Young Folk

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 12, 17 June 1893, Page 2

Young Folk

WHAT ONE BOY THINKS. A stitch is always dropping in the everlasting knitting, And the needles that I’ve threaded, no you couldn’t count to-day; And I’ve hunted for the glasses till I thought my head was splitting, When there upon my forehead as calm as clocks they lay. I’ve read to her till I was hoarse, the Psalms and the Epistles, When the other hoys were burning tar-barrels down the street; And I’ve stayed and learned my verses when I’ve heard their willow whistles, And I’ve stayed and said my chip ter with fire in both my feet. And I’ve had to walk beside her when she went to evening meeting, When I wanted to be racing, to bo kicking, to be off; And I’ve waited while she gave the folks a word or two of greeting, First on one foot and the other and ’most strangled with the cough. “You can talk of Young America,” I say, “ till you are scarlet, It’s Old America that lias the inside of the track! ” Then she raps me with her thimble and calls me a young varlct, And then she looks so wee-begone I have to take it back.

But! There always is a peppermint or a penny in her pocket — . There never was a pocket that was half so big and deep— And she lets the candle in my room burn way down in the socket, While she. stews and potters round about till I am sound asleep. There’s always somebody at home when every one is scattering ; ' She spreads the jam upou your bread in a way to make you grow ; She always takes a fellow’s side when everyone is battering ; And when I tear my jacket I.know just where to go. And when I’ve been swimming after father said I shouldn’t, And mother has her slipper off according to the rule; It sounds as sweet as silver, the voice that says, “ I wouldn’t; The boy that won’t go swimming such a day would be a fool! ” Sometimes there’s something in her voice as if she gave a blessing, And I look at her a moment and I keep still as mouse— And who she is by this time there is no need of guessing; For there’s nothing like a grandmother to have about, the house ! —Harriett Prescott SpoJford.