Contentment: A Poem

442 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Can you paint her in the picture, All so tender, sweet and true? Can you show a barefoot urchin, Bashful, awkward, rather slim, With a face sunburnt and freckled, And a hat with ragged brim; Heart all glowing in a love-dream, — Wishing he were now a man, — Painter, can you paint this picture? Paint it for me, if you can! Payson, Utah. J. L. Townsend. CONTENTMENT. Sweetheart of my early girlhood ; Husband of my later years ; Soother of my pains and sorrows, One who wipes away my tears. What would life be, dear, without thee? Could I tread the path alone? No; thou art my star, my beacon; Till we reach our final home. Wouldst thou know how much I love thee, (Mortal words can never tell), Divine thou must mv thoughts and feelings That deeply in my bosom swell, From the morn till sunny noon- tide; Evening finds me just the same ; I love thy looks, thy words and actions. Am so proud I bear thy name. Oft I wonder how so perfect, In my sight, you can appear; When I know that all we mortals Imperfection's seal must bear; Surely, few on earth are like you, Or I more of them could see. For my true, congenial sweetheart, God of love, be thanks to thee. Layton, Arizona. Eva Rae.