THE OLD SCHOOL BELL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE OLD SCHOOL BELL

From MRS. M. P. JENKIN. Missouri. Stewart's Gully, Christchurcli. The old school bell is ringing, But not for you, my dears; Other children heed the summons, Ah, - turn me back the years And. let me hear their footsteps Before iny open door. The old school bell is ringing, But they hasten by no more. I stop my work and listen And fanoy still I hear The voices of the children As I heard them yester-year. Anci the old bell seems to call them As it did so long ago—"Are the little children coming?" And my longing heart cries "ISo." No longer do they hasten With school-bags swinging free, But the old bell keeps on calling "Give the children back to me." For many a milestone severs The days of long ago, Anci they only hear the echo Of the school bell, as they go. They only hear the echo Down the pathway of the years, While the old bell keeps on calling, And I call with it, my dears, In the morning, in the noon-time., In the afternoon's soft glow, "Are the little children coining?" And I have to answer —"No." I have to answer "No," my dears, And daily, hourly, pray That the Shepherd of all childrenWill be your guide and stay Through womanhood and manhood Till eventide of years. The old school bell is ringing, But not for you, my dears. —M. Prideaux Jenkins.