The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-12-13
TRAVELLERS NIGHT AT HOME.

TRAVELLERS NIGHT AT HOME.
Gray twilight draws her curtain adown the win
dowed west,
Each object stsdow-mantled. half seen is, hall
The stars o'erhead show dimly, as newly walked
from sleep.
And drowsily regretful of the vigil they mus,
keep;
Sounds have a sharp distinctnessthe sun-hours
never know,
grow,
As trembling up the valley. the ear discerneth
plain
The richly solemn rumble of the swift an
preaching train.
The overcrowded pavement. meath tn white
electric glare,
Presents the old-time pcture-Joy iostled py
Despair;
But when the suburbs nestle beyond the city
gates,
The people quiet gather about their cheerful
CRATES
In neat and cozy parlors that breathe such rest
full air
As no spot else can offer, be not contentmen,
there.
AhI fo1;une-favored mortals win never cause
TO roam,
May never know how fondly the traveller loves
his home.
Behold the housewife tripping with anxious
thoughtful haste,
To see the many knick-knacks in pleasing order
placed;
The dressing-gown and slippers rest, with an
inviting look,
Beside his favored armchair rolled into pleas
ant nook
= Before the polished hearth-stone. whereby the
footstool stands
The very air seems fragrant with the touch o.
loving hands,
The while her eyes are beamng with an ex
pectant light
Which says: 20. tims the sweetest, my travele,
comes to-nightr'
Within the curtained window his cherished of
spring twain.
Their hopeful eager faces close pressed against
the pane,
Peer out into the darkness, their swellins
hearts abeat
With keen anticipation, each anx Gus first te
greet
The music Of his footfall-at once he's at thu
door,
And joyful cries are ringing while kisses by the
score
His bearded face o'ershower as he enclasus
the forms
And lifts them to his bosom with strong but
gentle arms.
She. stunning demonstration. which oft SAVIOR.
of deceit
Her eyes like melting jewels, gives welcome
true and sweet,
Soft chdes the clinging children, his wrappings
lays aside,
Then modestly precedes him, with pardonabls
pride.
To where his chair awaits him-beguiles him Of
mis- trip
tered grip,
And ere he scarce perceives it, so deft and
dextrous she,
He slippered gowned and seated, child upor
each knee.
hold duties pressed;
The curly heads confidingly are plllowed on bis
breast;
Their silken tresses stroking, he, in the blaz
ing CRATE,
Sees both his darlings growing to man and
maids estate;
The mystic vail is lifted that hides the future
years,
And on his pensive vision a fair To Be ap-
pears.
Swift up the mount Of knowledge advancing
they are seen,
And white -browed Honor leads them and Virtue
walks between.
About the table gathered each lowly bows the
While humbly and devoutly the homely grace
is said;
No long-drawn invocation to tire the Throne
of Gi ace,
Nor abject self-abasement with pride writ on
its face;
But praise and service rendered for life and
health preserved
This plain thanksgiving over the waiting meal
is served:
No feast however costly, by lords and lad es
shared
Fer gave more gracious pleasure than this by
love prepared.
The little heads are nodding, the bright ewes
strive in vain
To look 81 am not sleepy" yet close and close
again
Till sweet good-nights ars rendered and
mamma leads away.
And drifting down the stiffness, he hears a
small voice say:
Forever and forever then halting eel
Dear Jesus don't let papa go away from US
His face is calm and tranquil again she has ap.
peared,
But she can note the diamonds are shining in
his beard
Their eyes have sudden meeting, no need oi
other speech,
She nestles close beside him, each takes the
hand of each.
Against his rugged shoulder she lays hel
golden tresses,
And both are lost in dreaming of timid, first
caresses.
When she bashful maiden and he an awk
ward youth
She glances shyly upward, both catch the
pleasant truth
And laugh In ready chorus-but still the rich
perfume
OF dewy summ>r's evening seems f1oatins
through the room.
Gods blessing ON the freside, whatever lo1
surrounds,
That to the holy music of wedlock still 70
soundsl
Where confidence unbounded and love com
munion hold,
Where ch;ldren's voices mingle-let misers
hoard their gold,
Ambitious statesmen Mrangle; within this
hallowed light
Dssension never wanders nor Greed its pleas
ures blight
Obi picture all the raptures beneath the star
gemmed dome,
The holiest are clustered around the Night al
Home.
Charles Eugene Banks, in Arkansaw Tray
eler.
MAJ DDUTAJn UyTmU IN