A masterpiece soon makes its way to light. The folk ran up and screamed, so soon as Stephen met their sight: "Ah, Heavens! Ah, there he is! Yes, yes, 'tis he! O happy artist! happy wife! Look at the laughing features! Only see The open mouth, that seems as if 'twould speak I never saw before in all my life Such nature, no, I vow, there could not be They brought the wooden spouse, That now alone the widow's heart could cheer, Where he and she had dwelt one blessed year. To weep away the remnant of her life. So sat Dorinda many weeks, heart-broken, In all that time to living creature spoken, Just as she looked, a stranger stood below. He has some business with you must be done,- "Madam 'twill not do; He has already had a glimpse of you, A moment the young widow stands perplexed, The image that so long had soothed her woe. Dorinda comes at length, and, sooth to say, alone.- Go instantly, and boil the pot of fish." 66 Yes, madam, yes, with pleasure, as you wish." Dorinda goes back to her room again. The maid ransacks the house to find a stick She calls Dorinda out, in agony. 46 Ah, madam, hear the solemn truth,” says she; "There's not a stick of fish-wood in the house. Suppose I take that image down and split it? That Is good hard wood, and to our purpose pat." "The image? No, indeed!-But-well-yes, What need you have been making all this touse?" "But, ma'am, the image is too much for me; I cannot lift it all alone, you see; 'Twould go out of the window easily." do! "A lucky thought! and that will split it for you, too. The gentleman in future lives with me; I may no longer nurse this misery." Up went the sash, and out the blessed Stephen flew. 100 CHOICE SELECTIONS. No. 18. COLUMBIA.-P. S. GILMORE. A National Historic Poem first presented to the public at the Academy of Music, New York, on Christmas day, 1879. Columbia! First and fairest gem On Nature's brow--a diadem Columbia! Soon the tidings spread Columbia! In thine early days That marks the place from whence the race Who fought for Independence dear With hearts of steel and conscience clear. |