The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-21
SOME LITERATURE.


the abiding place of some mute, in
glorious Milton similar, perhaps, to
the one referred to by the late Mr..
Gray in his justly celebrated "Elegy."
Not altogether mute, either, is this
modern Milton, for had he been these
lines would not have been penned. In
late issue of the local paper in his
locality he gives voice to a poem enti-
tied Islander" 1t is unsigned and
thus the author thereof remains in
glorious.
With the true authors instinct, the
writer begins this poetic gem in a way
to Immediately command the readers
attention and compel him to read fur
Their That is the very essence of
authorship. At the same time the OPP
ening stanza contains a moral warning
which runs through the entire poem of
eleven verses. 1t reads:
Have you heard the wicked SANDER
If not It's just well,
The one who started it had better
Repent or they will go to hell.
In an outburst of horror at the
wickedness of it, the author continues:
Cruel gossip, wicked SANDER,
Causing, Sights we know not why
Now we learn some one has told,
A very wicked lie.
Then follows one immediate result of
this cruel story:
My sisters girl came out to see me
Intending a while to stay,
But she heard OF the cruel SANDER
And it. sent the girl away
Alas, that things should be as they
are! Why could they not have been
different? "Of all sad words" etc. The
same poetic sentiment which welled up
in Whittier's breast as he. penned the
immortal lay of Maud Muller is ap-
parently present in this:
Why did not the dear girl tell me
There are those who talk about you
So back to Scandal must go.
Again some terrible results of the
Islander are given:
Sweet peace once reigned within
SANDER made me very angry
And caused me to sin.
God knows the wicked Islander,
Wicked falsehoods, told to hinder
Me from getting a good wife.
For fear that some may ascribe
wrong motives to the author he has
tens to say:
This is not for an advertisement,
Please do not take it that way
Still hope that some one will read it
And be careful what they say.
1 have got a letter now.
To prove the SANDER is not true
Should 1 get an affidavit,
For fear the letter will not do.
Having served notice that documen-
tary evidence concerning the matter is
in existence. the warning to gossips in
general is continued:
We do not wish to harm no one
Still people should control
The tongue the unruly member
Before the devil gets the soul.
We are trying to forgive.
But why did any one talk thus
And then say do not tell him
Or he will make an offul fuss.
It is evident that the writer does not
wish to do anything "o1fuT'-unless the
composition of this poem could be thus
described-but the closing. stanza dis
closes that he is still in an uncertain
state of mind concerning his course,
although very certain as to others:
To avoid a fuss should we keep stiu
And let this matter drop,
1 hardly know but I know.
Such talk had better stop.
Such a production as this should GER
tainly thwart the unworthy object of
the gossips, as disclosed in the last
line of the sixth stanza, and all those
who have felt the fires that burn in
the poets soul will hope that this poet |
has so ridden his Pegasus as to at
tain that end.
Del Valentine makes this observa-
ton in the Clay Center Times. calling |