The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-04-14
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
7 G. HOLLAND.

j. CT. HOLLAND.
II man who wrote the Timothy TIT
comb Papers" Letters to the Joneses,"
"Bitter Sweet" and "Kathrina" was one or
the most popular of American authors In
his day. Josiah Gilbert Holland was born
in Belchertown. Mass. July "a. 1919. and
died at New York City, October II. 1881.
Doctor Holland made wealth and fame
through his pen. It Is interesting to notice
that he was undecided as to his career in
his youth. and that he studied medicine,
graduating in 1874. and abandoning its prac-
tice three years later. In 1877 he started a
weekly paper called the Bay Street Courier.
which lived just six months. At the end
of that period he was invited to go to Rich
mond, Va, as a teacher In a private school.
When he arrived there he found that ne
had been made superintendent of the pub
lie schools OF Vicksburg. Miss. In that city
he organized the public school system. "A
concession to him on the part of the trus-
tees was that of full powers as to corporal
punishment. Referring to this. Doctor, Hol-
land said. in the Civil War. that he had
whipped more Southerners' than any other
man In America.
Returning to Massachusetts, in 1880 Doctor
Holland formed a connection with the
Springfield Republican. which may be re-
garded as the actual opening of his literary
life. Up to this time his writing had been
casual. He occupied the editorial chair OF
tho Republican and retained his connection
with 1t until 1866. Two years after entering
its service he became a partner. and when
he sold his interest in the paper 1t brought
him a comfortable fortune. The Timothy
Titcomb" letters appeared originally in the
Republicans columns.
The pseudonym Of Timothy Titcomb be-
came a familiar one over the whole United
cta%aa ~r1 Ntu ou-par COON 6acrnn IN ha
called for as a lyceum lecturer. and here he
was a pronounced success. His first long
poem, Bitter Sweet" was published in 1858.
His other works are Gold Foil" Lessons
in Life.' Letters to the Joneses." Miss
Gilbert's Career" Life of Abraham Lin
coln,'' the second narrative poem "kath-
rina," the successful novels arthur Bonni-
CASTLE Seven Oaks Nicholas Minturn"
and a number of miscellaneous poems. Doc
tor Hollands longer poems have had large
sales. "Bitter Sweet was sold to the num-
Der Of 80, ZOO copies, "Katharina' 100000 and
of the Titcomb series, in prose. D.GO copies.
Relinquishiug his newspaper work, Doctor
Holland and his family went abroad In 1868
and remained two years. In Switzerland he
met Roswell Smith, with whom. in connec-
ton with Charles Scribner &c Co.. he founded
Ecribner's Magazine. in 1870.
One Of Doctor Hollands best. known poems
Is Daniel Gray"
II shall ever win the home in heaven
For whose sweet rest ! humbly hope and pray,
In the great company OF the forgiven
I shall be sure to find old Daniel Gray.
I knew him well; In truth, few knew him better'
For nv young eyes oft read for him the Word,
And saw how meekiy from Abe crystal letter
He drank the life Of his beloved Lord
Old Daniel Gray was not a man who lifted
On ready words his freight of gratitude,
Nor was he called as one among the gifted,
In the prayer-meetinss Of his ne!ghborhood
Linked in with sacred texts and Sunday rhymes:
And 1 suppose that in his prayers and graces
I've heard them all at least a thousand times.
I see him now-h.s form. his face. his motions.
His homespun habit. and his silver hair
And hear the language of his trite devotions.
Rising behind the STRAIGHTFORWARD kitchen chair.
I can remember how the sentence sounded
Help US, o, Lord. to pray and not to faintr'
And how the ''conQuering and to conquer" round
The Ioctier aspirations Of the saint.
He had some notions that did not improve him;
He never kissed his children-so they say;
And finest scenes and fairest flowers would move
Less than a horseshoe picked up in the way.
He had a hearty hatred of oppression.
And righteous words for sin CT every kind,
Alas. that the transgressor and transgression
Were linked so closely in his honest mind!
He could see naught but vanity In beauty.
And naught but weakness in a fond caress,
And pltied men whose views Of Christian duty
Allowed indulgence in such foolishness.
Yet there were love and tenderness within himi
And I am told that when his Charley died.
Nor natures need nor gentle words could win
him
From his fond vigils at the ~sleeper's side.
And when they came to bury little Charley
They found fresh dew-drops sprinkled In his
hair,
And on his breast a rosebud gathered early,
And guessed. but did not know. who placed It
there.
Honest and faithful. constant In his calling,
Strictly attendant on the means OF grace.
Instant in prayer, and fearful most q falling.
Old Daniel Gray was always in his place.
A practical old man. and yet a dreamer,
He thought that in some strange. unlooked-for
way,
His mighty friend in heaven. the great Redeem
Would honor him with wealth some golden day.
This dream he carried In a hopeful spirit
Until in death his patient eye grew dim.
And his Redeemer called him to inherit
The heaven of wealth long garnered up for
him.
So, IL ever win the home In heaven
For whose sweet rest I hun1bly hope ana pray.
In the great company of the forgiven
I shall be sure to find old Daniel Gray.
Here are some lines from Bitter Sweet:
Hearts. like apples. are hard and sour.
Till crushed by Pains ~resistless power: