The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-02-04
JASPER DEANS MUSINGS.
ny DANIEL CONNOLLY.


The apples were red in the orchard, the
meadows were sober and bare,
The woods were aflame with the splendor
that glowed in the glorined air.
Through the valley tremulous murmur
ran drowsily AL the day long,
where a br,oS kissed the pebbles and pass
ed them and sang its perpetual song.
Leaning over rhe gate u his garden, the
leaves All awlnH 40 his feet.
Jasper Dean nU>s.. like one who was
drcaminga dream Az more bitter than
sweet.
II am fifty year old this October he NUT
tered, land hcw do stand.
Well, l own smart house and two hun
dred gsol acres OF l'rable land.
There j. many man would be happy with
half what I've got TO my name.
But I'm not; and | reckon most likely
there's suthin or other TO blame.
There's a feelin' that sometimes comes on
me. and mostly al this time o'year-
When the birds iiy away and the dimness
gives notice that winter i near
>sThere's a feelin' that sometimes comes on
me and makes me half wish TO be dead;
And don't know exaekly what brings ii
10 buzz like bee in my head.
1T may be the change o. the seasons, with
death and decay all around;
OR il NAV be a wish CROWN stronger for
suthin' that amt TO be found.
There i hardly day but the neighbors
are talkin' about my affairs.
! don't thank 'em for mindin' my busi-
ness. I'm sure don't NEEDLE with
theirs.
>sBut they talk and they talk. and the drift
Of IL all j. about my dull life.
II j. dull, | know that very well; but I'm
now past the time for a wife.
s.Whena man touches fifty. like me, he had
better be sayln' his prayers
Than frettin' himself about women and
runnin' his head into snares.
There was Absalom Brown that went of
and got married az most fifty-fiye.
III be hadn't done that, | don't doubt but
the critter would still be alive.
-sBut the woman he took. she just worried
his wits out in less N year;
Though when he went OF she was ready
with many crocodile tear.
But all women are not = that sort. There
are plenty a. good a can be.
And IL I had married AZ thirty il might
been have better for me.
There's the house. and a good one il is
not a better the country can show;
But never 20 in without feelin' dull
ness, instead of glow.
a home may seem ever so pleasant and
ever 20 neat and 20 line,
And still have no comfort within il; and
that's whats the matter with mine.
There i never a voice 10 give welcome and I
never glad smile 10 greet.
And my heart never thr9bs to the musical I
patter Of innocent feet.
What's the use ~ man always striyin' 4
He gains but little Al last;
And il gen rally comes. in NJ all, when \
the time 10 enjoy i is past.
Now, il had married at thirty, a had
notion to do.
Who can tell but nv heart woald be light
er, the home more pleasant one too!
But somehow waited and waited: and
now am fifty year old;
There j. plenty o frost in my hair and my
blood has grown sluggish and cold.
Il feel more like restin' than workin'. and
every year that goes by
Pears to tell me I'd better be careful,
and leaves me a trife less spry.
And suthin' comes on me in autumn-I
don't know exaekly what way
That makes me feel sad-ike and solemn
and sets all my idees astray.
IL may be the change o. the seasons, with
deaih and decay all around:
OR il may be wishin' and longin' for
suthin that ain Z to be found.
"A man without some one 10 care for i not
what man ought to be:
And home without some one 10 cheer II
amt pleasant to have or TO see.
Now. IL had married at thirty-pshaw.
here am driyelin' on.
With lot o. things still 10 be seen TO and
the sun, as live, Almost gone,
Z There's chill in the air about shutdown.
reckon I'D better get round,
Or In have that old rheumatic shootin
all through me agen, III be bound. -
The Independent.