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Show HI8 PIPE, Though grandpa left us long ago with years and labors ripe, Yet still upon the shelf we keep his old black briar pipe; And when we take it down we seem to see above the bowl The keen blue eyes that mirrored forth his wise and kindly soul. We took our sorrows to his knee he listened to them all From Sister Letty's love affairs to Benny's "losted"' ball; And when he filled and lit his pipe we knew that he had found The end of all our trouble skeins our earless hands unwound. So when my -rrown-up heart Is sad with life's eternal pain. With reverential touch I take the old black pipe again. About it hangs the aroma of good tobacco to-bacco still And calls his sturdy spirit back to brace my weakened will. Through that old pipe he speaks to me, just as he used to do, And bids me face the world again with strength and courage new. And Hope around me foldB once more her rainbowcolored cloak, And all my little troubles fade as once they did In smoke. Minna Irving in Leslie's. |