The little roguish elf,
I hope he'll not forget me,--
And another for yourself.

"How much I want to see you
I will not try to tell;
I never knew I loved my home
And all my friends so well!

"My lamp is burning dimly,
So, sister dear, good-night;
Think often of your brother,
And don't forget to write."

The sister read the letter
With a look of pride and joy;
And the father and the mother said,
"God bless the darling boy!"




THE PLEDGE.


[Whether the following is a real or a supposed case we know that in
this fallen world of ours there have been many sadder scenes than the
one depicted; for "who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath
contentions? who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? who
hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go