Wilhelmina Stitch

“ For I know you'll laugh with me, share in full my jollity, and the world will fairer be—'cause of you. When the sun is veiled from sight, when the clouds of grief hang low, when the day seems turned to night—then to you I go. For I know you'll comfort me with a tender sympathy, and the load will lighter be—'cause of you. Not alone for days serene, not for moments of success, but a friend you've ever been—in joy and in distress. When the road was rough and long, you have borne the journey, too. ”

“ I wish to thank You for the sun that kissed, this morn, my sleeping eyes; for all the happy things I've done since I did rise. For gift of sound and gift of sight; for feet that skip so merrily; for food and warmth, and each delight You gave to me. I thank You for my mother dear; I thank You for my father kind; and for the star that watches near—behind the blind. So many Grown-ups show me love, though I'm a child and still quite small. ”

“ Ambassador from Friendship's court is he, bearing those greetings that enrich the day with happy thoughts, and with sweet melody which, on the heart-strings, only friends can play. Life's messenger! And so he needs must bring echoes from Sorrow's Hall as well as Joy. We hold no grudge against him for the sting, knowing all happiness has its alloy. Greater than Mercury who served the gods, the sturdy Postman, of our busy days. Wingless, on patient feet, he daily plods, evoking from all hearts a word of praise. He is the very pulse of life for all ”

“ And where would be sweet Friendship's hour, the dainty china, lovely flow'r, the rush of children in the room dispelling any hint of gloom, did I, at five o'clock, not send hot toast and tea of perfect blend? May nought but cheerful cooks come here; for I, at any time of year, in my great purpose take delight: to serve the Healthy Appetite.
THE HARBOUR HEART
The heart is like a quiet port expecting ships each day. The spirit is the armoured fort that guards the ocean way. For, sometimes, on the sea of life there rides an evil ship. ”

“ There's Amy, Daphne, Pam, and Rose; Elizabeth and Lucille fair; and Jellis with tip-tilted nose; Amanda with rich auburn hair. And other blossoms, row on row, standing so primly in their places. It sets the teacher's heart aglow to see their morning-glory faces. Now like a mother she must be—a loving mother wise and kind—clothing each tender memory in prettiest garments she can find. As mothers joy in dainty frills, so will she trim each baby heart with melodies and lilting trills, borrowed for them, from Beauty's mart. ”

“ For what more lovely than the throbbing tone of human voice that blends tenderly with voice of friends? Oh Soul! garner most zealously each quiet joy, each ecstasy, each sound, each touch, each sight, whate'er has given delight. Then when the summer days of life draw to a close, from Memory's fair garden—we can pluck a rose. ”

“ I've many shares in mines of mirth, in sunshine, air and flowers and sky, in all the things of sterling worth, yes, very rich indeed am I. I've neither copper, tin, nor gold; nor platinum without alloy. I own what can't be bought or sold—for I have many shares in Joy.
WHEN DECEMBER COMES
December with her skirts a-blowing, frozen dew-drops in each ear; berries at her breast a-glowing, rosy-cheeked December's here. Hoar-frost to her garments clinging, prettier gems she could not find; merrily, December's singing songs best suited to her mind. ”

“ For laughter of children absorbed in play, for laughter of adults whose hearts are young, for the hillocks and valleys of life's short day, for gift of speech and the gentle tongue, for love of service, its own reward—for that which is common, be praised, O Lord. ”

“ I clench my teeth and work away, beyond this knot lies happiness, and I must pass while yet 'tis day. Another piece leads to a hill where fairy folk in tree trunks dwell. I'll blaze this trail with right good will, and live among them for a spell. So swift my fingers work, and fast (imagination's on the wing!) and all my troubles fade at last—for life is like a knotted string!
LIFE GROWS FAIRER
As life goes by it fairer grows. Oh, yes, it fairer grows to me. And may it be so at the close when Death advances lovingly. ”

“ The little shops pull at one's heart, so simple is their merchandise. A little window beckons us through which we peer with misted eyes. For narrow shops are often kind to tiny folk scarce counter-high. Above a shop, behind a blind, I've heard a little baby cry. Above a shop, I've often seen a mother's anxious face appear. How many customers have been? The closing hour is drawing near. Great shops, like temples dedicate to merchandise from every mart, are over-lords of their own fate—but little shops tug at the heart! ”

“ A tiny shoot; two leaves of green; growth hour by hour—and then the day when all the glory of a flower was seen. The deed perfected in true beauty's way, for not a single word had yet been heard! Grant us the power to act this way. Let each good impulse strike upon rich soil, and there take root and blossom through the day not by the breath of words but silent toil. For gracious words should follow what we do, the lovely blossoms of a fruitful deed ”

“ No wonder you feel weary if you think that life is dreary just because a bitter wind decides to blow. What care you for the weather, come snow and fog together, if the heart of you with sunshine is aglow. ”

“ My life at times has gone awry, but here beneath Your arch of sky, the pattern's true. The wind that softly passes by; tall trees, bright blossoms, grass, all try to pleasure You. With zest I've weeded day by day. Judge that my sins I cast away and am now shriven. And here Your sunbeams come to play, and moonbeams on this path do stray. Your stars look down from heaven. Will You not take this pattern bright as handiwork for Your delight and bless this little garden? ”

“ Hark to His voice, a throbbing, pleading song, bidding us slay Intolerance and Fear. Return, oh soul, from journeying afar; there is a quiet road, straight to your breast. Travel this path, at rise of evening star, you'll find that He has come to be your guest.
THE THOROUGHBRED MONGREL
Your tail's absurdly long for a doggie of your size. Your ears, well they look wrong, but the love-light in your eyes, ah! makes one quite forget you've won no prize as yet. You're a mongrel, little chap, just a mongrel, nothing more. ”

“ Blessed are they who give of their best, who bring to the home bright laughter, gay jest, who make themselves charming for no other reason than charm is a blossom for homes, every season! Who bestow love on others throughout the long day—pleasant to live with and blessed are they! ”

“ What's the sense of fretting because the sun's forgetting almost every day to play his part? What care you for the weather, let it rain and hail together, if there's summer time a-shining in your heart. ”

“ He dwells not in a tenet or a creed, no roof can compass Him, nor walls enclose, but you will find Him in the humblest weed and in the beauty of a budding rose. Think you He cares for some high-sounding phrase, the gift from lips that serve a subtle mind? Some homely household sounds best sing His praise, and deeds that spring from hearts sincere and kind. ”

“ Here's to the hour the striving ends and we stake our claim to the heart's delight. Here's to the road that winds afar, here's to the courage we'll never lack, to the dauntless will, the beckoning star, to the eyes that look not back. ”

“ Friendship seeks companions, Suspicion walks alone, eyelids drooping meanly, in his heart, a stone. Friendship's joy is service, fair or foul the weather. Suspicion turns from giving—so they cannot dwell together. ”

“ Keep swinging the hammer, despite all strife. Honest your purpose, stroke that is true; joy in the thing you are trying to do; ambition's flame for the smithy's fire, lit by the strength of a great desire. ”

“ You're clumsy with your feet; you've tenacity and strength, you're a ruffian on the street, and you wriggle like an eel just to show the love you feel. Mongrel, with no hope of fame, who's your father? ”

“ Not always is it draughts to drink, his trusting patients need. He tries to make the thoughtless think—'tis sometimes hearts that bleed. The honoured confidant and friend of families is he, and often when for him they send, they crave but sympathy. "Doctor," one says, "will make the lad see reason quickly, dear." Doctor is asked to soften Dad, or cast out mother's fear. Their joys and sorrows he doth share, for doctor always must be told; he lightens many a heavy care, and this for love, not gold. And he mends broken spirits, too, dispenses cheer and mirth. ”

“ How fortunate are we, blessed with a memory! It is God's gift to all in high estate and small. A storehouse for the keeping of beauty we've been reaping from life's fields, along the way, hour by hour and day by day. ”

“ Vainly seek we for the light. Gusts of passion fog the mind—but, just now, the sun shines bright. Let's not brood on grief that's past, shadows fall but shadows lift. Only Love and Goodness last—let's enjoy to-day's good gift. ”

“ Your pardon, Life, if we have treated ill one hour of this good day; if we have shown a stubborn, sulky will, choosing an ugly way, though you have offered for our errant feet a well-built, clean, a straight and smiling street! Your pardon, Life, if we have failed to see the beauty of each hour; if we have walked with eyes turned inwardly, blind to a bird or flow'r ”

“ But nought like the joy of dreaming how happy that someone will be; how eyes will be brightly gleaming and mouth smile happily. Joy past the power of rhyming to follow that parcel in thought; to hear, with gay laughter chiming, "Look what the postman has brought!" ”

“ And if we have, one moment, turned deaf ears to voices that inspire; if we have entertained pale, cowardly fears and fanned a low desire; if we have brought to naught one gift you gave, your pardon, Life, we crave. ”

“ Idleness we now must shun, another week of work begun, another hill that must be won, for 'tis Monday morning. Clear in brain and strong in limb, now we're in good fighting trim, Sunday's joys are growing dim, for 'tis Tuesday morning. Energies have reached the crest, we've ambition, hope and zest, work, of all life's gifts the best, on this Wednesday morning. Duties pile up thick and fast, the middle of the week is past, now our goal's in sight at last, for 'tis Thursday morning. ”

“ Throughout your days you a gardener must be. Gardeners have gentle ways, all their thoughts make melody. As your destined path you take, and places you must scan; there, sow seeds for love's own sake, blossoms from Patricia Ann!
"BLESSED ARE THEY"
"Blessed are they who are pleasant to live with." Blessed are they who sing in the morning, whose faces have smiles for their early adorning, who come down to breakfast companioned by Cheer, who won't dwell on trouble, nor entertain fear, whose eyes smile forth bravely, whose lips curve to say, "Life! ”

“ Blessed are they who treat one another, though merely a sister, a father, a brother, with the very same courtesy they would extend to a casual acquaintance, or dearly-loved friend; who choose for the telling encouraging things, and choke back the bitter, the sharp word that stings. "Blessed are they who are pleasant to live with." ”

“ Friendship needs must trust; Suspicion has to doubt, and, seeking hidden faults, turn all things inside out. Friendship clings to Truth, which is Suspicion's foe. 'Tis Truth that feeds the wick for Friendship's steady glow. ”

“ Father has such boisterous ways, bellows words of petting praise, flings him high into the air. "Oh!" shrieks mother, "do take care." 'Tis four o'clock, he's been to sleep and yet he's not allowed to creep; not allowed the happiness of sucking bits of his clean dress. He has to sit in his high chair and let a lot of people stare. They bring him things to touch and squeeze, and sister plagues him to say "please." Then someone cries, "Now, Baby, look! Here is a lovely picture book." And someone else says, "Here's a bunny, a soft, white woolly one, for Sonny." He's feeling bored. ”

“ Material gains I have not known (my bank account's about the same!) and yet the world has fairer grown; with certainty I make this claim. In love and tenderness and grace, the world grows fairer day by day. What joy to see a friendly face as we go bravely on our way. ”

“ The day it was a garment that I just loved to wear.
A TOAST
Here's to the days that are yet to be, to the life we're going to lead, to the aim achieved successfully, to the prisoned hope that's freed. Here's to the strength we're going to find, here's to the work we'll soon begin, strength of body and strength of mind and the hill we're going to win. Here's to the El Dorado, friends, the land of dreams we're soon to sight. ”

“ He can't rob you of your youth when your spirit is, forsooth, a shining, flaunting banner bright and gay. Let Father Time grow fleeter, the years will prove but sweeter, though youth—it is thus ordered—must depart. ”

“ There's a little curved leg they love to kiss; there's a dimpled arm so smooth and white, its graceful contour gives delight. And as for the chest, it gives much joy. Says Daddy, "Just look at this fine tall boy!" ”

“ Quite convinced you do the most? Confident you should earn more? Of course, you do not like to boast—you've other chances, by the score! When this mood has you in grip (as some day it's bound to do) , remember—a successful ship must carry, too, a worthy crew. When this mood nags at your heart, reflect—we can't all captains be; each must play his special part; ships need crews when off to sea.
THE POSTMAN
He is the aide-de-camp of merchandise. While thousands calmly lie a-bed and dream, he bears the seeds of some great enterprise from which springs forth a money-making scheme! ”