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OLIVE BUDS.

would have thrown my arms around their neck, and said,—"Touch not your lips, I pray you, to the poison-cup,—but let us drink the pure water which God has blessed,—all the days of our lives."

Again I went forth, and looked attentively on what was passing around. I met a beautiful boy weeping. I said, why dost thou mourn?" And he replied, "My father went to the wars,—and is dead. He will come back to me no more."

I saw a woman, pale and weak with sorrow. The Sun shone upon her dwelling, and the woodbine climbed to its window, and blossomed sweetly. But she beheld not their brightness. For she was a widow. Her husband had