The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-12-25

Befofe them stretched green
or broad extent, around whose edge
lofty fence was seen.
Tall trees aud graceful shurbs were there;
Bright flowers of every hue;
Aud near at hand jessamine,
A rose, aud lily grew.
"This park is yours, be on your guard
without is many foe.
To all who ask admittance here,
Return the answer-No!
" BY all your hopes of happiness.
l charge you TO obey!p
The angel saiu in solemn tones,
And quickly passed away.
"Im not a foe, 80 let mo in
can't unlock the gate"
Exclaimed a saucy, boyish voice.
In tones importunate.
Bran glanced around (: there stood a lad
OF L1iputian siZe
Who had u rosy, handsome face,
But dark, malignant eyes.
"No SIR" said Bran, "you can't come in ~
:" will J" returned the lad,
"And If you don't unlock the gate
I'll make You wish you had"
With this, he seized the iron bars
And tried to break them down.
At which display-of impudence
Young Bran began TO frown.
The lad grew more and more enraged.
Take that T. he hercely said,
And hurled an ugly lebble-stone
Direct at Bramleys head.
Theetone fell short, but Bran resolved
The insult to resent;
To catch the urchin, and inhict
righteous punishment.
So, full of wrath, he raised the latch,
And op'ning wide the gate,
Pursued, but tried in vain TO seize
The saucy reprobate.
AT length, exhausted, he returned
Chagrined and petulantN
To mud within his lovely park
Another occupant:
sprite, no bigger than mouse,
VINO hoped and danced about,
Defying ali of Bram's attempts
To lure or drive him out.
Three times our hero caught the sprite
And bore him to the gate;
As many times the sprite escaped,
Enraged aud obstinate.
Determined not TO be Outdone,
Bran still pursued the chase.
And caught the nimble sprite again;
But, as he turned his face,
lie saw his gentle monitress
Approaching near at hand.
What should he say? He'd apurned her words
And broken her command,
Afraid TO show the wicked spritg,
He thrust him in his pocket.
Then FASTENED to the open gate,
Resolved 20 shut and lock il
But ere he'd travelled half the way,
The moritress spoke out:
" Ali, how IL this? An open gate
And foes within, no Doubt"
Bran hung his head his face grew red.
He must equvocate,
Or tell downright lie, he thought,
About the open gate.
At last he spoke {" No ma am, D." said he.
"There are no foes within"
(There were no foes, twas only foe.
That, sure, was no great sin)
But here the spite he held confined
Increased so much in size,
That Bran was sure he'd tumble ont
Before her very eyes.
" About the gate" continued he
In stamRering accents, 4
An angry fellow opened that"
(Ihat, sure, was no great lie)
BIT ali, that pocket! how IL grew
Poor Bran was filled with dread
No hand save yours could raise that latch"
The angel mildly said.
" Be warned in time take my advice,
And shut the gate and bar II;
Else wicked meddlers .eek the park,
To desecrate and mar it,"
With this, she passed from sight and Bran,
Relieved OF all his fears,
Unprotected the struggling spite
And soundly boxed his cara.
" Take that you Tartar, you !" said he,
" And leave these quarters spry."
Just then came floating through the gate
A gorgeous butterfly.
perfect beauty, Bramley thought
And started in pursuit
The insect led him on and on,
A tiresome, vexiDR route.
" ought to shut that gate but then.
I'll do it by aud by
Thought Bran, "a round the park again
He chased the brilliant fly.
At length he ceased his fruitess chase
And sought ouce more the gate.
Alas twere vain 20 close it now:
He'd come an hour Zoo late.
motley throng of ugly imps
Were crowding fiercey in.
Their coming filed poor Bramley's heart
With sorrow and chagrin.
They danced upon the flowers and grass,
With wild and savage mirth.
The lily, rose and jessamine
They trampled in the EARTH
As Bramley stood in blank amaze,
His angel friend drew nigh.
She pointed 10 the gate and said:
"BchOld the reason WHY
The withsred rose, and jessamine,
And lily here portray
The resolutions which you made
year ago to-day!
Had you but guarded yonder gate,
And kept all foes without,
Thered be no broken, leahess stalks
To sigh and grieve about"