The darkness hid many a ghastly sight, but daybreak found her near the scene of her disaster. Murdered men lay across her path headless, with gaping wounds; shrieks of despair rang in her ears from many a poor wounded wretch who had escaped in the night only to fall into the hands of his enemies in the morning; and yells of fiendish triumph went up as each new victim was discovered and despatched. ESMÉ. ON A VERY OLD PIANO: LATELY SEEN IN A LONDON SHOP WINDOW, AND LABELLED, “CASH PRICE, TWO GUINEAS.” Poor faded, long-neglected thing, Not worth a glance From eyes disdainful as they pass, While you stand there, the sport, alas! Of circumstance. Too true! and yet if you could speak Of years gone by, How many happy memories Might whisper from your yellow keys With muffled sigh. For, as I look, the street and shop Both disappear— I see a room with cheerful light, A ruddy fire, and faces bright, And _you_ are here. Before you sits a little maid, Her dainty feet Scarce touch the floor. She proudly plays A quaint old tune of other days, Most strangely sweet. The vision fades, but once again My eyes can see A pleasant chamber, long and low, With antique chairs placed in a row, And tapestry; With solemn portraits on the wall, And goodly store Of silver, china, bric-a-brac, Carved shining tables, old and black, And polished floor. The windows open on a lawn, The sunset glows, The birds sing on in pure content, The air is perfumed with the scent Of summer rose; While strains of music, softly sad, From fingers white, That rise and fall in cadence clear, In sounds melodious to hear, Float through the night. Quick steps approach: and hushed your strains (The birds still sing)— Imprisoned is the player’s hand, The lovers twain beside you stand, And Love is King! So wags the world—’tis up to-day, To-morrow down. _Your_ reign is over: here you wait, “_Cash price, Two Guineas_” is your fate In London Town. SOME HOLIDAY MUSIC. Fine fun can be had out of two action songs by William Younge and Lionel Elliott (J. Williams). They just suit the merry season for youngsters of the family who must have amusing and interesting ideas to keep themselves and others happy. One is called “Home for the Holidays,” and the other, “Making the Pudding.”