A FALLEN SISTER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1961, 4 October 1888, Page 3

A FALLEN SISTER

The following touching poem, which displeya great literary ability, appears Id the Danedia "Star "over the signature tI J, O'M, Auckland." Thesa are the inltila of Mr Joieph O'Moagher, solicitor, foctneray of Oamaru, and new of the Qaeen Olty of the North, to whom we think we are right m attributing the authorship : — Oat m the silent Btreet, Drenched with the blinding rain ; Blistered sore are her feet, Backed are her joints with pain ; Sits she on a cold doorstep, Trying m vain to rest : Clasps she closely and fondly Her baby to her breast. Drooping, forlorn, dejeoted, Oh ! how she trembles now. Frail, and bo unprotected. All for a broken tow. Thinks she, as baby slumber'd, O'er joys for ever fled, Frayi they may Boon be number'd Peacefully with the dead. . Thinks with a frozen shiver, Thinks of a home of love, Thinks of the deep dark river, Dreams of the realms above. Clobo to her bosom presses Poor little baby's head ; Vain are her fond caresses ; Knows not her child is dead. Gone is that pride of beauty When she was young and fair, Falt'ring not m her duty ; Stranger to worldly care. Dresßed in -the height of fashion, Guileless and free from art ; Victim of human passion, Dies with a broken heart. Dies with no friend or brother With her to sympathise, No tender, loving mother Closing her death-glazed eyeß. Have they no human pity For her they onoe reviled ? Send her to Waikomiti, Off with mother and child. Never a soul to lave her, Tho' it's too late to save, But there's a God above her Taking the life he gave. Gone is the gentle spirit mSir Into the " novermore," "" Leaving her lifeless body Stretohed at her father's door. Binned more against than sinning, Banished without good cause, Bread precluded from winning, Cura'd by our social laws. Sneer at your fallen sister Pious, church-going dame, Shedding no tears that blister Over that sister's shame. Women with happy obildren, Women with daughters fair, Ponder, upon their future, Think of it if you dare. Here is a solemn warning, Here is a fruitful theme, Sorely no theme for scorning, - Surely no idle dream, Oh I are you Cbrirtians human, Woman, and maid, and man ? Here was an erring woman Under your sooial ban. 8 What had she done that others May not have done before ? Think of her, heartless mothers, Dead at her father's door. But there's a great good Father, s Merciful m his power, Who will his children gather, E'en m their darkest hour, Banishing earthly sorrow, Washing all stain away, Dawns there a sunlit morrow, d Blissful, eternal day, Is J.O'M. d Auckland, Augupt 20.