A LEGEND OF CHERRIES 



NOW, St. Joseph's cottage stood 

 Close beside a cherry wood, 



And, what time the trees grew red 

 With their luscious fruit, 'tis said, 



Jesus, at His mother's gown. 

 Begged to have the branches down : 



All in vain she made reply, 

 ' Mother cannot reach so high,' 



For He begged them none the less, 

 In His perfect childishness. 



Joseph, in his workshop near. 

 Heard the Babe and would not hear. 



Heard the Blessed Virgin say, 



' Joseph, pull them down, I pray I ' 



But he answered, with a frown, 

 ' Let His Father pull them down.' 



Then, to his great wonderment. 

 Every cherry branch was bent. 



And Our Lady sweetly smiled, 

 Picking cherries for her Child. 



CHARLES DALMON. 



36 



