As she climbed the narrow stair-way, Unlighted by cheering ray, Her little heart kept singing The songs of glad Easter day;
And the woman, who kept the lodging, Heard the little maiden come And asked, in her gruffest manner, What kept her so long from home.
“’Twas the Easter Service, madam, And the words”—she made reply; “I’m not an orphan any more For my Father dwells on high.”
“See! I’ve brought you an Easter lily All snowy, and pure, and white, Which a lady dropped in passing Ere her coach wheeled out of sight.”
“I almost know you’ll like it For ’tis part of the Easter day, And the children spoke of the lilies In the verses they had to say.”
When all was still in the lodging And the rest were sleeping below, Unmindful of Christ, the Saviour, Who died for them long ago;
Then this loving little maiden, Away from all human sight, Knelt down, in the dingy garret, To thank God for Easter night.
EMINENCE.
Side by side the mountains rise Toward the blue of distant skies; But tho’ roots may interlace And each base is joined to base, Till the friendly trees incline And their branches touch and twine, Yet, while aging day by day, They part union on their way Till the welcome sunlight seeks To crown insulated peaks.