BY PHAZMA

A blind old beggar, with his hat in hand,

  Neglected by the lazy passers-by,

I noticed shyly at the corner stand,

  With moisture falling from his sightless eye.

A child came by - a laughuing little creature - 

  With joy and innocence in every feature-

Skipping forth gaily to an apple-stand,

  She saw the beggar, and became less gay;

Then flung the bit of silver in her hand

  Into the old man's hat, and ran away!