And awful rich--and he can go Down ever' chimbly anywhere In all the world!--But I don't care, _I_ wouldn't trade with _him_, and be Old Santa Clause, and him be me, Fer all his toys and things!--and _I_ Know why, and bet you _he_ knows why!-- They _wuz_ no Santa Clause when _he_ Wuz ist a little boy like me!"

[Ill.u.s.tration: What "Old Santa" overheard--tailpiece]

{162}

THE STEPMOTHER

First she come to our house, Tommy run and hid; And Emily and Bob and me We cried jus' like we did When Mother died,--and we all said 'At we all wisht 'at we was dead!

And Nurse she couldn't stop us; And Pa he tried and tried,-- We sobbed and shook and wouldn't look, But only cried and cried; And nen some one--we couldn't jus'

Tell who--was cryin' same as us!

Our Stepmother! Yes, it was her, Her arms around us all-- 'Cause Tom slid down the banister And peeked in from the hall.-- And we all love her, too, because She's purt' nigh good as Mother was!

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[Ill.u.s.tration: When old Jack died--headpiece]

WHEN OLD JACK DIED

When Old Jack died, we stayed from school (they said, At home, we needn't go that day), and none Of us ate any breakfast--only one, And that was Papa--and his eyes were red When he came round where we were, by the shed Where Jack was lying, half-way in the sun And half-way in the shade. When we begun To cry out loud, Pa turned and dropped his head And went away; and Mamma, she went back Into the kitchen. Then, for a long while, All to ourselves, like, we stood there and cried.

We thought so many good things of Old Jack, And funny things--although we didn't smile-- We couldn't only cry when Old Jack died.

{164}

When Old Jack died, it seemed a human friend Had suddenly gone from us; that some face That we had loved to fondle and embrace From babyhood, no more would condescend To smile on us forever. We might bend With tearful eyes above him, interlace Our chubby fingers o'er him, romp and race, Plead with him, call and coax--aye, we might send The old halloo up for him, whistle, hist, (If sobs had let us) or, as wildly vain, Snapped thumbs, called "Speak," and he had not replied; We might have gone down on our knees and kissed The tousled ears, and yet they must remain Deaf, motionless, we knew--when Old Jack died.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: We couldn't only cry when old Jack died]

{167}

When Old Jack died, it seemed to us, some way, That all the other dogs in town were pained With our bereavement, and some that were chained, Even, unslipped their collars on that day To visit Jack in state, as though to pay A last, sad tribute there, while neighbors craned Their heads above the high board fence, and deigned To sigh "Poor Dog!" remembering how they Had cuffed him, when alive, perchance, because, For love of them he leaped to lick their hands-- Now, that he could not, were they satisfied?

We children thought that, as we crossed his paws, And o'er his grave, 'way down the bottom-lands, Wrote "Our First Love Lies Here," when Old Jack died.

[Ill.u.s.tration: When old Jack died--tailpiece]

{168}

[Ill.u.s.tration: That night--headpiece]

THAT NIGHT

You and I, and that night, with its perfume and glory!-- The scent of the locusts--the light of the moon; And the violin weaving the waltzers a story, Enmeshing their feet in the weft of the tune, Till their shadows uncertain Reeled round on the curtain, While under the trellis we drank in the June.

{169}

Soaked through with the midnight the cedars were sleeping, Their shadowy tresses outlined in the bright Crystal, moon-smitten mists, where the fountain's heart, leaping Forever, forever burst, full with delight; And its lisp on my spirit Fell faint as that near it Whose love like a lily bloomed out in the night.

O your glove was an odorous sachet of blisses!

The breath of your fan was a breeze from Cathay!

And the rose at your throat was a nest of spilled kisses!-- And the music!--in fancy I hear it to-day, As I sit here, confessing Our secret, and blessing My rival who found us, and waltzed you away.

[Ill.u.s.tration: That night--tailpiece]

{170}

[Ill.u.s.tration: To Almon Keefer--headpiece]

TO ALMON KEEFER

INSCRIBED IN "TALES OF THE OCEAN"

This first book that I ever knew Was read aloud to me by you-- Friend of my boyhood, therefore take It back from me, for old times' sake-- The selfsame "Tales" first read to me, Under "the old sweet apple tree,"

Ere I myself could read such great Big words,--but listening all elate, At your interpreting, until Brain, heart and soul were all athrill With wonder, awe, and sheer excess Of wildest childish happiness.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: Under "the old sweet apple tree"]

{173}

So take the book again--forget All else,--long years, lost hopes, regret; Sighs for the joys we ne'er attain, Prayers we have lifted all in vain; Tears for the faces seen no more, Once as the roses at the door!

Take the enchanted book--And lo, On gra.s.sy swards of long ago, Sprawl out again, beneath the shade The breezy old-home orchard made, The veriest barefoot boy indeed-- And I will listen as you read.

[Ill.u.s.tration: To Almon Keefer--tailpiece]

{174}

[Ill.u.s.tration: To the quiet observer--headpiece]

TO THE QUIET OBSERVER