The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-01-06
A SPRING POEM.
why the Editor of the MONTHLY
Messenger Accepted It

Elaine Gray, carrying in her han
the manuscript of n poem-the frs
fruit of her literary labor-entered til
editorial sanctum of the Monthly Mes
senger with fear and trembling.
young man seated at desk looked nj
and smiled apprcciatively-for Elain
was sweet and winsome and her conf,,
sion made her positively charming.
Can 1 see the editor?" asked tn,
girl, trying unsuccessfully to seem un
concerned, as if such visits were O
daily occurrence.
u am the editor, at your service,
said the young man, politely. "Pray b,
seated"
Your she exclaimed, then checked
herself,sand said, with flaming cheeks
You see, l had supposed that editors
were all old and wore spectacles.
don't know what gave me such ridicu.
lous idea, I'm sure"
I'VE sometimes find our preconceived
notions arc wrong" said Mr.. Horace
Winthrop. when i was a boy !
thought that bald head and a wart
on the nose were the distinguishing
. characteristics of all doctors, because
the only one l happened to know had
them"
They both laughed, and Elaine was
at her case again.
Do you accept poetry from an un-
known author?" she asked.
Very seldom" said the editor. "Wc
receive SO much verse from authors of
established reputation that only by
reason of especial merit can we accept
contributions from unknown authors.
am always willing to read and pass
Judgment upon manuscripts, however"
~ have poem here which | would
like to read to you," said the girl, pro-
ducing her manuscript. ''You see. it is
spring poem"-this last half apollo
getically-'and suppose you get
plenty of those. / wrote it while visit
ing in the country last spring, when
was SO enthused with the charm of the
place and the season that felt must
offer some tribnte-and only verse was
in harmony with my feelings. ! read
this to a friend the other day, and she
advised me to bring it to you. 1t prob
ably doesn't amount to much, for it is
SO difficult to write poetry! If could
only express myself as desirer'
THAT is difficult art indeed" said
Mr.. Winthrop II suppose all poets
have found their finer conceptions too
subtle to transcribc in black and white.
They are like the evanescent charm of
a beautiful sunset-glorious to behold,
but hard to describe, and soon gone.
Will you read your poem?"
Elaine read, in voice that to Mr.. |
Winthrop seemed very sweet, the fol- |
lowing:
All day the sunshine, clear and soft,
Has FURNISHED earth with golden sheen;
All day the balmy breezes watt
Sweet promises from land of green:
All day has come the rapturous voice
OF tuneful birds from every tree.
IT'S spring-all nature doth rejoice
And why not we?
All day the distant mist wreathed hills
Have taken yet a grecner hue;
All day the placid lake reveals
cloudless heavens cerulean blue;
All day the brook Its Joy has told,
While Fastening TO the distant sea.
The world forgets that II is old
And why not WEI
.All day from yonder grassy plain
Has come the lowing Of the herd;
Aud softly falls the low refrain
or insect bee and tuneful bird.
Oh. why should man alone be sad?,
All shows its happiness but be.
The world is bright-creation's GLAD
Aud why not WEI"
During the reading of the poem Mr..
Winthrop, it is but true to say, paid lit
lie attention to the literary merit of the
was too busily engaged
i studying the living, breathing poem
efore him for that. A
1T is very pretty indeed" he said.
Win you leave it with me? should
Ike to read it carefully" II
certainly" said Elaine. rising to go. h
As the editor opened the door for her, t
} said: II hope you will call again.
ISIS --'s s.
Gray" she said n
.s- Miss Gray, and submit any con- y
buttons 5cu may rave. You seem to &
,ssess talent. b
She murmnred her thanks, gave him Ii
i sweetest smile and tripped out. very
Ippy. le
my Joyel" was tho editors mental q
when she bad goHeI ''that'a j