The Argosy — page 101: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

88 NEW YEAR’S DAY.—INTROSPECTIVE. ANOTHER milestone on Life’s journey Home . We pass to-day, And, as we near the ever longed for bourn, Ah! can we say That we have wrought no ill along the way We started, maybe, with a blithesome heart In sunny weather ; Saw we the greenness all about our path, Walking together, Or did we stray in by-ways far apart? Each day—a little life—did we pursue Aught of high aim; Or wander listless, heedless of the hue Night’s shadows claim, Shutting out light, and blotting all our view? Can months, grown out of days, show, at their best One good work done? One traveller’s weary load by us made less, One sheltered one; Or one in sickness eased, or helped to rest? And have we ever filled the fading space ’Twixt us and Home With any thought, as still our way we traced, How far we’d come? Or whence refreshed we were, as on we paced Along the toil-worn road? And did we mark The flowering hedgerows, And the fresh, sparkling streams that crossed our path ? Or did we launch In sea of dreams, all tempest tossed, our barque, And wake to find it vanished into foam,— Like bubbles—chased As they were worlds—in fleeting brightness gone! Our hopes, but based On shore of sand—we, stranded and alone. Ah! when we from the mountain top look down Through wayward mists, Ere the hours darken, and the waning noon Blinds our fair tryst, May we discern our path !—Methinks a crown Once won, left bleeding footmarks that same way, To guide us on. Though feeble wills, and stumbling feet may stray, There is a strong, Broad eagle wing of Faith can bear away O’er highest hilis, or deepest seas, each one. fe » Re CORNICE OOOKS (E(@)