Hence it is, and so we see
Thus and so, it seems to me,
As I'm sure you'll all agree.
————————
A BIRTHDAY RHYME.
Tell me, O youth so straight and tall,
So glad with eager thought!
Have you seen of late a bouncing boy
Brimful of merry sport?
Brimful of merry sport is he,
A lad of fifteen summers,
With velvet lip still smooth and fair,
But a fist that awes all comers.
He used to laugh with unconcern
Whene'er a school-girl met him,
Unconscious quite what wondrous power
She'd have in time to fret him.
He only cared for "fellows" then,
And ball, and "tag," and "shinny,"
And thought a chap who brushed his hair
Was just a fop or ninny.
Somehow, I loved this bouncing boy,
Because he was my own;
I had him here a year ago,
And don't know where he's flown.
I don't know where he's flown, and yet
Whenever you are near—
It's very odd!—I'm reconciled,
Because you grow so dear.
You bear great likeness to my boy
I think, and—strange the whim!—
There's that in you which I have prayed
Might come in time to him.
Then if you'll stay, my dashing youth,
And love me, like the other,
I'll let him go, and, clasping you,
Be still a happy mother.
So hold me close, my bigger boy,
My larger-hearted Harry,
With broader shoulders, older head,
And more of life to carry;
Hold close, and whisper, heart to heart,
Our Lord has blessed us truly,
Since every year we love so well,
And find it out so newly.
With deepened joy and prayerful love
All in the autumn's splendor,
I hail you, boy of mine, and give
A welcome proud and tender.
'Tis grand to take the birthdays in,
If, while the years we're counting,
In heart and soul, in hope and aim,
We steadily keep mounting.
————————
THE GIRL ACROSS THE WAY.
A LITTLE BOY'S VALENTINE.
Little girl across the way,
You are so very sweet,
I shouldn't be a bit surprised
If you were good to eat.
Some day, when all the blinds are shut,
And Sis is inside thrummin'
(She's takin' music-lessons now),
And horses aint a-comin',
I'll run across and turn your rope,
Or pull you in your wagon;
But don't you tell that I said so,
'Cause they might call it braggin.'
If you would only come to me
We'd play at "Catch and Toss;"
But then my Ma objects to girls,
And it might make her cross.
Now what I'd like, if you would too,
Would be to go and play—
Well, all the time, and all my life,
On your side of the way.
I don't know anybody yet
On your side of the street,
But often I look over there
And watch you—you're so sweet!
When I am big, I tell you what,
I won't care what they say,
I'll go across and stay there too,
On your side of the way.
