Ladies' Express.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 942, 14 May 1881, Page 1 (Supplement)

Ladies' Express.

[A rich man who had no children wrote to his poor neighbor, who had seven, for one of them, and promised, if the parents would consent, that he would give them property enough to make themselves and the other six children comfortable for life]. Which shall it be ? Which shall it be ? I looked at John —John looked at me, And when I found that I must speak, My voice seemed strangely low and weak. “ Tell ine again what Robert said And then I listening bent my head. “ This is his letter: — “ ‘ I will give A house and land while you shall live, If, in return, from out your seven,„ One child to me for aye is given.’ ” I looked at John’s old garments worn ; I thought of all that he had borne Of poverty, and work and care, Which I, though willing could not share ; I thought of seven young mouths to feed Of seven little childrens’ need, And then of this.

“ Come John, said I, « We’ll choose among them as they lie Asleep.” So walking hand in hand, Dear John and I surveyed our band ; First to the cradle lightly stepped, Where Lilian, the baby, slept. Softly the father stooped to lay His rough hand down in a loving way, When dream or whisper made her stir, And huskily he said, “ Not her!” We stooped beside the trundle-bed, And one long ray of lamplight shed Athwart the boyish faces there, In sleep so beautiful and fair. I saw on Jamie’s rough red cheek. A tear undried. Ere John could speak, “ He’s but a baby, too,” said I, And kissed him as we hurried by ; Pale, patient Robbie’s angel face Still in his sleep bore buffering’s trace., “ No, for a thousand crowns not him,” while our eyes were dim. Could he be spared 9 Nay, He who gave" Bade us befriend the grave ; Only a mother’s healV could be Patient enough I<W such as he ; “ And so.” said Jxthn, “ I would not dare To take him from her bedside prayer.” Then stole we softly up above, And knelt by Mary, child of love, “ Perhaps for her ’twould better be,” I said to John. Quite silently He lifted up a curl that lay Across her cheek in wilful way, And shook his head. “ Nay, love, not thee. The while my heart beat audibly. Only one more ; our eldest lad, Trusty and truthful, good and glad, So like his father. “No John, no ; I cannot, will not, let him go.” And so we wrote in courteous way j We couyd not give our child away ; And afterwards toil lighter seemed, Thinking of that of which we dreamed. Happy in truth that not one face Was missed from its accustomed place ; Thankful to work for all the seven, Trusting the rest to One in Heaven.