My Mother Was A Lady, or If Only Jack Were Here

Two drummers sat at dinner, in a grand hotel one day,
While dining they were chatting in a jolly sort of way,
And when a pretty waitress brought them a tray of food,
They spoke to her familiarly in a manner rather rude;
At first she did not notice them or make the least reply,
But one remark was passed that brought the tear drops to her eye.
And facing her tormentor, with cheeks now burning red,
She looked a perfect picture as appealingly she said:

Chorus:
"My mother was a lady-like yours you will allow,
And you may have a sister, who needs protection now,
I've come to this great city to find a brother dear,
And you wouldn't dare insult me, Sir, if Jack were only here."

It's true one touch of nature, it makes the whole world kin,
And ev'ry word she uttered seemed to touch their hearts within,
They sat there stunned and silent, until one cried in shame,
"Forgive me, Miss! I meant no harm, pray tell me what's your name?"
She told him and he cried again, "I know your brother, too,
 Why we've been friends for many years and he often speaks of you,
He'll be glad to see you, and if you'll only wed,
I'll take you to him as my wife, for I love you since you said:

(Chorus.)

Edward B. Marks

"I SHOULD LIKE TO DIE,” SAID WILLIE

"I should like to die," said Willie, "if my papa could die, too;

 But he says he isn't ready- 'cause he's got so much to do;

 But my little sister Nellie says that I must surely die,

And she and mamma-then she stopped because it made me

cry.

"I remember that she told me once, while sitting on her knee,

That the angels never weary watching over her and me;

 And if r was only good- Nellie told me so before­-

That they let us into Heaven when they see us at the door.

"I shall know no more of sorrow, I shall know no more of sin-

­I shall see mamma and Nellie, for I know they'll let me in;

 But I'll have to tell the angel when I meet him at the door,

That he must excuse my papa, because he couldn't leave the store.

"I know I shall be happy, and shall always want to stay­-

 I should like to hear the singing-I should love the endless day;

I would like to look at Jesus- I'd love him more and more,

And I'd gather water-lilies for the angel at the door.

 Nellie says that it may be I shall soon be called away-­

If papa was only ready I should like to go today;

But if I go before him to that world of light and joy,

I guess he'll want to come to Heaven to see his little boy."

PICTURES OF MEMORY

Among the beautiful pictures

            That hang on Memory's wall.

Is one of a dim old forest.

            That seemeth best of all:

Not for its gnarled oaks olden.

            Dark with the mistletoe;

Not for the violets golden

            That sprinkle the vale below;

Not for the milk-white lilies

            ". That lead from the fragrant hedge,

Coquetting all day with the sunbeams.

            And stealing their golden edge;

Not for the vines on the upland.

            Where the bright red berries rest.

Nor the pinks. nor the pale sweet cowslip.

            It seemeth to me the best.

I once had a little brother.

            With eyes that were dark and deep­

In the lap of that old dim forest

            He lieth in peace asleep:

Light as the down of the thistle,

            Free as the winds that blow,

We roved there the beautiful summers.

            The summers of long ago:

But his feet on the hills grew weary.

            And. one of the autumn eves,

I made for my little brother

            A bed of the yellow leaves.

Sweetly his pale arms folded

            My neck in a meek embrace,

As the light of immortal beauty

            Silently covered his face:

And when the arrows of sunset

            Lodged in the tree-tops bright,

He fell, in his saint-like beauty.

            Asleep by the gates of light.

Therefore, of all the pictures

            That hang on Memory's wall,

The one of the dim old forest

            Seemeth the best of all.

Alice  Cary.