CIHM 
 Microfiche 
 
 Series 
 (Monographs) 
 
 ICMH 
 
 Collection de 
 microfiches 
 (monographles) 
 
 CaniKltan Instltuto for Historical MIcrortpfoductlont / hirtltut c«i«l^ 
 
Technical and Bibliographic Notes / Notes techniques et bibliographiques 
 
 The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original 
 copy available for filming. Features of this copy which 
 may be bibliographicaily unique, which may alter any of 
 the Images in the reproo'uction, or which may 
 significantly change the usual method of filming are 
 checked below. 
 
 Coloured covers / 
 Couverture de couleur 
 
 ry\ Covers damaged / 
 lilJ Couverture endommag^e 
 
 □ Covers restored and/or laminated / 
 Couverture restaur^e et/ou peliiculie 
 
 Cover title missing / Le titre de couverture manque 
 
 Coloured maps / Cartes g^graphiques en couleur 
 
 Coloured inl< (i.e. other than blue or black) /* 
 
 i I Encre de couleur 0-e. autre que bleue ou noire) 
 
 □ Coloured plates and/or illustrations / 
 Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur 
 
 D 
 D 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 Bound with other material / 
 Reli6 avec d'autres documents 
 
 Only editton available / 
 Seule Milion disponible 
 
 Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion atong 
 interior margin / La reliure settie peut causer de 
 I'ombre ou de la distorston le long de la marge 
 int^rieure. 
 
 Blank leaves added during restorations may appear 
 within the text. Whenever possible, these have been 
 omitted from filming / Use peut que certaines pages 
 blanches ajouties lors d'une restauration 
 apparaissent dans le texte. mais. torsque cela iM'A 
 possible, ces pages n'ont pas M film<es. 
 
 r~71 Addrtional comments / Pagination is unnumbered. 
 
 \^\ Commentaires suppMmentaires: Label glued to title page. 
 
 L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 
 i\6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exem- 
 plaire qui sont peut-itre unk]ues du point de vue bibli- 
 ographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, 
 ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la metho- 
 ds normale de filmage sont indiqu^s ci-dessous. 
 
 I I Cotoured pages / Pages de couleur 
 
 [^ Pages damaged / Pages endommag^es 
 
 □ Pages restored and/or laminated / 
 Pages restaur^es et/ou pellicui^es 
 
 ryi Pages discoloured, stained or foxed / 
 il/ 1 Pages dteolories, tachetSes ou piqu^es 
 
 I I Pages detached / Pages d^tachdes 
 
 [j/l Showlhrough/ Transparence 
 
 ["71 Quality of print varies / 
 
 uLJ Quality In^gale de i'impression 
 
 Includes supplementary material / 
 Comprend du n^t^riel suppldmentaire 
 
 Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, 
 tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best 
 possible image / Les pages totalement ou 
 f>artiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une 
 pelure, etc., ont M film^es 6 nouveau de fafon k 
 obtenir la meilleure image possible. 
 
 Opposing pages with varying colouration or 
 discotourattons are filmed twice to ensure the best 
 possible image / Les pages s'opposant ayant des 
 colorations variables ou des decolorations sont 
 fiim^es deux fois afin d'obtenir la meilleure image 
 possible. 
 
 D 
 D 
 
 This Itf m It film«d »t ih« retJuetton ritlo eh«ektd btlow / 
 
 Ct documtnt tst lilm< au Mux dt iMuctien Indlqu4 ct-dtiseui. 
 
 10x 
 
 
 
 
 14x 
 
 
 
 
 18X 
 
 
 
 
 22x 
 
 
 
 
 26x 
 
 
 
 
 30x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 19« 
 
 
 
 
 Ifix 
 
 
 
 
 20x 
 
 
 
 
 24 x 
 
 
 
 
 28x 
 
 
 
 
 32x 
 
The copy filmed h«r« has bean reproduced thanks 
 to tho gonorosity of: 
 
 Toronto Reference Library 
 
 L'oxompiairo film* fut raproduit griea A la 
 gAntrositA da: 
 
 Toronto Reference Library 
 
 Tha imagaa appearing here ere the beet quelity 
 possible considering the condition end tegibility 
 of the originei copy end in keeping with the 
 filming contract specif ieetione. 
 
 Originei copies in printed peper covers ere filmed 
 beginning with the front cover end ending on 
 the lest pege with e printed or illustreted impree- 
 sion. or the beck cover when eppropriete. Ail 
 other originei copiee ere filmed beginning on the 
 first pege with e printed or illustreted impree- 
 sion, end ending on the lest pege with e printed 
 or illustrated impreesion. 
 
 The leet recorded freme on eech microfiche 
 shell contein the symbol -♦^ (meening "CON- 
 TINUED"), or the symbol ▼ (meening "END"). 
 whicfiever epplies. 
 
 Mepe. pletes. cherts, stc. mey be filmed et 
 different reduction retios. Those too lerge to be 
 entirely included in one expoeure ere filmed 
 beginning in the upper left hend corner, left to 
 right end top to bottom, ss meny fremes ss 
 required. The following diegrems illustrete the 
 method: 
 
 Les imsges suiventes ont it* rsproduitss svec le 
 plus grsnd soin. compto tenu de le condition et 
 do le netteti de rexempieire filma. et en 
 conformity evec les conditions du contrst de 
 fiimege. 
 
 Lee exempleires origineux dont le couverture sn 
 pepier est imprimie sent filmAs en commencent 
 per le premier plot et en terminent soit per la 
 derniire pege qui comporte une emprsints 
 d'impression ou d'illustrstion, soit psr le second 
 plat, salon le ees. Tous les sutres exempleires 
 origineux sent filmis en commenfsnt psr le 
 premiAre pege qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impreesion ou d'illustretion et en terminent per 
 la damiire page qui comporte une telle 
 empreinte. 
 
 Un des symbolos suivents sppsrsitrs sur Is 
 demiare imege de cheque microfiche, telon le 
 ces: le symboie -^ signifie "A SUIVRE '. le 
 symbols ▼ signifie "FIN". 
 
 Lee certes. plenches. tebleaux. etc.. peuvent *tre 
 fllmto A des taux de reduction diff*rents. 
 Lorsqus le document est trop grend pour *tre 
 reproduit en un soul clichi. il est film* A pertir 
 de I'sngle supirieur gauche, de geuche * droite, 
 et de heut en bes. en prenent le nombre 
 d'imeges nacesseire. Lee diegremmes suivsnts 
 illustrent le mSthode. 
 
 1 2 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
MICROCOPY MSOUITION TKT CHART 
 
 (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 
 
 1.0 
 
 1.1 
 
 HjO 
 
 1^ 
 
 13^ 
 
 
 2.5 
 2.2 
 
 13.6 
 
 V*JO 
 
 2.0 
 
 ■ 18 
 
 1.6 
 
 /APPLIED IfsA^OE Inc 
 
 ^ ieS3 E<Mt IfMn StTMt 
 
 RoehMtvr. Ntw YoHi 14609 USA 
 (718) 4«2 - 0300 - PtWM 
 (71S) 2M - SM9 - Fox 
 
/ 
 
Gathered from my Garden 
 
 toy 
 
 iiapple 
 
 (Miss) B. J. Thompson. 
 
 Box L, Thorold, Ont. 
 
 i 
 
 Printed by The Z horold Post Printing & Publishing House, 
 
 Thorold, Ont., Can. 
 
I 
 I 
 
 In giving this little book of poems to a very 
 small jKUtion of the public I have used only those 
 verses which I think will be most acceptable to the 
 largest class. I know they are doomed to criticism- 
 even severe criticism — and I see many imperfections 
 myself, especially in the earlier ones. To revise them 
 now, however, would be manifestly misleading, as 
 the dates are attached ; and I would ask those who 
 read to bear in mind that the earliest ones giv«n were 
 written when not more than well launched in my 
 'teens. The poems are nesessarily mixed up, but if 
 friends see any improvement vdth the advancing years 
 it is all I could wish- -except that the reading affords 
 some little enjoyment. 
 
 ThORNAI'PLE. 
 
 tamimittmiititammimimit 
 
Down by the SprlaiK 
 
 Down by the clear little trickling spring ; 
 
 Down where the rushes grew ; 
 Down where the pebbles were round and smooth ; 
 
 Down where the green leaves blew ; 
 There 'uiid the grasses bending down low 
 Baby was sleeping away her woe. 
 
 I found her at eve, when the whippoorwill 
 
 Cried through the sighing trees, 
 And folded her close to my beating heart. 
 
 Trying its pain to ease ; 
 Then with the breezes blowing farewell 
 Homeward I sped through the sweet-smelling dell. 
 
 Brightly a firefly glittered and flashed 
 
 Ov ,T the winding way ; 
 'i^losely I fondled our orphanea babe, 
 
 Rueing my tongue that day ; 
 And all the way home the leaves rustled low : 
 '• Scolding our motherless darling so 1 " 
 
 Down by the clear little trick'ling spring ; 
 
 Down where the rushes grow ; 
 Down where the pebbles are round and sm(X)th ; 
 
 Down where the green leaves blow ; 
 There 'mid the grasses waving above 
 Baby knows now that she found our love. 
 
 May, 1 90 1. 
 
rm 
 
 Alliteration 
 
 Oh, sad was my soul as I sat me down 
 
 By the side of the sobbing sea ; 
 And the salt tears splashed on the sloping sands, 
 
 As the waters wept for me. 
 
 And fain would I sleep and think no more 
 Of the words that were spoken low, 
 
 But the land of dreams o'er the broad sea lay, 
 Where none but the peaceful go. 
 
 A step on the sand was so swift and still 
 That I heard not a sound, but knew 
 
 There were two soft lips on my throbbing brow, 
 With " Forgive me— I am true." 
 
 Then sweet was the sound of the singing waves 
 As they washed the shining shore, 
 
 And silver the sheen of the springing spray — 
 And I ^lumbered, and sighed no more. 
 
 August, 1899. 
 
m^mmm 
 
 1 
 
 
 A Moral 
 
 I walked all day in the shsidow ; 
 
 My soul was sick ; and then 
 I said as the hot tears faltered 
 
 The sun would not shine again. 
 
 The sun came out in the morning ; 
 
 It shone down bright and strong ; 
 And then, as the radia.. e thrilled me, 
 
 I said it would not Ije long. 
 
 A«iain the darkness descended ; 
 
 My soul was chill as night ; 
 But now, with my eyes turned upward, 
 
 I said : "I will watch for light." 
 
 And the light was in and about mc ; 
 
 I heard the bluebirds sing ; 
 I stooped for the breath of violets, 
 
 And knew 't was the dawn of spring. 
 
 July, 1901. 
 
Friettdship 
 
 I had erred toward the friend who ioved me, 
 
 And whom I loved ; 
 Yet I smiled when his eyes turned to me, 
 
 And seemed not moved. 
 
 Had he known how my heart was bleeding, 
 
 His lip had paled 
 Out of pitjring pain, and not that 
 
 His love had failed. 
 
 But I stood by his side at gloaming. 
 
 And told him all ; 
 And I brokenly said our friendship 
 
 Was post recall. 
 
 Then he smiled as his dear hands clasped me, 
 
 And whispered free : 
 "Ah, what were the value of friendship 
 
 If that could be ? " 
 
 July, 1901. 
 
 ■ 
 
 ,. 
 
<< Pore Little Wockie-Chair ! " 
 
 p. re little wockiechair, wif a lecj bwoked ! 
 Did oo know it was me 'fore ever I spoked ? 
 'At g^veat big man kicked oo out fum his woad, 
 'N I dess oo feels hurt whur die naughty gwoun' gocd. 
 
 P»)re little wockie-chair ! Here is a cwack ! 
 Did oo fink I could wock wifout oo wed back ? 
 Oo see 'at big wain-dwop splas' on my s'oe ? 
 It cum fum my eyes wot is cwying fur oo. 
 
 00 is my wockie-cliair wen oo is smassed — 
 
 Do oo see all die wain-dwops coming down fast ? 
 
 1 feels a big lump come up in my fwoat, 
 
 'N I finks it's fur oo wif oo pwitty wed coat ! 
 
 Never mind, wockie-chair I Here is my stwap ! 
 'N I'll sit on die gwoun' wif my head on oo lap. 
 My eyes is so wet 'at now I can't see, 
 But I feels wif my ban's oo is cwying wif me. 
 
 July, 1901. 
 
Pi 
 
 The Mermaid's Lattietit 
 
 A Childhood Fancy 
 
 The waves rock to and fro— ah, me ! 
 I look me up through the deep, green sea, 
 And methinks the winds are rough and high 
 From the dashing spray and low, gray sky— 
 
 Ah, the world is cold today I 
 I lay me down in my soft sand bed. 
 With the seaweeds waving over my head. 
 And turn to the frowning shore. 
 And, hark ! how the wild waves roar ! 
 
 Yes, the world is cold today. 
 
 Once, long ago, when the sky was fair, 
 I brought me down to the seashore there ; 
 And my eyes roved over the white-capped waves 
 To where I had heard were the mermaids' caves. 
 
 But that was long ago. 
 My mother said : " Child, don't go too far : 
 The waves will sweep you beyond the bar ! " 
 But I would not obey, and swam off away. 
 And could not return. Do you wonder I say 
 
 That was long ago ? 
 
 And now the sea, so dark and deep. 
 Cares not, but laughs, to see me weep ; 
 And I yearn for the world, but cannot go 
 Because I grieved my mother so ! 
 
 Alas for that fair, dark day I 
 Ah, me ! ah, me ! this cruel sea, 
 And the great sea-monsters gliding free I 
 
 Alas that I came this way ! 
 
 March, 1895. 
 
A Message 
 
 Written at the second request of Rev. John Waite of London, Er.g. 
 
 'T is a soft night in the summer, and the scented breezes Mow 
 To a wayworn heart a message, wafted from the long ago, 
 Ringing sweet its golden notes to a world of mortal woe. 
 
 Will you take the sweet-blown message, in its beauty wafted free — 
 Wafted o'er the rippling waters : "Jesus died for you and me ?"— 
 Ansv/er, answer, loving, low: "Jesus, Lord, I trust in Thcc." 
 
 Will you not ? Oh, see Him pleading as He waiting, anxious, stands ! 
 See Him to the lost creation holding out His love- worn hands— 
 Hands that will be dyed with blood to fulfil the law's demands. 
 
 Do you hear the night wind sobbing as it fans the fcverctl brow 
 Of a Figure meekly kneeling ? All the air is waiting now. 
 He is praying —let your soul low in awful silence bow. 
 
 Time has passed. 'T is but the breathing of the spirit's mighty ixjwer. 
 See Him in His holy beauty, meekly, in that dying hour, 
 Blessing those who late have cursed Him, while the sternest of them 
 cower. 
 
 For they see the black'ning heavens frown an anger well they know 
 Yet veil &:>ft the heartrent Witness of a love forsaken so— 
 One whose anguish opens heaven with a piercing cry of woe. 
 
 And the earth in terror sickens— quakes and groans in mortal pain, 
 As it vomits forth its buried — emblems of the risen Slain. 
 Yea, it seems the very heavens in their weakness rend in twain. 
 
 So has died the spotless Jesus, only innocence within, 
 With a heart— that matchless heart— bruised and broken for your sin, 
 And He, risen, stands before you, saying : " I would enter in." 
 August, 1897. Revised July, 1901. 
 
To Estella 
 
 Written on the death of a tweet young 
 cousin, and really the result of a dream. The 
 one alluded to in the eighth verse is an elder 
 brother, who died several years before Estella. 
 
 Oh, darling ! when they told to me 
 Your life was slowly fading, 
 
 That when the autumn leaves should fall, 
 The wav'ring sun-rays shading, 
 
 Your precious soul would soar away 
 To realms of unknown glory, 
 
 My selfish heart was dumb with grief — 
 I could not bear the story. 
 
 But in the night — the soft, still night — 
 When slumber's folds had bound me, 
 
 A dream in all its beauty came 
 And threw its arms around me. 
 
 It showed to me a rushing stream, 
 Above a deep gulf tow'riog ; 
 
 Its source was in a garden, where 
 A single rose was fiow'ring ; 
 
 And on its waters, foaming high, 
 I saw your white face lying ; 
 
 I saw you linger at the brink, 
 
 And knew that you were dying ; 
 
 And in my heart there rose a joy 
 
 That smothered grief there waking— 
 
 Oh, not because the stream's wild course 
 Your father's heart was breaking ; 
 
1 1 
 
 Nor that, with hot, fast-falling tears. 
 Your bosom friend and lover 
 
 Saw but the lonesome, longing pain, 
 And not the sun above her ; 
 
 But on the other shore, so near. 
 
 With arms outstretched and waiting, 
 
 Stood one dear form with smiling face, 
 'Mid music undulating ; 
 
 Then from the mist that hung between 
 You and the plunging billow 
 
 A strong, true arm came forth, and made 
 Just on the brink a pillow. 
 
 And when they said that you were gone 
 No thrill of fear came o'er me. 
 
 But in its vivid loveliness 
 
 This scene appeared before me. 
 
 October, 1897. 
 

 ft I 
 
 Sous of a Ship 
 
 My life is on the grand old sea, 
 
 Where waves are lightly foaming ; 
 
 The sporting shadows follow me 
 As softly comes the gWming ; 
 
 With fond caress the dancing spray 
 Would ever round me hover, 
 
 As though I were a winsome maid 
 And it my smiling lover. 
 
 Oh, the sea ! the bonny sea ! 
 
 My life were unavailing 
 Were it to change to aught but sea 
 
 As I go proudly sailing. 
 
 I love my life too well, I trow, 
 Thereon to muse and ponder ; 
 
 I shudder at the thought, and in 
 The old sea nestle fonder. 
 
 I breathe into my glistening lungs 
 
 The west wind's blithesome kisses ; 
 
 I quiv' in my terror when 
 
 The trm king round me hisses. 
 
 Yet I was made to master all — 
 Surmount the tossing billow ; 
 
 To glide content, or lie at rest, 
 The sea my downy pillow. 
 
I 
 
 And if, perchance, my native strength 
 Should fail 'mid tempest's roaring, 
 
 Against what heavy odds I must 
 Again go onwaro soaring ! 
 
 Oh, man ! thou art in all thy strength 
 The Master's wise creation ; 
 
 Destroy not, by thy puny brain. 
 The holy, sweet relation. 
 
 Let not the mind within thy frame, 
 Propelling life's rough sailing, 
 
 Upon a billow strand thy soul, 
 
 ,Mid force's shriek and wailing. 
 
 Plow forth ! stay not ! for in thy wake 
 May wearied hearts beat lighter : 
 
 To whom alone sways not at storm 
 The clouded sky shines brighter. 
 
 June, 1897. 
 
" Air» Fair In Love •* 
 
 Fair Mistress Fay went out one morn 
 Her choice pet hens to feed, 
 
 But they were gone ; not even one 
 Remained of any breed. 
 
 "Alack-aday ! " quoth Mistress Fay, 
 
 ** My hens, where can they be ? 
 They all were here but yester eve. 
 Now one I fail to see. 
 
 •* Now I bethink me, yester night. 
 
 While filling cups for tea, 
 I spilt- now I remember well — 
 
 Tb*^ salt all over me. 
 
 ••And Granny Gray, who knoweth well, 
 
 Doth say *t's an omen true. 
 That * ere another day is done 
 
 Some ill will come to you.' 
 
 '•And ihen—alas ! I laughed, and said 
 
 'T was just a saying vain ! 
 Had I but wisely listed then, 
 
 I would not have this pain I 
 
 " For well I know in all around 
 
 No fowl are quite so fine ; 
 I might have known that all through them 
 
 Would come this ill of mine 1 " 
 
She .«tood forlorn. Her tearful eyes 
 Scanned all the barnyard o'er, 
 
 Vet failed to see a boyish face 
 Peep from the haymow door. 
 
 " Oh ! who could be so mean to mc ? 
 
 In one short week the fair ! 
 And now, as never heretofore, 
 
 I'll win no prizes there." 
 
 Sly Jack, a handsome neighbor lad. 
 Crept quickly to her side. 
 
 And then, before the tears could dry. 
 In merry accents cried : 
 
 " Why, Mistress Fay ! you here alone, 
 And weeping, this bright mom ? 
 
 Forsooth, I'd better thoughts of thee — 
 Thou'rt wetting all thy com ! " 
 
 **Ay, Master Jack, who would n't cry ? 
 
 My hens have gone astray ; 
 I fear some envioas villager 
 
 Hath stolen them away." 
 
 ** What ! all your choice and lovely hens ?" 
 Jack's face bespoke surprise, 
 
 Yet one who closely looked could see 
 The laughter in his eyes. 
 
"Well, then, my lady fair," quoth he, 
 
 "If thy surmise be true. 
 Why, let us search both high and low 
 Till we've the thieves in lieu." 
 
 "Sh-h ! hark ! I thought I heard the noise 
 My choicest Dorking makes 
 
 When calling for her meal and corn." 
 A step she bamward takes. 
 
 But no ! sly Jack has pulled her back ; 
 
 He says : "The other way ! " 
 And draws her to the cornfield near, 
 
 Where full an hour they stay 
 
 A-searching for the missing fowl 
 
 Among the cornstalks tall. 
 Until once more the maiden hears 
 
 The Dorking's hungry call. 
 
 " T is from the barn — I know full well ! " 
 
 She says at Jack's dissent ; 
 And, 'spite his contradicting words, 
 
 Straight to the door she went. 
 
 "Oh, Biddy, Biddy ! come ! " she cried. 
 As naught appeared to view : 
 
 " Vou know full well the township fair 
 Awards first priie to you ! " 
 
Vet Biddy stayed ; and, blind with tears* 
 Fay stumbled through the door. 
 
 And dropped the com ; it scattered down 
 The cracks that lined the floor. 
 
 Then what a bedlam thrived below ! 
 
 "Cluck, cluck ! '* the Dorking said ; 
 And Fay looked up at laughing Jack, 
 Who, half ashamed, and red. 
 
 Told hew he'd risen while 't was dark 
 And sawed the board behind them, 
 
 Then hid her hens beneath the floor 
 So he could help her find them. 
 
 September, 1895. 
 
 Only a Bird 
 
 A little boy stands, with guilty air. 
 
 One hand in a nest in the hawthome there, 
 
 While a little brown thnish hovers wild round the bush. 
 
 And the grasses would fain, in that infinite htish. 
 
 Stop even the noise of thv ir growing. 
 Oh, fie, little boy, with jacket of blue t 
 With pretty straw hat and pretty &ce, too ! 
 
 Think well of the seed you are sowing I 
 
A dark'ning cloud croiies the face of the sun, 
 Portending a storm ere the day ii done, 
 While the strengthening breese leaves a sigh in the irecs, 
 Then carries the news to the wide, ruffled seas, 
 
 That soon will lash high in their groaning. 
 Yet the boy lingers on ; he takes all the rest — 
 The pretty, smooth e^s from the once-prided nest — 
 
 While even the bees stop their droning 
 
 The empty home now has no charm for the bird, 
 Which starts to fly off as its mate's cry is heard ; 
 But a shot from a sling makes nerveless its wing. 
 And down to the ground drops the poor little thing. 
 
 Its form on earth's bosom to pillow. 
 The poplar trees whistle and moan in their pain 
 For the innocent bird so ruthlessly slain. 
 
 While low bends the weeping willow. 
 
 The blowing winds gather the leaves in a mound 
 All over the thrush that lies on the ground. 
 Oh ! the furious storm rages wild round the form 
 Of the little dead birdling sc silent and warm. 
 
 Yet to it is but tenderness wielding. 
 Blov/ on, ye wild winds ! your raging is just. 
 For one of God's creatures lies still in the dust 
 
 Through a little boy's thoughtless yielding. 
 
 September, 1895. 
 
 mi 
 
In a Treetop 
 
 So lightly I swing 
 
 In the highest of trees, 
 Nfy brow gently fanned 
 
 By the soft western breeze ; 
 
 So blithely I sway 
 
 In the apple-tree olden, 
 Among its gnarled branches 
 
 Spend moments so golden ; 
 
 So happy am I 
 
 Up here all alone, 
 Watching the robins 
 
 That past me have flown ; 
 
 That I hear not a voice, 
 Melodiously sweet. 
 
 Calling to me 
 
 In my rude, swaying seat. 
 
 I hear not till Some One 
 Is touching my heart -- 
 
 Grant that this Presence 
 
 May ne'er from me part !— 
 
 And voice whispers low, 
 For hearing but mine : 
 " Why keep but for you 
 
 These pleasures of thine ? 
 
" Think of it reverently, 
 Head bending low : 
 God made the beautiful 
 Apple-trees grow : 
 
 •' God made the grass 
 
 Beneath here so soft, 
 The billowy clouds 
 
 Now floating aloft ; 
 
 '* God made the waters 
 Incessantly flowing, 
 Created the breezes 
 
 Now soothingly blowing ; 
 
 " All thai you see 
 
 On this beautiful earth 
 By God was created, 
 
 To Him owes its birth. 
 
 " Withhold not your thanks 
 For aught you receive, 
 By which your kind Father 
 Vou needlessly grieve." 
 
 And I said from my heart, 
 From the old apple e : 
 •• Nevermore shall my thanks 
 Be withholden from Thee 
 
 July, 1895. 
 
Romance 
 
 In the early spring of 1894, durint; the time Rev. John Waite of London, 
 England, was conducting revival services at Thorold, he related, while visiting 
 one of the families, the story of his courtship. Up to sixteen years of age he had 
 never " had a girl,'* and the boys teased him unmercifully, taunting him with 
 " Oh, Johnnie can't get a girl 1 " and •* The girls won't have Johnnie I etc., until 
 he was almost desperate. One evening as he was returning from church a young 
 girl living near his home accompanied him, and, the walks being very slippery, 
 both swayed dangerously. Suddenly the maiden said : " Tohnnie, can t you take 
 my arm ? " which he gladly did. " I thought bashfully, concluded Mr. Waite, 
 " that it was so nice of her to ask me to take her arm. After that we always 
 walked home that way whether it was slippery or not, and in one year from the 
 first night we walkea together we were married." Shortly after relating the 
 incident the reverend gentleman received the following verses. In answering, 
 he said : " I laughed until the tears ran down my checks, and the persoiratioa 
 stood out on my forehead— promise me you'll not do it again, won't you ? 
 
 Once a lad and lassie, walking home from church 
 
 On a wintry evening, 'gan to sway and lurch. 
 
 Now, the way was slippery, and what could be the harm ? 
 
 So ** Johnnie," said the maiden, '• can't you take my arm ? " 
 
 Gladly Johnnie acquiesced, and thought, as he did muse : 
 
 *' I might have walked like this before, but thought that she'd refuse." 
 
 And so he slowly onward walked, the maiden at his side, 
 
 And wished, while he was walking, that she had been his bride. 
 
 The stars, they winked together, and whispered, with a smile : 
 •* O yes, we know that's loving, but just you wait awhile ! " 
 And so they waited patiently, these twinklings of a feather, 
 And saw the two go arm in arm in every kind of weather. 
 
 J 
 
 And at last they were rewarded — the little stars so bright, 
 Who made the world some happier, and shed around their light - 
 For in just a single year from the time of that new life 
 They saw the lad and lassie walk home as man and wife. 
 
And now the little twinkling stars will have to wait no more, 
 For there are lots of little Waites to watch the years roll o'er. 
 And now, when Mr. Papa Waite looks back upon that day. 
 He thinks : "Oh, what a lucky thing 't was such a slippery way ! ' 
 
 April, 1894 
 
 '] 
 
 WL 
 
 
S: 
 
 »: