On A Naughts Little Boy, Sleeping

Juut DOW I mlMed froni hall and staij A jojfnl treble Uint had grown Aa dear to me as that grave tono That tolla tlio norkl my oldi-r care. And littlc footetcps on the floor Wen fítayed. I laid aaide my pen, Forgot my thenic, and liBteued - then Stole eoftlj to the library door. No sight ! no Bound !- a moment' freak Of fam-y thrillccl my pulses throilKb ; "If- no "-and yet, that fancy drew A father's Ijlood from heart and clicek. And then- I fouud hún ! There he lay, Siri)ried ty sloep, eanght ia tne act, The rosy vandal who had packed His little town, and thouglit it play. ïhe sJiattoiv.l vase ; thobroken jjc: A match still smolduring mi 11' floor ; The iukstaud's piuple pool of oro ; The chessmen seattcred ni ar Uud f ar. Slrowii leaves of albumn liRhtlj-irs,irl - Thls wickcd " Baby of tLe Woods " In fact, of half the houaehold go.ids This son and heil' ivas ïêlzed- poFSORscil. Yet all in vain, lor 8lc.ri lniiTfiulgTit The hand that reached, the feet lliat stvayid And fallen in that amlmscade The victor was himsolf o'erwrought. What tliough torn caves and tattered book Still testilied Ma doop ategtfee ! I stoopcd and kissod the inky face, IVith its demurr and calm ontlook. Thnn back I stolc, and half begintod My Ruilt, in trust that WnMl i iv SWíTp SUould come, there might bc One who'd keeii An rqnal niercy for His child. -Hurpcr's Magazine for Juli. i _ ii „ ; ,