The National tribune., 1900-07-19

Gladstone, Dec. 90. 1909. His DISPOSE
ton for adventure showed itself when he
was young. He entered Harvard College
when Il years of age. and was Principal
O. Newburyport Grammar School when
20 years old; but his spirit of adventure
took him Westward. He went by stage
to Cincinnati, and then took the steamer
to Nashville, and from Nashville footed
it to Paducah, Ky. He afterward joined
the caravan of 40 for Santa Fe, n. NJ,
and 500 miles of this vast waste place
he walked. After many adventures and
escapes he finally brought up in Fort
Smith, Ark. Here, in 1894, he married
the beautiful Miss Mary Hamilton.
He established school in Fort Smith.
and while teaching he wrote many arti-
cles on political topics under the nom de-
plume of Gasca. These brought him be
fore the public. He was sought out and
was offered a position as editor Of the
ARKANSAS Advocate" and later he
bought the paper. He moved to Little
Rock and erected a handsome dwelling,
in which he lived until after the civil
war. This seems to have proven the at
mosphere that brought out the best that
law, and was admitted to the bar of the
Supreme Court at the same time of Abra-
ham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin.
In 1881 Gen. Pike published Hymns
to the Gods" which were republished
later, with additions, in Blackwood's
Magazine, 1899.
Professor Wilson christopher North
said this of these hymns: They entitle
the author to take his place IN the high
est order of his cOuntry's poets" He
also said: His massive genius marked
him out to be the poet Of the Titans."
a writer from Camden, Ark, wrote TO
one of the papers in 1899, saying: He
gave US more than any other writer-a
distinct place in the literature of the
country. His simple, melodious verses
touched the hearts of thousands, and gave
him and the State Il worldwide fame"
In 1886 he wrote his ode to the Mock
ing Bird" In this poem he says what
hundreds have felt, but only one has
given it expression
''Thou glorious mocker of the world. 1
hear
Thy many voices ringing through the
81 these green solitudes; and all the
clear,
Bright joyanee of their song enthralls the
And foods the heart. Over the sphered
tombS
OF vanished Nations rolls thy music-tide:
No light from History's starit page
illumcs
The memory Of these Nations; they have
died.
None calls for them bat thou; and thou
~
Over me, too, perhaps, as thy notes ring
Over their bones by whom thou once was
dcified."
Again, further on, he opens his hear,
and sings:
Il cannot love the man who doth not
As men love light, the song of happy
birds:-
For the first visions that my boy heart
wove.
To I'll its sleep with, were that | did rove
Through the fresh woods, what time the
snowy herds
or morning clouds shrank from the ad-
vanCing sun
Into the depths of Heavens blue heart,
as words
From the poets lips float gently, one by
one.
And vanish in the human heart; and then
/ reyelled in such songs and sorrowed
when.
With noon heat OverwrOught, the music
cash was DONE
But here comes the sentlest touch Of
all, that bespeaks the tender heart of the
man:
Contents soft music is not all unheard.
There is II voice swccter than thine, sweet
bird,
TO welcome me, within my humble home;
There is. an eye, with loves devotion
bright,
The darkness of existence to Hume"
IL Gen. Pike had never written but
one poem, and that Every Year" il
would have classed him among the Him-
mortals" as clearly as the Battle Hymn
of the Republic has Julia Ward Howe.
or 'Hasty Pudding" Joel Barlow.
We are confident the readers of THE
TRIBUNE would like this poem as it left
the hands of the great writer.
EVERY YEAR.
Life is a count OF losses
Every year:
For the weak are heavier crossea
Every year;
Lost Springs with sobs replying
Into weary Autumns signing,
While those we love are dying,
Every year.