National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-26
.,s,estor Tic RcO'Slicon. ,ur,c
py J. 6. SLATER.

BY. 6. SLATER
S. the roof. so NOISY and DID,
eI Tbare the summer rain
hns-C ,,ode as the clouds unroiied
s SSiT; the drops from each SOih0ei iOiU
'P over hill and plain;
,se roof with its peak 50 high
SAIL III nv swallows that used to fly
gtGp,rri r;.iIy as night drew nigh
S Shaded DER with leaves,
.bo old attic, so queer, so quaint
LAY 9-,s,I and dim, and low,
b ,,S'Ss If transferring, lime, or paint
''iiI, - Of freedom from all restraint
In the long ago.
chimney that up from the centre tfei'uS
stairway just before
,.,,,,ar and furniture no one menus,
o D,"l with curious odds and ends
Tittercd Ger the floor;
n yasns in summertime cla"iiHs
spiders creeping dean,
rI;n,,ing their g0sSsimeT cooWeos ou''
,4,trfug The flies on the Walls % i0"'
Wi,h their banners brown;
B ., ,..-st and rue. With some herbs more sweet
c,,.b AZ housewives keep
- ,,rs,u, rgffcrs iii bundles neat;
IT, IN q corner. 10 make complete,
Mi, IN gen Fous heap.
yo,.5er. through centre, but out OF true
stands wall Of boards
,.,.or,I with paper. which hides from view
- and the holes where the mice gnaWed
through
#, The foothsome boards
c.,..;,y tbe threshold of door, made low
Rs,teus Ger each crack
lot, f,,.. chamber once more SO,
ps,poyy setting her torch aGlow
While the past comes buek.
pleasant and cosy, with rafters bare,
Brown with age and CRIME
,.stoored with apple strings, homcly fare,
rp,ii,,t seemed ever TO linger there
IN the olden Time.
Beds in the corners. whose feathers soft
Wooed 10 sweet TepOse-
I'll and bureau. and chairs where oft
,4ildbood once sat in the chamber loft,
Watching twiIight's close;
Old fashioned Ca PCT W i''67 "i-N'N H'N'
Grim and dark, and tall,
g.5stesl, Of cherry and maple wood,
Solid and >irung-for the work was good
Now see them all.
Fberc IN the attic, We used TO sleep
MIL and Tom. and j;
wbqra The first shadows of night would creep
when. the fist glfmmer Of dawn would peep
Fresh from eastern sky.
In the old stairway we used TO so
Ppjnpt at stroke ofnine,
Mother ahead ofIis, we bclOy-
Bright little curly heads, three in row
Marching on in line.
Soon as the words She had taught were said
Wor,i> forever dear
yoihes would tuck Us up safe in bed,
Pgaving a blessing upon each head,
Low and soft, yet clear.
Kissing Ips. then she would say Good nightw
All. those lips 50 true
Ieayingus there till the morning bright
Iszzlci the earth with its golden light,
Hinged With rosy hue.
UpiH he attic we sleep no more
thdh0od's days are fed.
E6lheg has iourncyed the dark stream DER,
Eee.ing with loved ones gone before
Blessings on berhead.
Uill 81 the Wilderness'went to rest;
Tom breathed ont his life
Pressing me close to his loving breast
And watching the Death Kings crimson crest,
Waving DER he strife.
Long have the flowers that deck the sod
Ger their forms laid low
Perished and grown again: yet the rod
Memory holds Ger The path they trod
Beckons to and fro;
81 that in visions it seems TO me-
Visions bright and fair
Mother is leading us brothers three,
Youthful and happy, laughing in glee,
Up he ancient stair.
Softly her kisses then seem 10 fall
ON each tender cheek
Resting on pillow; meantime We ell
Watching her shadow upon the wall
Hearts 10 full 10 speak.
kissing Is each as in days of old
VIII then ne, and last
Tom lwho was Youngest, pet of or fold
Tender and loving, gentle yet bold
fhen-,he dream is past!
Have grown weary of LIES duh cares,
Tears, and toll, and pain.
Weary Of gathering nsught but tares,
Harvesting yanly field that bears
Stores Of golden grain
Weary Of seeking in vain for rest
Through The passing years.
huggng the memories love best
Fondly Yet sadly to aching breast
Tom with doubts and fears;
And am hoping We soon shall meet
VIII. ana Tom, and l.
Aoheris with them: and, o, how sweet
GTeeIiNgs shall be when my pilgrim feet
Reach them 10y and by!