The Princeton union., 1877-09-07
WHAT's the matter with the Isanti
County Press? We have not seen a
copy for three weeks.
MY FRIEND.

This poem was published in the Kansas
City Times, in March, 1878; we wrote TO
the editor of the Times about two months |
ago in reference to the poem, and that
gentleman courleously responded by send
ing us,the paper containing the piece re-
ferred to. The poem was ELECTED by the
following sadincident: A fellow-prisoner
was -beiro.hed 10 a beautiful young lady
OF Nashville, Tenn. She proved faithless,
and wrote a letter breaking the engage
ment. He died soon after, and Col. Hawk
ms wrote this poem as an answer to her
letter. ts)@f3 sa..@5s.5&sl. s4s ef&
Your letter came, but came TOO late;
For Heaven had claimed bis own:
All, sudden change! from prison bars
! Unto the Great White Throne! y
Aud yet / think he would have stayed
Could he have read those tardy words
Which you have sent, in vain. ...<;
Why did you wait, fair lady,
Through so many weary hour?
Had you other lovers with you 'ot s.sa
In that silken, dainty bower?
Did Others bow before your charms,
Aud twine bright garlands there?
And yet l Ween In all that thrOng
His spirit had no peer. S sa- .~.-5'*. s.*
/ wish that you were by me now,
f AS [ draw the sheet aside, ia.
To see how pure the look he wore
Awhile before he died ~. .'' $500 .'....
Yet the sorrow that you gave him
still5had left its weary trace, '.
And a meek and sanity sadness
Dwells upon his pallid face,
''Her love-" he said, "could change for me
E The winters cold to spring.
I Ah, trust Of thoughiless malden's love,
thou art bitter thing! @s-E
For when these valleys, fair in May,
Once more with bloom shall wave,
The northern vloiets shall blow n
Above his humble grave. .r.. .
Your dole of scanty words had been
But one more paug to bear;
Though, " the last, he kissed with love
This tress Of your soft hair.
/ did not put il where he said,
For, when the angels come, 1 II
L would not have them find the sign ~
Of falsehood in Tie tomb. .@
I've read the letter, and know
l. The Wlles that you have wrought
Town that noble heart Of his,
And gained it-fearful thought >
What lavish wealth men sometimes give
| For a trit1e, light and Small! -
|sWhat many forms are often held
In folly's t1imsy sthrall. 1..."
You shall not pity him, for now
j. He's beyond your hopeand fear;
Although | wish that. you could stand
With me beside his bier. .. e.,
S,ill, l forgive you, Heaven knows
For mercy you'll have need,
Since God his awful judgment sends
On each unworthy deed.
To opight the cold winds whistle by,
AS | my vigils keep .... e.. -.s.-... ....
Within the prison dead house, where
Few mOurners come to weep. ~
:A.rude plank coffin holds him now,
f.. Yet death gives always grace:
land would rather see him thus -~ -
Than clasped in your embrace. s
Tonight your rooms are very gay,
+ With wit and wine and song,
And you are smiling just as ii
You never, did wrong. '& '
Your hand SO fair, that none would thinl
1t penned- these words of pain;
Your skin SO white-4-would God, your sou
i Were half so free from stain!
i I'd rather be this dear, dear friend,
Than yon in all your glee;
For you are held in grievous bonds,
4 While he's forever free.
Whom serve we in this life, we serve
In that which is to come;
He chose his way, you yours; let God
Pronounce the fitting doom.
The tomnarancn meeting MONDAY