Produced by Early Canadiana Online, Robert Cicconetti, Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net [Illustration] WISE OR OTHERWISE By LYDIA LEAVITT and Thad. W.H. Leavitt WISE OR OTHERWISE _Entered according to Act of Parliament in the year 1898, by Lydia Leavitt and Thad. W.H. Leavitt, at the Department of Agriculture._ WISE OR OTHERWISE BY LYDIA LEAVITT AUTHOR OF "BOHEMIAN SOCIETY," "A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD," ETC., ETC. AND THAD. W.H. LEAVITT AUTHOR OF "THE WITCH OF PLUM HOLLOW," "KAFFIR, KANGAROO, KLONDIKE, TALES OF THE GOLD FIELDS, ETC." _Illustrated by Anna Lake_ WELLS PUBLISHING CO. TORONTO 1898 CONTENTS _BOOK THE FIRST_ "LEAD KINDLY LIGHT." A FABLE. THE WIND. PASSING THOUGHTS. _BOOK THE SECOND_ ODDS AND ENDS. PREFACE It is probable that the reader will discover among the "Short Sayings" some familiar acquaintance and even old friend, unconsciously appropriated. Should such be the case, kindly credit to the "Wise" and leave the "Otherwise" to THE AUTHORS. BOOK THE FIRST BY LYDIA LEAVITT LEAD KINDLY LIGHT [Illustration] "Lead, kindly light," The words are lightly spoken by the young, who tread life's pathway with nimble feet, whose eager hands are outstretched to gather life's roses, regardless of thorns, whose voice is rippling with laughter and mirth, with blood coursing through the veins and bright eyes looking fearlessly into the future; the words have merely a joyous, musical ring. "Lead, kindly light." "Lead, kindly light." The words are gravely spoken by the middle-aged, whose feet have grown a trifle weary, whose hands have gathered the roses, only to find them turned to ashes, whose laughter has more sadness than mirth, whose eyes have grown dim, whose lips tremblingly plead, "Lead, kindly light." "Lead, kindly light." The words are whispered by the old, whose tired feet are unable to move, whose palsied hands are helpless, whose head is bowed by the weight of years, whose eyes are sightless, from whose trembling lips are scarcely heard the whispered prayer, "Lead, kindly light." "Lead, kindly light." The sunken eyes are closed in death, the tired hands are folded, the heart has ceased to beat, the mute lips are stilled, the weary feet are at rest, a look of ineffable peace rests upon the still face, while all the air is filled with sweet music and the murmur of gentle voices pleading, "Lead, kindly light." A FABLE [Illustration]