The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1903-12-12

Snow"
\ few years ago there appeared in
paper published in one of the Western
States, an exquisite poem, entitled
"Rcautiful Snow" The beauty of its
| composition secured the poems rcpubli-
cation in numerous Journals throughout
| the world. For II long time, none knew
as to who was the author of the beauti-
| full lines, and the author preserved his
| incognito 50 long THAT numerous claim
cnts sought to establish their right to its
authorship and the honors appertaining
thereto. But finally the story burst
| forth to the effect that the original
poem had been discovered upon the per-
son of a young woman who was frozen
| to death III the streets of New York.
| Some one who knew the true history
| of the poem, knew also the cause of it's
authors rcticcncc in giving the name to
| the world. Some years since the secret
was revealed, and Major Sigourncy,
nephew of the celebrated poctreSs of that
name, became known as the writer.
Who could have thought that in
short time its gifted author would fill
suicides grave ? Yet such was the case
for one night Major w. \. II. Sigourney
| York City. under circumstances leading
to the belief that he had shot himself
| He had in carly life married a Miss
-----, II lady of great personal attract
ions and with her made voyage to
Europe. During their absence rumors
|unfavorable 10 her character reached the
Sigourney family. The reports seemed
to have been well founded, for shortly
after her return to New York, she show
ed that the terrible demon drink had
added another name to its list Of vic
| TINS She abandoned her classic nus
band and became an Outc;!st. and was
Tcxt heard of rs an inmate of the peni-
Tertiary on Backwell'S Island.
| Her husbands love was still sufficient
ly strong to induce him TO make Il other
effort to save her. and through his intlu-
ence she was released, only again to de-
Scrt her home. In the winter of 1863,
the papers spoke of Il young and hrauti-
full woman having been found dead under
the snow in II diSrcputable street of New
York. Something seemed to tell Sigour-
ncy that the body was that of his wife
And upon making inquiries, he found
that his surmiScs were but too true, and
after claiming the remains, he had them
inferred in that picturesque "Silcnt City"
which overhangS the busy harbor Of
New York. And the story OF that err
ing wife WAS told in the touching IAN
guage of "Bcautiful Snow" What Won
der that he Stunned the publicity that its
authorship would have conferred. The
poem follows -
Oh the SHOW, the beautiful snow,
Filling the sky and earth below.
| Over the hOuSetopS. over the street,
Over the heads of the people you meet,
Dancing,
Flirting,
Swimming along.
Beautiful snow 1t can do no wrong,
Flying to kiss a fair lady's cheek,
Clnging to lips in Il frolicsome freak,
Beautiful snow from the heaven above
Pure as an angel, gentle MS love.
Oh, the snow, the beautiful snow
How the flakes gather and laugh as
they 90
Whirling about in their maddening fun
1t plays in it's gce with every one,
Chasing,
Laughing,
Hurrylng by.
1t lights on the face and it sparkles
the eye,
And the dogs, with bark and Il bound
Snap at the crystals that eddy around
The town is alive and its heart all
aglow
To welcome the coming Of beautiful
snow.
How the wild crowd goes swayins
along,
Hailing each other with humor and
song,
How the gay sledges, like meteors
flash by,
Bright for the moment, then lost to
the eye
Ringing,
Swinging,
Dancing they go.