THE ROYAL READERS 3: LESSON 2

LESSON 2
LITTLE JIM

The cottage was a thatched one,
The outside old and mean;
Yet everything within that cot
Was wondrous neat and clean.

The night was dark and stormy,
The wind was howling wild;
A patient mother knelt beside
The deathbed of her child:

A little worn-out creature --
His once bright eyes grown dim;
He was a collier's only child --
They called him little him.

And oh, to see the briny tears
Fast hurrying down her check,
As she offered up a prayer in thought;
She was afraid to speak,

Lest she might waken one she loved
Far better than her life;
For there was all a mother's love
In that poor collier's wife.

With hands uplifted, see, she kneels
Beside the suff'rer's bed;
And prays that he will spare her boy
And take herself instead!

She gets her answer from the child;
Soft fell these words from him:
"Mother," the angels do so smile,
And beckon -- little Jim!

"I have no pain, dear mother, now;
But oh, I am so dry!
Just moisten -- poor Jim's lips again;
And, mother, don't you cry."

With gentle, trembling haste she held
The tea-cup to his lips;
He smiled, to thank her, as he took
Three tiny little sips.

"Tell father, when he comes from work,
I said goo-night to him;
And, mother, now I'll go to sleep" --
Alas! Poor little Jim!

She saw that he was dying --
The child she loved so dear
Had uttered the last words that she
Might ever hope to hear.

The cottage door was opened,
The collier's step was heard;
The mother and the father met,
Yet neither spoke a word!

He knew that all was over --
He knew his child wad dead;
He took the candle in his hand,
And walked towards the bed.

His quivering lips gave token
Of grief he's fain conceal;
And see! His wife had joined him--
The stricken couple kneel!

With hearts bowed down with sadness
They humbly ask of Him,
In heaven once more to meet again
Their own poor little Jim.

-------- Edward Farmer