Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-05-23
s TOPICAL INCIDENT.
BY b. P. sHILLABER.

Noon IN the tropics. Ine -ugbt sun
CLEANS from the empyrean,
Pouring his &c rchipg arrows down
U.on the palpitat.ng town,
AID, meath MS Illuminating beams,
The brow with tidal moisture streams,
Urginc retreat to the cool shade
BY the Neide, dark ver8nda made,
Or y here tee iaiNusie excludes
The fiery heats assailing broods.
The trade Winds DER the foliage sweep
Ia kindness from The plying deep,
Temperiug by their gratetll sway,
The suns inexora bic ray,
Waking The harp-strings of the trees,
To dim. mysterious melodies,
Or whispe rings OF outward cheer,
Whose gv0tle cadeuce fills the ear.
The shrlll notes of the Eskadee
Glad the funeral tamarind tree,
Tie orange buTdenCth the bretz
With perfume breathing ecstac,es,
The mangroye glows with brighter shine,
The water-lemcn, on its vine,
I, cps 'Swixt its leaves, with golden eye
CUquettiag with the lime hard by,
AND there way, like sentient things,
The plantains wave their sombre wings;
The mountain cabbage tree, DER head,
The c0cca-pal1n with spectral spread,
Echo tho breezes' Joyous feet,
As on thSy move with motion fleet,
While, through thei. coronals OF green,
The baf1ed sunshine Sits between. ..
Within <he cool veranda's SHRINE
O'erhung with many a graceful vine,
Which Haunted emerald fringes fair,
In PLAYFUL dalliance with the air.
Two little children sat at play,
Shut from the ferv1d heat away.
Laughing aud screaming with the glCe
OF egualizing infancy:
This golden-locked and white and fair,
The other black, with crinkled hair.
No difference felt in that young hour,
Ere caste and prejudice have power,
And all the moments, as they fee,
Are given to blissful unity.
At length. grown weary. Golden Hair
Sought new experiment to share,
happy thoughti-the bright blue eyes
Opened wide with purpose wise,
As. on a near convenient shelf.
A water urn revealed itself,
All moist with the exuding dew,
That gently percolated through
And then, on the verapdirhoor,
Their childish sports began once more,
But silently as little mice
they carried out their new device,
The methers-mistress and her maid
Sat IN the ialousie's cool shade,
And. from the sudden silence deep,
Deemed that the children were asleep,
When, stepping quietly outside,
4 curious picture they deserted.
There little Ebony sat upright,
His features beaming with delight.
While Ger hi,l stood Miss Golden Locks,
With one Of her most costly frocks,
Soaked with the waters lavish flow,
Bathing the negro cheeks and brow;
So deep intent she did not catch
The sound of the uphfted latch,
Nor heed. with note of ear or eye,
The gentle footsteps drawing nigh
- What are you doing, baby dear?'
The mother cNed; when, bright and clear,
The blue eyes turned to meet her own,
And in a disappointed tone
Parting the hair that hid her sight
She said: II tried to make him white,
But oh, the black is baked on so,
I ne'er can wash it off, | know"
Then gave a sigh of childish pain
To think her effort was in vain.
Tbs mother of the little child
Of snowy brow and features mid
Then told her how the good God set
This jewel in its garb OF JET;
But better far than whitest skin,
Vas purity of soul within.
And gravely little Golden Hair
Received the lesson uttered there
With softened gaze and thoughtful mien,
Amid the tropics gold and gIeen.
YOUTHS Companion.