IN SCHOOL DAYS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VII, Issue 11, 14 March 1891, Page 2

IN SCHOOL DAYS.

Still sits the school-house by the road, a ragged beggar sunning : Around it still the sumachs grow, the blackberry vines are running. Within the master’s desk is seen, deep-scarred by raps official; The warping floor, the battered seats, the jack-knife’s carved initial, The charcoal frescoes on its wall ; the doors worn sill betraying The feet that, creeping slow to school, went storming out to playing ! Long years ago a winter’s sun shone over it at setting, Lit up its western window panes and low eaves’ icy fretting. It touched the golden, tangled curls, and brown eyes full of grieving, Of one who still her steps delayed when all the school were leaving. For near her stood the little boy her childish favour singled ; His cap pulled low upon a face where pi ide and shame were mingled ; Pushing with restless feet the snow to right and left, he lingered ; As restlessly her tiny hands the blue-checked apron fingered. He saw her lift her eyes ; he felt the soft hand’s light caressing, And heard the trembling of her voice, as if a fault ing4 I’m sorry that I spelt the word ; I hate to go above you, Because ’ —the brown eyes lower fell— ‘ because you see, I love you !’ Still memory to a gray-haired man that sweet child-face is showing — Dear girl ! the grasses on her grave have forty years been growing. He lives to learn in life’s hard school, how few who pass above him Lament their triumph and his loss, like her, because they love him.