"Dastard Prussian, lie there, die there! What care I for your sad plight? Think you, through the day I fought you, glad to succor you at night? To my dying day I'll scorn you, spurn you til my sword shall rust! Glad were I if every Prussian by our arms should bite the dust! Mutely then the weak hand beckoned, feebly motioning to take From his breast, that death was chilling, treasures kept "for mother's sake." Hearts are hearts, though men be foemen; and the Austrian, kneeling down, Gently sought the sacred relic, dearer than a world's renown. Opening wide the cherished locket, lo, he saw soft silver hair; Read within," With mother's blessing," sweet words deftly graven there. Gone all feuds and deadly striving; gone the soldier; and a son, Lost forever to his mother, now his dimmed eyes rested on. Quick he tore aside the doublet, fanned the pallid brow again: What to him was Austrian feather; what was Prussian eagle then? Prussian head on Austrian bosom-Austrian hand the pain beguiled, For he knew a mother somewhere soon would mourn her dear, dead child! THE RIDE OF COLLINS GRAVES. JOHN BOYLE O'REILLY. AN INCIDENT OF THE FLOOD IN MASSACHUSETTS, MAY 16, 1874 No song of a soldier riding down To the raging fight of Winchester town; No song of a time that shook the earth With the nation's throe at a nation's birth; The peaceful valley has waked and stirred, The dew still clings to the trees and grass, As they glance aside at the white-walled homes, The brook that sparkles in diamond rills What was it that passed like an ominous breath? The air of the valley has felt the chill; Why start the listeners? Why does the course God! What was that, like a human shriek, Whence coe they? Listen! And now they hear To the home-filled banks of the valley stream. He cries and is gone; but they know the worst- A monster in aspect, with shaggy front Of shattered dwellings to take the brunt Of the dwellings they shatter,-white-maned and hoarse, The merciless terror fills the course Of the narrow valley, and rushing raves, The galloping horse and the warning word. When heroes are called for, bring the crown RELIGION AND DOCTRINE.-JOHN HAY. "He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. John IX. 25." He stood before the Sanhedrim; The scowling rabbis gazed at him. He recked not of their praise or blame; The whole world poured its vast surprise. On the hate-clouded face of men. But still they questioned, Who art thou? Sat here and begged beside the way; For he was blind. A prophet on the Sabbath-day Had touched his sightless eyes with clay, Their threats and fury all went wide; I know not what this man may be They were all doctors of renown,— The great men of a famous town, With deep brows, wrinkled, broad, and wise, The wisdom of the east was theirs, DIARY OF A SEA VOYAGE. THURSDAY (SECOND DAY OUT). Rolling and pitching. Not hungry as usual. A. M., sick. P. M., sicker. Accounts continually cast; never balanced. Went below. Will appear at Queenstown. FRIDAY. Warm water diet; not nutritious, but sufficiently so for the purpose designed. Ate no food. Want to go home. Sickness increasing. Gag and agag. Steward busy. No conveniences for suicide. Want to walk home. Beef tea and crackers. Down, and then up. P. M., worse. Moans and groans. Why did they let me go! Gulf stream, temp. 80. Stateroom stifling. Going home by rail. Warm water diet continued. Doctor appeared. Administered tar pill. Very choice. Held it five minutes. Bandages and plasters. Arrowroot tea. Quite soothing. First drink came up on time; second remained. Felt encouraged. SATURDAY. Better, but weak. Slept on galley loft from 4 to 10 a. m. Hard tack for breakfast. Appeared convalescent. Congratulations from those who knew how it was them selves. Many had been there; others were going. L- -'s turn next. perfect order. A model of precision. Accounts rendered on time, and in Neatness exemplified. Wanted to go back. Disgusted with life. Inward emotions overpowering. Steward said, fight against it. Tried to, but couldn't. Mental determination insufficient. Victory of matter over mind. Meals at a discount. Dining-room kept aloof. Lemons and remedies of no use. Beef tea a failure. Seidlitz powders of no avail. Surgeon at loss. Says will be better soon. Don't want to be better. Prefer extermination. Steward calm and serene. Holds on to the door. Says, "This is a calm." Proffers the basin. Empties contents. Says "Sea is smooth as a bowl of milk." Very consoling. Groans from A flat to G sharp. Up notes the worst. Adjoining rooms melodious. |