down by the winding road
Through the orchard ways of his quaint abode.--
Tether the horse, as we onward fare
Under the pear trees trailing there,
And thumping the wooden bridge at night
With lumps of ripeness and lush delight,
Till the stream, as it maunders on till dawn,
Is powdered and pelted and smiled upon.

Herr Weiser, with his wholesome face,
And the gentle blue of his eyes, and grace
Of unassuming honesty,
Be there to welcome you and me!
And what though the toil of the farm be stopped
And the tireless plans of the place be dropped,
While the prayerful master's knees are set
In beds of pansy and mignonette
And lily and aster and columbine,
Offered in love, as yours and mine?--

{155}

[Illustration: And lily and aster and columbine]

{157}

What, but a blessing of kindly thought,
Sweet as the breath of forget-me-not!--
What, but a spirit of lustrous love
White as the aster he bends above!--
What, but an odorous memory
Of the dear old man, made known to me
In days demanding a help like his,--
As sweet as the life of the lily is--
As sweet as the soul of a babe, bloom-wise
Born of a lily in Paradise.

[Illustration: Herr Weiser--tailpiece]

{158}

[Illustration: A mother-song--headpiece]

A MOTHER-SONG

Mother, O mother! forever I cry for you,
Sing the old song I may never forget;
Even in slumber I murmur and sigh for you.--
Mother, O mother,
Sing low, "Little brother,
Sleep, for thy mother bends over thee yet!"

{159}

Mother, O mother! the years are so lonely,
Filled but with weariness, doubt and regret!
Can't you come back to me--for to-night only,
Mother, my mother,
And sing, "Little brother,
Sleep, for thy mother bends over thee yet!"

Mother, O mother! of old I had never
One wish denied me, nor trouble to fret;
Now--must I cry out all vainly forever,--
Mother, sweet mother,
O sing, "Little brother,
Sleep, for thy mother bends over thee yet!"

Mother, O mother! must longing and sorrow
Leave me in darkness, with eyes ever wet,
And never the hope of a meeting to-morrow?
Answer me, mother,
And sing, "Little brother,
Sleep, for thy mother bends over thee yet!"

{160}

[Illustration: What "Old Santa" overheard--headpiece]

WHAT "OLD SANTA" OVERHEARD

_'Tis said old Santa Claus one time_
_Told this joke on himsel