PADDY'S CONTENT. Paddy McShane had no shoes to his feet- And his houghs they looked red as he tramped in the street, But he said: "Is it shoes that ye'd stick on me toes? Paddy McShane had no hat on his head- And the rain it came down on his red scratch, instead- But he said: "It is God's blessed sunshine and air That ye'd shut from me head? Och, would one of ye dare For a trifle of rain or av wind, who would care? Shtop botherin' Pat. Paddy McShane had just nothing at all— But he thought: "When I'm down, there's no distance to fall;" And he would sing: "Faix, the merciful Master is good to his poor; Lawrence Kyrle Donovan, in The Earth. THE ANSWERED PRAYER. The way is dark and the road is long; Teach me with patience to follow Thee! My prayer Thou hast answer'd, O Lord, in Thy might And my sadness is drearier still today, For my little lad with the golden hair, I can see him journeying up the height I can see him, not as when strong and light Can never grow dim with pain or tear. I shall meet him again on that heavenly height. For his light shall lead me along the way; When the task that is given to me is done, When the strife is ended, the battle won, I shall greet him there in the perfect day. "Margaret Holland." "The day is fixed when there shall come to me A strange, mysterious guest." MY GUEST: Anna J. Grannis. MY GUEST. The day is fixed that there shall come to me The time I do not know-he keeps the date— And keep me at my best, And do my common duties patiently. I've often wondered if that day would break Brighter than other days, That I might know, or wrapped in some strange gloom, And if he'd find me waiting in my room, Or busy with life's ways; With weary hands and closing eyes that ached. For many years I've known that he would come, And sometimes even said, "He will come soon," And silent night-times, when the world is dumb, But he will come, and find me here or there, For when he comes I know that he will take Just folded, may be, with a silent prayer. Yes, he whom I expect has been called Death, Nothing disturbs of what has been or is; |