Yea, since above his work he may not rise, See! she that bore him, and metes out the lot, To scorn the rock whence he was hewn, the pit 5 MISS THOMAS was born in Chatham, Ohio, but since 1888 she has made her home in New York city. She has written much for the magazines, both in prose and verse, and her writings have been gathered into several volumes. Her verse is marked by delicacy of thought, sincerity of feeling, and exquisiteness of finish. MOTHER ENGLAND I THERE was a rover from a western shore, 15 Thou from the tilting field of nations bore. 5 II As nestling at thy feet in peace I lay, A thought awoke and restless stirred in me: THE MOTHER WHO DIED TOO SHE was so little- little in her grave, 10 15 20 The wide earth all around so hard and cold She was so little! therefore did I crave My arms might still her tender form enfold. She was so little, and her cry so weak 25 When she among the heavenly children came She was so little- I alone might speak For her who knew no word nor her own name, JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY 1853 MR. RILEY was born at Greenfield, Indiana, where his father was a lawyer. For some years he was engaged in journalism, both in Greenfield and in Indianapolis. Much of his early verse, in the Hoosier dialect, first appeared in the newspapers. It attracted wide attention, and several volumes of verse followed. In recent years he has resided at Indianapolis, but he has traveled widely, and has been unusually successful in giving readings from his own verse. And the old man jes' wrapped up in him! Er twice in my life, — and first time was Was, jes' as we turned to start away, "Well, good-by, Jim: Take keer of yourse'f!" 'Peared like he was more satisfied Jes' lookin' at Jim 5 10 And likin' him all to hisse'f-like, see? 'Cause he was jes' wrapped up in him! And over and over I mind the day The old man come and stood round in the way And down at the deepot a-heerin' him say, "Well, good-by, Jim: Take keer of yourse'f!" 15 20 Never was nothin' about the farm Neighbors all ust to wonder why The old man 'peared wrapped up in him: But when Cap. Biggler, he writ back. 'At Jim was the bravest boy we had In the whole dern rigiment, white er black, And take keer of hisse'f! " Jim come home jes' long enough To take the whim 'At he'd like to go back in the calvery – And the old man jes' wrapped up in him! Jim 'lowed 'at he'd had sich luck afore, Watchin' Jim on dress-parade "Tel finally he rid away, And last he heerd was the old man say, "Well, good-by, Jim: Take keer of yourse'f!" Tuk the papers, the old man did, A-watchin' fer Jim, Fully believin' he'd make his mark Some way-jes' wrapped up in him! — 30 And many a time the word 'ud come As they skooted fer timber, and on and on And the old man's words in his mind all day, — 'At's clumb clean up to the shoulder-straps - IKE WALTON'S PRAYER1 I CRAVE, dear Lord, No boundless hoard Of gold and gear, Nor jewels fine, 5 10 15 20 25 1 Used by special permission of The Bobbs-Merrill Company, publishers. From After whiles. Copyright, 1891. |