The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-10-05
FoR THn ARKAxsAw TaAvxIxx-
 THE TRAVELLERS NIGHT AT HOME.
BY CHARLES EUGENE RANKS.

BY CHARLES EUGENE RANKS Gray Twilight curtain Adown the vest Each object shadow mAntled half seen n half Is guessed The ssas Oerhead show dmy newly walked from sleep And drOwsIly reGretful the vigil they keep: Sounds have sharp dstncness the know And upon the rper fullness Erow. As. trembling up the valley. dIscerneth plain The richly solemn rumble Of tie swift approaching train. The overcrOwded pavement meath tn white electric glare Presents the old time picture Iostled by Despair Hut where the suburbs nestle beyond the city gates The people quiet gather about their cheerful grates In neat and paors that breathe such restfu AS no spot else offer. he not Contentment there. Ahi fortune favored mortals cause roam. May know how fondy the traveller loves his home Behold the housewife tripping anxious thoughtful To see the knck knacks in pleasing order placed The dressing and slippers with inviting look Beside his favored chair rolled into pleasant nook Before the polished whereby The air fragrant with the touch of loving hand The while her beamng with expectant light Which says O time the sweetest traveller 2! window his cherished oa spring twain Their hopeful faces close thc pAne Peer out into the darknes> their swelling hearts With keen anticipation. each anxious hrst O greet The music of his footfAll-a he's at The door. Aud joyful cries are ringing. while kisses by the His bearded face oershower he enclaSps their And fis them 10 hts bosom with stroaG but She stunning which savers deceit Her eyes lke melting jewels gives welcome true and Soft chldes elngng children wrappings IA,s aside Then modestly precedes him. with pArdonAble pride, To where his chair awaits him -beguiles hIm trip Removes the laidon garments. sets by the bait grip And he percetves it. delft deNtrouS she He slippered. gowned and seated child upon With merry she by duties presSe The curly heads coBhdlneIy pIlowed breast: Their silke strokng he biaziuE grale. Sees both his darngs growing maids estate: The mystic veil Is lifted that hides the yeArs And on his pensive vision fair To Re appears. Swi the mount of Knowledge ancinR they Seeb And white browed Honor leads them Virtue About the table gathered each owly bows the head. While humby and devouty the homely grace is said; No long drawn invocation to tire the Throne Grace, Nor abject self abasement with pride writ face. Hut praise and service rendered for life and health This plain thanksgiving waiting meal served. No feast however costly by lords and ladies shared Fer gracious pleasure than this prepared The little heads hoddng the bright eyes To look 'I not sleepy" yet close and again Till sweet good nights rendered and away And drifting down the stiffness he hears small say Forever and forever" then halting e'er amen, Dear Jesus. don't let papa away from again" His face is calm and tranquil again she has appeared But she the diamonds shining his beard. Their have sudden meeting o speech She nestes close beside him. each takes he hand Against his shoulder she lays her golden tresses, And both lost in drramlnR tmid. caresses. When she a ha>hiu! maiden and he an awkward youth She glances shyy upward. both pleasant truth And laugh in ready chorus but sll the rich perfume or dswy summers floating through the Gods blessing the nreside. surrounds. That to the hoiy music of wedlock sll resoundsi Where confidence unbounded and communion hold, Where chidrens voices mnglet misers hoard their gold Ambitious statesmen wranale; within this hal0wed DIssenson wanders Greed it's pleasures blight ohi picture all Ihe beneath the gemmed The hOlest are clustered around the Night at Home.