Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1901-08-30
A DELAWARE EPITAPHER

many things, her proud boast being
that she grows peaches and men. In
recent years not so much has been said
of the former product, since the vel
lows" has gotten In its work But no
such blight has struck her men, they
stand out prominently, rejecting a
genius and a versatility that is our
pride and boast Unfortunately, the
"pent-up Utica" OF the snug little State
contracts their powers" and there
fore they have decided that the CONT
nent Is theirs. For some purposes this
little pocket-borough of a State does
very WELL II is a rare spot to nurse
senatorial booms. or to become famous
in the lines OF local legislation, but
there is a genius that cannot draw its
breath in THE low attitudes Of Kent
and Sussex. where the high tides inun-
date the homes of talent. subjecting it
to daily wet bath. This Is depress-
ing
Certain towns down the State have
been noted for great crops of excellent
peaches, and have been contented with
these. while others have sent into the
public arena statesmen, poets and di-
Wines. In this class may be placed the
little town of Milton II is located on
IA river, which is locally called the
S'crick.' In one direction stretches the
marsh, reminding one Of scene in
Brittany which painters love so much
to portray, while beyond, stretching
monOtonously southwark, lie the sand
hills OF old Sussex" Here genius buds
and blossoms. but il reaches fruition
elsewhere. Years ago there was a lit
tie bare-footed boy who used to wan
der through the streets of the town,
stopping ever and anon to extract sand
burs from their close proximity to
,stone-bruises. Well. in later years, he
went to the United States Senate from
a Western State.
About the same time there was an
other snaggle-toothed urchin who
found delight in the cooling waters of
the "crick" and stealing waterme,ons
from the patches which were located in
the suburbs OF the town. He studied
medicine, and became a famous sur
geon Of Philadelphia.
1t was not till a later period that the
little town on the "cricl1" made her
real bid for fame No prophet. orator
or poet had arisen to perpetuate her
( fame. but the people waited with a con-
/ hdence which was sublime, and sol
lemnly prophesied the coming of son
who should make her glory full. He
came. but no one recognized him. The
l"crick" flowed on. watermelons ripen-
ed in the golden sand and no one
knew Of his arrival But one glad day
his heart was touched with celestial
fire. The-awakening of his slumbering
genius astonished and enthralled him.
Was 1t Pyromethian fire or indigestion
brought on by too much watermelon?
THE test was at hand; he seized his
pen and the burning words stood forth
lon clean white paper The truth was
revealed. and Milton knew she had a
poet 1t was an obituary effusion;
somebody had died. which was fortu-
mate for several reasons, and the fame
of the deceased was embalmed in song
IA dirge whose mournful cadences
were destined to be sung by the Mil
tonians to remotest posterity. It ran,
If we remember correctly, in this
strain:
'He hath gonel Say. is It all dream
MY heart 20 pine and yearn doth seem
Say not It's death, we will not have ii
so:
THE fatal watermelon laid him low.
We haven't saw his like, yet be con-
tent.
1--WE mourn our loss so much since he
hath went"
This was followed by others II
rapid succession, among them thess
, lines simple. yet impassioned, linger il
our memory:
Where. oh, where is little Rachel?
s She who used TO run and romp?
s She was took with hard commissions,
In the huckleberry swamp.
lShe hath gone to regions blessed,
To that land beyond the skies;
And we nevermore shall swallow
IT Rachel's huckleberry pies!"
y What could equal the triumphan
IL swing in the following stanza, write
IA on the exit of a son Of toll:
j, "Twenty-three children.
- And al Of them farmers,
~ Six blooming girls.
And the rest of them sons;
Good to his last wife,
Loving her truly;
Pretty good, too.
Sc To the three other ones!"