Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-01-29
IlsrER DEANS M SINGS.
n on, ne Ta.fepenlier, 7

!
The apples were rel in the orchard, the
meadows were sober and bare,
The woods were afarne with a spIendor that
glowed in the glOrided air.
Through the valley tremuI0us mu-mur
ran drOwsily all the day long,
Where brook kisSe The pebb' e., and passed
tnem aud sans It's perpetual song.
Leaning over the gate Of his garden. the
leaves all awhirl at his feet
Jasper Dean unused, like one who was dream
ing a dream far more bitter than sweet.
al am fifty year old this October" he NUT
tered, and now do 1 stand?''
wei, own a smart house and two hundred
good acres OF tOlrable land.
"There is many a 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 f. e. n that sometimes come. ON
me, and mostly at this time o. year
Wnen me olris NY away, and the dimness
gives notice that winter is near.
"Ihere's a feelin' that sometime comes on
me and makes me IT, wish TO be deal !;
And don know exackIy what brings IL to
buzz Like a bee In my head.
"H may be the change o. the seasons, with
death and decay all around;
OT III may be a wish CROWN stronger for
suthln' that amt 10 be found.
"There is hardly a day but the neighbors are
don't thank 'em for mindin' my business
I'm sure don't NEEDLE with theirs.
"But they talk and they talk, and the DRIFT
Ofit all is about my dull life.
II Is duIl, know that very well; but I'm now
past the time for n wife.
s'wben a man touches fifty. like me, he had
better be Sayin' his prayers.
Hhan frettin' himself about women and rum
MIN mis- head into snares.
ssrhara ros ahso1o,, I1-or-r ,ho. ---. - ~
and got married at most fifty-fve.
II he hadn't done that, / oon't doubt but the
critter would still be alive.
"But 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 a. that sort. There
are plenty as good as can he;
And II had married at thirty IL might have
been better for me.
"There's the house, and good one Il is-not
a better the country can show;
But never go In without feeiin' a dullneSs,
instead OF glow.
"a home may seem ever so pleasant and
ever so neat and so fine,
And still have DO comfort within it; and
that's what's the matter with mine.
"There is never a voice to give welcome and
never a glad smile 10 greet,
And my heart never thrOOs To the musical
patter OF innocent feet.
"What's the use of a man always strivin'?
He gains but little at last
And II rally comes, If at all, when the
time To enjoy II is past.
"Now, If had married at thirty, as hal a
notion To do,
Who eau tell but my heart would be lighter.
the home a more pleasant one, too?
"But somehow l waited and waited; and now
am fifty year old,
1heTe Is plenty % frost in my hair and my
blood has grown sluggish and cold.
81 feel more like restin' than workin,' and
every year that goes by
Pear TO tell me Ia better be careful, and
leaves me a tribe less spry.
sand suthin' comes on me in autumn
don't know eXackIy what way
That makes me feel Sad-like and solemn and
sets all my idees astray.
cit may be the change o. the seasons, with
deathand decay all around;
Or IL may be wi>hin' and lOngiu' for
suthin' that amt 10 he found.
ga man without some one to care for is not
what a man ought % be;
And home without some one TO cheer IL
Amt pleasant 10 have or 10 see.
ssNow, i'll had married at thirty-pshayy!
here I am drivelin' on,
With lot o things still TO be seen TO and
The sun, as live, almost gonel
"There's a chill in the air about sundovn.
reckon I'd better get round,
Or I'll have that old rheumatic shOOtln' all
through me agen, III be bOund.7