Thou, Lord, and thou alone, didst see what passed
Beside that couch in those funereal hours.

When in that gloom the Evil Spirit spoke,

Thou, who by Satan to the desert led

Couldst only at the last find strength to say,

"Get thee behind me!" thou, O Lord! didst pardon
That tempted soul. And when she bowed her head
Before the final anguish, thou alone

Wert witness, and alone thou didst approve.
Remembering then that on the Mount of Olives
Thou didst recoil from thy impending doom.
And meekly pray, "O Father, let this cup
Pass from me!" thou with pity didst behold
That heart too sorely smitten. Who can doubt,
Lord, that thy blessing was on her vouchsafed?

But when the doctor in the morning came,
And saw her still beside the officer,
Tending him still and giving him his drink
With trembling fingers, he was much amazed
Irene had white hair!

VERY HARD TO PLEASE.

ANON.

There is a gentleman in this city who has acquired the habit of going to a fruit stand, and after pricing the melons, &c., and after eating about five cents' worth of peanuts, objects to the price and does not buy.

Yesterday the fruit man made up his mind to sell him something, anyhow.

"How much are these melons?" inquired the peanut fiend.

"Five cents a piece."

"Can I pick my melon ?"

"Take the biggest you can find.”

"Let me plug 'em to find a ripe one?"

"Here's a knife; split 'em wide open."

"Don't you throw in a banana ?”

"Always."

"Whew! If I had any way to get the melon home, I believe I'd invest."

"Just say the word, and I'll send you both home in a new hack, and give you ninety days to pay for the melon." "Melons are going to be cheaper after a while, but if the chromo suits I'd take the melon. No colic in it, is there? Let me see the chromo."

"What chromo?"

"Why, you ought to be able to throw in a chromo, if you mean business. I always get a chromo for a cash transaction like that. Sorry can't trade." And he picked up a handful of peanuts and sauntered off.

BE AS THOROUGH AS YOU CAN.

From the Enterprise.

Whatsoe'er you find to do,

Do it, boys, with all your might!

Never be a little true,

Or a little in the right.

Trifles even

Lead to heaven,

Trifles make the life of man;

So in all things,

Great or small things,

Be as thorough as you can.

Let no speck that surface dim

Spotless truth and honor bright!

I'd not give a fig for him

Who says any lie is white!

He who falters,

Twists or alters

ANON.

Prayer in all things, Great and small things, Like a Christian- gentleman; And forever,

Now or never,

Be as thorough as you can.

THE SEA-GIRT ISLE.

FATHER EDWARD PURCELL.

From the Cincinnati Commercial.

Come, fill the cup, we'll drink to-night
To the land that gave us birth;
The sparkling wine with its rosy light
Was made for the sons of earth.
And oh! if a tear our eyes should dim,
When we think of the friends we miss,
We'll steal a ray from the goblet's brim,
And bathe the tear in bliss.

Then fill the cup to the sea-girt isle,
To the dear remembered few,
Whose lips, perhaps, at this moment smile
In the homes our childhood knew;
For, alas! full many a year has flown
Since our parted bosoms met,

But affection's chain was round us thrown,
And its links are shining yet.

The strings of the harp have murmured long,
With many a tale of woe,

But there's joy to-night and the tide of song
From its innermost founts shall flow;

And memory, like an angel bright,

From Eden's blissful bowers,

Will fill the soul with a holy light,

And cover the heart with flowers.

Yes, our country's love embalms the heart,
Wherever our barks may sweep,

As the leaves of the rose, tho' torn apart,
Their share of the perfume keep.
Then thus, while every goblet foams,

Let this be the pledge we'll give—
Our native isle and our early homes,
And the land in which we live.

ON THE OTHER TRAIN.

A CLOCK'S STORY.

ANON.

"There, Simmons, you blockhead! Why did'nt you trot that old woman aboard her train? She'll have to wait here now until the 1:05 A. M."

"You didn't tell me."

"Yes, I did tell you. 'Twas only your confounded stupid carelessness."

แ She

"She! You fool! What else could you expect of her! Probably she hasn't any wit; besides, she isn't bound on a very jolly journey-got a pass up the road to the poorhouse. I'll go and tell her, and if you forget her to-night, see if I don't make mince meat of you!" and our worthy ticket agent shook his fist menacingly at his subordinate. "You've missed your train, marm," he remarked, coming forward to a queer looking bundle in the corner.

A trembling hand raised the faded black veil, and revealed the sweetest old face I ever saw.

"Never mind,” said a quivering voice.

""Tis only three o'clock now; you'll have to wait until the night train, which doesn't go up until 1:05." "Very well, sir; I can wait."

"Wouldn't you like to go to some hotel? Simmons will show you the way."

"No, thank you, sir. One place is as good as another to me. Besides, I haven't any money."