DEDICATION FOR A SISTER'S ALBUM.
SISTER, a precious gift I bring,
Oh deem it not a worthless thing,
Nor careless glance its pages o'er—
For many sweets it holds in store,
When youth's gay scenes shall be no more.
Oh deem it not a worthless thing,
Nor careless glance its pages o'er—
For many sweets it holds in store,
When youth's gay scenes shall be no more.
What though the page is spotless white,
And leaves no impress on the sight;
As years shall roll, it still may be
A priceless jewel unto thee,
A star of joy o'er life's dark sea.
And leaves no impress on the sight;
As years shall roll, it still may be
A priceless jewel unto thee,
A star of joy o'er life's dark sea.
For friendship here shall love to bring
Her brightest, purest offering,
And many a name recorded here,
Shall have its mission, oh how dear,
Thy life to bless, thy path way cheer.
Her brightest, purest offering,
And many a name recorded here,
Shall have its mission, oh how dear,
Thy life to bless, thy path way cheer.
To virtue, plant of heavenly birth,
To friendship, rarest gem of earth,
Devote this little book of thine—
So shall sweet memories combine
A wreath around thy heart to twine.
To friendship, rarest gem of earth,
Devote this little book of thine—
So shall sweet memories combine
A wreath around thy heart to twine.
And when loved forms and voices sweet,
At memory's bidding come to greet,
Recall to mind thy sister-friend,
Whose hopeful prayers for thee ascend,
Whose love for thee shall never end.
At memory's bidding come to greet,
Recall to mind thy sister-friend,
Whose hopeful prayers for thee ascend,
Whose love for thee shall never end.