The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-08-22
Temperance Reading.
FIRST AND LAST.
LEAVING HOME.

LEAVING HOME.
Come and walk with me. Mary, before the sun
Tho tomorrow is my wedding day we are not
parted yet.
I want to walk thro all the paths l may not
dread again,
And the joy that thrills within my heart is
strangely blent with pain.
Let us go thro the orchard into the woods be-
yond,
Where we found the patch of wintergreens
close to the little pond,
Where on the shining surface, the water lilies
bloom,
Making the faint air tremble with their sub
tie, sweet perfume.
Here they are. their pure white petals and
golden hearts aglow,
With strange, wild, spicy sweetness: / have
always loved them so.
We must part, oh! lovely flowers, 1 must leave
you; but | go
To meet happier future than your pulseless
hearts can know.
Here is the old oak tree, where oft we sat be-
meath the shade,
And here's the little brook where we happy
children played.
Do you remember, Mary, how wet we got the
day
We tried to wash our two pet lambs? and then
they ran away.
We can't be always children and life is not all
sport;
Here we are grown up women, and yet the
time seems short.
We have loved each other, Mary, thro' all the
happy years.
But tomorrow is my wedding day, and your
cheek is stained with tears.
My heart is full and tender as think of all 1
leave,
But my future shines so fair before me that 1
can not grieVo.
1 have no tears to shed, Mary, tho it is sad to
part,
My happiness is safe with him who shrines me
in his heart.
RETURNING HOME.
Let US walk slower, Mary, let me lean upon
your arm,
It seems so good to be at home and see the
dear old farm.
remember when we walked here last, before
| went away,
You were so kind to bring me home Mary, so
kind to let me stay.
Since left you, Mary, a young and happy
wife,
I've drank the dregs of sorrow, till 1 wearied
of my life.
could bear the sting of poverty, and sick
ness, and disgrace,
But my poor heart broke with longing to look
upon your face.
At first my life was lighted by my husbands
love alone;
Like pleasant path before me, the sunny fut
ure shone
And ERE Weakened from my dream to find my
life less sweet
The sacred mother-love crept in and made my
joy complete.
[ trembled lest my happiness might be toe
great to last;
And when my sweet child moaned and died
my bitter tears fell fast;
| But lived to be the saddest thing that creepS
along thro' life
| ShiverIng with shame and terror, brutal
drunkards wife.
Hush! do not curse him. Mary; my poor heart
loves him still,
Tho he drove me out into the storm when
was weak and ill.,
| Twas the drink that turned him demon.
| have heard him weep and moan
When the cruel frenzy left him, and he thought
| himself alone,
And if you see him, Mary, if he comes when
am dead,
Tell him loved and prayed for him, the las
words that l said;
Tell him my heart was homesick for my littl(
child in Heaven,
And if he shuns the cursed cup he yet may
be forgiven.
[ am very tired, Mary, and your cheek il
stained with tears.
We must part; but l am happier than have
been for years.
| Who knows but God may save HIM yet, ant
lead him to that rest
| Where l shall spring to meet him with my baby
| on my breast?
| Dele n. Mason. in Union Signal.