The Republican journal., 1877-06-07
Whistling in Heaven.

From Harpers Magazine for June
You're surprised that ever should say so,
just wait till the reason I've given
Why say shant care for the music,
Unless there is music in heaven;
Then you'll think it no very great wonder
Nor so strange, nor SO bold conceit
That unless there's IA boy there a-whistling
Its music will not be complete.
1t was late in the autumn of 40
We had come from our far Eastern home
just in season to build us cabin.
Ere the cold of the winter should come;
And we lived all the while in our wagon
That husband was clearing the place
Where the house was to stand: and the clearing
And building it took many days.
So that our heads were scarce sheltered
In under its roof. when our store
OF provisions was almost exhausted
And husband must journey for more;
And the nearest place where he could get them
Was yet such a distance away,
That 1t forced him from home to be absent
N least whole night and dav
on see we'd but two or three neighbors
And the nearest was more than mile.
And we hadn't found time yet to know them,
For We had been busy the while;
And the man who had helped at the raising
just staid till the job well done;
And as soon as his money was paid him,
Had sLouldercd his axe and had gone.
Wei husband Just kissed me and started
could scarcely suppress deep groan
At the thought of remaining with baby
So long III the house all alone;
For my dear was childish and timid
And Drawer ones might well have feared.
For the wild wolf was often heard bowling
And savagoS sometimes appeared.
But Smothercd my grief and my terror
Till husband was off on his ride
And then i'll my arms | took Josey.
And all the day long sat and cried
As thought Of the long dreary hours
When the darkness OF hight should fall
And was utterly helpless.
With no one in reach Of nv call
And when the night came with its terrors
To hide ev'rv ray of light
hung up a quilt by the window,
And. almost dead with alright,
| kneeled by the side OF the cradle
Scarce daring to draw f,lll breath,
Lest the baby should wake, and Its crying
should bring lis a horrible death.
There | knelt until late i'll the evening
And scarcely an inch had stirred
When suddenly far i'll the distance,
sound as Of whistling heard
! started up. dreadtuy frightened,
For fear twas an Indians call
And then very soon | remembered
The red man ne er whistles at all.
And when | was sure twas a white man.
thought. We're he coming for i'll,
He'd surely approach with more caution
Would come without warning and still
Then the sounds coming nearer and nearer,
Took the form of tune light and CAV
And knew | needn't fear evil
From one who could whistle that way.
Very soon | heard footsteps approaching
Then came peculiar dull thump,
As if some one was heavily striking
An axe III the top of stump;
And then, in another brief moment.
There came light tap at the door
When quickly undid the ast'nings
And in stepped boy, and before
There was either question or answer.
Or either had time to speak,
Just threw my glad arms around him,
And gave him kiss on the check
Then started back, scared at my boldness
But he only smiled at my fright
As he SAID, I'm Your neighbours boy, Flick.
Come to tarry with you through the night.
We saw your husband go eastward,
And made up our minds where he'd gone
And | said TO the rest of our people,
That woman is there all alone.
And venture she's awtullv lonesome.
And though she may have no great fear
| think she would feel bit safer
If ONLY boy We're but near
so. taking my axe on my shoulder.
For fear that a savage might stray
Across my path, and need scalping.
started right down this way
And coming in sight of the cabin
And thinking to save you alarm
! whiStled a tune. just to show you
didn't intend any harm.
And SO here am. at your service.
But if YOU don't want me 10 stay.
Why, all YOU need do is to say So
And should'ring my axe. Iii away
dropped i'll a chair and near tainted
just at thought Of his leaving me then
And his eye gave knowing bright twinkle
As he said Il guess I'll remain"
And then just sat there and told him
How terribly frightened Id been,
How his face was 10 me the !. It welcome
OF any ever had seen:
And then | lay down with the baby.
And slept all the blessed night through
For felt | was safe from all danger
Near so brave young fellow and true.
So now, my dear, do you wonder,
Since such good reason I've given.
Why say shant care for the music
Mess there is whstlng in heaven!
Yes, often I've said so in earnest
And now what I've said repeat
That unless there's a boy there awhistlinr