The wind came roaring through the streets
And set the gas-lights flaring;
And hopelessly and aimlessly
The sered old leaves were flying;
When mingled with the soughing wind
I heard a small voice crying-
2. And shivering on the corner stood
A child of four or over;
No cloak nor hat her small soft arms
And wind-brown curls to cover;
Her dimpled face was stained with tears;
Her.round, blue eyes ran over;
She cherished in her wee, cold hand,
A bunch of faded clover.
8. And one hand round her treasure, while
She slipped in mine the other;
Half scared, half confidential, said,
"Oh! please, I want my mother."
"Tell me your street and number, pet;
Don't cry, I'll take you to it."-
Sobbing she answered, "I forget;
The organ made me do it.
4. "He came and played at Miller's steps;
The monkey took the money,
And so I followed down the street,
That monkey was so funny.
I've walked about a hundred hours
From one street to another;
The monkey's gone, I've spoiled my flowers-
Oh, please, I want my mother."
5. "But what's your mother's name, and what
The street?-now think a minute."
"My mother's name is dear mamma—
The street-I can't begin it."
"But what is strange about the house,
not like the others?".
Or new,
"I guess you mean my trundle-bed,
Mine and my little brother's.
6. "Oh! dear! I ought to be at home
To help him say his prayers;
He's such a baby he forgets,
And we are both such players—
And there's a bar between to keep
From pitching on each other,
For Harry rolls when he's asleep;
O dear! I want my mother."
7. The sky grew stormy; people passed
All muffled, homeward faring;
"You'll have to spend the night with me,"
I said, at last, despairing.
I tied a kerchief round her neck
"What ribbon's this, my blossom?"
"Why! don't you know?" she smiling asked,
And drew it from her bosoin.
8. A card, with number, street and name;
My eyes astonished met it;
"For," said the little one, "you see
I might sometimes forget it;
And so I wear a little thing
That tells you all about it;
My mother says she's
1 should get lost without it."
1. O, what a merry, rushing throng,
With bounding joy and dance and song,
And hearts from sorrow free, and light,
Comes from the village school to-night!
2. Quick bounds the pulse, the red blood flies
Swift through the veins, and fair cheeks dyes.
The ringing laugh sounds out so clear,
Which tells of health and hope and cheer.
3. Bright floating curls of sunny hair
Shade fair young brows unwrit with care.
And eyes, whose liquid depths so clear
Ne'er yet were dimmed by anguished tear,
4. Flash forth the joy that in them wells,
Up springing from the heart's deep cells.
O, tender eyes! so trustful, true,
I catch a glimpse of heaven in you.
5. Whoop and halloa! See what a race!
Old Time himself can scarce keep pace!
Graceful as fawn, fleet as the wind,
Books, rules, and school, all left behind.
6. And will it prove but idle dream
To wish, when on the village green
I stand, to watch them in their play,
That I again were young as they?
7. But thought and care and toilsome tramp For sixty years, have set their stamp On furrowed face and trembling form, And seared a heart once young and warm.
8. But what if now I throw aside,
And careless fling to wind and tide,
All thought of else but sport and joy,
And be, awhile, again a boy.
9. I'll try and see; perhaps they'll say
The poor old man has had his day.
But never mind; sce, here they come!
I'll join the race and have a run.
10. Across the green, and up the hill,
Around the corner, past the mill,
Over the fields and through the lane !—
What if I go a little lame!
11. My eyes are dim, but yet I see
That in the race they've outstripped me.
Laughing, they cried, "He's got the gout;
I wonder how they found it out.
12. One little girl, with cheeks aglow,
With voice so wondrous soft and low,
With pleading eyes, and sweet lips pressed
Upon my aged hand, said, "Rest."
13. So now I've done; no more I'll try
To cheat the years, and skip them by.
True, child I am, a tale twice-told,
That proves the fact, I'm growing old.
14. These climb the hill; I down the slope
Toward the foot so blindly grope.
They eager hail the glad sunrise,
I patient watch the evening skies.
15. And when, for all, life's race is run,
The books are closed and school is done,
Lessons are learned, and tasks are o'er,
Forever shut the school-room door-
16. Weary of work, and tired of play,
Gladly we'll take our homeward way,
And so with joy in heaven appear,
The Master's glad "Well done" to hear.
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