Only a boy, with his wild, strange ways,
With his idle hours on busy days;
With his queer remarks and his odd replies,
Sometimes foolish and sometimes wise,
Often brilliant for one of his size,
As a meteor hurl'd,
From the pleasant world.
Only a boy, who will be a man
If Nature goes on with her first great plan—
If water, or fire, or some fatal snare
Conspire not to rob us of this our heir,
Our blessing, our trouble, our rest, our care,
Our torment, our joy,
"Our only boy."
—Anonymous.
[BOLAX
IMP OR ANGEL—WHICH?]
[CHAPTER I.]
Amy's Company.
"Come children," said Mrs. Allen, "Mamma wants to take you for a nice walk."