Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-12-31
The Blind Boy,

The Blind Boy.
An editor from whose selections we take the fol-
owing lines, has beautifully said, that, lorhimself,
e could not see to read them through:
1t was blessed summers day,
The flowers boomed. the air was mild,
The little birds poured forth their lay,
And everything in nature smiled.
In pleasant thought wandered on
Beneath the deep woods simple snade,
Till suddenly | came upon
Two children who had thither strayed.
Just at an aged beecg trees foot,
little boy and girl reciined;
His hand in hers he gently put,
And then saw the boy was blind.
The children knew not was near;
A tree concealed me from their view;
But all they said | well could heaT.
And could see all they might do.
''Dear Mary p said the poor blind boy,
"That little bird sings very long,
Say, do you see him in his iov
Andis he pretty as his song!'
YES, Edward, yes replied the maid,
q see the bird on yonder tree -
The poor boy sighed and gently said
Sister, wish that could see
The flowers you say, are very fair,
And bright green leaves are on the trees.
And pretty birds are singing there
How beautiful for one who sees :"
" Yet the fragrant flowers can smell,
And can feel the green leafs shade,
And can hear the notes that swell
From those dear birds that God has made.
rs So sister, God to me is kind,
. Though sight alas He has not given
But tell me. are there any blind,
Among the children up in Heaven -
"No, dearest Edward, there all see,
But why ask me thing SO odd ~
ooh, Mary, He's so good to me,
thought I'd like to look at God -
Ere long, disease his hand had laid
On that dear boy so meek and mild
His widowed mother wept and prayed
That God wouldspare hersightless child.
He felt her warm tears on his face,
And said, "Oh, never weep for me
I'm going to bright, bright place,
Where, Mary says, God shall see
And you'll come there, dear Mary too
But, mother, dear, When you come there,
Tell Edward, mother, that It's YOU
You know never saw you here -
He spoke no more, but swcetly smiled,
Until the final blow was given
When God took up that poor blind child
And opened first his eyes-in Heaven.
>~~~o-~~~-~,-.~oo~~oo4~~~~~-,~~~~~
fST The melody of Old Folks at Home has be
come quite popular. The last number of lions Her
aid gives the following new version:
The BleSt Ones at Home.
Away on the banks of life's bright river,
Far, far away
There will my heart be turning ever,
There's where the blest ones stay
All through the vale Of sin and sorrow, s.
Sadly roam,
Still longing for the dawn of raarrov~,
And for the blcsJ ones at home.
All without is dark and dreary,
Every where | roam,
o. brothers, how the heart grows weary
Signing for the blest ones at home.
Though all earth's sunny scenes I've wandere,
In youths gay morn
How many precious hours I've squandered;
How many mercies scorncd;
When seeking sins delusive pleasure,
Wretched was |
But now my heart has found treasure,
There with the blest ones on high
All without is dark, &c.
One hour there is forever bringing
Memories Of love; -"
twas when my signs were changed to singing,
OF the best above
When shall see my Savous regning,
On his white throne
When will be hushed mo hearts com planning, p
There with the biest ones at home!
All till then is dark and dreary,
Every where / roam,
o, Brothers how the heart grows weary,
Longing for the best ones at home.
-#Ls {.