New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-23

President-Gen OF T s s: II Eva l.. Of
Rockway Ohio will refer 10 The New-iork Jour
nal Of Commerce" saturday January II. 1898. she
will ind ? long article giving the tracing up OF the
author of N | Should Die" the lines she dge!ed
New-York City. Feb %. 1897.
The Journal Of Commerce OF above date states
that the first complete copy Of the poem was found
in a little work OF selected gems published by A.
d. F. Randolph. New-york. 1873 but without name
OF author. The writer goes on 10 say that william
VI. Brooks. president OF Tabor College. In Iowa.
claims that the poem written by Miss Belle
f. Smith. formerly student In Tabor College. and
at the time the poem written she was teacher
in the institution. lie says that he has known the
author from childhood and that she composed the
poem in the winter Of ls1273. and published II over
her initials h THE Christian Union" June. 1873
The writer Of the article further states that some
one claimed that Henry Ward Beecher wrote the
poem. but inquiry Mr. Beecher's home the
authorship was denied by the family
The following writer gives the credit OF the poem
to Henry Ward Beecher:
President General OF T s $: Permit me TO send
copy of the beautiful poem the closing lines OF
which Eva l. gives IN the Sunshine" column OF to-
days Tribune This poem was written by the
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. and / think /, should
md place IN every sick room. Very truly,
New-York Feb Is. 1897. NJ. b. w.
IF SHOULD DIE
II | should die TO night.
Ny friends would look upon my quiet face
And deem that death had left it almost fair:
And laying snow white flowers AGAINST my hair.
Would smooth IL down with fearful tendernesa
And fold my hands with lingering caress-
Poor hands empty and so cold tonight
II | should die tonight.
Ny friends would cali TO mind with loving thought
Some kindly deed the icy hands had wrought.
Some gentle word the frozen lips had said.
Err in woen my 's 's and r pPds
Ny hasty words, would all BE- put aside
And : | should be loved and mourned tonight
II should die tonight
Fen hearts esiransed would turn once more 10 me-
Recalling other days remorsefully,
The eyes that chill me with ayerted glance
Would look upon me as OF yore-perchance-
And soften In the old familiar way.
For who could war with dumb unconscious clayt
So might rest forgiven OF ali tonight
on friends pray tonight
Keep not your kisses for my dead cold brow!
The way is lonely. let me feel them now.
My faliering feet pierced with many ,horns
Forgive. oh hearts estranged. forgive plead.
The tenderness for which long tonight
A. J. Morris as is shown below claims the poem
FOR Washington poet.
President General OF T :. s. In this mornings
poem IL | Should Die Tonight" saying she does
not know who Is the author IL was written by
took part In an entertainment given Al the Opera
House. Bowling Green. Ky. April s. 1895. The fol-
At the supper given by the local press after The
entertainment he recited this poem.
Note.--For the benefit OF the Sunshine members
who ala not Sundays paper. II Is here stated
that the club pin will soon be ready The full name
and address and a two-cent stamp Is ali that n
necessary for the old members ,who have paid
their dues) 10 send In order TO secure the pin ANY,
simply sending In an idea that will bring sunshine
TO some OF the club members
All letters In reference to the club and its work
should be addressed TO the president general Of the
y. s. s.. New-York Tribune. Nsw-york City.