TRUE TO BROTHER SPEAR.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 378, 19 June 1889, Page 5

TRUE TO BROTHER SPEAR.

By Will Cableton.

I. I can't decide why Brother Spear Was never joined to me i It Avasn't becauso the good old Dear Hadn't every chance to bt>; If Poetry remarked one time That womanhood is true. It's more than probable that I'm The one it had in view ; For, search the city, low and high, And no one will you hear To say or hint but what that I Was true to Brother Spear,

11. I mothered all his daughters vrhen Tneir mother's life cut short. Although they didn't— now or then— So much as thanked me fo't; I laughed— though scorched Avith inside rage And said I didn't care, When his young son. or spank'ble age, Removed my surplus hair : I called and called and called there ; why lie ne'er was in seemed queer ; The housemaid even owned that I , Was true to Brother Spear.

111. I hired a sitting in tho church Near him, but cornerwisc. So his emotions I could search. With my devoted eyes; And when the sermon used to play On love, divine and free, I nodded him. as if to say, ' He's hitiing you and me !' Ho went and took another pew — Of ' thousand tongues ' in fear ; But what sin was it to he true To good old Brother Spear I

IV. Poor man ! I recollect he spoke, One large prayer-meeting night. And told now smallest we all look In Heaven's majestic sight ; He said, not worthy he had. been — By conscience e'er abhorred— To bo a doprkeeper Avithin The temple of the Lord ; And that his place for evermore. Undoubtedly and cleai', Was mainly back behind the door — Poor humble Brother Spear ! Y. And then 1 rose and made a speech, Briraf ul of soul-distress. And told them how words could not reach My own unworthiness ; How orphanage I tried to soothe. And cheerless widowhood ; But in the Lord's great house, in truth, I too felt far from good, And thatnir trembling heart and mind Compelled it to appear That my place henceforth was behind The doox*. with Brother Spear 1

VI. Poor man !he ne'er aijain, they say, ( Was heard to strongly speak ; He took down ill that very day. And died within a -week. But one prayer ott they heard him give—— That when his days were o'er, Zstill upon this earth might live A thousand years or more. v As his betrothed I figure now, A nd shed the frequ«*nt terr ;' And all his relatives will vow" , , I'm true to Brother Spec.?. *- ' 111 1 ' Editor's Drawor .otilarper's Magazine for; f • April, " .',