248 ^fi.NNF.T. — VIOI.F/r 



s. w. of the zenith, had now been spread out into a cirrus-cloud extend- 

 ing beyond the zenith. The electric discharge had taken place in that 

 part of the cloud, and had apparently exploded it or carried it suddenly 

 a great distance into the previously clear space. 



SONNET 



TO MY SON ONE YEAR OLD. 



My Son ! when iirpt I took thee in mine arms, 



And kiss'd thy cheek crimson'd with life's first blush, 

 I little knew the feelings that would gush 

 Spontaneous from the heart — against all harms 



To guard thee, and avert whate'er might crush 

 The infant blossom plac'd beneath my care 

 To foster, and for brighter realms prepare ! 

 In one short year how dear hast thou become, 



Or when thou iaughest in thy merry glee, 

 Or when in tears that dry so speedily ! 

 How hast thou tripled all the joys of home, 



Almost forbidding thought from it to roam ! 

 Heaven grant still many a happy year to thee, 

 Thy mother's pride, thy father's joy to be. 



THE VIOLET. 

 FROM THE GERMAN OF GOETHE. 



A Violet stood in the mead, 



Drooping, without an eye to heed ; 



It was a lovely flower. 



There came a youthful shepherdess, 



With light step, soul all cheerfulness, 



Thither, thither 



Unto the mead, and sang. 



"Ah !" thought the violet, "were T 

 "The fairest llower beneath the sky 

 "For only one brief hour, 

 "Until, pluck'd by that lovely maid, 

 "And pale upon her bosom laid 

 "Tho' but, tho' but 

 "One-fourth of some brief hour." 



Alas! the maiden came indeed, 

 Deign'd not the violet to heed. 

 Trod down the lowly flower. 

 It sang and died, rejoicing still, 

 "And tho' I die, yet die I will 

 "By her, by her, 

 "And at her very feet." 



Gettyshurg, Pa. R. 



