The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-07-10
col II. CAEsiER PARSONS.

A Literary Estimate OF the Murdered
Owner Of the Natural Bridge.
Eruo, EertQN Bagg "a Lttsrary Westiv tDSstOu
JIy1.
There was published not long ago In
Now York City modest.lookIng volume
OF poems, tho tito of the nrst, 1.-THE
Reaper" being given to the collection
which contained lines Of moro than or.
binary music and power. ~ say moth.
ing to the public" said the touching
preface, "for this little book will not be
offered for salo; but to you, my friends,
l would explain that these limos were
written because tho writing rested me.
Lot no ono think TINT ] nn sett-dc-
colved or deIuded Into now paths from
tho daily work that satisfies my mood
and my ambition. Perhaps in the
warmth Of your 6resides these pages
may glow with light that Is half their
own, and the circle draw closer and tho
hour pass pleasantly; perhaps one who
reads alone may find something here
written that will turn his thoughts ten
DERBY to the Virginia mountains or glyO
him clearer filth or bravor heart.
Then shall bo glad"
Friday, Juno 20, near his beautiful
home ut Natural Bridge. Virginia, died
tho author Of these poems, Col. Henry
Chester Parsons, n busy, active, rail-
road protector, and man OF largo
Affairs whom many OF bis acquaintancca
little suspected OF possessing or cviuc-
ing tho poetic temperament. A gcntlcr
shirt, a truer friend to tho state oil bis
adoption, which no loved quito as
earnestly Ms he did tho Green Noun
tains Of his native sofia moro home.
loving, loyal and patriotic citizen never
lived within tho borders VI tho Old
Dominion. His home life was the
most beautiful poem Of any OF his poetic
thoughts, lie gave his best powers and
hours 10 the devoted wlfe and three
gifted daughters to whom no has moro
Than onco paid tho tribute OF an in
spired pen. He was generous TO
fault and did more than any other
northern man for tho uplifting OF Viz
gtnia from tho depression caused by tho
civil war. Ho revived hor tagging In.
dustries by building tho Richmond aud
Allegheny railroad on tho tow-pattl OF
tho historic James river canal. Hc
uscd s.rcngth and voice and pen I'M
spartncly in tho cause OF Ropublicanism
as wisest and best ultimately Tor south
ern interests and progress. Yet with
all his varied spheres OF usefulness.
with his military, political and legal
activity, he found time TO look steadily
| into the tender eyes and loving heart OF
nature and put into truo music what
bo saw and heard. "The Brown, Blue
and GRAY" and "The Prayer for Frost
arc tho most famous OF his poems, both
having been widely copied into papers
throughout tho country. Lending mag
azInes have published some charming
fugI.iyes which fled far and wide
throughout the journalistic world. He
onco naked a Young man who had been
acquitted OF murder, "How does 1t feel
TO 30 free7" and tho answer no put into
following stanzas, entitled, 1.-THE Priso-
ner Released"
I could staud aud look ut tho stars all night
Where tides run In wreaths TO the rivers and
whe sftA the sea brcczcs play with the wind
Where TSH By va land OK sea man eau go where he
wills; ,,.t,,
I'm q FREQ man ngain AMI FREQ man OF right
could stand und loos at tho stars all ntght:
For mouths that wurc years they have prison.
Nc s ed ssd vOnns and rcd.hooded Mars
We're iratted mud Trained by tho mercl'e'a
Inn, s 6a their Story or shtSCrcd ,hG,s light
Twill stnnd and look at tho stars all night;
/ Sil walt IN the EAutidw aud leo OF tue tower;
Tiii mornIhg shall come with his maGioai
rorb pS%GIt d tho dame Of that wonderful hour
Tic person Shnll treinblO and pass IRON ny
sight
In the primo aud flowOr OF life OF
radical Usefulness and great mental
nctIvitv, no has suddenly taken his Do
nar,uro 10 tho Other Side. TO use his
own words in the beautiful poem on
"Thc lIindoo'B Search for Truth:
Where NIL tho rivers arc niiGh! where oil tho
sands BrG gotd 49,, ,,,..., tho
truth Ia told
Tho bullet Of tho murderer Is no re-
specter Of persons, aud another sliding
namo Is added 10 tho long list OF those
whose innocent blood is neodlesS and