Page:Pieces People Ask For.djvu/211

Rh He stood with his upraised glass, and the light Full on his fair young brow beamed bright,— That brow which an anxious mother would kiss With a pure, deep feeling of heartfelt bliss; And along the line of his comrades young, To honor his toast, each hand upsprung: In not one glass did the red wine gleam; But all were filled from the crystal stream.

On the morrow, adown the street, With trumpet's blast and war-drum's beat, Firm and erect, with martial tread, The flag of their Country overhead, With brave, stout hearts, and patriot-song, The Nation's heroes go marching along. And our soldier is there, marching forth To join the bands of the loyal North; To strike a blow for his Country dear, And her trailing flag to again uprear. Light is his heart ; his faith is strong; Bright gleams his sword as he moves along: But the armor he wears that shall serve him best Is the pledge to his mother guarding his breast. George M. Baker.

THE LEAK IN THE DIKE. A STORY OF HOLLAND. good dame looked from her cottage
 * At the close of the pleasant day,

And cheerily called to her little son
 * Outside the door at play,—

"Come, Peter, come! I want you to go,
 * While there is light to see,

To the hut of the blind old man who lives
 * Across the dike, for me;

And take these cakes I made for him—
 * They are hot and smoking yet:

You have time enough to go and come
 * Before the sun is set."