And then, in addition to all of these, Dear Kate, I've a Lover, he's better than gold! He's tall and handsome and good and trueBeats the story-books a hundred-fold! And so I love him, now would'nt you? From the little house by the orchard In her sweet familiar way : "Dear Jenn, how I'd like to see your face! I've questions and questions without end. If you could visit the dear old place, You'd find more news than I can send! For I've a Lover that's all my own, He's handsome too, and good and kind; Count the world over, one by one, Truer or better you'll never find! He's all unknown to rank or fame, And you know I'll make but a modest wife; He has not much wealth, but all the same, I know we'll be happy, so "here's long life!" God bless us all! May we often hear Of sunshine over our pathways shed! Come visit me, Jenn, in the spot so dear Where the sweet, bright hours of childhood fled." But years and years departed After the bright wedding days, And the cousins still journeyed onward, Still going in different ways; Till one day another letter Came to Kate from the hand of Jenn, Bringing love and tears and sunshine With each stroke of the earnest pen. "Dear Kate: How I've longed to see you, Three girls and two strapping boys, Kate, Do come and pay us a visit, Jenn." And the letter from Kate was a model Of wifely, motherly pride, Telling line by line of her sunshine, "Dear Jenn: I've so much to tell you, I'm the happiest woman on earth! My home is a palace of sunshine, Just ringing with laughter and mirth! My boys are wonderful fellows, And my girls, of course, they're the best! Come and see me, come right early, And I'll tell you all of the rest. But they busied with household duties, While the years fled sure and fast, Till a score of snowy winters Their shadows o'er them cast. One evening, under the branches, Where they played so long ago, Kate sat in the gathering twilight And was singing soft and low, When up through the leafy orchard. Came a figure aged and bent, With a face all calm and peaceful Lit up by a sweet content; Beneath the mingling shadows Up to Kate she softly crept, And printing a kiss on her forehead She fell in her arms and wept. And the two who in Life's morning Had mingled their joys and tears, Now told life's solemn story, In the twilight of their years. "And now, Kate, where is your Lover So handsome, fine and tall? And where are the boys and girls, Kate? Said Kate, while a tear-drop glistened:- And yours have likewise left you, And it seems that our work is donc, We are more alone in the world now Than when our work was begun!" Then out of the sunset's ocean A flood of glory rolled, And the two as in happy childhood Came a look of peace sublime, Till it touched the motionless breast, The travel-worn hearts found rest. And the evening light more holy, And lo, the day had faded, And the stars came one by one, And under the silent heavens Stood the old tree, dark and lone! E PLURIBUS UNUM. GEORGE W. CUTTER. Though many and bright are the stars that appear In that flag by our country unfurled, And the stripes that are swelling in majesty there, Their light is unsullied as those in the sky, From the hour those patriots fearlessly flung Ever true to themselves, to that motto they clung By the bayonet traced at the midnight of war, Oh! perish the heart or the hand that would mar Our motto of " Many in One." 'Mid the smoke of the conflict, the cannon's deep roar, How oft it has gathered renown! While those stars were reflected in rivers of gore, And though few were their lights in the gloom of that hour, Yet the hearts that were striking below Had God for their bulwark, and truth for their power, And they stopped not to number their foe. From where our green mountain-tops blend with the sky, And the giant Saint Lawrence is rolled, To the waves where the balmy Hesperides lie, They conquered, and, dying, bequeathed to our care, Bnt that banner whose loveliness hallows the air, And their motto of "Many in One." We are many in one, while there glitters a star And tyrants shall quail, 'mid the dungeons afar, |