2 THE ACORN. My dame should dress in cheap attire; [Good, heavy silks are never dear;] I own perhaps I might desire Some shawls of true cashmere, Some narrow crapes of China silk; Like wrinkled skins on scalded milk. I would not have the horse I drive So fast that folks must stop and stare; An easy gait two, forty-five Suits me; I do not care; Perhaps, for just a single spurt, Some seconds less would do no hurt. Of pictures I should like to own Titians and Raphaels three or four I love so much their style and tone, One Turner, and no more, (A landscape, foreground golden dirt, And sunshine painted with a squirt.) Of books but few, some fifty score To daily use, and bound for wear; The rest upon an upper floor; Some little luxury there Of red morocco's gilded gleam And vellum rich as country cream. Busts, cameos, gems,- such things as these, Which others often show for pride, I value for their power to please, And selfish churls deride; One Stradivarius, I confess, Two Meerschaums, I would fain possess. Wealth's wasteful tricks I will not learn Nor ape the glittering upstart fool; Shall not carved tables serve my turn, But all must be of buhl! Give grasping pomp it's double share; I ask but one recumbent chair. Thus humble let me live and die, Nor long for Midas' golden touch, If Heaven more generous gifts deny, I shall not miss them much; Too grateful for the blessing lent, Of simple tastes and mind content. Holmes. THE ACORN. 3 LITERARY. A PEACE MAKER. "It is just six years this coming- New Year, since Rowena Curtis married the man of her choice but not her father's," mused Aunty Lane as she sat by the bright fire, her hands, seldom idle, now lying folded in her lap. "Ire-member how angry Farmer Curtis was, and how he forbid her ever to return or to hold any communication with her mother or sister." Farmer Curtis was naturally a kind man and after his anger had somewhat subsided, he repented of what he had said; but his foolish pride kept him from recalling his daughter, and her husband, who had settled in a town not far distant; and who had, through patient toiling, reached a position of some eminence, besides being the only Medical Practitioner for some miles around. As to Farmer Curtis, his wife and daughter, they scarcely seemed like the same family. Mrs. Curtis had dismissed some of her servants in order to have more to do herself, and thus divert her mind from her trouble. She seemed to be losing her strength each day; which fact really troubled Mr. Curtis, thus making him kinder and more patient. The only daughter now at home, tried in every way to soothe and help her mother, and between times ran with her troubles to Aunty Lane, who comforted her saying it would all come out right. "Trust in the Lord, child and all will be well." Now something had been troubling Aunty Lane a great deal of late, she felt that she wished to do something to cause someone to have a Happy New Year. Why not be instrumental in bringing about a reconciliation between the father and daughter? She clasped her hands in prayer and asked the Lord to help her, and then went to work with the feeling that she would succeed. Going to her writing desk, she wrote a note inviting Mrs. Dr. Bradley and her two children to come and spend holidays with her. She also wanted the Doctor to come on New Year's day, or earlier if he could do so.