A welcome for Winter! Though summer shall fade, There is joy on the prairies her bounties have made, And the Land of the Sunshine all happiness knows Through the days of the shadows and nights of the snows! II. A welcome for Winter! What matters the cold Which the harvest has warmed with the russet and gold? All the valleys of plenty shall laugh through the white Of the snow-laden day and the storm-ridden night. III. A welcome for Winter! Though June, rosy-red, Has plucked all her blossoms and frightened far fled, There are hives with their honeys and granaries sweet, And the fiddles of music with spring for the feet! IV. A welcome for Winter! If far from the days All the lilies have gone from the violet ways, There is joy that will dance o'er the meadows and sing, Where the carols of plenty their blessedness bring. V. Then, ho, for the Winter! There's love on the hills, There is laughter and peace by the ice-covered rills, And the hearts shall rejoice in the songs that arise In the raptures that roll under storm-laden skies! Caught on the Fly. Some people act on an idea that work is so sacred they fear to touch it least they profane its divine nature. Opportunity is a beautiful bird, but so shy that it feeds on the wing and never alights long enough for a common man to pluck its plumage. Every man has within him the essentials of exalted greatness; but most of us are so enmeshed in small follies that the greatness cannot break through. The Kingbolt Philosopher. "I've lived off en on in this land of Trouble fer mor'n seventy years," said Uncle Ezra Mudge, as he adjusted a shingle-nail in place of a missing button for a suspender hold. "En I never yit got a chance ter shake han's with him. I hev hearn tell thet he is a mighty big feller, but my observation is thet when you onct git up close to whayre he's a-stayin', he shrivels up so under a brave look frum honest eyes thet you hev ter git a maggifyin' glass ter diskiver the kind ov an animile he actu'lly is!" When Willie Goes to School. When Willie goes to school, it seems The house has lost its light, And silence like a shadow dreams Of sunshine out of sight; The place assumes a somber air, And lonely musings rule The moments slowly passing there When Willie goes to school. We hustle him from bed, and tell To quickly wash and comb, His breakfast eat, and gather well The books he carried home; We brush his coat and fix his tie, And with him fuss and fool, And kiss him as he hurries by When Willie goes to school. And all day long we anxious wait To hear his foot-steps fast, Make music sweet there at the gate When he comes home at last! The lonely heart with rapture fills And life's hot warrings cool, And all the home with laughter thrills When Willie comes from school!