Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-07-27
MRS. JAMES BROWN POTTER.

The Poem She Read Mt Mrs. Whit.
ney,s Reception, and at which
Washington Society Took OF.
tense OstIer Joe.- by &. II.
Sims.
Mrs. James Brown Potter read a
beautiful and striking poem by George
L. Sims, an English writer, at the
charitable entertainment at Secretary
Whitney's residence about ten years
ago. Certain prudish people were
shocked, and the newspaper critics
echoed their censure. We republish
the poem as much to show on what a
frail foundation prudes may some
times base their malevolence and
spleen, as to supply literary gem at
a time when interest is excited by the
appearance in our midst of the lady
who had the temerity to brave Mrs.
Grundy, in the selectest circles at the
national capital. These criticisms
had, however, the opposite effect from
that intended, and Mrs. Potter to-day,
enjoys an enviable reputation as an
actress from the spirit which opposi-
ton infused into her work on the
stage.
'OsTLER JOE.
stood at eve as the sun went down, by a
q grave where a woman lies,
Who lured mems souls to the shores OF Sin by
the light of her wAntOn eyes,
Who sang the song that the siren sang on the
treacherOus Lurley height.
Whose face was as fair az a summer day and
whose heart W as as black as night.
Yet blossom fain would pluck today from
the garden above her dust
Not the dangerous lily of sOulless sin nor the
bloOd-red rose of lust,
But Q sweet white blossom OF holy love that
grew in the one great spot
In the arid desert of Phyrnes life, where all
was parched and hot.
In the summer when the meadows were aglOw
with blue and red,
Joe, the 'ostler of the Maybe, and fair Annie
were wed.
Plump was Annie, plump and pretty, with a
cheek as white as snow:
He was anything but handsome, was the Mag
pies 'Ostler, Joe.
But he won the handsome laSsie. They'd q
cottage and a COW;
And her maindenhood sat lightly on the vii
lage beauty's brow.
Sped the months and came q baby-guch
blue-eyed baby boy
Joe was working in the stables when they told
him of his JOY.
He was rubbing down the horses, and he gave
them then and there
All a special feed of clover, Just in honor OF
the heir.
1t had been his great ambition, and he told the
horses so,
That the fates would send baby who might
bear the name OF Joe.
Little Joe the child was christened, and. like
babies, grew apace;
He'd his mothers eyes Of azure and his fathers
honest face.
Swift the happy years went over, years OF blue
and clOudless sky,
Love was lord of that small cottage, and the
tempests passed them by.
Passed them by for years, then swiftly burst in
fury DER their home.
Down the lane by Annie's cottage CHANGED q
gentleman to roam;
Thrice he came and saw her sitting by the win
dow with her child,
And he nodded to the baby, and the baby
laughed and smiled.
So at last 1t grew to know him-little Joe was
nearly four;
He would call the pretty gemplin'' as he
passed the open door,
And one day he ran out and caught him. and
in child's play pulled him in;
Aud the baby Joe had prayed for brought about
the mothers sin.
Twas the same old wretched story that for
ages bards have sung.
Twas a woman weak and wanton and viii
lains tempting tongue:
Twas picture deity painted for silly crea.
lures eyes
OF the Baby lonian wonders and the Joy that in
them lies.
Annie listened and was tempted: she was
tempted and she fell.
As the q fell from heaven to the blacklist
She was promised wealth and splendor and
life Of guilty sloth,
Yellow gold for child and husband, and the
woman left them both.
Home one eve came Joe the 'ostler with
Finding that which blurred forever all the
She had LEI! silly letter-through the cruel
Then he sought the lonely bedroom; Joined his
horny hands and knelt.
" Now, Lord God forgive her. for she amt
" For owt ia seen her trouble. and 'agone
away and died:
Why, wench like her-God bless her. 'twsnt
With that bonny head forever on . 'ostler's
ragged vest.
" 1t was kind o her to bear me all this long and
So for my sake please to bless her, though you
count her deed crime;
IL 80 be doh pray proper Lord forgive me-
I can talk an right to bosses, but I'm nervous
like with Thee"
Meier line came to the cottage from the wo-
man who had flown;
Joe the baby died that winter. and the man
Meier bitter word he uttered, but in silence
kissed the rod,
Saving what he told the horses, saving what he
told his God.
Far away in mighty London rose the woman
into Fame,
For her beauty won mems homage, and she
prospered In her shame;
Quick from lord to lord she fitted, higher still
each prize she won.
And her rivals paled beside her as the stars be-
side the sun.
Next she made the stage her market, and she
dragged Arts temple down
To the level of show place for the outcasts Of
And the kisses she had given to poor 'ostler
With their gold and costly jewels rich and titled
lovers bought.
Went the years with flying footsteps while the
star was at its height;
cleaning turned TO night.
Shattered strength and faded beauty tore the
laurels from her brow;
OF the thousands who had worshiped. never
one came near her now.
Broken down In health and fortune, men forgot
her very name,
Till the news that she was dying woke the
the echoes of her fame:
And the papers. in their gossip, mentioned how
an actress lay
sick TO death in humble lodgings. growing
weaker every day.
One there was who read the story in far off
country place,
And that night the dying woman woke and
looked upon his face.
Once again the strong arm clasped her that had
clasped her long ago.
And the weary head lay pillowed on the breast
Of 'Ostler Joe.
Attention