The Republican journal., 1914-05-14
FATHERS ASLEEP.
8 HoLxAM :. DAY.


Tho .boys from4own" are at home to day
None Of them vnunp and one of them gray;
The lawyer, the doctor, the parson ana jim
Who has simply made money, but that sui's
him.
All of them ba * on the farm for whiie'
Worn by the hurry of mile upon mile: go.
Their duties are waiting the lawyer .e'
The sick man dreadipg his feveE's pace
A sermon that's lacking fitting end,
And men with money to borrow ana leno'
All of the children are home today.
But they whisper their greetings anu
away.
The gable windows. staring down
On the old ell door take on frowh;
AS though they wonder where can De
The hearty welcomes they used to see.
And the old gray rable sends mouse
Down to search through the quiet mouse
For the good old man who used to staho
At that open door with outstretcnea naho'
Singing these words to an old refrain
AS he gathered his boys to his arms again:
Home. boys. home! Oh. that's the place 10
If any time thing goes wrong, bring it home
used to mend your playthings-ht1ie boats
and carts
And here at home you'll find glue that's good
for broken hearts !"
The mouse came back. With screaking Diino
The gable asked, Ibid you search ana nno!
"Hush" said the mouse, "his children weep
He is down in the forenoon, last asleep
Fathers asleep in the old fore room'
and the curtains are down and the soft. hushed
Smooths the wrinkles and CLOSES the hair
Framed in the tucks of the satin there;
Fathers asleep! His toil-gnarled hands
Are crossed on his breast, and the OLD CLOCK
stands
In its corner, glowering, tall and grim,
Striking the hours to waken him.
And the old clock wond ers why he lies
Dreaming there, with close shut eyes,
For the fe DIS are fallow and all the May
Seems to be calling him up and away,
The sparrows wing to the wlndow-snl, LII
Bringing the news from the soutn-siope Mill
Twittering, Goldman, sow your SEED!
And marvelling why he does not heed.
The soil-streaked boots in the open shed
And the old hat hanging overhead
Are by the web of the spider sealed.
While dumbly expectant the call afleld
The big round eyes of the cattle stare
AT the rough-voiced strangers nasty care
Wondering meath the word and blow
"Where is he who loved US So!
And horned heads respondent hang.
For once the mows and rafters rang
With the jovial song the old man sang:
"Oh, home is a home wherever it may be
Carpets on the parlor floor look CONT table TO
me,
But better than a carpet is barn that's snug
and warm,
And the KNOWN that your cattle have roof
to shed the storm"
And the grave horse questions the dog: "Sir,
pray
Where is the good old man today?"
'.Just now" says the dog. Il CHANGED to creep
To the fore room door, and he's fast asleep"
Though the clock has called, he slumbers deep;
Though the birds have called, though hearts
still CALL
His hands are crossed and he sleeps through
all.
And he does not rise when his neighbors come
Once SO iocund. now SO dumb,
Bustle and creak! They throng and press.
Pass and touch with soft caress
The sunbrowned hand that stretched of yore
Its welcome to all who passed that door,
But he does not smile and he does not wake
A greeting to give or leave to take.
Though one stands forth and tells of deed
| Of kindly mercy to those in need;
Of gifts and charities wide and free
But hidden for only friends to see
Reproving palm he does not sweep
As he would have done ere he fell asleep.
And when at last this praise Is flushed
This praise at which he would have olushed-
His hearty basso does not ring
It's burden in the song they sing:
"Oh, heaven, friends, is home for the soul that
struggles here;
Leave the earthly tenement to crumble on its
bier.
The home road is the dearest road that ever
feet have trod
If YOU know the hand awaiting is the hand OF
Father, God"
But the clock that sees the lid closed down,
The gable staring with puzzled frown
On the people who follow him and weep,
Sigh, East asleep Still fast asleep!