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Show r 1 ' ' TO-MORROW 15 A HOLIDAY. (Tho daughter of four generations sat In the dark shadow of an humble room. The younjtMt played, thegray graudmotherspun, ' Herdughtermused,whileiuthecorner'Bgloom The great-grandmother bent low in her chair And strange hot flushes filled the quiet air. The child: "To-morrow is a holiday And I will play along the grassy fields And run the hills and pluck the fairest buds That all the flower covered meadow yields; rilning, and walk upon the brooklet's shores." O, in the distance how the thunder roarsl other: "To-morow is a holiday And all of us will merry be and glad. Til deck myself in what I have of best, . j . For life should not be always bleak and aad. The sun shines bright for e'en the darkest souls." And coming nearer fierce the thunder rolls. I Grandmother: "Ah, 'twill be a holiday. j There's no such thing as holiday for nie. My fate's to spin and cook the daily meal, For life is work and solitude and drear. It's woll for those who may do as they please." Sea 2ie quick lightning flashing through the trees. The great-grandmother slowly turns aad speaks: "A holiday to-morrow and the tomb All wide agape for me. What's earth but care J And woe where nothing breaks the joy less glooml And why should I yet linger in the world?" QreatGod: The lightning's bolts upon tbem burled. They do not see nor hoar the awful flame That lights the chamber with a noontide glow. The daughters of four generations lie ' All dead together, smitten by one blow. Four lives thus ended by the lightning's ray-Tula ray-Tula their to-morrow, this their holiday. - -Philadelphia Times. |