The Family Circle

New Zealand Tablet, 19 September 1918, Page 45

The Family Circle

HOME. I have gone, I cannot always go, you know; . Best, 'tis so— Home across the distant ridges of the years With my tears; And the old house standing on the same old ground' There I found, In the parlor, in my fancy, I could trace Father's face ; And my mother, with her. old accustomed air, Sitting there; Whilst beside them brothers, sisters, true and good, Silent stood. Through the stillness swam the song of autumn birds, And there stirred On the wall the leaf-flecked sunshine, and its glow Faded slow. But from all the loving lips I watched around, Not a sound. Then I went upstairs, slow entering 'mid the gloom Every room. And I trod with softened steps along the floors, Opened doors ; But I never heard a voice nor met a soul In the whole. Of the breaths that stirred the draperies to and fro Long ago, Of the eyes that through the casements used to peep Out of sleep, Of the feet that in these chambers used to run Now are none. Of the sunshine pouring downward from the sky, Blue and high, Of the leafage and the ancient garden plot, Brown and hot, Of the streamlet, and the shingle, and the tide. These abide. But beyond the azure vaulting overhead Are my dead ; Though their graves are dug apart in many lands, Joining hands They have gathered, and are waiting till T come. THAT IS HOME. THE POPE'S INTENTION.

The "intention of the Holy Father" is the object or favor that he wishes to obtain from God through the prayers of the faithful. It is not necessary that we know in detail the particular desire that he has. Very often he tells us clearly what he is asking for; as, for instance, that peace may again b& established among nations. If we do the works that are commanded for the intention of the Holy Father, even though we may not know distinctly what this intention is, we will fulfil this condition of gaining the promised favor. Indeed, if we have the general desire to share in all the indulgences that are applicable to us the Church will grant them to us even though we are ignorant of the several indulgences attached to the good works that we do. from day to day. NO GOOD TO HIM. A farmer went to the nearest town and purchased a music stool, taking it home with him in his trap. In a few days, however, he brought it back and demanded the money paid, as the stool was no good at all. ' _ The shopkeeper examined it and said it was in perfect order, and that it should not be thrown on his hands. "Well," said the farmer, "I took it home careful, and I gave it a turn, and every one of the children gave it a turn, and never a tune could one and all of us screw out of it. It is no more a music stool than the four-legged washing stool the missus puts her tub on."

z : : <: TEN LITTLE DUTIES, ■;'. : Ten little duties ! Does no good to whine ; V Skip about and do one, then there are nine. ;. Nine little duties; it never pays- to wait , " " v Do one quick, andpresto !—there are only eight." Eight little duties might have been eleven; . - •"'',.. One done in no time; now they're only seven. , "" • Seven little duties; 'tisn't such a fix; Do one more, and—bless me!—there are only six., • Six little duties; sure as I'm alive! - Never mind, one's over; now there are only five. Five little duties knocking at your door; Lead one off to Doneland; that leaves only four. Four little duties, plain as plain can be; Can't be shirked—one's overleaving only three. Three little duties; like a soldier true, Meet them and vanquish one, then there'll be but two. Two little duties between you and fun ; In just a minute longer there'll be only one. One little duty now, what will you do Do it ! why, surely, now you are through.

KEPT HIS PROMISE. A certain candidate for a position under a public trading company, and who was noted for his smoking powers, was sent for by the board of directors just after his appointment. '"Mr. Howley," said the chairman, "your papers are excellent, but there is one thing we object to. You are addicted to the evil habit of smoking." Mr. Howley explained that he saw no evil in it; but, taking a large plug of tobacco from his pocket, said: "In deference to your opinion, gentlemen, I promise you that as soon as I have smoked this plug I hold in my hand I will cease smoking for ever!" They were satisfied, and he was appointed the next day. But now as he refills his pipe he chuckles and says "I've kept my word. I've got that same plug yet !" HIS ONLY OBJECTION. The little man who had offered his services before he received his calling-up papers was going through. the process of enlistment. "Now, sir, I'm ready to go anywhere yer wants to send me," he said. "Anywhere. But I ask jes' one thing— put me in no cavalry." "Why do you draw the line at the cavalry?" asked the recruiting sergeant. "It's like this, sir," said the newly-made soldier; "when I'm told to retreat I don't want to be bothered with no hoss !" IN THE MIRE. There belonged to the local company of Volunteers a stout little grocer, who occasioned his comrades many a good laugh. He never amused them more, however, than following occasion. The company was on a route march, and on the return journey they were compelled to traverse some boggy land. This led the commanding officer to alter the formation of four abreast to two abreast. "B Company, fall in two deep !" he shouted. To the amusement of the others the voice of the grocer was heard to ejaculate, "Fall in two deep! I'm in too deep now. I'm in nearly up to my neck." POLITENESS IN THE ARMY. A musketry officer was engaged with the noncommissioned officers of a company in a local "Volunteer regiment. To say that he was "putting them through it" would only feebly indicate the process. After one of his harangues he asked a mild-mannered sergeant to describe the procedure with his own platoon in the execution of some musketry movements. "Well," said the sergeant, "I should first get them, to port arms for inspection. Then I should request them " "Request" 'em!" shrieked the officer. "Request 'em ! Why not offer 'em boxes of chocolates?"

SMILE RAISERS. "Muzzer," asked the four-year-old, "did you hear the step-ladder when it tumbled over?" "No, dear," said the mother "I hope papa didn't - fall." "Not yet: he's still hanging, on to the picture moulding." Nellie, aged four, was gazing intently at her aunt's bonnet. "Well, dear," asked the aunt at last, "what do you think of it ?" ' "Oh," replied the small observer,-'T think it's all right. Mother said it was a perfect fright, but it doesn't scare me a bit." The landlady beamed upon the new boarder. "Now, don't be afraid of the bacon, Mr. Pullman," she said, trying to make him feel thoroughly at home. "Not at all, madam; not at all," replied Mr. Pullman. "Why, I've seen a piece twice as large and it didn't frighten me a bit." Old Lady (excitedly): "When is the train due?" Ticket Collector: ""In two hours and forty minutes." Old Lady (with a sigh of relief): "I am so glad I am not too late.". "I vant some powder." "Mennen's ?" "No, vimmen's." "Scented "No, I vill take it mit me." "Don't you think that spats make a girl's feet look larger?" "I don't like to criticise anything the ladies do." '"But don't you think so?" "Well, I don't believe Cinderella wore 'em. I will say that much." The tramp touched his hat and walked along beside the horseman. 'You wouldn't think it, sir," he said, "but I once had a happy home." "Then," said the rider, "why didn't you do something to keep it happy?" "I did, sir," said the tramp; "T left it." Mrs. Busybody: "Your husband goes out a good deal, doesn't he ?" Mrs. Keen: "Oh, I don't know: he doesn't go out any oftener than he comes in." "The man who runs this store has got the right idea, all right." How so ?" "He advertises 'bagpipes and musical instruments.' " Among the guests at a reception was a distinguished man of letters. He was grave and somewhat taciturn. One of the ladies present suggested to the hostess that he seemed to be out of place at such a party. "Yes," replied the hostess, with a bright smile; "you see, he can't talk anything but sense!" A young lady who taught a class of small boys in the Sunday school desired to impress on them the meaning of returning thanks before a meal. Turning to one of the class, whose father was a deacon in the church, she asked him—- " William, what is the first thing your father says when he sits down to the table?" * "He says' 'Go easy on the butter, kid; it's nearly two shillings a pound,' " replied the youngster. "I am patriotic through and through," said a patient who is in a camp hospital on account of a broken leg. "I am so patriotic that even my broken bone is knitting."