"But I FETCHED her!--O _I_ FETCHED her!--
'Cause a little while ago,
As I kindo' set,
With one eye shet,
And a-singin' soft and low,
A voice drapped down on my fevered brain,
A-sayin',--'EF YOU'LL JEST HUSH I'LL RAIN!'"





A SONG OF LONG AGO


A song of Long Ago:
Sing it lightly--sing it low--
Sing it softly--like the lisping of the lips we
used to know
When our baby-laughter spilled
From the glad hearts ever filled
With music blithe as robin ever trilled!

Let the fragrant summer breeze,
And the leaves of locust-trees,
And the apple-buds and blossoms, and the
wings of honey-bees,
All palpitate with glee,
Till the happy harmony
Brings back each childish joy to you and me.