Sunshine 'Mid Shadows (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898. Excerpt: ... DISAPPOINTMENT. A rush of wings, a sudden upward flight, And, lo the bird has flown: The empty nest alone Doth mock us with its memories in the night. A vivid flash that gleams along the sky, Then darkness, thick and deep, Through which no ray doth creep, And echo only answers to our cry. A sweet, fond hope, and then a dull despair, A sense of loneliness, A dreary restlessness, A search--for what? We neither know nor care. Are these the gifts that disappointment brings? Ay but, more rare than gold, Another she doth hold For those who shelter find beneath her wings. Then take her outstretched hand and hold it fast: Oh let her lead thee on; And, when the night is gone, Her great gift--patience--thou shalt hold at last. FROM SLUMBERTOWN. A silver boat is drifting down The river that winds from Slumbertown; And, lo in the bow a fairy stands, Who deftly gathers, with practised hands, The flickering sunbeams that fain would hide In the hearts of the lilies on either side, The twittering notes of the shy wood-bird, The languorous murmur of pine boughs stirred By the passing breeze, the sunset bloom, And long, soft threads of the purple gloom That hangs o'er the hills. Then sits she down, While the boat drifts on from Slumbertown. She weaves of her treasures a shimmering veil, Shot through and through with the moonbeams pale, Then once again she stands at the prow; For the boat is nearing the mainland now, And baby Doris on mamma's lap Hears the silken sails go flap, flap, flap. Lightly the fairy spreads her wings; Lightly the shimmering veil she flings O'er baby's eyes, while she seats herself On the long curled lashes, the saucy elf, And the waxen eyelids droop down, down, down, 'Neath the weight of the fairy from Slumbertown. I Hid 'neath that veil, we can...