Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/663

 1850-60.] MARY A. SHORT. 647 The mother with tenderness clasped to her breast, And whispered to Nell, ere she laid her to rest, " When Freddy was naughty, and struck you this moi'n, You did not grow angry and strike in re- turn. But all the day long you've been gentle and mild. And made mother proud of so darling a child!" A beautiful light is in little Nell's eyes, A new thought has filled her with joyful surprise — " Now I know it," she cried, " it's all un- derstood, 'Twas God made me happy, because I was good ! " 'Tis thus we find wisdom, all pure, unde- filed. When God sends us truth, on the lips of a child. She has solved the great problem, sweet little Nell Wood, That the way to be happy is, first to be eood ! APPRECIATION. I ASK not for a kindly deed, ye should My name applaud ; Give me no formal thanks or flatteries As meet reward. These cannot satisfy, when I have sought With sweet delight, Through thy long absence, with a faithful heart. To do just right ! When I have made thy wishes all my own, And gently thought That thou wouldst look approvingly on what My hands had Avrought ; I ask that thou appreciate, and if 'Tis fairly won, Grant me the blessing of a smile, and say, " It is well done ! " MAY. Beautiful May, Like a child at play, Comes tripping along her joyous way, — Tripping along. With mirth and song. Laughing, loving May ! Wiping her tears, Soothing her fears, April no longer in shadow appears ; May's soft hand Like a magic wand, Scattereth blessings all over the land. The bright sun gleams. On hills and streams. There's a strange, new warmth in his glancing beams. Ah ! blue-eyed May Is his bride to-day, Beautiful maiden, May !