They listened, amazed at my story,
And wept o'er their darling's strange quest,
While the arms of the pale, loving mother
Drew the brave little head to her breast.

With eyes that were brimming and grateful
They thanked me again and again;

Yet I knew in my heart that the blessing
Was won by that gentle "Amen."

-AUTHORSHIP UNKNOWN

THE GOOD NIGHT KISS

I am tired of tongues that are lying
In their cunning schemes for gain—
I am tired of worry and sighing

That ravish the soul and brain-
And I long for the peace of the wildwood

Near the dear old home that I miss,

And the happy trust of childhood,
And mother's good night kiss.

I am tired of faces smiling

In deceit to hide the frownAnd life's false joys beguiling The soul but to drag it down; And I long once more to listen

To the sound of a step I missThat I knew when the tears would glisten At my mother's good night kiss.

I am tired of all the idols

That claim a right to my heart—
I am tired of falsehoods' bridles

That are worn by all in the mart.
And it's ever the words that were spoken
In truth and love that I miss-
When each night I received their token
In my mother's good night kiss.

I am tired of living and learning
That the false exceeds the true-
I am tired with years of yearning
For a love like my childhood knew.
When life seemed not deceiving,
And I dreamed it held but bliss-
When I slept in peace believing
In mother's good night kiss.

-W. D. HUMPHREY

MY PA WON'T PLAY WITH ME

My paw he's the bestest man, he brings me lots of toys, And candy, too, and all sich things, what's good for little boys;

He lets me go to circusses and spend my money free, He buys me lots of Sunday clothes; but he won't play with me.

Most every evening after tea, I gits my ball to play, And ask my paw to catch it, but he's allus sure to say: "Don't bother, son-I'm busy now; go on to bed," says he.

Then I go off a wishin' that my paw would play with me. Sometimes when I kneel down at night, just sorter so,

to pray,

Old Nick slides in betwixt the lines, and almost makes

me say:

Oh, Lord, send me a paw what ain't got so much biz', so's he

Can find a little weency, teency time to play with me." I spects that great big mens don't want to have some

fun no way;

And maybe 'twouldn't look just right to see them run and play;

But I jis' can't help thinkin' sir, what great sport 'twould be

If paw'd been born a little boy, so he could play with me. Some day when I feel sorter tough, with sand up in my

craw,

And ain't a-skeered of gettin' licked, I'll bet I tells my paw;

"Say, dad, if you jis' want to be right up to date you see, You'd better come down off your perch and learn to play with me."

I ain't much on philosophy, but I got it on my slate, Jis' chalked it down in black and white, and feel compelled to state;

"Of course, I loves my paw, and then he loves me, too,

but we

Could love each other better if he'd only play with me." -W. HALLECK MANSFIELD

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOY AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP
"Now I lay me down to sleep:

I pray the Lord my soul to keep,"
Was my childhood's early prayer
Taught by mother's love and care.
Many years since then have fled;
Mother slumbers with the dead;
Yet methinks I see her now,
With love-lit eye and holy brow,
As, kneeling by her side to pray,
She gently taught me how to say,
"Now I lay me down to sleep:

I pray the Lord my soul to keep."

Oh! could the faith of childhood's days,
Oh! could its little hymns of praise,
Oh! could its simple, joyous trust
Be recreated from the dust
That lies around a wasted life,
The fruit of many a bitter strife!
Oh! then at night in prayer I'd bend
And call my God, my Father, Friend,
And pray with childlike faith once more
The prayer my mother taught of yore,—
"Now I lay me down to sleep:

I pray the Lord my soul to keep."

-EUGENE HENRY PULLEN

THE DISTURBER

Did anyone ever tell you

To "stop makin' such a noise,"
When you wuz a-playin' Injun,
An' war-whoopin' with the boys?
Did anyone ever tell you

To "wipe your feet on the mat?"
Or, "If you come in, be quiet,

But first take off your hat?"

Didn't any one ever tell you

Your manners wuz loud and bold?

Then I guess you're one of the grown-ups, And not a boy nine years old.

-EXCHANGE