MOTHERLESS.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 169, 11 September 1886, Page 1

MOTHERLESS.

T*ne gas, with feeble, fliek'ring glare, Shines out into night's gloom ; Casting strange shadows everywhere About the dreary room. They're sitting in the sombre gray Which flecks the floor and wall, And as my window faces theirs, I see them one and all. Three days ago ! Ah, sad. fad time ! A hearse with drapings black Bore from that home a precious form Which nevermore came back. And my heart aches for children nine, Facing life's emptiness. A sorrj- thing: it is to tx» In youth left motherless. True, they've a father L Ah ! but he Cares only for his gold. His frail wife always thought him strange, Bis children gray* and cold. So none dare take their loneliness To him for words of cheer, Bat strive when in his presence dread To check the rising tear ! "To me they're strangers, but I know " Each little child by name. And I can pray for them as if Our life-paths ran the same. That one with the blonde bjur is Kate, The oldest of them all. ■ Bat Fannie. Fred, and blue-eyed Grace Pm sure are just as tall ! Yes, Anna has the sweetest face, And Nell the brightest smile, But you must own the mother's looks Are found in baby Lisle ! How full Will's dark eyes are of tears ! How wet poor Neddie's cheek, As though each heard an angel's wing, And feared lest he might speak, t DearGotl! to whom we all niay cry, Help thou that mourning band, Oh ! bid the angel 3 wire stoop down .And clasp each little hand, And lead them to the mother-heart Freod from this vale of tears "Which waits to fold her darlings close, And soothe away their fears.