Sunlight On The Quilt

It coreied a wretched palle; In an attieroom fo'lorn; A sunbeam crept thrniiffh the broken pane, And brightened i's coles worn. Tlio ligbt of the fair, fr. sh morning - How the widow's -yes srew wet, As she watched the pot on her fded quilt Where ita rosy (o.it was set. And like the touch of a fairy, To the widow of threescore, Th at sunbeam wakened her coffined dead, Her droaras of the days of yore. Tiiis patch was sewed in the garJen, On a sunny noon in May; And that. in a field where a hand, long Was gnthering in the hay; [dead, - Th is delicate star was fashioned By a group now stiff and -vrhite, And that was a scrap of the muslin dress She vore ou her wedding night. Ah! the oíd familiar nuislinl Ah! the timid, blushing bride! The surpliced priegt snd the silent gronp. And the de ir wie 't her side; Hnw it swelled the hcnrt of the widow, With quiet, thoughtful tenrB. To look on the picture the eunbeam hrought From the lmlls of the l'uried yeurs! And the attic was filled with shadow, Witi the lender, dim eyed euc-ts. Who flitted around the time worn quilt, And s[oke frnm their ho'low breasts, In joyous whisper, Of ihe past it.s ploasant store, Tili the widow liftd her voice and wailed Fo the t,hing that come no morel Oh frind! 'tis a n-ournful picture, Belirve me if thou wilt - But joy and sorrow alike are hid In the folds of a patch work quiit 1