MY JEWELS

His little Blue Dress is hidden away

From the eyes of the vulgar world,—

And the dear little Shoes,— more precious are they

Than silver or gold empearled —

Jewels that lure like the stars above,

Hidden from all but the eyes of love.

I watched him oft with a mother's heart

As he played with his dear little toys;

But now he is gone, and I sit apart

And muse of those vanished joys;—

Dream of his eyes and his beautiful hair,

And thrill with the love of a sweet despair.

The gaze of the vulgar world today

Would only my jewels abuse;

And this is the reason I hid them away,—

The little Blue Dress and the Shoes:

And I pray that in death my eyes may caress

The dear little Shoes and the little Blue Dress.