AT BEST.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 214, 3 April 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

AT BEST.

„ -Nettie Bray.

Softly, tread softly—our darling is weary, Tired of the bustle and heat of the noon : Close the >loor gently—'tis well he is quiet— Prince of all mitchief, hell waken up soon. How his 1 fresh checks with hiu rotes are glowing! Look at his forehead so seamless and white! See whore the sunlight—at play in his ringlets — Glaniwa a i ! < la ices like arrows of light! Leave hi> (j-t c >,-s where the urchin has thruwn oh • 11 — Soon Aviil ai.s highness require them again,; Yonder * hi- *ir len-hat—that's where he leaves it, Just where it catches the sun or the rain I Peeping through keyholes and^pejdng-in cupboards — Mocking tliu bird as it sings in its cage— Dressing<;;thrt kitten up "just like * ludy"— Making remark*) like a wit or a sage— Chasinjr a butterfly over the garden— "Playing at sailor-man down by the brook— Making a' bone of his own tiny slipper— . Finning for trout with a pin for;* hook— Tricksoine young rogue, what a dance he has led mo t All through tho day since the first streak of light! Surely w>, mother since, Eve Jived was 'ever Bothered a.n<J blessed with so restless a sprite. Softly, tread softly—our darling is weary 1 Draw dose the curtains and shut oat this light; Low be your accents for warm hearts ar« breaking— „ Bright eye* are closing for ev,er to-night i Over red lip* pour the wild words of. fever, Peals of sweet laughter and snatches of song, i ■> i Meaningless sounds—bow they strike on the heartstrings, Twined rouad the pet of the household so long! Litrht of our hearth, 'twill be hard to resign thee— ' Bitter, the heart struggle, sweetest and best— Thou art the one little birdie that fluttered, Pure as the snow-blossoms, into my nest. Gather ■his toys from the floor where he left their.; Put them all safely as treasures AwayEven the ribbon the dear little fingers Tied 'round the neck of his kitten in play. Soon will he rest 'neath the green waving willow — Two little hands folded over his breast; All the world's tumult will'fail to disturb him- , ' Naughl pf our anguish will} trouble bis, re's£ O'er the .tired eyes droop the long, heavy lashes, Fades the bright rose front the cheeks that grow cold; Kiss the sweet lips ere the smile bas departed— Oh, then look upward—our lamb's in tbe feftr

Mb W. TV StßAoVpunlshraent seems to have beenJittk better than a farce, tin • recent issue of the Mall Mall Gazette he gives an account of Hplloway Gaol with a drawing of his "little room," which appears to be very comfortably furnished. His family and friends were allowed to visit him, aud on Christmas' Day hit children played blindman'e buff in his room. He carried on his editorial work, and- was " amused to receive lamentations over the erratic coune which the Pall Mall Gazette was taking in th« absence of my guiding hand," while the erratic articles complained of w^re in almost every case from my' own pen. Altogether," he concludes. "I can beet sum up my estimate of the ,' punish* ment' inflicted on a first-class misdemeanant at Hoi low jy by saying that if ever I as* in a position to ask a guerdon from my country for my profession, I will humbly petition the power* that be to permit an editor of a daily newspaper to convert himself into a first-class mis* demeanint at will, for terms of one, two, <or three months. There is nothing like feeing in gaol, for getting rid of bore* and getting on with work, and I am not aura that if a small voluntary gaol •wen started by a 'limited liability company to be run on first-class^ misdejneanajit principles, *¥n7T' managed ~aV admirably as Holloway Gaol, it would not paya handmomt dividend. It would osrtainly be an incalculable boon to the ove^drf*#«i (Boob- worried writeA of £ond.on. •