Willie's and Nellie's Wish

Willie and Nellie, one evening sat By their own little cottage door; They saw a man go staggering by -- Says Willie, "that's Mr. Lanore; He is just going home from town, where He has been in a saloon. When Maggie and I came from school, Said Maggie, 'please papa, come home.' "She asked him again, again, to come home. At last he got angry, and said: 'Maggie, go home -- don't bother me so; Go home now, and shut up your head.' Poor girl, she came weeping all the way, As though her poor heart would break. She could not play, not a word would say; With playmates no pleasure could take." "'Tis the same child," Willie replied; "I'm sorry for Maggie Lanore. I wish her papa would sign the pledge, And try to be a man once more. He drinks up all the money he earns, In whiskey, rum, gin and beer; His home is a home of poverty, Made so by his own career." Says Nellie, "I wish Mr. Lanore Would go to the meeting to-night, And hear the temperance lecture; Then perhaps he would try to do right. One more little home of happiness, Would be in our midst, I am sure; Then Maggie Lanore could say with joy. 'My papa don't drink any more.'" Said Nellie, "I told her never mind, We would be her friends evermore; I hoped her papa would sign the pledge, Then he would not drink any more. Then smiling through her tears, she said, 'The temperance pledge, you mean; If papa would sign it, then mamma And I will take comfort, I ween.'" "I wonder," says Nellie, "can it be, The same child I saw go to school? She wore ragged clothes. I saw her toes Were peeping out of her old shoes. She has curly hair, and mild blue eyes; Can this child be Maggie Lanore? If it is her, I sincerely wish Her papa won't drink any more."