The Lost Child

í'vo lost a child- O, teil me, did you moet My Httlo darlinfr Ín thc sunny streot, Wlth wlnd-blowu hair, bright cyta and ily fng foi-t. Like swift-wlnged blrdsi "How larga was she!" Why, justa tlny thing; 'Tin such a short time slnce I used to sing Low sleopy songs and feel her soit arma cliug About my.neck. "How oíd is sho?" Why, really I forget; JuBt oíd enough to love and kiss and pet, Only a morry Httlo maid, and yet Not quite a child. It seems but yosterday I saw her go Leading her play mates in a laughingrow; tí you had met her you would surely know Her smüing faco. You thought hor oidor, more than twolvo you say i That cannot bo until another May Opens the bud and brings tho happy day That gave her life. "Is thls the child?" almosta woman grown. Kho holdg hor girlish licad high as your own ; Somoone will find her though sho goos alone. You need not fear. I know she's tall and carea no moro for toys- That's Harry with her making all this noise ; Why don't he go and play with other boys I'd liko to know. 'Tis flvo years since her twelfth birthday was green Vith tndor loaves, and all the months between Have sllpped away Uil sho Is seventeen - The child is lost!