A LITTLE OPTIMIST.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 440, 15 September 1904, Page 8

A LITTLE OPTIMIST.

The skies are gray, the keen winds blow, The air is chili with gathering snow, We mortals draw together. % Around the hearth-ftre, hovering- near To catch the glowing; radiant cheer. Though often grumbling, too, I fear. With hearts that match the weather. X peer through frosty window pans, ~{• For hopeful signs I search in vsin, JS% And sigh, for Epring a-weary. ; 3 When, hark! a voice falls on my ear, I start, surprised, it rings so near. This merry whistle.loud and clear, , Of "Cheer up: cheer up! che-ery!** On yoader dogwood's slender frame A vivid dash of scarlet flame Lights up the landscape dreary. A tiny knight in gala suit. Whose voice tunes up his mellow lute With "Che-er up! che-erup! che-ery!**-New, like a gleam of sunlight, i**, , He flits about from tree to tree, ' Now gayly .silhouetting the clouds his flashing form. Jail what care* he for w<r,d and stormt His loving heart Is ever warm. He sees no cause for fretting. A blessing on his scarlet coat And merry, lilting, tuneful note! Ah! who could now be dreary? Lome, let us from this cheerful sprite A lesson learn; when cold winds blight. To whistle till our hearts grow light, "Oh, cheer up! cheer up! cheery!" —Marian Phelps, in Chicago Advance