Shells

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ... How keen the winds were, and how rife With wintry sounds. Oh Love, oh Life! She waited till she saw him pass Across the meadow, out of sight. His shadow fell upon the grass; The winds were talking of the night. How high they whirled the withered leaf; How swift it flew. Oh Love, oh Grief. She shut the door, and turned away. Some task was waiting for her hand. She shut another door, where lay, Her sweet dead hope. You understand. "And they shall weep no more," God saith, "Nor taste of pain." Oh Life, oh Death. JAMIE. In through the kitchen, the boys came trooping: Will, and Sammy, and Bob and Fred, And Johnny and Jamie, the twins, came after, Setting the rafters, a-ring with laughter. Woe for the words I said! I looked at the floor I had swept and dusted, And saw the litter the twelve feet brought; And I sighed, and frowned, on the six bright blossoms. And frowning, spoke my thought. "Oh, was there ever so weary a woman! I have been only twelve years wed. But I've never a moment of peace or quiet. Six rough boys, with their noise and riot, Are wearing me out," I said. "Six rough boys to mend and work for, To clothe and feed--it is hard at best; There's never an end to my weary labors, There is no time for rest." Dark fell the shadows around my little cottage, Weeping I leaned over one little bed, Vain were the tears on the tiny face falling; In the dim distance I heard a voice calling--"Come unto me," it said. And down through the starlight an angel descended, And stood by my Jamie's low bedside. "Come! there is room with the angels," she whispered, "Heaven is fair and wide." "Fair are its meadows, and wide are its mansions, And thousands of children are gathered there." Vain were the prayers that I prayed, leaning o'er him, Up to the...