Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-03-13
Walt Whitman Memory Picture

familiar with the picturesque lorn a"u
face OF the poet Whitman. his geniai
allow are YOU, my chld?" still rings
in my ears, aud many time ala turn
TO catch a glimpse OF the noble heau
crowned with its silvery hair. Inc
last timo saw the good gray poet
was in his humble little Camden home
found him seated in an Armenian De-
fore the fire. enveloped in a dark blue
dressing gown, his slippered feet al
most hidden from view In huge gray
fur rug. Papers, pamphlets, books
and letters were strewn In Careless
fashion about the room. On the well
filed table stood small pitcher con-
tanning a solitary dollhouse mower "A
pot of yellow tulips, limiting OF tne
coming springtide, stood on a chalr az
the poets elbow, while overhead MS
pet canary softly chirped On one enu
Of the plain wooden mantel stood
bust of Carlyle; on the other, one Oh
Emerson, the Concord Splnx, VINO
was so great an admirer OF the Jersey
poet.
1t was Emerson who said OF wait
Whitman: she is apparently the
greatest democrat the world mas seem
could not help wondering as
looked at he failing old man II he ever
felt lonely, with none near and dear 10
minister TO his wants. Breaking In
upon the thought, | said;
mr.. Whitman, has the winter
seemed long TO you?
{ Eyes, " he replied slowly; 1.-THE days
roll round monotonously,"
'Whatl with your books, and friends
and writing?'' asked
Very gently he made reply; "Ilme
grows weary with years aud the weight
of sim"
NV eyes filled with sudden tears and
a longing to say something consoling
came over me, but no word would
;, come. Then, struck by the sadness OF
the poets reply, ventured to ask II
the words we're a quotation, or his
own He replied:
{ "They re from an old song | used to
{ hear, years ago, when | was boy,
l. Just then we were interrupted by the
II entrance of an eXpressman bringing In
" package.
Walt Whitman greeted the man
cordially in his deep, musical tones
and In return was addressed by the ex
al 4
had gone the old poet said musingly:
"They seem to belong TO me, those
e men: TO be part OF me, some way"
All was 1t any wonder the soldie
bows in the hospitals, the fremen, car
drivers and ferrymen loved him as the.
did? His kindly observing eye seemed
to declare, Il am man, and have a
interest in everything that concern
humanity" AS left the little brow
frame house that afternoon l did no
know that the old gray-haired poet ha
said his last farewell to me, but Zee
ing of sad ness settled over my hear
for thought how true it is
"Dim with the mist OF years gray lhits u
shade OF power
and AGAIN Walt Whitman's words RI
Cured to me
- "Time grows weary with years an
~ the weight OF sim"
DO Meeting Walt Whitman upon OF
occasion, said, earnestly; "Oh, M
Whitman. | do want your picture
in much.'
The mother of one of my scho
ta- friends. who was present, said klndl
by 81 have an extra one that you ms
ID have
I thanked her warmly, and then,
nv surprise and satisfaction, the goo
der gray poet" said, in his slow, sonoro
. tones:
II have another that you shall ha'
q nv child 1t was taken one summer
~ Ocean Grove. | used to spend hou
every day on rustic bench overioo
inc the sand and the sea. Oftentim
butterflies would hutter ana nov
about me. and sometimes they won
5. even sit upon my outstretched hng'
~, A photographer came to me one
and and asked me to let him take
bon gu" ''0 -, -,
.ti. picture. consented, and the plctu
gist -.
-,i- | give to you was the result
: ali The very next time | met Mr. WI
pa man he drew the promised picture ir'
. bis pocket and placed 1t In my eae
hand.
ut was so very kind OF you 10
member | thank you 80 much
said gratefully.
ress "You are quite welcome, my chi
-. and remember, 1t was a real nut1e'
on my finger.-Mary g. Woodhull'
i''s the Literary Era.
Bros.
call. He who walks through lie with
even temper and gentle patience
natient with himself patient W