The Ladies' Column.

Otago Witness, Issue 1342, 18 August 1877, Page 19

The Ladies' Column.

TIRED MOTHERS.

A little elbow leans upon your knee— , Your tired knee that has to much to bear— A child's dear eyes are looking lovingly From underneath* thatch of tangled hair. Perhaps you do not heed the velvet touch

jM warm, moist finders holding yours so titfht ; Ton do "not prize the blessing overmuch— X You almost are too tired to pray to-night. Bottfci* blessedness! A year ago ■ ' I did not toe It as I do to-day— Wf are all sp'doll and thankless, and too slow ITd catch the sunshine till it slips away. ' An&iibw it seems surpassing strange to me . ■ That while I bora the badge of motherhood, I did not kiss more oft and tenderly ~ •Tho fittfeoMld that brought me only good. Add if, iome night when yon sit down to rest, You nrisithe elbow on your tired knee— > This restless curly Head from off, your breast, .This lisping tongue that chatters constantly ; Ififrom your own.the dimpled hands had slipped, And ne'er would nestle in your palm again, If the white feet into the grave had tripped— -I bould not blame you for your heart-ache then. iHroiddor that some mothers ever fret ' ' -' iAt their little children clinging to their gown. Or that footprints, when the days are wet, Are' ever black enough to make them frown. IF I could find a little muddy boot,

Or qipj or jacket on my chamber floor— If I could kiss a rosy, restless foot, 'And hear it patter in my boose once more : If' I could mend * broken cut to-d»y. iT^morrow make » kite to reach the alcy, Thaw is no woman in God's world could ray She V** more' blissfully content than I ; BuVah'l the dainty pillow next my own Is neter rumpled by » shining head ; My ringing birdling from its nest has flown— The Sttlo boy I used to kiss fa-dead.