The Scapegoat.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 869, 26 October 1888, Page 4

The Scapegoat.

Stia lived in the ho<el alone, the beautiful child, Alas, that it should have been so. But her father dled of the drink,'and the sona went wild, And where was the girl to go ? Her brothers left her alone in the lonely hut. Ah, it was dreary at night - -y;; When the wind whistled right through the door that never would shut,' , -' And sent her sobbing with fright She never had slept alone ; tor-the stifling room Held her, brothers, father—all. Ah, better their violence, better their threats, than the gloom , s That now hung close as a pall 1 When the hard day’s washing waa done, it was sweeter to stand Hearkening praises and vows, To feel her cold fingers kept warm in a sheltering hand, Than crouch in the desolate house. Ah me I she was only a child ; and yet so aware _> Of the shame that follows on sin. A poor, lo3t, terrified child 1 she stept in the snare, Knowing the toils she was in. • Tet now, when I watch her pass with a heavy reel. Shouting her villainous song,Is it only pity or shame, do you think, that I feel Tor the infinite sorrow and wrong ? With a sick strange wonder I ask. Who shall answer the sin, Thou, lover, brothers of thine ? Or he who left standing thy hovel to perish in ? Or I, who gave no sign f Maev F. Robinson.