The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1920-12-03
SAYINGS AND DOlNGS
OF CARLOTTA
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
RoMANTIcIsM AND REALISM

Carlotta says and does the dearest
thingsl There is the same subtle
beauty in her words and deeds as
that which CLEANS from her great
black eyes. The creamy texture of
her skin, contrasted with the poppy
fullness of her lips, are alike with
the lights and shadows that sing in
her voice.
When the night has lowered the
earth in soothing tenderness, like a
hen brooding herechicks, and when
the voices of the night are heard like
the sleepy, dreamy cherps Of earth's
chicks, it is then Carlotta is at her
best. THAT is after the dishes have
been done,)
1t is then we love to draw close to
the open fire Cat least / do, and
Carlotta is always dear enough to
acquiesce-tho sometimes | suspicion
she thinks ! am sentimental busy
body.
On such an evening recently I be-
guiled c. into her fayorite chair be-
fore the fire. The lights were low,
and the soft, friendly glow from the
hearth made the room mellow with
contentment. The sweet spirituality
of C.'s face is always made more
vivid in the freight. When she had
settled in that graceful relaxation so
characteristic of her, | drew adapt
ability" to her feet.
Now "AdaptabiIity' is a charming
little footstool which is very dear to
&. call it "Adaptabiity" because it
always adapts itself Immediately to
the mood | am in when l sit on it..
If | am blue as indigo and feel that
| cannot possibly make the grade,
and flop onto "Adaptability" because
! am too low for the exertion neces-
sary to reach chair, woe be unto
me. The only way to sit on it is with
my knees under my chin and my back
bent into a fish hook with my arms
wrapped defensively about the afore-
said knees. | find myself growing
more pessimistic every second
| suppose Prof. James would have
said that the physical position tended
to reproduce corresponding mental
and spiritual attitude. At any rate,
if | sit there five minutes my indigo
blue will become splotched with cow
ardly yellow and blood -crudling red.
o if there is company, and the
chairs are all taken, | sit on it with a
bored feeling of resentment at being
deprived of the exclusive society Of
Carlotta. Within five minutes always
results in five minutes) l am fit to
be tied! | find myself contemplating
the exquisite ecstacy of chewing the
ear off the dignified lady occupying
the easiest chair!
But when the lights are low, and
Carlotta has relaxed into an-adorable
goddess of lights and shadows, Adapt
ability" becomes a charmed footstool
at the throne of grace. | drew it
close to the arm of her chair, half
facing the fire, and where ! could
see the lights play over her dear face.
| had found poem by John Mase-
field which | wanted to read to her
in tribute. She watched me dreamily,
half smiling at my eagerness as |
turned the pages of the book | had
rested on her knees. / had that ex-
allied feeling that comes to a man
only when he finds expressed for him
the worship his heart holds for the
one true woman in his world. 1t
seemed that all the spirit of adven-
ture and romance and chivalry of
Masefield's life had been concentrated
in that one poem for me to read to
Carlotta. You know what | mean!
And so / read-watching her face
soften and her dear bosom rising and
falling:
Born for naught else, for nothing but
for this,
To watch the soft blood throbbing in
her throat,
To think how comely sweet her
body is,
And learn the poem of her face by
rote.
Born for naught else but to attempt
a rhyme
That shall describe her womanhood
Alright,
And make her holy to the end of
Time,
And be my souls acquittal in Gods
sight.
Born for naught else but to expressly
work
The music of her dear delicious ways;
Born but to perish meanly in the dark,
Yet born to be the man to sing her
praise.
Born Tor naught else; there is spirit
tells
Ny lots a Kings, being born for
naught else"
AS finished a soft gentle sigh
breathed on her lips and then silence
as sweet as music. Her gentle,
slender fingers sought for and found
my hair, and her sombre eyes gleam-
ing, she said:
Dear, think you should have
a hair cutp
Youthful Cattle Raiser.