Norwich bulletin., 1914-07-18
LITERARY MEN OF CONNECTICUT

 facturfng concern in Cambridge. Nass- achusstts. He remained faithful to the Muse however, and contributed verses describing the old scenes of his boyhood days to various papers and magazines. Soon his clever work Times and Sun began to attract att tention- He still contributes to the l Times and Sum- Tn 1895, Mir Cone entered Harvard College as a special. student
 MT. Cone's first volume of verge Heart and Home Ballads" was pub lished in 1888. This volume contains Driving Home the Cows" 'Boyhood Days. My Teller Legged Ruster,". Dads Big Melon Patchs and Down l the Mill Stream It was well re- | ceived by press and public. In verses, he interprets the quaint homely ways ] of New England country people and 1 brings into play his marvellous gift | of expressing himself in New England l dialect. In this field few indeed have excelled him. At his best he is scarce ly inferior to Lowell in the Bigelow Papers.
 The following Christmas poem is l typical of MT. Cones portrayal of New l England customs in dialect. Christmas Time in Gungyr~annp. | We don't have no great doings here
 when Christmas time comes round, We aint got loads of cash to spend, our town aint high renowned: But we jest have a quiet time an eel | lerbrate the day Uv Christmas here in Gungywamp the | good old fashioned way. | The boys and girls they all come home | fr7m near an frum afar.
 Where they hev gone to try to hitch | their wagons to star. They all come home at Christmas time
 with bundles an good cheer An make the holidays fur us the time
 of all the year. i An frum the fireplace runnin' crost | the broad or kitchen wall We hang a row, the night before. uv
 stockins large an small; | There's one fur pa an one fur ma.
 an all the children. too. Cuz we all b'lieve in Santy Claus jest
 like we uster do. | An late at night ther's peekin' through
 the cracks uv all the doors, An through the registers that heat
 the upper chamber floors To see what folks are doin when they
 tiptoe here an there: An sometimes we rush out and try
 to ketch em unawares.
 The fun on Christmas morning Is a | pleasure to recall: | Half f-dressed before the open fire with
 stockings full fur all. The service in the Gungy church an
 then the dinner time
 The joys of which cannot be told in
 story, song or rhyme. ! The Christmas tree at eventide, the
 children wild with Flee,
 The music of the Christmas hymns.
 the organs meIlerdy. Oi Christmas is a wondrous thing
 in cities great and small
 But Christmas tine in Gungywanp we | reckon beats eu all.
 In 1909 MT Cone joined the staff of the Bostsn Herald, and some of his best things were written during his connection wish that paper. He has enjoyed wide acquaintance with the literary men of his day, numbering 6 among his friends such men as Whit comb Riley. Eugene Field. and Sam Walter F,oss.
 The dominant note in Mir. Cones ] work is humor blended with pathos John Kendr.ck Bangs once said that l 1t is pathetic for a man to start out as a humorist because he can never be anything else This certainly has not held with Joe Cone. In some of his recent productions in more serious vein he has touched a high note. The Seasons" and The Song 6f The Ham mer" we'll illustrate ths. as does also the following:
 I have to be myself that's all | No matter where I chance to be, Or what I do. I may be wrong And do that which is bad for me But ever up the weary road - Let come what will what'er befal I cannot do as others do: ; l have to be myself. that's all. . cannot be what I would be, 2 I would be great. I cherish fame l would be master of my art.
 I'd have the world thrill at my name i But no tis not for me, plod . And fall and rise. and rise and fall I cannot be that someone else a I have to be myself that's all. i And on and on. The patient years : l Have left me where I am, 'tis we'll. . I'll be myself unto the end |. And maybe lift me-who can tell q I've wasted years-Tn waste no more I In list'ning to another's call 1 1 Tis folly s path my course i
 straight = I have to be myself, that's all