THE MILKY WAY.

BY ALBERT LEE.

I dreamed one night that I sailed away From my little cot at home, In a paper ship I had built that day, Toward the heaven's starry dome. And an angel met my little boat, And clasped me by the hand When I stepped ashore, in my short night-coat, On the distant golden strand. He led me forth down a great broad street That seemed as bright as day, And it felt all soft to the tread of my feet,— For I walked on the Milky Way. Along the sides of this heavenly road That stretched away so white Were a myriad stars that softly glowed, Like fire-flies in the night. The angel said that the Milky Way Is the place where the girls and boys Who are lame or crippled may go and play, And trade their crutches for toys. For when lame children go to sleep In their sufferance beds below, They are ferried by angels across the deep, To the path where the star-lamps glow, And the crutches they placed beside the bed, Where they lay at close of day, Are changed to tops and dolls instead When they come to the Milky Way. So I saw them there whom I knew down here, Whom Heaven has not so blessed With the strength to romp for the day's good-cheer, But who hold the blessings of rest. And now when I gaze toward the skies at night, And look at the Milky Way, I know why the near stars shine so bright:— The little lame boys are at play.