Nevada County picayune., 1890-11-27
MOLLEY STARK.
BN C. SMOOTH.

Strange things once'happrncd unto me, As Non shall from my story see.
 The wind was cool the night was damp, And was sitting by my lamp, Whose light was burning dim and low, Emitting but feeble glow. The clock struck twelve The moon was dow The clouds swept on with flash and frown, And al my blindiess windows made \ sombcr, scowling, threatening shade While deep-yoiccd thunder, through the sky, In weird and solemn tones rolled by!
 With my own thoughts sat alone; With me tO talk there was not one, And had thrown my books aside, For reading I could not abide. \ glass of wine had cheered my heart. felt its warmth glow impart- such glow as leetng visions brings, And yagrant, vague imagining>. Those wild, fantastic thoughts at length, With something like conceutcred strength, Did tN themselves, as in q dream, On Molly stark. She was the theme Of tceming tnuccs in my mind of tecmmg tances scarce defined; And IS l unused, it seemed to me That an Eidolan could see Eidolan of q woman pure, Prepared to suffer. love, endure, And fit amid the storms of life, To be heros friend and wife.
 AS lower bdrnt my flickering lamp, seemed to hear an army's tramp And see another Shade appear, And, listening, to plainly hear \ voice that rang out loud and clear, In tones of high command, as when A Master speaks
 ''Sec there my men" The Shadow said with eyes alight, "Thcre are the red. and c'er night They shall be ours, or Motley stark, A widow"
 Though [ was growing dark Within nIy room, still could mark That gallant shade with bearing high Resolved to conquer there or die,
 of Motley stark dreamed again Of what her husband said and when
 Upon that day with danger fraught, When on the battles front he fought, Why was il that of her he thought; The woman who so holds the power on such a day, in such an hour, To fix herself upon tlie heart Of him she loves, and thus impart Fresh courage to hi, soul and arm, Must have the traits which man hood charm To glury'- way, and high brhcSt, And life with light and hope invest
 Now, Us those thoughts upon me came Of Motley Stark's inviting fame, Pale shadowy forms, amid the gloom, Were sitting all around my room; Their dim outlines scarce could see, But grand those shades appeared 10 me, And that Eidolan had seen Al first, with pure and gentle mcn Before me still was lingering there, Above them in the gimmering air, And in my mind l surely knew, But how l eau not tcllt you,) That this was Motley Stark again Within the world of living men. Before me was some rare old wine; l saw its spHrkes leap and shine; l cut the wire the cork flew up; Full 10 the hrim filled a cup An ample cup with carvings nice, A silver cup of old device And with the love that all should feel, l drank to her eternal veal When that old wine my blood had stirred, The battles roar plainly heard, And listened to the battle shout That over Bennington rang out; l saw John Stark his heroes lead; l saw the red coats fly and bleed, And trevdrm', eagle floating there With wings out spread upon inc air 1 filled again my empty cup When To, those shades around stood up, And each one poured fragrant stream Of Nectar, with ruby gleam, Into sacred, golden bowl, And drank i health to Molley's soul And then those shadows strangely grew More palpablr, and soon knew They were the mighty souls of those Who triuinphed OCT our British foes, When England's proud, despotic King, Attempted on our lnnd to hriug The darkness of his tyranny, And bind with chains the brave and free Yes these heroic souls had come Away from their immortal hoE:e, To drink with mr to Motley stark Upon that stormy midnight dark And Motley Stark deserved it wcll For what, aS yOn have heard me tell, Upon a glorious day bctell In all the catalogue of fame We only once can find her name, But there it glows like some bright star, Which fill, with light its throne afnr