MY FIRST GRIEF. "On! call my brother back to me ! The summer comes with flower and bee- "The butterfly is glowing bright "The flowers run wild-the flowers we sow'd Around our garden tree; Our vine is drooping with its load Oh! call him back to me!" "He would not hear thy voice, fair childHe may not come to thee! The face that once like spring-time smiled On earth no more thou'lt see. "A rose's brief bright light of joy, Such unto him was given; So, thou must play alone, my boy! "And has be left his birds and flowers? And must I call in vain ? And through the long, long summer hours, And by the brook, and in the glade, Oh! while my brother with me play'd, Would I had loved him more!" MRS. HEMANS. THE LITTLE BLUE SHOES. OH! those little, those little blue shoes, That those shoes would buy, Those little blue unused shoes! For they hold the small shape of feet Years since grew still, And ceased from their totter so sweet. And oh! since that baby slept, So hush'd, how the mother has kept, With a tearful pleasure, That little dear treasure, And over them thought and wept! For they mind her for evermore Look up from her knees As they lie before her there, That's a gleam in the place, With its little gold curls of hair. Then, oh! wonder not that her heart Than those tiny blue shoes That no little feet use, And whose sight makes such fond tears start! W. C. BENNETT. EVENING SONG. FATHER above! I pray to Thee, I seek Thee on my bended knee, First let me thank Thee for my share For worlds of shining wealth. And next I thank Thy bounteous hand, Thank Thee for each peaceful night, I own Thy mercy when I move, Thank Thee for my many friends, Who tell me all that knowledge lends, Ah! let me value as I ought To bear no malice in my thought— F Father above! oh, hear my prayer! Worthy my earthly parents' care, And true in serving Thee. ELIZA COOK. THE LOST LITTLE ONE. WE miss her footfall on the floor, And when to Heaven's high court above And dreary seem the hours, and lone, We miss that farewell laugh of hers, |