After All;

to his pretty little sister . " Lucy" did he call her ? Bonny child , she throws it back at him with her puny strength , and lisps , " There , Hector , do not frow it at me any more . " On a rustic seat , looking up from her work every now and then at her loved offspring , is a handsome homely woman , and reading the newspaper by her side is her faithful husbandlooking older and happier than he once did .

, He calls for Hector , and is now telling him a story—a story of youth and love and valour and sorrow—and the boy ' s breast expands as he listens , and he wonders if he will ever be a man like his " big papa . " Dear little Lucy climbs up to his knee , too , and then she goes to her mother , who puts down her work to kiss her . A golden glory from the west lights up this happy scene ancl reflects into the lake below . Ah , who is that fair creature who runs from the house ,

her golden hair streaming in curls behind her . Lucy runs to meet her , and the too fair faces kiss affectionately . Can it be Dolly , who has grown so tall aud handsome ? It is ; ancl there , in the window , is white-headed Mr . Phane , beckoning for Hector , who scampers along the lawn as the quintette approach the house . There , gentle reader , we will let the veil drop again . Our task is finished . THE END .

The Song Of Sorrow.

THE SONG OF SORROW .

BY BEO . EMRA HOLMES . I CANNOT choose but sing the song of sorrow , As I bethink me of the days gone by ; For me , alas ! there is now no to-morrow , The hope in future is but born to die . 'Midst sylvan groves I roam , by water-meadows ,

See the soft beauties of Devonian lanes , Watch the broad river and the gleaming shadows , Where sunset-tinted clouds weave golden chains . They link the sk y above and river flowing Melodious onwards to the surging sea ; Reflecting all the empyrean glowing With glorious sun-shafts : mystery to me .

Why doth the earth put forth such noble seeming , And Paradise repeat itself once more , Just for a few brief moments nature teeming With those celestial beauties I adore ? Is it to give a fore taste of God ' s glory ? Heaven ' s gate ajar , we catch a glimpse of bliss ;

Man ' s disobedience and fair Eden ' s story , Paradise lost , to be regained : 'tis this . I hear the sound of merry children ' s laughter ; They cry for joy ; I long for rest ancl peace : Love lives where all else dies in that hereafter , Where of our sorrows there shall be surcease .

Oh ! all ye weary souls with grief sore stricken , When friends desert you and the loved ones die , One friend will never leave you when you sicken , One glorious home is yours beyond the sky . North Devon Journal .