AFTER THE BATTLE.

WE sit together in our homes; the brief

spring day is done;

Ο

DRIVING HOME THE COWS.
UT of the clover and blue-eyed grass
He turned them into the river-lane;

The shouting newsboys through the streets One after another he let them pass,

proclaim the victory won.

We hail with blended thankfulness the triumph bought so dear;

Our hearts one instant leap for joy; the next, they thrill with fear.

We know that our beloved one was in that fearful fray,

And stood a mark for rebel shot throughout the bloody day;

We know that young heroic form was foremost in the fight,

That where the bravest were was he. Oh, where is he to-night?

We check the supplications wild that fain would fill the air;

too late for prayer!"

Then fastened the meadow-bars again.

Our lips are frozen when we think, "It is Across the clover and through the wheat With resolute heart and purpose grim, Either he bides in safety where the wearied Though cold was the dew on his hurrying armies lie,

Or he looks upon our anguish from the other side the sky.

We lift our tear-dimmed glances to the blue and starry sky:

No voice from out the azure depths gives answer, "Here am I!"

And silent lies the sleeping earth beneath

the moon's pale light;

O Earth and Heaven, which of you holds our beloved to-night?

LUCY HAMILTON HOOPER.

feet,

And the blind bat's flitting startled him.

Thrice since then had the lanes been white

And the orchards sweet with apple-bloom, And now, when the cows came back at night,

The feeble father drove them home.

For news had come to the lonely farm,

That three were lying where two had lain, And the old man's tremulous, palsied arm Could never lean on a son's again.

His gaunt, gnarled hands, his unkempt, bris- He went about his work-such work as few

If but their stocks be of right girth and A deed accurst! Strokes have been struck