A LIFE-SCENE — THE LETTER.

“I'm at work upon the railroad” —

So the brother's letter ran,—

“I'm at work upon the railroad,

With the wages of a man.

“I am up at peep of morning,

And I only stop to eat;

But I bear it all extremely well

Except the noon-day heat.

“I do not feel much homesick,

Though I think of other scenes,

And what you have for dinner

When I eat my pork and beans!

“‘ Tis the time for pies and dumplings,

Currant jelly and all that,

For an hour in mother's pantry

I'd give my bran-new hat.

“You wrote about the chickens,

About the crops and hay;

But not a word about the colts —

The black one or the gray.

“Tell father not to worry

About that note at all:

I shall have a hundred dollars

I can send him in the fall.

“You cannot think how proudly

It makes my bosom swell,

To think that I am toiling

For those I love so well.

“Tell mother I remember

Her parting words to me;

And all that she has prayed for

I hope I yet may be.

“The workmen bring the bottle,

They say,‘ Just take a sip;’

But, mother, not a single drop

Shall ever touch my lip.

“Here's a kiss for brother Charley —

The little roguish elf,

I hope he'll not forget me,—

And another for yourself.

“How much I want to see you

I will not try to tell;

I never knew I loved my home

And all my friends so well!

“My lamp is burning dimly,

So, sister dear, good-night;

Think often of your brother,

And do n't forget to write.”

The sister read the letter

With a look of pride and joy;

And the father and the mother said,

“God bless the darling boy!”