little Feet.

Otago Witness, Issue 2734, 8 August 1906, Page 65

little Feet.

Two little feet, so small that both' nmy nestle _ In one caressing hanc) ; Two tender feet upon the untried border Of life's mjnsterious land; Dimpled and soft, and pink as peach tree blossoms In April's fragrant days — How can they walk among the brijry tangles Edging 't£e world's rough Ways? These rose-white feet along th« doubtful future - , Must bear a woman's load; Alas! since woman kss th« heavier burden, wattes the hardest road. Love, for a while, will make the path before them All dainty, smooth and fair; Will culi away the branches} letting only The roses blossom there. Bui when the mother's watchful eyes are) shrouded Away from th« sight of men, ' And these dear feet are left without her guiding — Who snail direct them? How will they be allured, betrayed, delude* 1 - Poor little untaught feet! Into what dreary mazes will they warnier? Wk»t a»ng«rs iviil they meet? "Will they go scumbling blindly in th* dad? „ ness .Of sorrows -tearful shades? Or find the upland slopes of peace «nd beauty, "Who.* sunlight never- fades? Will they go toiling up ambition's summit, She common world -above? Or, in some naraeleeß vale, securely sheltered, Walk side by aid* witk Love? Some -feet th«re be which -wajk life's track unwoiraded, - ' . ■« Which find but t>!«aeant ways'; Some hearts there ~be to- which this lif© vf only A --round of happy da#«. But |h«y ar« few. Far more there ba who wander ■ Without a hope or friend; Who find iheir journey full of pains and

losses, And long to reach the end. How aihall it be with Tier— the tender

stranger, Fair-faced and gentle-eyed, « Before whose unstained feet th* worn*9 rough highway . Stretches so rude and wide? Ah, who may read the future? For ©a* darling / We crave all blessings sweet. And pray that He .who feeds th* crying ravens Will quid« the baby's feet. —Elizabeth Akers Allen.

To ensure publication in the forthcoming ustte letter* should reach the Witness office if possible on Satutday night, but on nomeeount later thanMonamy n "^»- Descriptions of &•"*> *«•• mv ** v endorsed by euher the Witness eorrrtpondent jor *'* l **r?J r to the tecreta. yto the b*U eommtttte. IheMa of mnu clrre*pond&ts toho rfo not cmnptyvith thxs rule wilt oe tent to the. secretary for endorsement pn*r to myycamig.—EU H EL INK BUILDERS AKD CONTKACTOBS* ASSOCIATION'S

i The annual social of the Dunedin Builders ! and- Contractor*' Association, held last FriI day was a thorough success, tod exceedingly enjoyable. „ Tho Victoria Hali was ! rather small for such a large gath*ring— viz., 150 coupies — but nevertheless aJ present agreed that it was one of the beat affairs of its kind ever held. The singing ' of Mrs Loring," Miss Dick, and Mr J. Woods, ! and the instrumental solos by Messrs G. I Dick and D. Cooper were highly appre- . ' ciated. Mrs J. Woods was a v«ry capable ! accompanist. The. decorations by Mr Sutl toft -were really beautiful, and the catering I of the lai«&e» Muxray was beyond zewoaeh. The dance music, play«d by Mr Hbbert- [ shaw'a orchestra, was excellent. The Grand M*rch was* led off by Mr and Mias Ford and Mt and Mrs Hodges. It was a beautiful eight, th* dresses of the ladies lending I brightness and colour to the scene. Thex* I were so many beautiful gowns that space : forbids mention of them all, but amongst i those present I noticed the following: — i Mra F. W. Petre, in a handsome dress of -black satin- with Maltese lace jtrimmings; Mrs 'C. G«oige, black satin and sequins ; _Miso Ford, a dainty dress of white silk; Mrs F.** Wilkinson, a charming gown " of black crepe de chine lavishly trimmed with cream and black chiffon; Mrs Gabriel Hodges, black tulle de soie and black lace; Mrs Robert Orr, black merv. relieved with pale bine satin and sequins; Mrs A. C. ! Loring, salmon pink broche trimmed with. j maroon velvet and silver sequins; .Mrs- IL ; V Haddock, gown of black ovet white glace with a touch scarlet; Mra Downee, white satin with bertha of wnite lace and! rhiffon ; Mrs A. C. Orr, Tieliotrope bxoche, finished with cream net and lace medallions; Mrd Newman, blacK velvet, lace yoke with touches of pale blue velvet; Mrs J. ! Lambert, black silk grenadine with spray* or red berries and leaves; Miss Gill, white silk; the Misses Lunn, oream cloth; Mrs F. Sibley, dainty gown of .pale green voile;. Mrs 7. Woods, black satin trimmed with, gold sequins; Mrs M'Kinnon -(Wellington), gown of red satin with velvet trimmings ; Mrs S. Elliott, black silk voile with trimmings of lace and jet; Mrs Gardner, cream, brocle handsomely trimmed with cream, silk lace; Mrs Clark, cream satin with pearl embroidery and red roses; Mrs J. Dick, black silk ; Miss Dick, cream silk, with lace ; Mrs M'Dougall, black voile; Miss M'Dougall, cream gown; Mrs Bobson, black dres* trimmed with lace and sequins; Misb Smith, stylish gown of cream silk; Mias Todd, pal* blue dice.9.