With a mirror and a candle,
Walking backward down the stair.
So I tiptoed gently forward,
Like a thief about to steal;
Wondered would she take affright at
What her mirror would reveal.
Step by step she slow descended,
Faltering—till, but one step more,
And at last she found her footing
On the creaky cellar floor.
Laughing in the little mirror,
Straight I looked her in the eyes;
"I'm so glad," I heard her murmur,
Not a least sign of surprise.
And, without a glance behind her,
Up the stair she straightway fled,
Eager to rejoin the others
In the kitchen overhead.
So 'twas Hallowe'en that told me
What I long had hoped to know,
And that's why my heart clings closely
To those days of long ago.
For you boys here in the city
Don't know half the fun we had
Every Hallowe'en at husking,
When your grandpa was a lad.
MAMMY'S LUCK CHARM FER DE BRIDE
Martha S. Gielow.
HYAR, honey, take this littl' gif
An' place it nigh yo' heart,
'Twill keep erway dat littl' rif
What causes folks ter part.
