Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-02-19
THE SKATERS.


nI Wish could 90 aud skate. mother,
When the boys are all at play;
I am weary Of this tlrssoms work
On every holiday
"whsn school Is over, the other boys
Have nothing elsetodo
But to slide and skate on Crystal Pond;
And l want 10 80 there too.
when SAnta Claus hung up my stAtss
On the bOautifal Christmas tree,
He didn't know how little use
They could ever be to mel7
Bis trouble grisvsd his mothers heart;
~ Am sorry, dear"she said,
And stopped to kiss him, while her tears
Fell on his curly head.
He locked in her face, and murmurlng changed
Ts sudden pentsnce,
And all his better self Awoke
With his boyish love intense.
20 mother, mother 1 WAa wronsi
And now 1 have given you pain,
To help you Ia better than all their play.
Why did ever eomplhlnr
with eager hands hs took his WorA,
And In tender ways he strors
10 nhsw her that all aueh pleasant Bpogt
Was nothing to her love.
Al length, when the rosy sunsst aush
Had faded on from the snow,
And low In the west had dlsd aWay
The lingering twilight glow,
"Losk, darlinRl" ths mother said, ''whAt iiGh,
Burns yonder down By the milli"
f0' It's bonhre beside the pond,
And the boys are skating still.
"And, mother, now that the tubs are fall.
And both the eowa are fed,
And faggota enough are cut, and all
Ths wood Ia In the she'd
When have done my sums, I'll 60
And skate for n little whils.'
Eyes, go, my fAithtul boy /" she said,
And she kissed him with a smile.
with careful and thorough work and slow
He covered half his slate.
HAnd now Pm going, mother !" he said;
''No matter If II islAts"
Across the meadow and down the lane
He ran with eager feet
When under the hedge he heard the sound
ofa little plaintive bleat.
'why, here ia one Of Dame Lockers sheep,
Wandered away from the fold
Oh dsAri cannot leave 1t to die
Out In the dark and cold"
60 h, turned and took the blsating thOep
Home to its own warm shed,
Then down the path to the 10y pond
With doubled haste no sped.
The merry skaters all had gone,
And tNe bonfire amouldsred low;
"No mat,erl" he cried, ~ csn sec my way,
And across the pond I'll go"
flock Of snow-birds vent skimminB past
Out Of the cid bare trees;
'Haysn't you gene TO sleep" hs said,
@You dear little chick Adeedsssi"
He stopped to buckle his skAtes, when loi
Upspoke little bird:
ave seed not mind this good little boylp
Those were the words he heard.
And whom he rose they were fairy men,
Laying their eloaks away
pile Of little fsathery eloakss,
Under the holly spray.
ouaint little men the faries we're,
With skateu like the newest moon.
And up IN the plnss the pipers sat
Playing an elfn tune.
Two little fellows In green and gold,
with ladders upon their backs,
Went round and lit Up the icielss,
which aamed and burned like wax.
The king put on his diamond crown,
And took bis sceptsr bright,
And, looking round the pond, he said.
"The ladies' arc late toniehtr
A troop Of robin redbreasts dew
with merry chatter down;
Each threw aside her crimson vest,
And dotted her robe Of brown.
Each stepped, a fairy lady bright,
Down on the glittsring ice,
In satin dress and ornaments
OF many strange device,
And one more fair than lillIsu rare
Came gliding up to the king.
sand who.is this" she asked, ''Who thus
Has joiued our magic ringf"
a'ris the best Of all the boys" he said,
'who was doing good all day,
And had no time TIL now 10 come
Out on the Ice 10 play"
',Ah, then he ShAll have the msrrIsst alght
That ever mortal knew,
For love ths little children we'll
That are patient, kind, and trus.H
And the taIry lady kept her word