And there she left me a minute or so, with a kiss and a gentle word,

While she ran to bring the children down; and my heart was strangely stirr'd

As I look'd about at the pleasant room, and out on the garden view,

That all seem'd so familiarly strange, so old, and yet so

new;

And I dropp'd back into my chair once more, with a longing akin to pain,

As I heard the children come skurrying down to welcome me home again.

I could scarcely see them at first for the tears that dimm'd my yearning sight,

As they ran to meet me, with eager joy, my younglings bonnie and bright;

And then they clamber'd up on my knees, with merry welcoming cries,

And I look'd for the first time in my life in my little darlings' eyes!

And what did I see? A wee girl-face, bright, and eager, and fair,

With her mother's lips and lustrous eyes, and ripple of golden hair,

And a darling rogue of a baby-boy with merry black eyes; and, ah,

They both were pleading with lips and eyes for "A story, a story, papa!"

"What sort of a story, my dears?" I said; "a fairy story,

eh?

Well, come, as you've been good children, I hear, I must humor you to-day;

Once on a time, in a beautiful wood there lived a fairy, you know:

I couldn't tell you the year, of course, but 't is ever so long ago.

"And all the people they loved her so, this fairy in the

wood,

For she never was cross and proud, my dears, but kind, and gentle, and good;

And she was always happiest when she'd made some neighbor happy and bright

Unlike some little children I know, who tease, and quarrel, and fight!

"Not you, my dear? Why, of course not, child! Do you fancy I should suppose

That Edie and Sid would ever do such naughty things as those?

'Tis only bad little boys and girls that plague, and quarrel, and shout;

But now for this beautiful fairy, dears, I was telling you about.

"What was she like? Why, Edie, child, what a little plague you are!

Well, I fancy-I only fancy, you know-she was something like mamma:

And her face was quite a treat to see, it look'd so pleasant

and fair.

"Now in this wood a hermit dwelt, in a cottage lone and

poor;

He was blind, like poor papa, my dears, and his heart was heavy and sore,

Till the fairy found him out one day, as he sat in his lonely

cot, And thought, 'Poor man, I must do my best to brighten and cheer his lot!'

"So she'd come and chat, and tell him the news, till he grew quite merry and bright,

And she gave him all that she could-food, gold, and everthing but sight;

And she brought little children to play with him - such nice little children, miss

And he'd hear their prattle and tell them tales, and pull their ears like this!

"Well, the fairy had a brother, my dears, who was quite a giant, 'tis said,

And could do, oh my, such wonderful things when he took it into his head;

And when his fairy sister was out on an errand of good, one day,

He went alone to the blind man's hut, and gently led him

away.

"He led him away to a secret cave, where a mighty genii

dwells,

And with curious bottles, and drugs, and books, works wonderful cures and spells;

And he touch'd the man with his magic wand on his poor, dark, sightless eyes,

And he saw-oh, the joy!-saw again the beautiful fields and skies!

"He was cured, my dears — he was blind no more; and he thought, with a happy smile,

'I won't let her know it all at once, but keep it a secret awhile;'

For the dearest thought of his heart was this, 'How glad the fairy will be,

And what fun I shall have with the children now when they come to play with me''

"Well, he found the fairy waiting at home, and she started up from her chair,

With her face all flush'd and eager-like, as mamma's is over there;

And she press'd her hands, as mamma does now, to her throbbing brow, just here

Why, Bessie, my darling, what is it now? how you frighten a fellow, dear!"

For, ah, she had read my story right, and was sobbing on my breast,

With her arms about the children and me, my fairy bonnie and blest;

And I clasp'd her to my heart of hearts, while my brimming eyes o'erran

The truest helpmeet, the sweetest wife, God ever gave to

man!

I told her all as she lay on my breast, hand lovingly clasp'd in hand,

And then the dear children had to be kiss'd, and made to understand;

And I had to tell who Edie was like, with her mother's eyes, dear heart,

And whether little Syddie was not my very counterpart!

And of course I had to be taken out around our little

domain,

Where all its beauties were pointed out and admired again and again;

And then, in the midst of a merry laugh or a lightly-uttered jest,

Poor Bessie would quite break down again, and be weeping on my breast!

Talk of the hem! why, there she is! - that's her knock, as sure as a gun!

Now you take your cue from me, old man, and I'll show you a little fun :

Bessie, my dear, this gentleman here is a very old friend of mine

Mr. Smith, Mrs. C.; Mrs. C., Mr. Smith- in the brieflessbarrister line!

Ha, ha! why, where is your memory, dear? As the singers say, "Try back."

Have you quite forgotten our old playmate, the illustrious Dr. Jack?

Halloo! what now? Well, upon my word, this really is a surprise!

Kissing another fellow under my very eyes!

Only look at her now, old man - there's a picture for you, eh?

Why, she's getting younger, and rosier, and handsomer every day!

Come, get us some tea, there's a dear good girl, and don't stand laughing there,

And we'll make it a jolly meeting to-night, with Dr. Jack in the chair!

Edwin Coller.