“He loves us—He died to save us,” Said the little maid in white— “He went to the Home above us, To Heaven where there is no night.” And the little girl by the stair-way In her tattered gown of red, Listening, heard the story sweet And treasured the words she said; And she wondered, as she listened, If the Saviour did truly care For one so small and neglected As she, sitting down by the stair. And while she looked at the flowers And heard the grand organ play, And sweet voices of the children Now telling of Easter day; Her little heart grew lighter, She said: “I’m alone no more For Christ, who loves the children, Is my Father now gone before.” When the Easter Service was ended She wended her way alone Thro’ the streets of the great city To the garret, her only home. As she climbed the narrow stair-way, Unlighted by cheering ray, Her little heart kept singing The songs of glad Easter day; And the woman, who kept the lodging, Heard the little maiden come And asked, in her gruffest manner, What kept her so long from home. “’Twas the Easter Service, madam, And the words”—she made reply; “I’m not an orphan any more For my Father dwells on high.” “See! I’ve brought you an Easter lily All snowy, and pure, and white, Which a lady dropped in passing Ere her coach wheeled out of sight.” “I almost know you’ll like it For ’tis part of the Easter day, And the children spoke of the lilies In the verses they had to say.” When all was still in the lodging And the rest were sleeping below, Unmindful of Christ, the Saviour, Who died for them long ago; Then this loving little maiden, Away from all human sight, Knelt down, in the dingy garret, To thank God for Easter night. EMINENCE. Side by side the mountains rise Toward the blue of distant skies; But tho’ roots may interlace And each base is joined to base, Till the friendly trees incline And their branches touch and twine, Yet, while aging day by day, They part union on their way Till the welcome sunlight seeks To crown insulated peaks. Side by side the great men rise Towards the heights of brighter skies; But tho’ minds together blend And each friend is joined to friend, Till their spirits interchange And their thoughts have fullest range, Yet while aging day by day, They diverge upon life’s way Till Young Genius claims his own And they choose to soar alone. THE HERE AND THERE. By courtesy of Ladies’ World, New York City.