The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1892-02-05
THE AUTHOR OF THE OLD OAKEN BUCKET
BY GEORGE NJ. YoUNG-IS New ENGLAND MAGAZINE

Rose" retained its popularity
many years.
! The Ergish poet Wordsworth
has been credited with several OF
Woodworlhs toems, and as such
they were very popular IN England
In 1885, he writes to relative
from Charleslown, saying he is an
old man of fiIly with a family OF
ten children; but he longs again
10 see ihe scenes OF his childhOod.
He visited he old home but lwlce,
however, after wrlIong "The Old
Oaken Bucket"
About SIX years before his death
he hal an attack of paralysis, from
which he never fully recovered.
tie died on the ninth Of December,
1912. There are descendants of ihe
pnel living in Detroit ard in San
Francisco.
There have been several versions
OF the origin of The sold Oaken
Bucket" The most wildly circula-
ted and popularity believed Is as
follows: When Woodwork was a
nurneyman printer in an office ON
the corner OF Chatham and Chan,
bers streets, in New York, near by
IN Frankfort street was saloon
Kept by a man named Mallory.
where Woodworth and several
particular friends used TO resort.
One afternoon lhe liquor was un.
usually excellent. and Woodwork
seemed inspired by it. Alter talk.
ing drlught he set his glass on
the table and, smacking his lips,
declared that Mallory's eau de uie
was superior 10 anything he had
ever tasted. "No,' said Mallory,
"you are mistaken; there was one
thing which in both our eslima.
ton, surpassed this in the way of
drinking what was that 2" ask
ed Woodworth dubiously. "The
draughl OF pure spring water that
we used to drink llOm the old
oaken bucket that hung in the
we'll, after our return from the
field on a hot summer day. A
teardrop glislened for moment in
Woodwor'h's eye. "Irue, lrue!'
he replied, and shortly after quit
ted the place. He Immediately
returned 10 the Office. took a pen,
and in lfan hour "The Old Oak
Ell Bucket was ready in manu-
script to be embalmed in The mem.
ories of succeeding generations.
Now all tins is interesting; but
such was not the origin of this
beautiful poem. | have it upon
The authority of a member OF the
family, as also gwen in the intro
duction TO his poem edited by his
SON Frederick, which is considered
unqueslionable authority.
The poem was written in the
summer Of 1917. The family were
living at The time Duane street,
New \ ork. The poet came home
10 dinner one very warm day, hay
ng walked from his Office near the
loot of Wall street. Being much
heated with the exercise, he
frank glass Of water from the
pump, exclaiming as lie placed the
unbler on The table, "Thal is re.
reshins': but how much more re-
'reshing would il be 10 take a good
lraughl tins day from the old oak.
IN bucket | lett hanging IN my
'ather's well AZ home" Hearing
his, the poets wife, who was al.
Ways suggestive body, said
Seine, why would not that be IL
pretty subject FOR posmg' The
poet took The hint, and under the
aspiration OF The moment sal
lown and poured out from tis
1earl the beautiful lines of the
)0em.
The orchard, The meadow, the
leep.tangied wildwood, and lhe
pond are The same
o.day as when the poet immortal
zed them in song in 1917. The
Nd rock has been removed, and
he cal aract somewhat changed, by
The widening OF the road. The cot
,as long since been removed, and
modern cottage stands Just be.
fond The sile. The old oaken