Pearls of a Year; Short Stories from "The Xavier," 1888 (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. 1888. Excerpt: ... who have well learned to obey." I awoke and saw the Catechism on the top of the other books, and all waiting patiently to be used in turn for the morrow's lesson. The Tale of a Falling Star. Fair was the night in the June time of flowers; The moon full and placid was half through her round The drip of the fountains beneath the green bowers Kept tune to the zither's melodious sound. The glittering jewels that spangled the sky Kept a sentinel watch from their towers on high. The breeze from the Occident softly was sighing; The nightingale sang the sad tale of her woes; Bright pearlets of dew were contentedly lying On the petals of hyacinth, tulip and rose: Upon the green sward, like the heavens at night. The glow-worms, like stars, gave a luminous light. Breathing the perfume that rose from the garden; The cool air of evening; the scent from the bowers; Of nature's great treasures the one silent warden, I sal at my window and counted the hours. 'Mong the slow dripping fountains; beneath the pale moon: 'Mid the soft Persian vales; in the mild month of June. Long did I watch while the glittering cluster Of planets unnumbered swept on through the gloom. Like the lamps of the faithful whose flickering lustre Shines high o'er the altars of Mecca and Koom, But lo, with a flash that bewilders the eye, A meteor falls from its throne in the sky. Scarce had it fallen when sweet from afar On the soft evening zephyr the melody swells Of a baritone voice to a tinkling guitar. Whose varying strokes sound like faint fairy bells. Louder the voice grew and sweeter and strong, And through the still night rose the low plaintive song: "O star that fallest from on high Into an endless depth below, Why leavest thou a peaceful sky To seek a world of woe? Swifter than the wild car...