The Telegram

The Telegram.
96.6

I.
“Is this the telegraph office?”
Asked a childish voice one day,
As I noticed the click of my instrument
With a message from far away.
As it commed I turned. At my elbow
Stood the merriest scrap of a boy,
Whose childish face was all aglow
With the light of a hidden joy.

II.
The golden curls on his forehead,
Shaded eyes of the deepest blue,
As if a bit of the summer aky
Had lost in them its hue.
They scanned my office rapidly.
From ceiling down to float:
They turned on mine their eager gaze,
And he asked the question o’er.

III
“Is this the telegraph office?”
“It is, my little man,
I said. “Pray tell me what you want,
And I’ll help you if I can’
Than the blue eyes grew more cager.
And the breath came thick and inat.
And I saw within the chubby hands
A folded paper grasped,

IV.
“Nurse told me,” he said, “the lightning
Came down on the wires some day.
And I my mamma’s gone to heaven:
And I’m lonely since she is away,
For my papa is very bury->
He hasn’t much time for me..
So I thought I’d write her a letter.
And I’ve brought it for you to see.

V
“I’ve printed it big, so the angela
Can read out quick the name
And carry it straight to my mamina.
And tell her how it canie.
And now, won’t you please to take it
And frow it up good and strong
Against the wires in a funder shower..
And the lightning will take it alonk.

VI.
Ah! What could I tell the jlariin.
For my eyes yes were filme fast?
I turned away to hide the tears,
But chaerfully spoke at last
“‘ll do the best I can, my child.”
It was all that I could say.
pank you,” he said, then ecanned the sky.
Do you nak it will funder today?

VII.
But the blue sky smiled in answer.
And the sun shone dazzling bright,
And his face, as he slowly turned away.
Lost some of its gladacine light.
But nurse” he said, “If I stay so long.
Won’t let me come any more;
So, good-by, I’ll come and see you again
Hlight after a funder shower.