Good-bye--good-bye, thou gracious, golden day: Through luminous tears, thou smilest, far away In the blue heaven, thy sweet farewell to me, And I, through _my_ tears, gaze and smile with thee. I see the last faint, glowing, amber gleam Of thy rich pinion, like a lovely dream, Whose floating glory melts within the sky, And now thou'rt passed forever from mine eye! Were we not friends--_best_ friends--my cherished day? Did I not treasure every eloquent ray Of golden light and love thou gavest me? And have I not been true--most true to thee? And _thou_--thou earnest like a joyous bird, Whose sacred wings by heaven's own air were stirred. And lowly sang me all the happy time Dear, soothing stories of that blissful clime! And more, oh! more than this, there came with thee, From Heaven, a stranger, rare and bright to me, A new, sweet joy--a smiling angel-guest, That softly asked a home within my breast. For talking sadly with my soul alone, I heard far off and faint a music-tone, It seemed a spirit's call--so soft it stole On fairy wings into my waiting soul. I _knew_ it summoned me to something sweet, And so I followed it with faltering feet; And found--what I had prayed for with wild tears-- A rest, that soothed the lingering grief of years! So for that deep, perpetual joy, my day! And for all lovely things that came to play In thy glad smile--the pure and pleading flowers That crowned with their frail bloom thy flying hours-- The sunlit clouds--the pleasant air that played Its low lute-music 'mid the leafy shade-- And, dearer far, the tenderness that taught My soul a new and richer thrill of thought-- For these--for all--bear thou to Heaven for me The grateful thanks with which I mission thee! Then should thy sisters, wasted, wronged, upbraid, Speak _thou_ for me--for thou wert not betrayed! 'Twas little--true--I could to thee impart-- I, with my simple, frail and wayward heart; But that I strove the diamond sands to light, In Life's rich hour-glass, with _Love's_ rainbow flight; And that one generous spirit owed to me A moment of exulting ecstasy; And that I won o'er wrong a queenly sway-- For this, thou'lt smile for me in Heaven, my Day! SAM NEEDY. A TALE OF THE PENITENTIARY. BY LOUIS FITZGERALD TASISTRO.