The Way We Grow Old

A. brokcn toy ; a task that hcld away V yearning 'child-heart f rom an hour of play A. Christmas that no Ohristmas idols brought ; A tanglecl lesson, f uil of tangled thougkt ; A honjesick boy ; a senior gowned and wise ; A glirnpse of lifc, when lo ! the curlams riee Fold over fold, And haugs the picture, like a boundless sea- The world, all action and reality- So we grow old. A wedding, and a tender wife's carees ; A prattlicg babe the parent' lif e to WeSB ; A home of joys and cares in equal part ; A dreary watcbiDg witha heavy heart; And death's dread angel knocking at Ihe gate, And hope and couraga bidding sorrow wait Or loec her hold ; A new made grave, and then a brave return To whern the flres of life triumphant burn- So we grow old. A fortune and a gen'rous meed of fame, Or diref ui ruin and a tarnished name, A süpping off of weck and month and year. Faster and fanter as the close draw? near ; A grief of day, and with to-morrow's light, A pleasure that transforma tho sullen night Krom lead to gold ; A chilüiig winter of unchanging storm ; A spring repleto with dawnB and sunsets warin - So wj grow old. Old to ourselves, but children yet to be tn the strange cities of eteruity.