"DEAR MAMMA, I AM NEVER AFRAIL

IN THE DARK ; ANGELS ARE IN
THE DARK."

Yes, when the shadow falleth,

An angels hovers near,
To guard thy little footsteps,

So Maggie need not fear.

And watching o'er her pillow,

And by her cradled bed,
From silent morn till even,

His wings are ever spread.

You do not know his coming,

You do not feel him near,

TO T. H, D.

My husband, take this little flower,

And fold him to thy breast, Look on his baby face and see

Thy lineaments imprest.

Oh! smile upon our little child,

He comes to comfort thee,
To fill a void within thy heart,

God's blessing on him be.

I ask for this last precious one

No wreath or titled fame,

But that he bear in noble worth

Thy dear and honored name,

Oh! for this last best benison,

Which God to us hath given, May plenitude of grace be sent,

To fit his soul for Heaven.

PRETTY BIRDLING.

Little, bird, so blithe and gay,
Tilting on the slender spray,
Who so happy, free as you,
Sipping pearls of morning dew?

Tell me, pretty birdie, why
You have left your home so high,
In yon spreading apple tree
And are here so close to me.

So near I watch the expanding throat,
Almost bursting with its note,
Praising Him who rules alway,
For thy short-lived summer day.