216 ARDENMOHR. 



For one by one friends of thy youth 

 Are gone, or lost by newer ties, 



While he, best loved for heart and truth, 

 Thy other self, near Alma lies. 



Thy once bright mind subdued and still, 



Its spirit fled ; 

 The firmest foot on crag and hill 



Must now be led. 

 Around thy chair no loving ones, 



No wife's unselfish tending seen. 

 "Where be the brave and manly sons, 

 On whom thy feeble steps should lean ? 



Yet one leal heart was close to thine, 



Unseen, unsought. 

 Ah ! hadst thou read that hidden line, 



How changed thy lot 

 You then had come to love and trust 

 The mission a good woman bears, 

 Nor would she left thee, as I must, 

 For other duties other cares. 



Still, Uncle dear, I dare not blame 



Gay years so brief ; 

 For none e'er joined thine honoured name 



"With other's grief. 

 But when age bows the strong and bold, 



The proudest feel, yet may not own, 

 This simple truth the sage hath told, 

 " Man is not meant to live alone." 



GrERTY. 



"Well spoken, young lady bravo ! " the Major 

 observed ; " the old gentleman is bound to miss her 

 and feel alone. What is your opinion, Fred ? " 



" I daren't venture an opinion, Major. I am no 

 judge of rhymes ; besides, Hope has just read it, and 



