The Whistlers

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 April 1915, Page 4

The Whistlers

1 Twos a great house once for musio, Boys were brave and girls were bright, Fun and frolic, songs and dancing Filled their evenings with delight. Every sou was famed for whistling, Tuneful as the pipes ot Pan. When they homeward turned from courting You could trace tliein to a man. Early hours kept all the neighbors, "Lights out; cover up the brand." Then from many different quarters Roe# the whistling of tliat band. "Annie Laurie," through the clover, "Gipsy's Warning" from file Jiill "Bonnie Doon" or "Alollie Darling" Echoing in the moonlight still. Soon the wakeful ear of mother List'ning keen and sure as fate. To the homing of her pigeons Heard the last clang ot the gate. Death stepped in; the song birds parted, Trouble came, defeat, disgrace— Only one, lone, sad. neglected Lingers in that dreary place. Never more through purple twilight Shall we hear their young feet roam; And the heart aches in the silence For the whistlers coming home. —M. L. Mackenzie, in American Agriculturist.