SLEEP.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 2712, 23 January 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

SLEEP.

Three restless and tumbled heads ie in a row, Tbe things they most say now, in numbers will

grow, Till mamma from another room cries, 44 Go to

sleep, Taose stories of yours till tbe day dawn will

keep.” Then they try to keep silence, yes, try all their strength, Bnt feminine tongues are a terrible length. Then a scheme they devise, so that Morpheus

may come. Dull each busy brain, make each ttto tongue dumb, It is this—“ Now let’s all say the magio word “ sleep. ” And after that each a dead silence must keep; But should any transgress, by so much as one word, The others may kick her, as soon as she’s heard.” This plan was adopted, effectual was found, And night after night soon their si ambers were sound. As year rolled after year still this custom they kept, Till at courting old Morpheus each proved an adept. Their bodies had rest when their vespers they’d sang. And what was more needed, there was re to* ?ach tongue. Bnt Birdie, the youngest to m&ids grown. With & mate whom she loved, and who dher, had flown. And now bat two beads on tbe pillow there rest, Yet still they say “ sleep” for the two in the nest. But Clare will first whisper a prayer for one who Is fast winning her heart, as he fain hopes to do. Of the three tumbled beads, there remains now but one. And lonesome she feels—yet still half in fun, Just under the bedclothes her face will she place, And softly say 44 sleep” with a smile on her face, Then think o’er the past, and each night declare Te try all through life someone’s harden to share. What in future she may be —well let us but trust, No old-maidish vixen, but may she be jost. « As faithful to all that is good, kind, and right, As she is to tbe plan they adopted that night. And remember this, children, when squabble arise, Say quietly ** sleep,” and then shut your eyes. ' —Mtra.