God bless them both, for they were ever
The foremost to second my life's endeavor.
Our aunts sometimes are almost mothers,
Toiling and planning and spending for others.
Aunt Hannah, the maiden; Aunt Emily, wife,--
How they labored to gird me for the strife,
Cheering me on with words befitting,
Doing my sewing and doing my knitting,
And pressing upon me many a token
Whose meaning was more than ever was spoken!
At length the time for parting came--
They both in heaven will have true fame!
They did not bid me good-bye at the stile;
They with me went through the woods a mile.
It was the still September time,
When the Autumn fruits were in their prime.
Here and there a patch of crimson was seen
Where the breath of the early frost had been.
The songs of the birds were tender and sad,
Yet I could not say they were not glad.
Nature's soft and mellow undertone
To a note-like trust in the Father had grown.
And that trust, I ween, in our hearts had sway,
As on through the woods we wended our way.
Meeting and parting fringe life below;
We parted--twenty years ago.
My aunts turned back, and on went I,
Striving my burning tears to dry.
Almost a thousand miles away
Was the _Alma Mater_ I sought that day.
To a voice I turned me on my track,
And saw them both come running back.
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