A river runs upon its way Thro’ fertile fields and meadows gay;— Among the sweetly-scented bowers, And where the sunlight soothes the flowers. It dances merrily along And sings sweet Solitude a song; But ere it meets the distant shore, Its current changes more and more; The stones that in its course now lie It must rush over or pass by; And while it meets them one by one Dark clouds obscure the shining sun; The sparkling waters lose their charm, No more to frolic free from harm; For threatening storm has come at last,— The river rushes madly past Thro’ cities and thro’ distant towns, As tho’ it would escape its bounds; But storm will cease and mists will clear Till hidden sun shall reappear, And that same river, calm and free, Shall flow in fullness to the sea. Thus runs the current of my life Thro’ sun and shade, in calm and strife; At first among the flowers gay It sparkles freely on its way; But while it sings its happy song, And glides so peacefully along, The obstacles and clouds appear To hinder and deprive of cheer. When all the barriers have been passed, And threatening storms have ceased at last, My life, more full, and calm, and free, Shall end it’s course beyond the Sea. SLEEP. When sunset light has faded from our sight, And darkness comes to tell us of the night, We sleep, refreshed from earthly care and sorrow, To waken to another hopeful morrow. When sun and stars shall no more please our sight, And darkness comes to tell us of the night, We sleep, unmindful of earth’s joy and sorrow, To waken to a never-ending morrow. LIFE’S DAY. When the morn has breathed her story, And the noon of life is past, When the sunset’s deepening glory Fills the waiting soul at last; Then, like sweetest music falling Thro’ the splendors of the West, We shall hear the angels calling To a blest, eternal rest. When the day in silence sleeping, Shows that earthly light has fled, When the heart has ceased it’s weeping And the final prayer is said; Then beyond life’s great endeavor, In the stillness of the night, We shall wake to live forever And shall know God’s plans are right. A POET.