d to many a oiio ho-i'l'', 
 
 For your liii d h« art ^r-' ble.se you, 
 
 And think of you with i.iide. 
 
 J' any, ys n)ai]y,o-<.ve .v«!U 
 
 / d' bt they can uoyoy repay, 
 
 J'ut the niijj;l!ty (iod wili ble>s you. 
 
 .*• nd we blepp you trday. 
 
 ] sper.-k for those yo<i liave rescued 
 
 F'OMi death and In m desj ai , 
 
 For the .«inilfs you've broughtjto faces 
 
 ■\^^orn vith toil and care. 
 
 And, sir, your hearty 'Gopd morning.*' 
 
 JTn?: pfone with tis 'ike a soncT, 
 
 And ve hf!ve been happier lor it, 
 
 Happier all the day lonpr. 
 
 ^Iayl)e you liave thought so"ietime^, 
 
 J hat your kindness no jiiatitude knew. 
 
 l;ut, sir. our deepest feelintrs, 
 
 Are knoAvn to verv few. 
 
 Never think that I pray yon. 
 
 Over and ovei- again ; 
 
 Your kindly deeds are living, 
 
 They v ere not sjicnt in vain, 
 lieuiember there are many lieart', 
 
 Hearts tliat are warm and true, 
 
 Holding many a kindly thought, 
 
 And irratPlul love for yon. 
 
 ]5ut I must be going no\r sir- 
 
 'J'he hour is groM ing hit*-. 
 
 And now, I would in parting. 
 
 Simply and briefly state, 
 
 Act ept an old man's blessing, 
 
 "J'is all I have to give, 
 
 And my prayers shall ever follow you 
 
 .lust as long as we live. 
 
 J.'emembe one heart is beating 
 
 lu gratofiilnes? to you; 
 
 A hfar»- that never chauges, 
 
 Hut to friends is "ver true. 
 
 And may the Father prosper you. 
 
 And shield you in the strife, 
 
 Giving to you and your loved ones, 
 
 A long and happy life. 
 
 ^ 
 
( 11 ; 
 
 Farewell and Greeting. 
 
 Good-bye old year, swiftly passing, 
 O'er thy dying couch we bend. 
 Thrice in tliy dulfear, we utter 
 Our farewells, as to a friend. 
 
 Thou hast broughtnus inany'blessiugs, 
 Much to cheer us in the strife ; 
 And hast weaved into the picture 
 Shadows with the lights of life. 
 
 Thou hast taken from us hours, 
 Which can never be redeemed ; 
 We have lost the threads of chances, 
 Hoi)e5 of Avhich we long had dreamed. 
 
 And the thought that we might better 
 Have per ormed our part gives pain; 
 Knowing what we've lost will never 
 Come to gladden us again. 
 
 An 1 gazing from oui- windows. 
 
 On thr* softly falling snow, 
 
 We tluuk of fair, swee^ fai^es, 
 
 "Xcah thn white-robed earth laid low, 
 
 \V1ilch th'xi, old year, dids't take from us, 
 'M'dst thy sunshine, leaf, and bloom: 
 Oil th-^ light that witli them vanished, 
 Qu'^nrh d w! h'n the darkened tomb. 
 
 Si •"•o bid thee farewell, old year. 
 With thy freight of hope and fear. 
 Looking [' >!• a brighter record 
 In the swiftly uearing vcar. 
 
 Mappy new yc^arlglad we greet thee. 
 Young th'm art, and free from care; 
 VI! unspotted is thy record. 
 Would it might e'er be as fair. 
 
 ^ nd with God's help w'e'll endeavor 
 To be nobler than before. 
 .S'live that there be less regretting 
 When thy work, at last, is o'er. 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 Down 1)V tl.f S( 
 
 1 
 
 Down bj' the briny coean, I'owr on ihc diinii g Ptrnr.d, 
 Where gaiety and confus'on greet one on every liand, 
 On a gray rock I sit nnising. at the setting of the pun. 
 r sit alone, uiiheedina: the hours that pa-s, one by om». 
 Behind me are the niarshps,<;before the glittering frniidp. 
 And beyond is the billowy ocean, bounded by punny land?. 
 Over yonder islands lie like gems on Athmtic's breji^t, 
 And one of them the sailor loves ni n-e than all the I'c?' • 
 The night queen rises lowly, shedding her silvery light, 
 Over the sparkling waters,and shore so clear and white. 
 'I'he human world about me sinks quietly to repose, 
 And I hear but the ocean sobbing into my ear its woes. 
 It tells of storm and shipwreck , that 'morg the gems in 
 
 its breast. 
 Lie forms of pale, cold sleepers, in long and peacetul rest. 
 And many a curly, golden he^id, and some white as snow, 
 Lie unheeding the surges, in their watery grave so low. 
 And I list again to the story how not many rods away 
 A friend of mine was bathing one beautiful summer day ; 
 The sun shone brightly o'er her, happy wa> he;' heart. 
 Ah ! she thoughtnot in the blue waves, Death lurked with 
 
 icy dart. 
 Away from her companion breakers her light f )rm bare 
 Away from life and loved ones, away from human (;are; 
 With trembling hands they b -ought her ou"^ of the biiny 
 
 foam. 
 And bore her, strangely silent, back to the dear old home. 
 What a warning to be ever ready when Death shall call 
 
 us to go ; 
 For the time or way of his calling we none of us may 
 
 know. 
 O mother, in that fair land where she is waiting for thee 
 Jiemember the good book saith "Tlierc shall be no more 
 
 sea" 
 
 Cheer Up. 
 
 Cheer up ! it's not always darkness, 
 Night ever gives way to dawn ; 
 And the darker the night you know, 
 The brighter to us seems the morn. 
 Then face life's troubles bravely. 
 Look them squarely in the eye, 
 And they will lessen and lessen, 
 ■JHU they bid a hasty good-bye. 
 
( 13 > 
 
 Oat ot the Ranki^. 
 
 Life's battle goes on about mft 
 
 From dawn toeveninj^'s close* 
 
 Till, nature becoming weary, 
 
 The toilers seek repose ; 
 
 While I youthful and hopeful, 
 
 Eyes turned to the future ahea I, 
 
 Have been forced to drop from the ranks, 
 
 And to rest for a while instead. 
 
 Long have 1 vainly struggled, 
 Striving to hide my pain ; 
 Hoping in doing for others. 
 To find sweet rest again; 
 To lose ray bitter anguish 
 In seeing what others bare, 
 In making the faces about me 
 Smile, which are full of care. 
 
 And now though all about me, 
 From dawn to evening's close. 
 Others are working and winning, 
 
 I give myself to repose; 
 
 To repose of the body only, 
 
 For my thoughts will not be still ; 
 Thought can be controlled never, 
 
 It knows no law nor will. 
 
 What wonder if sometimes I murmur. 
 As 1 view from afar the fray, 
 And know that while I am idle, 
 Others are winning the day ; 
 But though I sm not a worker 
 Perhaps from my calm retreat, 
 I can send forth words of comfort. 
 To cheer some weary feet. 
 
 On Duty Again. 
 
 I can pen for you a song tonight, 
 
 Instead of the wail before, 
 
 For I'm back in the midst of the battle. 
 
 Back on duty once more. 
 
 The shadow so dark has lifted, 
 
 The waiting time is past, 
 
 And the welcome order "Forward" 
 
 Has come unto me at last. 
 
( 14 
 
 Gladly obey I the summon'?, 
 Eager am I for the fray, 
 Willingly bear I the burdens 
 That come to me day by day. 
 Forward I'll press in the battle, 
 As far as ever I can ; 
 And who dares set a limit 
 To the powers God-given to man. 
 
 Of course I have lost in the waiting 
 What I can never redeem, 
 And oft, with a throb of .nnguiih, 
 I recall the past like a dream. 
 But I havr learned many a lesson 
 I needed to know, by its pain : 
 And I would n't give the present 
 For all of the past aj^ain. 
 
 And If I can help a brother 
 To aim at a mark that is high, 
 If I can warn the tempted 
 When danger and death are nigh, 
 If I can bring joy and comfort, 
 Where grief and adversity reign, 
 I shall dare to think that maybe. 
 I am not living in vain. 
 
 Whom I Call Friend. 
 
 1 count that one a friend who stands by axf. 
 
 Through g-)od and ill, in woe as well as joy; 
 
 Who shows his feelings for me pure and true, 
 
 Rich gold without a flaw, without alloy. 
 
 Who is not one day distant, strange and cold. 
 
 Another shedding round me sunny smile. 
 
 But one whose l')ve-fire never grows less bright. 
 
 And ever beams upon me all the while. 
 
 Who warns me of my faults in gentle tone, 
 
 And kindly aids me to amend, 
 
 If from the paths of truth and right, 
 
 My wandering footsteps tend. 
 
 Who, when prosperity has taken flight. 
 
 Docs not leave me lonely in my need. 
 
 Who stands by me thro' all life's changing scene*, 
 
 That one I hold a faithful friend Indeed. 
 
(15) 
 
 'O Give Me Sleep." 
 
 Softly the shadows were gathering, 
 
 In the dim and silent room, 
 And the death-angel, low hovering, 
 
 Shrouded us darkly in gloom. 
 And we waited, as the swift hours passed. 
 
 And thought, with a shudder of dread, ' 
 Of the loneliness that was coming 
 
 In th« future not far ahead. 
 
 We saw the shadows stealing 
 
 Over the sweet girl-face ; 
 Felt the white hands chilling 
 
 As they lay in death's embrace. 
 I had carried flowers to her that eve, 
 
 As Ro oft I had done before ; 
 And thought, with- a pang of anguish, 
 
 I shall pluck them for her — no more. 
 
 How her face lighted as she saw them. 
 
 And held them in her hand ! 
 I trust, now, she gathers lovelier ones, 
 
 In God's own flower-land. 
 We watched her going, going, 
 
 The'^dear f acejgrow'more white : 
 Saw the rare, sweet smile us it faded. 
 
 Faded forever that night. 
 
 And we heard, as we saw the death-slumber 
 
 Over the blue eyes creep. 
 Heard the sweet voice low pleading, 
 
 "O Father, give me sleep ! 
 1 am growing, oh, so weary, 
 
 And rest comes not to me." 
 '"Darling," the comforter uttered, 
 
 "A long rest is coming to thee." 
 
 '•Good-bye," the words came faintly. 
 
 The soul was nearly gone, 
 **0 give me sleep, dear Father!" 
 
 She was resting, we were alone. 
 The days of anguish were over, 
 
 For this how could we weep. 
 She was resting, resting forever; 
 
 The Father had given her sleep. 
 
( 16 ) 
 
 And sometimes I can but wonder, 
 
 If at some distant day, 
 When in life's battle we've fallen, 
 
 And death calls us, shall we say. 
 As this world is fading from us. 
 
 And eternity doth on us creep. 
 Shall we plead, as did our loved one. 
 
 *'0 Father, give uie sleep." 
 
 Willie. 
 
 Oh Willie, sweet baby Willie, 
 
 So lovely and so fair. 
 With snnlirht in your blue eyes, 
 
 And on your golden hair. 
 You think not of the future, 
 
 That unto you may come. 
 Your little world is bounded. 
 
 By the cheei-y walls of home. 
 
 Fapa to you is p»*rtection. 
 
 Mamma an angel of love; 
 Po;h, baby dear, are your keepers, 
 
 Oidaiiied by the Father above. 
 Ah Wil ie,: I would that always 
 
 You might be pure as now, 
 That nev. r a guilt or sorrow 
 
 Might r»'st a|)on your brow. 
 
 May your heart, now gentle and loving, 
 
 Ev r le so through life, 
 And not f^row hard and narrow, 
 
 By the ohafln.: of the strife. 
 Keep a noble aim before you. 
 
 Keep your lite pure and true. 
 And then, when the sure end oometh, 
 
 You will have nothiug to rue. 
 
e!>il) 
 
 B. M. C. 
 
 Tears, bitter tears are falling, and our hearts arc sad to 
 
 day, 
 A 6 we gather for the hist time around the lifeless chiy ; 
 For the spirit has departed froui its prison-house of earth 
 And, freed Irom mortal fetters, catered an immortal 
 
 birth. 
 Nevermore anions: us shall be seen her welcome form; 
 With the brown eyes closed forever, she will rest 'mid 
 
 sun or storm. 
 We shall list to hear in song, the birdlike voice again. 
 That is silent now forqver, we mav long for it in vain. 
 And ve wotder in our giievirg. v hv it should sctKi 
 
 ever <o, 
 That the brightest and most gifted, are alwavs first to go 
 B«t in the nearing future we may know the reason why 
 The flowers that are the rarest, the soonest droop and die. 
 But remember, sti icken-hcarted, Jesus wept at Lazarus' 
 
 tomb, 
 And this thought should be a (comfort, even in our gloom 
 As we lay her away "mid the flowers, the fairest one of all 
 And leave her to sleej> on, rest on, until the angel's call 
 
 Echoe* ••• 
 
 Ever round tbe sparklln;^ waters, 
 
 Jut-tiiigelilTs arise; 
 In tliedark. ri.ill depths are mirrored 
 
 Nature's changeful skies. 
 Calm as infant, sweetly sleeping 
 
 On the mother's knee. 
 When the golden rays of aualight 
 
 Bid the shadows flee 
 But, when o'er the hills of ages 
 
 Thunders mutter loud, 
 Cliff to cliff rebounds the echo 
 
 From the flashing cloud. 
 Ever round the soul immortal . r 
 
 Human cliffs arisen 
 Cliff* of love, and high endeavor, 
 
 Kindly aims and wise. 
 And the souls deep wells are mirrored 
 
 In the mortal face; 
 For we may the llf'- that's inner. 
 
 In the outM* trace. 
 Cliffs' of eAil passion rising 
 Mar the sonl within ; 
 
All the hidden goodness shading: 
 
 'Neath a cload of sin. 
 And from soul to «oul rebounding. 
 
 Deeds and words live aye ; 
 Are their echoes hs we'll wish them 
 
 In the bj'C and bye. 
 
 tT«ry Day. 
 
 Every day the f<^enia1 snnlighfc 
 
 Tints the azur« okien ; 
 Tho' ofttime* the brightness darkf>M 
 
 'NfeAth the cloade that rise. 
 And the d awning's ruddr promiw, 
 
 Eu<[g Id deepest ^loom : 
 As the blij^ht untimely falleth 
 
 On the fairest bloom. 
 Every day life's grateful sunshine 
 
 Waits to bless the soul, 
 Th«' benea'h the filling shadows, 
 
 Hidden is life's goal. 
 And our eyes gr >w dim with watching 
 
 For the li,;ht again : 
 And enr ears jrrow dull with lUtenlnj;; 
 
 For an old refrain. 
 Evwy day some face that's dearer 
 
 Unto us than life 
 Whose dfted8,kindly, dally rendered 
 
 Aid us in the strife; 
 QrO'ireth daily so aocustorned 
 We forge: the while, 
 The dny coineth, when, without It, 
 
 We'll forget %•> snaile. 
 Every daj^. t'len, let u-fi brarely 
 
 Do and lare and be 
 All, that win brlqgone a Ijlessing 
 
 From the and life of yon me. 
 Let DO soul droop for the sunshine 
 
 Ym aud I c«n give, 
 Thea we'll find out oij life's Highway, 
 
 The trae way tf live. 
 
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