Testimony of the Dead.

"One night, how I remember it,
The clock had just struck three,
I sat beside a fireless grate,
My babe upon my knee;
I heard a step upon the stairs;
I trembled fearfully.

"A strange foreboding made me turn
The lock upon the door:

My husband knocked, and knocked again,
And fearful oaths he swore;

Then burst the lock, and with a blow
He felled me to the floor.

"I screamed for mercy and implored
Him not to harm the child,
He heeded not my tears and cries,
His eyes flashed fierce and wild,
In vain I bid him stay his hand,
He would not be beguiled.

"I heard my darling baby scream,
I tried to raise a cry,

But loss of blood and sudden fright
Each effort did deny;

I saw the flames dart round the room
Before a hand was nigh.

"And in the struggle came a crash,
The lamp fell on the ground,
Alas! the curling wreaths of smoke
Were gathering all around,
And he was helpless to protect,
No saving hand was found.

"Next morn my wounded body lay
Within another home;

I called for husband and for child,
Alas! they could not come;
Since they were dead, I could but die;
I rested in the tomb.

"And even now I cannot rest

Beneath my bed of stone;

Amongst the tombs at dead of night
My constant walk I roam,

To tell whoever I may meet
To let the drink alone."

133

184

My First Doll.

The story done, the figure raised
Her hands all marked with clay,
Then cursed the drink in language wild
Till near the break of day,

And with the first beam of the light
She vanished all away.

HOW

MY FIRST DOLL.

W. A. EATON.

OW well I remember my first new doll,
With beautiful golden hair,

And bright blue eyes so large and full,

So closed when laid on a chair.

Her frock was pink, and white with lace,
Her sash a lovely green,

But, oh, my dolly's charming face
Was the prettiest I had seen!

Her small red shoes so nice and tight
I kissed them o'er and o'er,

I always took them off at night,
And placed them near the door.
She was not like my brother Fred
A tiresome little Turk,

She always went so good to bed,
She had such easy work.

I remember well when Papa came,
"I've a doll for Mary," he said;
And when I heard him call my name,
I jumped right out of bed.

I ran down stairs with naked feet,
Ne'er thinking of the cold,

I saw my doll with face so sweet,
And hair of shining gold.

I kissed Papa a hundred times,
Then back to bed I went,
I dreamt of happy fairy climes

Where a thousand dolls were sent.
In the morning I forgot my prayers
When I knelt by the bedroom chair,
I hurt my foot as I ran down stairs
To see if my doll was there.

The Cause of our Success.

Ah! how I nursed it all day long,
While Mamma smiled to see
Me cuddle it tight as I sang a song,
And danced it on my knee.
My precious doll with golden hair
I never shall forget,

It was my treasure everywhere,
My darling little pet.

THE CAUSE OF OUR SUCCESS.

GEORGE BARRY.

WHof temperance is

WHO knows the reason why the cause

Of temperance is progressing?

Why daily multiply the men

Our principles professing?

Few are the years ago, we know

When abstinence was slighted;

When few the hands that joined to save
The homes strong drink had blighted.
But now by tens of thousands is
Sobriety commended;

By thousands more of England's youth
Her gatherings are attended.
Pray what has caused this vast success
Beheld throughout the nation?
The workers once so few, but now
In every rank and station!
Is it the fruit of orat'ry,

The toil of Christian pastors,
Of statesmen, of philosophers
Discerning drink's disasters?
Did men of science lend their light,
The evil all revealing?

Were poets heard throughout the land

In song to men appealing?

Ah! no, the men of thought and power
But little care bestowing,

Did scarce with little finger help

The monster's overthrowing.

185

136

The Cause of our Success.

The cause of this conviction wide
More solemn is, more sadd'ning;
Were eloquence alone its source,
The prospect then were gladd'ning.
But this it is: the spirit foul

Himself has broke among us;
His shade has fall'n across our homes
And hearts; his fang has stung us.
His hideous form upon our eyes,
How could we be unheeding?
How, with indifference, see loved ones
Beneath his weapon bleeding?
If we should need a warning voice
To tell us of the danger,

When in our midst-so close ourselves—
What folly could be stranger?

And where's the man in all the land
Who knows it has not found him?
Who says it ne'er has smitten one
To whom affection bound him?
Alas! we one and all must own
'Tis ever coming nearer,

Some it has slain whom we esteemed,

Yea, some that e'en were dearer.
We've watched the fading of the hopes
That all their prospect lighted:

The beauteous lives by drink were quenched,
And all those hopes were blighted.
And how the earnest question comes,
Who next is marked for falling?
What brother's or what sister's shame
Will come, our hearts appalling?
When 'twas the stranger, poor, despised,
Alone, who was the weeper?
Ourselves we did persuade that we
Were not our brother's keeper.
But now the cry among our own,
Is causing our awaking;

By thousands to the conflict we

At last our way are taking.

If loved ones round our hearth must from

The evil be defended,

'Tis ours to oppose with might, the foe,

That myriads has offended.

The Right Change.

THE RIGHT CHANGE.

A DIALOGUE.

137

By W. A. EATON, (Author of "While the Sabbath bells were ringing,"

том

&c., &c.)

Characters: TOM SMITH and WILL JONES.

OM (enters, looking at some coppers in his hand in a doubtful manner). No, it isn't right-I can't make it come right anyhow.

WILL (meeting him). Hallo, Tom! what's up now? You look as if you had lost sixpence and found threepence.

TOM. Well, it's not exactly that. I've not got my money right, and I can't make it come right.

WILL. Oh, that's it, is it?

such a pickle?

Where have you been to get in

TOM. Well, I was at the "Blue Last," last night, and I know I had half-a-crown in my pocket, and now I've only got twopence-halfpenny.

WILL. Ha, ha, ha! Why, that's very likely. They won't let you bring much away when once they get you in there. I dare say you spent the money, only you were not clear-headed enough to reckon it up then, and of course you don't recollect it now.

Toм. I am certain I never spent two shillings and threepence-halfpenny last night, I am quite sure of that.

WILL. I wouldn't be too positive if I were you, Tom! Your memory isn't so very exact as all that, you know. By the way, what time did you get home last night?

TOM. Well, I think it was about one o'clock this morning, but I won't be certain. I know the old lady gave me a good talking to about it.

WILL. I should think so indeed! What would you say to her if she kept such hours, I should like to know. One o'clock in the morning! No wonder you look pale to-day! Was there anything special on at the "Blue Last"?

Toм. Oh, yes, there was a grand entertainment, and a good many professionals were there. You should have heard