The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1912-11-14


that day stretched the long, long
years." SO slow! before HIM lay?
But he cherished John Carter's ver-
ses with his dead wife's last letter,
and together they helped him to
pass the weary hours"
The illustrations of what those
enjoying the benefits of Chautauqua
work can, and l believe should, do
to extend those benefits to others
less fortunate have been taken from
verse writing, but this has been
solely for the sake of brevity; l do
not want that the fact should con-
vey the impression that it is only
through the medium of poesy that
we can extend the influence Of our
Chautauqua work, nor even mainly
SO. We can not all be poets, as our
President has often, though delicate
ly impressed upon me when | have
submitted to his criticism would-be
poetic effusions of my own. But
though we can not all be poets the
field is still open to all of us to pass
along the benefits which we obtain
from Chautauqua work, and | feel
certain that the columns of The
Mirror are and always will b e
open to anyone wishing to u e
them for this purpose. A story il
lusterating some fine points which
Chautauqua study has brought to
notice; an article on some of the
many interesting subjects brought
up in Circle meetings; bit of hum
or over which we have smiled and
which might cause some other to
smile, so lighting way at the best
none too rosy; review Of some
good book read in Pursuance of
studies taken up by the Circle;
these things or some of these things
are within the capabilities of all,
and the influence which may be ex-
erted in such a manner is inestima-
BILE. The only true and lasting
benefits which anyone can derive
from any source are those which he
shares with some other.
In closing let me quote again one
of the Pierian's poets. Come with
John Carter. and me into the shad-
owy rays of life; be tempted with
. us on into the deeper shades of that
valley beyond the farther rim oi
which the eternal sunlight shines in
all it's splendor; glimpse with us
that divine radiance and list for g
feeting moment to the Hosts Be.
yond. lingering their muted harps
and glimpsing, hearing. realizing
that that light, that melody, is no
for us as yet. turn away; but in tht
returning carry back reflection O
, that eternal radiance, an echo o
T that sublime harmony to light an(
q cheer some brother. sister, alons
their weary way--read with me th'
Ballad OF Twilight And Silence.
Rumble and whir of dray and car,
Thousand feet on the great highway.
Torturing chords that throb and jar,
restless melody wild and gay.
Under the lilt of the tune they play
The silent grief of the city lies;
And menacing swift. at close of day,
The shadows fall
And the music dies.
Deep in the virgin woods afar
thrush pours forth his soul to the May.
And never hurried note shall mar
The ecstasy of that magic lay.
In magic measure the branches sway
Till the sun burns low in the cloudess skies
And peacefully, over leaf and spray,
The shadows fall
And the music dies
Out of the dark. where no songs
who have snned and gone astray
Moth-like, lift mine eyes to star.
Voicelessly to far God pray.
O See! From His Heaven in bright array
messenger to the dark cell flies.
g The echoes wake to his singing! Nay!
Il The shadows fall
:. oh, belovedl know. as they.