The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-19

word to the children. though. They
don't suspect a thing, and I don't
want EN- to. Put it thar Abe. I love
ye Ike a brother"
When I reached Farmer Swifts I
saw nolone about but Aunt Martha, as
his wife is called. She was making
soft soap and had. an apron tied over
her head I was driving past, having
no man for the family, when she call
ed 10 me and came down to the gate
ABE, did you hear about. our boy,
No. What's the matter with Will7''
The doctor says he's going into the
galloping consumption.
"Shooi Why. I thought VIII was
tough and healthy. What's started
him into consumption ?"
You knew he was in love with An
gelina Thompson, didn't you?''
Seems to me / heard something Of
that kind last fall
Yes, he was, and II was as good as
settled that they were engaged. Father
had already pickle dout the cows and
sheep and hogs he was going to give
him, and I was making up two feather
beds. VIII took Angelina to q spelling
school about the first of March, and
because VIII let another Teller spell
him down Apgelipa got mad and pick
ed fuss She Won't give in and he
won't give in, and there you are. VIII
doctor says he's liable 10 go into gal
looping consumption at any hour of the
day or night. He aih't eating enough
to keep a bird alive, and every now
and then his eyes I'll with tears and he
signs in the most awful way
I'm sorry, Aunt Martha-awful sor-
~. Do you want me to stop ard tell
Angelina that she ought to be asham-
ed Of herself?" 80
mo. Abe She'd think VIII wanted
to make up with her and was craw-
fishing. What want is for you to
write a piece of solemn poetry to send
her-something that will go right TO
her heart and scare her half to death.
I want her to know that II VIII dies
she'll be to blame for 1t, and always
have 1t on her conscience. Come right
Into the kitchen table and see what
you can do"
I went in and drank more hard ell
der, and IT only took me ten minutes
to turn out the gem found below;
Upon his dying bed there lies
A youth of twenty years,
And over him mother stands
And weeps most bitter tears.
MOT long is he for this cold world.
When all is sad deceit;
Before the robins fly away
Around his tomb we'll meet
You ask what ais this dying boy9
You ask why goes he hence?
You ask why he is singing not
Upon the pasture fence?
. Twas Angelina that he loved g
IT'S her he loveth yet;
For her his appetite was lost
And he got in a sweat.
Amidst their love and happiness.
When JOY It was a rule;
They drove away in spirits high
To tend a spelling school.
''rhe youth could spell most any word,
He meant to win the prize;
He meant to win a gladstone look
From Angelina's eyes,
He spelled 'rhubarb' and scaterwaul,'
And harder words by far
But in his pride he got a jolt
And missed the word 'catarrh.'
And Angelina. she got mad.
And mad remaineth still.
While death is spreading OF his wing.
To fly away with VIII.
when death it comes he will forgive,
And lie beneath the willer;
And every night that maid viii weep
Sad tears upon her pkllAzaf
Before I was half through reading
Aunt Martha was sobbing and letting
the soap kettle boil over. and took
one Of her hands and pressed it and
made my escape. There are some
things too sacred for Words.-(Copy-
right, 1906 by r. Douglas-)