Little Georgie Hussy, of des Moines, Iowa, who died during his mother's absence from home.

Drop the curtain gently, softly !
Shut the golden sunlight out;
Bid the merry children, passing,
Hush their laugh and joyous shout.
Lay aside the snowy cover
Over which light shadows creep,
Then draw near and murmur over,
' Little Georgie is asleep !'

Oh ! 'tis hard for thee, poor mother,
Bending o'er thy darling now;
Covering with earnest kisses
Icy lips and marble brow,—
Hard to come and find the treasure
Thou hadst hoped to hold and keep,
Cold and quiet in his casket,
Bright eyes hidden—fast asleep !

Yet remember, when thou bendest'
O'er his erib and empty chair,
When the yearning love within thee
Cries from anguish and despair,
That the One who called him upward
Will thy precious lambkin keep;
Only to earth's cares and sorrows
Has thy darling gone to sleep !