The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-08-16
COL. H. c. PARSONS.
A Tribute from One Who Knew Him Well.
Literary WeeklB, Boston

"A Tribute from One VINO Knew him NeIi'
ILaerary IPeely, Bosion.l
There was published not long ago in New
York City q modest-lookiDg volume of
poems, the title of the first, The Reaper"
being given to the collection, which con-
tanned lines of more than ordinary music
and power. :" / say nothing to the public"
said the touching preface, for this little
book will not be offered for sale; but to you,
my friends, I would explain that these lines
were written because the writing rested me.
Let no one think that / am self-deeeived or
deluded into new paths from the daily work
that satisfies my need and my ambition.
Perhaps in the warmth of your fresides
these pages may glow with light that is
half their own, and the circle draw closer
and the hour pass pleasantly perhaps one
who reads alone may find something here
written that will turn his thoughts teBderly
to the Virginia mountains, or give him
clearer faith or a Drawer heart. Then shall
be glad"
Friday, June 90, near his beautiful home
at Natural Bridge, Va, died the author Of
| these poems, Col. Henry Chester Parsons, a
busy, active railroad protector and man of
large affairs whom many of his acquaint-
ances little suspected of possessing or eyinc-
ing the poetic temperament. A gentler
spirit, a truer friend to the State of his
adoption, which he loved quite as earnestly
| as he did the Green Mountains OF his native
| soil, more home-loying, loyal, and patTi-
| otic citizen never lived within the borders
! OF the Old Dominion. His home life was
| the most beautiful poem Of any of his poetic
thoughts. He gave his best powers and
hours to the devoted wife and three gifted
daughters to whom he has more than once
| paid the tribute of an inspired pen. He was
generous TO fault, and did more than any
other Northern man for the uplifting of Vir-
ginia from the depression caused by the civil
war. He revived her tagging industries by
building the Richmond & Allegheny Rail-
road on the tow-path of the historic James
River Canal. He used strength and
voice and pen unsparingly in the
cause of Republicanism as wisest and
best ultimately for Southern interests
and progress. Yet with ali 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 true music
what he saw and heard. "The Brown, Blue,
and Gray" and "The Prayer for Frost are
the most famous of his poems, both having
been widely copied into papers throughout
the country. Leading magazines have pub
hshed some charming fugitives which fled
far and wide throughout the journalistic
world. He once asked a young man who
had been acquitted of murder, How does
il feel to be free?' and the answer he put
into the following stanZas, entitled "The
Prisoner Released:
l could stand and look at the stars all night
Where tides run in wreaths the rivers and rilIs;
Where the sea breczes play with the wind from
the hills
Where by land or by sea man can go where he
wills;
I'm free man again, and free man of nightI
could stand and look at the stars all right;
For months that were years they have prisoned
my stars;
My silver vailed Venus and red hooded Mars
Were fretted and framed by the merciless bars
That shaded their glory shivered their light.
will stand and look at the stars all night;
will wait in the shadow and lee of the tower
Till morning shall come with his magical power;
Perhaps in the flame of that wonderful hour.
The prison shall tremble and pass from my sight,
In the prime and flower of a life of radical
usefulness and great mental activity, he has
suddenly taken his departure to the Other
Side, to use mis- own words in the beautiful
poem on " The Hindoo's Search for Truth y:
Where all the are alight where all the sands
gold
The groves OF God eternal stand, and there the
truth is toldi
The bullet of the murderer is no respecter
of persons, and another shining name is
added to the long list of those whose inno-
cent blood is a needless and untimely
sacrifice