But a hundred sons couldn't be to me, Like the woman I made my bride. My little Polly-so bright and fair! And white shoes upon her feet; And I held her hand-was it yesterday That we stood up to be wed? And no, I remember, I'm eighty to-day, And my dear wife Polly is dead. -Alice Robbins. I The Old Arm-Chair. LOVE it, I love it! and who shall dare She taught When her eyes grew dim, and her locks were gray; [sighs, I've bedewed it with tears, I've embalmed it with 'Tis bound by a thousand bands to my heart; Not a tie will break, not a link will start. 'Tis past, 'tis past! but I gaze on it now, With quivering breath and throbbing brow: 'Twas there she nursed me, 'twas there she died, And memory flows with lava tide. Say it is folly, and deem me weak, Whilst scalding drops start down my cheek; And I almost worshiped her when she smiled, A A Good Old Age. GOOD old age is a beautiful sight, and there is nothing earthly that is as noble,-in my eyes, at least. And so I have often thought, a ship is a fine object, when it comes up into a port, with all its sails set, and quite safely, from a long voyage. Many a thousand miles it has come, with the sun for guidance, and the sea for its path, and the winds for its speed. What might have been its grave, a thousand fathoms deep, has yielded it a ready way; and winds that might have been its wreck have been its service. It has come from another meridian than ours, it has come through day and night; it has come by reefs and banks that have been avoided, and past rocks that have been watched for. Not a plank has started, nor one timber in it proved rotten. And now it comes like an answer to the prayers of many hearts; see it. a delight to the owner, a joy to many a sailor's family, and a pleasure to all ashore that It has been steered over the ocean, and been piloted through dangers, and now it is safe. But still more interesting than this is a good life, as it approaches its threescore years and ten. It began in the century before the present; it has lasted on through storms and sunshine; and it has been guarded against many a rock, on which shipwreck of a good conscience might have been made. On the course it has taken, there has been the influence of Providence; and it has been guided by Christ, that day-star from on high. Yes, old age is even a nobler sight than a ship completing a long, long voyage. On a summer's evening, the setting sun is grand to look at. In his morning beams, the birds awoke and sang, men rose for their work, and the world grew light. In his mid-day heat, wheat-fields grew yellower, and fruits were ripened, and a thousand natural purposes were answered, which we mortals do not know of. And at his setting, all things seem to grow harmonious and solemn in his light. But what is all this to the sight of a good life, in those years that go down into the grave? In the early days of it, old events had their happenings; with the light of it many a house has been brightened; and under the good influence of it, souls have grown better, some of whom are now on high, and then the closing period of such a life,-how almost awful is the beauty of it! From his setting, the sun will rise again to-morrow; and he will shine on men and their work, and on children's children and their labors. But when once finished, even a good life has no renewal in this world. It will begin again; but it will be in a new earth, and under new heavens. Yes, nobler than a ship safely ending a long voyage, and sublimer than the setting sun, is the old age of a just, a kind, and useful life. -From Mountford's Euthanasy. now let me tell you this. If the time comes when you must lay down the fiddle and the bow, because your fingers are too stiff, and drop ten foot sculls because your arms are BUT too weak, and after dallying awhile with eyeglasses, come at last to the undisguised reality of spectacles; if the time comes when that fire of life we spoke of has burned so low, that where its flames reverberated, there is only the somber stain of regret, and where its coals glowed, only the white ashes that cover the embers of memory-don't let your heart grow cold, and you may carry cheerfulness and love with you into the teens of your second century if you can last so long. -O. W. Holmes. OFTENT Evening Oftener Pleasanter than Morning. FTENTIMES we look forward with forebodings to the time of old age, forgetful that at eventide it shall be light. To many saints, old age is the choicest season of their lives. A balmier air fans the mariner's cheek as he nears the shores of immortality, fewer waves ruffle his sea, quiet reigns-deep, still, and solemn. From the altar of age the flashes of the re of youth are gone, but the more real flame of earnest feeling remains. The pilgrims have reached the land Beulah, that happy country whose days are as the days of heaven upon earth. Angels visit it, celestial gales blow over it, flowers of Paradise grow in it, and the air is filled with seraphic music. Some dwell here for years, and others come to it but a few hours before their departure, but it is an Eden on earth We may well long for the time when we shall recline in its shady groves, and be satisfied with hope until the time of fruition comes. The setting sun seems larger than when aloft in the sky, and a splendor of glory tinges all the clouds which surround his going down. Pain breaks not the calm of the sweet twilight of age, for strength made perfect in weakness bears up with patience under it all. Ripe fruits of choice experience are gathered as the rare repast of life's evening, and the soul prepares itself for rest. The Lord's people shall also enjoy light in the hour of death. Unbelief laments; the shadows fall, the night is coming, existence is ending. Ah! no, cries faith, the night is far spent, the true day is at hand. Light is come-the light of immortality, the light of a Father's countenance. Gather up thy feet in the bed; see the waiting band of spirits! Angels waft thee away. Farewell, beloved one, thou art gone; thou wavest thine hand. Ah! now it is light. The pearly gates are open, the jasper light. We cover our eyes, but thou beholdest the unseen. light at eventide, such as we have not yet. golden streets shine in the Adieu, brother; thou hast HOME AND FIRESIDE. The Return of Youth. YET grieve thou not, nor think thy youth is gone, Nor dream that glorious season e'er could die, Thy pleasant youth, a little while withdrawn, Waits on the horizon of a brighter sky; Waits like the morn that folds her wings, and hides Till the slow stars bring back her dawning hour; Waits like the vanished spring, that slumbering bides, Bides her own sweet time to awaken bud and flower. There shall he welcome thee, when thou shalt stand On his bright morning hills, with smiles more sweet Than when at first he took thee by the hand, Through the fair earth to lead thy tender feet. He shall bring back, but brighter, broader still, Shall clothe thy spirit with new strength, and fill Thy leaping heart with warmer love than then. Hast thou not glimpses in the twilight here, Of mountains where immortal morn prevails; Comes there not through the silence to thine ear A gentle rustling of the morning gales; A murmur wafted from that glorious shore Of streams that water banks forever fair, And voices of the loved ones gone before, More musical in that celestial air? -William Cullen Bryant. A Winters' Evening. [Adapted from Snow Bound.] NWARMED by any sunset light A night made hoary with the swarm, Crossed and recrossed the winged snow; Meanwhile we did our nightly chores- And down his querulous challenge sent. We piled, with care, our nightly stack Shut in from all the world without, |