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 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
Brown Studies 
 
 BY 
 
 MRS. B. F. A. BEELER 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 THE COSMOPOLITAN PRESS 
 
 1911 
 

 Copyright, 1911, by 
 MRS. E. F. A. BEELER 
 
 CI. A 3 34 19 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 T HE SEVEN AGES 7 
 
 A PAIR OF DREAMS 31 
 
 C LIPPINGS FROM AN ) 
 
 [ 35 
 
 O LD MAID'S DIARY ) 
 
 M ISCELLANEOUS VERSES 42 
 
 A DAY'S RECKONING 60 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 THE SEVEN AGES 
 
 One summer morning he was born; 
 
 His home stood on a wild sea-eoast — 
 A cabin, — and of all forlorn 
 
 And lonely dwellings 'twas the most. 
 
 One window and a door in front; 
 
 A huge stone chimney at the rear; 
 A garden-plot where 'twas the wont 
 
 Of flowers to riot year by year 
 
 With plants more useful. Near the door 
 A rough-hewn wooden bench was placed, 
 
 And rude stone door-step, half grown o'er 
 With ivy vines. The cabin faced 
 
 The open sea; to left and right 
 Long stretches of gray cliff were lined; 
 
 Backward a village stood in sight 
 With miles of moor lying behind. 
 
 In this still place his infant eyes 
 First opened to the light of day, 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 And gazed with innocent surprise 
 At all that in his vision lay. 
 
 His father was a fisherman, 
 Earning by toil his daily food; 
 
 Beginning when each day began, 
 And ending when his luck was good. 
 
 His mother (once a comely maid) 
 Had caused her good man no regrets ; 
 
 But cooked the meals and gave her aid 
 To daily mending of the nets. 
 
 Thus humbly was his life begun. 
 
 To this poor, lone, hard-working pair 
 His coming was a welcome one — 
 
 Making their lonely lives less bare; 
 
 And that bright, sunny, summer morn 
 When he appeared, they onward from, 
 
 Made eager efforts to adorn 
 
 Their cheerless little cabin-home. 
 
 The dull outside (unpainted since 
 Its building) soon wore coat of red; 
 
 The inner walls with paper prints 
 
 (Gifts of the village store) were spread. 
 
 The village children lent their aid, 
 And long, tough grasses of the moor 
 
 Were braided into mats and laid 
 Upon the little cabin floor. 
 
 8 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 With him as chiefest ornament 
 
 To brighten their life's dull routine, 
 
 His parents lived in calm content, 
 As happy as a king and queen. 
 
 Each day they rose before the sun, 
 
 And fed their fowls and milked their goats; 
 
 Then when the morning meal was done 
 They started for the fishing-boats, 
 
 The husband bearing on his back 
 The heavy nets; the wife with both 
 
 Arms full — one with her husband's snack, 
 The other with the babe; and loth 
 
 To stay behind, she ev'ry morn 
 
 Would watch the boats glide out to sea 
 
 And feel new joy that he was born 
 To keep her pleasant company. 
 
 And he was all the child they had. 
 
 The years went swiftly by. He grew 
 A hearty, robust, handsome lad. 
 
 At twelve the village school-ma'am knew 
 
 He'd learned all that she could impart. 
 
 Some far-off kin then sent him books; 
 He read and learned them all by heart. 
 
 At fifteen he was changed in looks. 
 
 9 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 II 
 
 His heart was waking to new things. 
 
 Each day he scanned the restless deep 
 And grudged the wild free birds their wings- 
 
 The passing ships their unchecked sweep; 
 
 Longing for that which he had not 
 Yet found within his narrow scope, 
 
 But which, by right were his, he thought. 
 His bosom swelled with joyous hope 
 
 To think that sometime he would be 
 A man, but not like those he knew. 
 
 He loved his parents well, but he 
 Must sometime bid them fond adieu 
 
 And go to some place far removed, 
 Where fortunes glittered (so to speak) 
 
 In new fields, lying all unproved 
 For those who cared to go and seek. 
 
 On week days he was happiest, 
 He helped his father with the fish, 
 
 Thus finding vent for his unrest; 
 But Sundays were his days to wish 
 
 For all those things as yet unfound. 
 
 Alone he strolled and dreamed and read. 
 The simple fisher-folks around 
 
 All wondered. " Queer lad!" many said. 
 
 His parents watched him day by day, 
 And, heedful of his restlessness, 
 
 10 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Grew anxious and began to pray 
 Deep in their hearts for God to bless 
 
 Their handsome lad, and give to him 
 A cheerful and contented heart. 
 
 Ofttimes his mother's eyes were dim 
 With tears to see him sit apart 
 
 From all the village girls and boys — 
 Not caring for their simple sports; 
 
 Unsympathetic to the joys 
 
 The average youngster gladly courts. 
 
 And then at length a letter came, 
 
 And they who sent the books now wished 
 
 To see this lad of lofty aim 
 Who built air castles while he fished. 
 
 Of funds, they said, there was no dearth; 
 
 They wished, to place him in a school 
 Known the world over for its worth, 
 
 Where thorough training was the rule. 
 
 They sent two hundred-dollar notes, 
 
 All his expenses to defray, 
 If he would leave the fishing boats 
 
 And come at once with them to stay. 
 
 Now, when this letter was all read, 
 There sat a much astonished three; 
 
 The father's heart then sank like lead; 
 The mother heaved a sigh, but he 
 
 11 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Sprang to his feet and laughed with joy. 
 
 His parents knew the die was cast! 
 The time was coming when their boy 
 
 Would realize his dreams at last. 
 
 The father now would tend alone 
 The boats and sell the fish each day; 
 
 The mother would be sadder grown — 
 And lonely, with her boy away. 
 
 But naught of this e'er passed their lips. 
 
 They took him to a neighboring town 
 Whose harbor boasted many ships, 
 
 And ere the next day's sun went down, 
 
 He sailed away to heed the call 
 
 Of that for which his heart had yearned, 
 And those who loved him best of all 
 
 With heavy hearts homeward returned. 
 
 ni 
 
 He sailed away, leaving behind 
 The one small corner of the earth 
 
 Which had been his, and did not mind 
 How lonely now was its home-hearth; 
 
 And, as he crossed the ocean plane, 
 Regret nor illness came to vex 
 
 His youthful body, heart or brain. 
 Daily he paced the steamer decks 
 
 12 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 And gloried in the great, new change 
 Of his own life. He made a few 
 
 Acquaintances among the strange 
 But friendly passengers and crew; 
 
 But only one of all he met 
 
 On shipboard seemed to understand 
 
 The lad who could so soon forget 
 His parents and his native land; 
 
 And that one was a gentleman 
 
 Whose well-bred air and fine-cut face 
 
 Proclaimed to all who cared to scan 
 The scion of a gentle race; 
 
 And he it was who loved to draw 
 In conversation all the best 
 
 Of the lad's nature, and who saw 
 With an increasing interest 
 
 Those indications hard to find 
 In one so youthful — the sincere 
 
 Strong purpose of a brilliant mind — 
 The blossom of a grand career — 
 
 The sparks of a new-kindled fire 
 Burning in an ambitious soul, 
 
 Fed by a hungering desire 
 
 For wealth and fame as final goal. 
 
 Then when this voyage 'cross the sea 
 Was well-nigh through, one day the lad 
 
 13 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Discovered accidentally 
 
 That this man and his kinfolks had 
 
 Long been acquainted, and his friend 
 Now held in friendliest regard 
 
 Those who were, at his journey's end, 
 To greet him as their future ward. 
 
 And thus was fixed, still more and more, 
 'Twixt boy and man a friendship fast; 
 
 Then when the long voyage was o'er 
 The lad began to know at last 
 
 Fulfillment of his cherished schemes; 
 
 And entered the broad, flowery ways 
 Which ne'er before — save in his dreams — 
 
 Had spread themselves beneath his gaze; 
 
 The paths of learning, where ahead 
 Were many laurels yet unearned; 
 
 The gay haunts of the wealthy-bred, 
 With all their pleasures yet unlearned; 
 
 And all those labyrinths by which 
 
 Men of the world attain their ends, — 
 
 Winning renown, becoming rich, 
 Gaining positon, love, and friends; 
 
 All these broad paths he entered, and 
 With healthful energy and zest 
 
 Untiring, and on ev'ry hand, 
 
 Encountered naught but vast success. 
 
 14 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Twelve years passed. He was in his prime; 
 
 His life's vocation had long since 
 Been chosen, and the sands of time 
 
 Had favored him, bearing no prints 
 
 Of early poverty, or aught 
 
 To show his humble origin. 
 That, and his parents were forgot! 
 
 He now made ready to begin 
 
 The crowning triumph of his life — 
 The wooing of a handsome maid, 
 
 The winning of a wealthy wife. 
 Of failure he was not afraid. 
 
 IV 
 
 The kinfolks who had aided him 
 In gaining that which he desired 
 
 Had died within the interim 
 
 And left him all they had acquired; 
 
 So why should he feel fear? He knew 
 The value of his bank account. 
 
 Judged from a worldly point of view, 
 He was quite fit. He'd climbed the mount 
 
 Of his ambition, and could well 
 Brush weightier matters now aside, 
 
 To woo the handsome, haughty belle 
 Whom he had chosen for his bride. 
 
 15 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 She was the daughter of that friend 
 Whom he had met twelve years ago 
 
 Aboard ship, and who, at the end 
 Of their sea-voyage, brought to know 
 
 The wife — a cultured, stylish dame; 
 
 And daughter; then a household pet 
 Of ten, too shy to speak his name; 
 
 But now a vain, heartless coquette. 
 
 Of failure he need have no fears, 
 For, from the first was laid a plan 
 
 Which had been fostered all these years — 
 A scheme through which this maid and man 
 
 Would some day wed, thus furthering 
 
 Each mercenary interest. 
 He knew, and felt the shadowing 
 
 Of doubt, which sometimes came to rest 
 
 Upon his soul, yet did not heed 
 
 Those promptings of his conscience, nor 
 
 Attempt to lessen his great greed 
 For social prominence, and for 
 
 The wealth which each to each would bring; 
 
 The prestige which her noble name 
 And lineage would, through marrying, 
 
 Reflect upon himself. Wealth, fame, 
 
 These were the guiding stars that shone 
 On this man's path of life, wherein 
 
 16 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Love had no place; and there was none 
 To give him warning. Bound to win, 
 
 Thus did he choose from her own gay 
 And giddy world his butterfly 
 
 Of fickle fashion; then one day 
 
 They were betrothed, and by-and-by, 
 
 With all the fine formalities 
 And showy ceremonials which 
 
 Are used among the families 
 
 Of that gay clique, the ultra-rich, 
 
 These two were wed. Then was begun 
 Their future fate as man and wife; 
 
 And he was proud of having won 
 All he had coveted in life. 
 
 Of fine appearance, sound in health, 
 Possessed of learning and a host 
 
 Of friends, a handsome wife, and wealth, 
 Less cultured man than he might boast 
 
 Of lesser victories achieved 
 In longer time. He was content 
 
 With inward plaudits, and believed 
 Himself quite happy. Then he spent 
 
 With his young wife a year abroad, 
 Seeing those things as yet unlearned — 
 
 The wondrous works of man and God; 
 One fleeting year, then they returned 
 
 17 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 (Both wiser grown in many ways) 
 To their old home and he and she 
 
 Both settled down to spend their days 
 As leaders of society! 
 
 And far away across the seas, 
 
 On either side a home's hearth-stone 
 
 With naught of joy save memories, 
 His parents sat — sad and alone. 
 
 Time then flew fast. First a small lad, 
 And then a lassie came to bless 
 
 His life and hers, and he was glad; 
 And, in the pride of his success, 
 
 He asked himself this question oft, 
 
 "What would I have that I have not?" 
 
 And deep down in his soul a soft 
 Voice answered him, "Have ye no thought 
 
 Of that which this world cannot give? 
 
 Know ye a certainty of joys 
 To come when mortals cease to live?" 
 
 But always did he hush the voice, 
 
 And ever did he seek some new 
 
 Sensation or experience. 
 Then as his son and daughter grew, 
 
 He lavished on them much expense. 
 
 18 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Determined they should have the best 
 
 A wealthy father could afford, 
 They were well-fed, well-schooled, well-dressed; 
 
 And 'round them ceaselessly were poured 
 
 The -blessings youthful hearts e'er crave — 
 Amusements, books, and music; yet 
 
 At times this father's heart grew grave 
 With a newborn but large regret. 
 
 He knew that these two children lacked 
 That of which they stood most in need — 
 
 The ever-watchful care and tact 
 Of mother-love; for they indeed 
 
 Might well have been called motherless, 
 
 So little care she granted them. 
 Her entire life was spent in dress 
 
 And social joys. A sparkling gem 
 
 Held more of beauty to her eyes 
 
 Than children's faces, while men's chaff 
 And witless compliments and lies 
 
 Meant more to her ears than the laugh 
 
 Of happy childhood. Their young cheeks 
 
 Were so unused to being kissed 
 By mother-lips, that, for whole weeks, 
 
 She saw them not, yet was not missed! 
 
 Thus the whole training of the pair 
 Was trusted to a well-paid set 
 
 19 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Of hireling's; and while doubtless there 
 Were some good souls among them, yet 
 
 They paid but very little heed 
 
 To moral education, and 
 They thought perhaps there was no need — 
 
 A high-born child would understand 
 
 Instinctively, without their aid, 
 
 The difference 'twixt right and wrong. 
 
 And so was the foundation laid 
 For future sorrow; and ere long 
 
 The father felt this sick'ning truth, 
 
 Yet could not remedy the fact: 
 The finest qualities of youth, 
 
 He found, were those his children lacked! 
 
 Truth, modesty, filial respect, 
 
 Honor and depth of character — 
 He claimed the right to thus expect 
 
 This much from them if not from her 
 
 Who was their mother, yet was not — 
 
 Who, posing as a social queen, 
 Neglected those of whom her thought 
 
 Should have been first. When just eighteen 
 
 The daughter was betrothed to one 
 Who had much money, but few brains, 
 
 And was soon wedded. Then the son 
 A fast-lived youth, who took no pains 
 
 20 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 To keep his dissipations hid 
 
 From the world's eyes or ears, and who 
 Had spent a fortune, at last did 
 
 The thing that he was sure to do! 
 
 Under the influence of wine, 
 
 And plunged in debts up to his neck. 
 Not only did he dare to sign 
 
 His father's name to a large check, 
 
 But took part in a gambling brawl 
 In which the party who began 
 
 The fuss was killed; and he of all 
 Was the accused and guilty man! 
 
 Thus did the father's griefs begin. 
 He saw his son before the bar 
 
 Of justice, charged with blackest sin- 
 Saw him convicted and sent far 
 
 Away to serve his penalty; 
 
 And then was brought unto his ears 
 Tales of his own wife's perfidy; 
 
 She'd been untrue to him for years, 
 
 And, with another, now had flown 
 Far from the scenes of their downfall 
 
 (But where by him was never known). 
 Then came the grief, to him, of all 
 
 The worst — his daughter — yet a bride, 
 Crazed by her own unhappiness 
 
 21 
 
BliOWN STUDIES 
 
 And family disgrace, had died 
 By her own hand! In his distress 
 
 He stood beside his dead child's tomb 
 And asked himself, "What need to live? 
 
 The world will miss not those to whom 
 The world has nothing more to give!" 
 
 His wealth was squandered; his good name 
 Was tarnished, and the one he most 
 
 Cared for was dead. Bowed down with shame, 
 He stood, confronted by the ghost 
 
 Of that first great mistake of his — 
 
 The forerunner of his ill luck: 
 Misplaced ambition. Ah, 'twas this 
 
 Which caused it all ! His old-time pluck 
 
 Then 'roused itself. He tried to thrust 
 From him the mem'ry of his wife 
 
 And son, thinking there surely must 
 Be something yet for him in life. 
 
 VI 
 
 Thoughts of his parents filled his mind. 
 
 He'd go to them far, far away, 
 And leave this muddled life behind. 
 
 He longed to go — he could not stay. 
 
 Without a warning, was his plan, 
 To step inside their cabin door 
 
 22 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Saying, "Your boy is now a man, 
 Who gladly comes to you once more; 
 
 For he is weary of the world 
 
 Behind, and deems it as well lost; 
 
 His soul is worn from being whirled 
 In seas of passion tempest-tossed; 
 
 With heart and brain both craving rest 
 He comes to ask of you the boon 
 
 Of shelter as a welcome guest, — 
 
 Such blessing cannot come too soon." 
 
 And then he pictured their surprise 
 To thus behold him standing there. 
 
 Glad tears would fill his mother's eyes; 
 His father's rugged face would wear 
 
 A smile of welcome. 
 
 • • > • • • « 
 
 Yes, he'd go! 
 
 With this new resolution formed, 
 His sluggish blood began to flow 
 
 More quickly, and his chilled heart warmed 
 
 To newly kindled fires of hope, 
 While memories, but late aroused, 
 
 Were given free and ample scope. 
 
 The place where he was fed and housed 
 
 Grew hateful more and more each day 
 He lingered there. When he at last, 
 
 23 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 With his belongings stole away, 
 
 He could but think of that day past 
 
 When he had left his boyhood's home 
 With something like this same relief, 
 
 Braving the briny ocean-foam — 
 
 For what? At last he knew the grief 
 
 His parents that day must have known, 
 When he — their one beloved child — 
 
 Left them all lonely and alone. 
 Remorse beset him. He was wild 
 
 With fierce impatience to be there 
 Amid those scenes once so despised. 
 
 Those dear ones now would be his care. 
 He ne'er before had realized 
 
 The cruelty and heartlessness 
 
 Of his past conduct toward these two; 
 But his atonement now would bless 
 
 Them both. 'Twas all that he could do. 
 
 Thus ran his thoughts the voyage through. 
 
 His own peculiar, sorry fate 
 Had wrought the change in him. He knew 
 
 And understood now, though 'twas late, 
 
 Such agonies as might have been 
 Unknown — regrets which might have lain 
 
 Inert, had death, disgrace, and sin 
 Not caused his heart to feel the pain — 
 
 24 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 So hard to bear — so hard to heal 
 When cherished idols turn to dust! 
 
 That pain which only parents feel 
 
 He now felt, knowing 'twas but just. 
 
 The voyage ended. All enthused 
 
 With his new mission, he made haste 
 
 To seek the hamlet which he used 
 To call his home. The barren waste 
 
 Of land through which his pathway lay, 
 Was still as desolate as when 
 
 His steps were turned the other way 
 So long ago. Expecting then 
 
 To see such changes as are wrought 
 
 Sometimes by time, he reached the place, 
 
 And found it' the same quiet spot. 
 With eager eyes and quickened pace 
 
 He walked toward the humble hut 
 Standing apart and wearing still 
 
 Its coat of once red brilliance, but 
 Now dingy hue. The window-sill 
 
 On either side boasted a pot 
 
 Of blooming flowers. His heart now kept 
 Time with his steps. The garden-plot 
 
 Showed recent care. The ivy crept 
 
 25 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Around the doorstep just the same 
 As in the past. As he drew nigh 
 
 The door flew ope — a buxom dame 
 Regarded him with questioning eye. 
 
 vn 
 
 Suspicion marked her attitude. 
 
 What curious stranger now was this 
 Who walked up to her door and stood 
 
 As if the house and all were his? 
 
 Her sharp-voiced queries soon awoke 
 The man from his strange lethargy; 
 
 Then he removed his hat and spoke 
 The necessary inquiry. 
 
 And this is what the woman said: 
 
 "Are you their son? Can it be true? 
 
 Too late! — your parents are both dead. 
 We tried to send the news to you 
 
 Three times, but always 'twas returned. 
 
 'Tis two years since your mother died. 
 Your father pined and grieved and yearned 
 
 For her six months. Now side by side 
 
 They lie in yonder burial-place, 
 And you, who left them here alone 
 
 So many years, had best retrace 
 Your steps, — and let it not be known 
 
 26 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 That you are here, for you must know 
 These fisher-folks think very ill 
 
 Of you, and would soon tell you so. 
 Avoid their curses and ill-will 
 
 And go enjoy your friends and pelf! 
 
 Your parents both died blessing you. 
 I nursed and tended them myself, 
 
 And did for them what I could do. 
 
 They left me this," (waving a hand 
 To indicate the small homestead). 
 i€ 'Tis ample payment for me, and 
 You can do nothing for your dead 
 
 That I have not already done." 
 Then with a sudden, swift remorse 
 
 Her voice softened: "So you're their son! 
 You don't remember me of course, — 
 
 I, too, have changed. When a wee wench 
 'Twas you I worshipped from afar 
 
 As you sat reading on yon bench. 
 I know you now for what you are, 
 
 And only pity you. Out there" 
 (Pointing a finger towards the sea) 
 "Is my good man, but I've two fair 
 Sons who've not yet deserted me!" 
 
 "Forbear, good woman! I cannot 
 
 Endure much more," he hoarsely cried; 
 Go with me — show me to the spot 
 Where they are lying side by side." 
 
 a 
 
 27 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 When they had reached the spot he found 
 The graves both green and neatly kept — 
 
 A modest stone marking each mound. 
 He threw himself face down and wept 
 
 For shame, for grief, and for despair. 
 
 Then, as the shades of night drew nigh, 
 He left once more the hamlet, where 
 
 Was neither welcome nor good-by. 
 
 And then began the bitt'rest part 
 Of life that he as yet had known. 
 
 Weary of bod} 7 , sick of heart, 
 
 Homeless and friendless and alone, 
 
 He wandered here and wandered there — 
 Careless that funds were growing low; 
 
 Finding no comfort anywhere. 
 Then he decided he would go 
 
 Back to his old-time residence, 
 The city where he once did dwell 
 
 In gilded ease and opulence. 
 
 His erstwhile friends, he knew full well, 
 
 Would scarcely rcognize in him 
 The proud, ambitious gentleman 
 
 Of olden days. His eyes grew dim 
 With tears at first, then he began 
 
 To nurse an anger deep and dark 
 'Gainst those who once sat 'round his board- 
 
 28 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Men of the world who made their mark 
 As high as he yet were not lowered, 
 
 But worshipped still their gods of gold ; 
 
 And women, frivolous and vain 
 As they were fair and cruel-eold 
 
 To all the suffering and pain 
 
 Of those low in the social scale. 
 
 Well did he know himself to be 
 Forever now beyond the pale 
 
 Of what they called " society. " 
 
 All hypocrites they were at most; 
 
 But a determination grim 
 Beset him. He would face the host 
 
 Of old-time friends! — 'twould prove to him 
 
 If there was one good hypocrite, 
 
 Just one! to grasp his hand and smile, 
 
 And lift him from the darksome pit 
 Of his despair. After awhile 
 
 There came his chance. He reached the place 
 From which he (six months back) had fled. 
 
 He saw each old friend face to face, 
 And one by one they cut him dead ! 
 
 Bereft of family and wealth, 
 
 Owning no roof but heaven's dome, 
 
 Broken in spirit and in health, 
 
 He sought a poor man's humble home, 
 
 29 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 And begged a place beneath his roof, 
 For which he paid a paltry sum 
 
 Per week, and there he lived — sad proof 
 Of what a great man may become! 
 
 And as the chilly autumn wind 
 Grew more severe he grew more gaunt. 
 
 And though his humble friends were kind 
 He often felt the sting of want. 
 
 Mid scenes of poverty forlorn. 
 
 With naught of princely pomp or pride, 
 One summer morning he was born — 
 
 One stormy winter night he died. 
 
 30 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 A PAIR OF DREAMS 
 
 A SONG-TITLE DREAM 
 
 Once, In the Silent Hours of Night, 
 
 I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls, 
 Where Bygone Days and youth's delight 
 
 As shadows were on memory's walls; 
 For ah, methought that I had crossed 
 
 A golden bridge — The Bridge of Sighs, 
 And Far Away were you, and lost 
 
 Was love. 
 
 Then out 'neath starlit skies, 
 Methought, Alone, yet not Alone, 
 
 All in a Garden Fair I stood; 
 It Seemed that the Pale Moon Sadly Shone 
 
 In Sympathy with my sad mood. 
 "Oh, Were I but a Moonlight's Ray, 
 
 I'd back where Love Abides/ ' said I; 
 "If Sighs had Wings how swift away 
 
 My messengers to love would fly!" 
 
 And in my dream the hours were long — 
 
 The Sweetest Story ever Told 
 Was done — and hushed Love's Old Sweet Song; 
 
 Then, Just across the Bridge of Gold, 
 I, Looking Back, saw you once more, 
 
 And quickly did my soul rejoice; 
 You stood in Loveland — on its shore — 
 
 Although So Far Away, your voice 
 
 31 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Brought to my strained and list'ning ear 
 
 A message I can ne'er forget; 
 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, 
 "All's Well! I Live and Love Thee Yet!" 
 My heart then with Repentance fraught, 
 
 From choosing wrong twixt Love and Pride, 
 Leaped as I Never Would Have Thought. 
 "My Love is Calling me/' I cried, 
 
 "Why Among the Shadows longer yearn, 
 
 When love is All the World to Me? 
 Across the Bridge I'll now return." 
 
 Alas! It Was Not Thus to Be, 
 For, when I sought to cross The Bridge, 
 
 I found it was no longer there; 
 My eyes then sought the moonlit ridge 
 
 Where you had stood, and found it bare 
 
 Save for the stealthy waves that crept 
 
 Athwart its once untroubled sands. 
 "It is The Last Good-night," I wept 
 
 Despairingly and wrung my hands; 
 And swift and sudden as I spoke 
 
 The world grew barren of all gleam 
 Of light. In terror I awoke — 
 
 So glad to find It Was a Dream. 
 
 SEQUEL TO A SONG-TITLE DREAM 
 
 Last night I hearkened Jessie's Dream, 
 And of all Jingles, Jokes, and Rhymes 
 
 That dreamers give us, it did seem 
 The most unique; but I, at times, 
 
 32 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Have also had some visions queer, 
 And fain would tell as well if I 
 
 But had the power. Sweet Jessie, Dear 
 Inspires me with, "Why Don't You Try?' 
 
 And so I will — Coax Me no more! 
 
 I'm but a Merry Farmer's Boy, 
 'Tis true, but till Life's Dream is O'er 
 
 Dreaming will ever bring me joy. 
 'Twas Just One Year ago to-day 
 
 This dream began which I now tell, 
 And you — a Little Girl in Gray — 
 
 Was drawing water from a well; 
 
 And I, my heart all pit-a-pat 
 
 With boyish admiration quelled, 
 Was Teasing for a draught from that 
 
 Old Oaken Bucket which you held; 
 And Just for Sociability, 
 
 Then, side by side, we both did quaff 
 The water Ah! so Pure! Then we 
 
 United in a merry laugh; 
 
 And your sweet Message of the Eyes 
 
 Changed me straightway from boy to man, 
 Filling my heart with sweet surprise; 
 
 'Twas thus The Lover's Dream began, 
 And since, while wand 'ring here and there, 
 
 I'm Dreaming of my Darling's Face; 
 Your Lips, Your Eyes, Your Golden Hair 
 
 In visions follow me apace, 
 
 33 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Till I have come with heart awhirl, 
 
 To crave from you another boon — 
 I Want You for My All-time Girl 
 
 E'er wanes again yon fair June Moon; 
 And Just Because I Love You So, 
 
 My Dear, and just Because You're You, 
 How much I want you, you will know 
 
 Some Day — Some Day When Dreams Come 
 True; 
 
 So whisper softly in my ear 
 
 And tell me when that day will be ; 
 Smile On Me with Your Eyes so Dear 
 
 Now, and For all Eternity. 
 
 • • • • • • • 
 
 I Hear a Whisper in the Air — 
 
 'Tis Love's Reply, and quick does make 
 My dream so much more wondrous fair, 
 
 I care not ever to awake. 
 
 34 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 CLIPPINGS FROM AN OLD 
 MAID'S DIARY 
 
 A schoolgirl slender, shy, and "sweet sixteen,' ' 
 With eyes as blue as yon blue skies above, 
 
 Ringlets of gold in soft and silken sheen, 
 And heart as guileless as a turtle-dove; 
 No thought had she of lovers, or of love 
 
 Till Tom appeared one day upon the scene, 
 
 Then, presto ! — now what can the dear child mean 
 As in her diary she writes thereof? 
 
 "I know now what the tender passion is! 
 I am a queen and I have met my king ! 
 Tom loves me — he is mine and I am his; 
 But what will papa say, I'm wondering — 
 And mamma too? Ah! would they be en- 
 raged 
 To know that Tom and I are now engaged?" 
 
 n 
 
 Another careless year behind her lies. 
 Less shy, but fuller-formed and redder-lipped 
 Is she, but still a schoolgirl. Pa was wise — 
 Her "tender passion" in its bud was nipped 
 
 36 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Remorselessly, and Tom, "her king," has 
 skipped 
 Away, leaving "his queen' ' to tears and sighs; 
 Then Dick comes, and she wipes her tearful eyes 
 
 And writes thus in her private manuscript : 
 
 "Dear Dick and I have planned how some fine 
 day 
 We will elope. (Dick's handsome but he's 
 not 
 A dollar, — but what's money, anyway, 
 
 Compared to love in some dear little cot?) 
 On bread and cheese and kisses we will live, 
 Trusting that some day papa will forgive." 
 
 in 
 
 Now one more year is gone, and she is through 
 With schoolbooks. As a "sweet girl graduate" 
 
 She's had her say (and looked most charming too) ! 
 And then — all eager to investigate 
 The flowery paths of Fashion that await 
 
 Her footsteps, she, amid a great ado 
 
 Of social meteors, makes her debut. 
 
 Then Harry comes. She writes thus of her fate : 
 
 "Harry does say the sweetest things to me! 
 
 I adore a man who's good at compliment. 
 He's handsome too. I rather think we'd be 
 
 A striking couple. If pa will consent, 
 I think when Harry asks me I'll say yes; 
 Then life for us will be all happiness." 
 
 36 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 IV 
 
 Three more years pass and she is twenty-one, — 
 
 Tom, Dick, and Harry are things of the past. 
 She thinks she's been a little simpleton, 
 
 And settles down to good, sound sense at last. 
 
 Offers of marriage have come thick and fast 
 But prudent grown, she has accepted none; 
 Deeming herself most worthy to be won, 
 
 'Tis thus her thoughts on paper now are cast : 
 
 "I've just decided to give Charlie up. 
 
 Handsome is he, but poor as a church-mouse. 
 I'll make a brilliant marriage yet, I hope, 
 
 And be the mistress of some lordly house. 
 My own attractiveness is evident; 
 I can afford to wait and be content.' ' 
 
 Another year goes by. Her life still teems 
 With social joys and fashionable delights. 
 
 At twenty-one she meets with one who deems 
 Her as his soul's true mate, and he invites 
 Her now to share with him the hard-earned heights 
 
 His intellect has won. At times he seems 
 
 To be the hero of her maiden-dreams; 
 
 But there is something lacking, so she writes 
 
 Of her decision in that book of books — 
 Her diary: "I've just refused poor Ned. 
 
 I know he's wealthy, and I like his looks, 
 And I know, too, he's clever and well-bred; 
 But he is far too prosy and lacks style. 
 I'm sure to meet the right one after 'while." 
 
 37 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 VI 
 
 The next two years are passed in ceaseless quest 
 Of that " right one," while traits, till now, inert 
 
 Within her nature spring to life. The zest 
 Of her admirers wanes. She — e'er alert — 
 Perceives the change. Her vanity is hurt. 
 
 Bound to arouse anew their interest, 
 
 She trifles with men's hearts and now, as best, 
 Is looked upon as an outrageous flirt! 
 
 And thus she writes her inmost thoughts once more 
 "I wonder why I'm still unmarried now, 
 
 And why 'he' never comes! I'm twenty-four! 
 I believe I've been a fool, but, anyhow, 
 My next offer I'll quick as light 'ning flash, 
 Accept, (that is, if he has got the cash) ! ' ' 
 
 VII 
 
 At twenty-five her air is not so gay, 
 At twenty-six her cheeks are not so pink. 
 
 The scarcity of lovers she, each day, 
 Now realizes, and begins to think 
 Cash is not indispensable. The brink 
 
 Of spinsterhood is now not far away. 
 
 At twenty-eight she hopes that yet she may 
 Have one more offer, and with pen and ink 
 
 Writes down her maiden hopes, without a fear: 
 " I mean to wed as soon now as I can. 
 A quiet marriage, then the cosy cheer 
 
 Of my own home — the love of a good man, 
 And little children playing 'round the fire — 
 This is my fondest dream and my desire." 
 
 38 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 VIII 
 
 At twenty-nine she finds herself surprised. 
 
 Another year has glided swiftly by 
 And still her dream remains unrealized. 
 
 She feels so bad about it she could cry! 
 
 She never has an offer now, and why? 
 With all her manly friends she's sympathized, 
 And danced, and chatted, and sometimes advised,- 
 
 But vainly. Then she thinks, "No use to try!" 
 
 And thus at thirty, in her diary 
 
 She writes: "I'm so unhappy — I'm afraid 
 
 I'll never find the right one now. Dear me, 
 I'll die if anyone calls me 'old maid!' " 
 
 Then in her great despair and restlessness, 
 
 She spends more time and care upon her dress. 
 
 IX 
 
 At thirty-two she gives up dancing, "For 
 
 (She writes) "at all the balls that I attend, 
 The men are such poor partners. I abhor 
 
 Bad dancing, and I hate to snub a friend. 
 
 I've pondered o'er it, and now, at the end, 
 Am sure I'll either have to snub them, or 
 Not go. I'll choose the latter method nor 
 
 Will I regret it." Then things of this trend 
 
 She also writes at age of thirty-three: 
 "I wonder why a man is such a fool! 
 He'll leave at all times the society 
 Of women sensible, and as a rule 
 Prefers a corner, where for hours he'll sit 
 And flirt with some impertinent young chit." 
 
 39 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 At thirty-four she hears some startling news: 
 
 Her lifelong friend (her own age) is to be 
 Soon wedded to a wealthy bachelor whose 
 
 Regard she once did crave (but secretly). 
 The bosom friend is interviewed and she 
 Declares she wouldn't be in that friend's shoes 
 For worlds! A wordy quarrel then ensues 
 In which they both agree to disagree; 
 
 Then, in the sacred precincts of her room 
 She writes once more the secrets of her soul, 
 
 And pities all her women-friends for whom 
 Marriage, it seems, is the life-given role: 
 "They're mostly married now while I'm still free, 
 
 But wait awhile, we'll see what we will see." 
 
 XI 
 
 And she does find much comfort in the woes 
 And sad misfortunes that come now and then 
 
 To married people, although some of those 
 Are her best friends. She's rated all the men, 
 And pitied women o'er and o'er again 
 
 Till with good reason one might now suppose, 
 
 As time goes on, her friends would turn to foes; 
 Not so! They all forgive her, and lo! when 
 
 She's reached the good ripe age of thirty-six, 
 
 Her private writings tell how she decides 
 To mind her own affairs and no more mix 
 
 40 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 In other people's! Hence, she now abides 
 In peace — a fine old maid with not 
 A care on earth, and contented with her lot. 
 
 xn 
 
 (WHAT SHE WILL PBOBABLY WRITE TEN YEAB8 HENCE) 
 
 "By my own fireside with my dog and cat, 
 
 (Not burdened either with false friends or pelf) 
 
 I sit as I so many times have sat 
 
 Thinking of Life and Fate (the fickle elf) ! 
 
 With cheer in plenty on my pantry shelf 
 And welcome always gracing my doormat 
 For those who seek me, (and thank God for that) ! 
 
 I smile contentedly and ask myself: 
 
 " 'What have I ever yet found to regret 
 
 Along the path of life's appointed role?' 
 And my reply is, 'Not one thing!' and yet 
 I know deep down within my inmost soul 
 I'd not so dread the shady side of life, 
 Were I but someone's mother — someone's wife!" 
 
 41 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS VERSES 
 
 JUNE TIME 
 
 A warm, sweet night in June; 
 A paling, waning moon, 
 
 Low in the sky; 
 A farmhouse portico 
 Where climbing roses grow; 
 
 And you and I 
 By differences beset, 
 Are unrelenting met 
 
 To say good-by. 
 
 Rich scent of fruit and flowers 
 From trees and garden bowers; 
 
 Soft winds that sway 
 The rustling eglantine; 
 Two voices (yours and mine) 
 
 Eager to say 
 Our doom — in fierce unrest — 
 Agreeing that 'tis best 
 
 To part for aye! 
 
 A meeting of cold lips; 
 A touch of finger tips; 
 (A heart like stone) ! 
 A tear upon your cheek 
 
 42 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 My sorrow to bespeak 
 
 And you are gone! 
 Will you return? . . . Too late! 
 In vain I watch and wait — 
 
 I am alone. 
 
 foolish, stubborn youth 
 That chooses to leave truth 
 
 Thus all unspoke! 
 Oh, strong and cruel will 
 That can so trifle till 
 
 Two hearts are broke! 
 Dear, I was in the wrong — 
 
 1 know it now, and long 
 To tell you so. 
 
 Your love was pure and true — 
 I'm sorrowing but you 
 Will never know. 
 
 To 
 
 Only a memory — 
 
 Lines dim with age, you see, 
 
 But ah, so true! 
 Yon shines the same pale moon, 
 And many a fragrant June 
 
 (Since our adieu) 
 Has come and gone, and yet 
 Never will I forget 
 
 That night and you. 
 
 43 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 THE SCHOOLMA'AM'S VACATION 
 
 From the busy life of a worker to the idleness of a 
 
 guest ; 
 From cares that fret to joys new-met; 
 From drudgery to rest; 
 From duties that bind and vex the mind. 
 To the blue, blue sky and the summer wind; 
 From dingy walls to boughs that bless 
 My laziness! 
 
 From the narrow aisles of the school-room to the 
 
 meadowland stretching wide; 
 From endless books to grassy nooks; 
 From desk to river-side; 
 From voices that ring with questioning 
 To the ripening fields where the glad larks sing; 
 From dull dry facts to dreams that throng 
 With love and song! 
 
 From a teacher weary of teaching to a student by 
 Nature taught; 
 
 From pens and ink to bowers pink with roses fragrance- 
 fraught ; 
 
 From days that can mean but dull routine 
 
 To cool garden-walls where the lilies lean; 
 
 From all things else to thy sweet charm — 
 Valley Farm! 
 
 44 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 OCTOBER 
 
 Once more she is here, the fair rival of June, 
 
 And her coming is wondrous as ever, 
 For her footsteps are timed to a glorious tune — 
 
 The tune that we tire of never; 
 A song of the cheer she, ev'ry year, 
 
 Has never yet failed to bring with her, 
 And the old-time charm for town or farm 
 
 As she gaily comes tripping hither. 
 
 Russet and yellow and scarlet leaves; 
 
 Vines where the clustering wild grapes cling; 
 Harvests of apples and golden sheaves; 
 
 Fragrance as sweet as the breath of spring. 
 
 Was ever a summer so charming as this 
 
 Sweet time of autumnal surprises'? 
 How warm blow the breezes, yet soft as a kiss! 
 
 Such sunsets and such sunrises! 
 Through meadows, by burns, in fields of ferns, 
 
 We wander in moods more sober, 
 And mid the gleam of gold we dream 
 
 The dreams that belong to October. 
 
 Never had summer such gorgeous dress — 
 Never such brilliance at morn or noon; 
 
 Therefore October in loveliness 
 Certainly outvies her rival June. 
 
 45 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 THE MORNING SONG 
 
 There's a dear little bird in the old cherry tree 
 Just outside my window, that sings to me 
 In the quiet hours of the early morn 
 A song that is full of a hope newborn. 
 I have hearkened the notes so wild and free, 
 Till my heart is attuned to its minstrelsy, 
 And all summer long, 'twas the same sweet song 
 Of cheer and good comradery. 
 
 Oh, it sang of the fruit hanging red on the trees, 
 The ripening grain and the grassy leas, 
 The fragrant blossoms with dew impearled, 
 The children who come to brighten the world, 
 The wonderful mountains, the healthful breeze, 
 The beauty and grandeur of mighty seas; 
 Such, so it seems, were the chosen themes 
 Of these birdsong melodies. 
 
 But in summer that tree was a green, green tower — 
 A beautiful shelter from sun or shower 
 For the resting-place of that tiny bird 
 Whose song is the sweetest I've ever heard. 
 Now the green has vanished with ev'ry flower, 
 And the tree is changed to a red and gold bower, 
 Where the bird still sings, and each morn still brings 
 New joy to my waking hour. 
 
 Oh, dear little bird in your bower so gay, 
 You have made October as sweet as May; 
 
 46 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 But the leaves of your bower will soon turn brown, 
 Then the winds of November will bring them down, 
 And the morning will dawn, all bleak and gray, 
 When 111 waken to find you have flown away; 
 But 'twill bring no pain, for the song will remain 
 In my heart forever and aye. 
 
 MAY 8, 1910 
 Acrostic 
 
 My soul to-day knows naught but memories — 
 Environments of youth — clear sparkling streams, 
 Meadows, and lanes, and field-paths, bright with gleams 
 Of glorious summer sunshine; vines and trees 
 Rustling their low responses to the breeze; 
 In wreathing blossoms; songs of birds; it seems 
 Each moment brings to me, in golden dreams, 
 Sweet scenes, sweet scents, and sweet sounds such as 
 
 these. 
 Melt not away, dear dreams! I see the face 
 Of that dear one whom I've not seen for long — 
 The face of her whose love blessed the home-place. 
 Hark, now I hear her voice! — an old-time song — 
 Each note a benison to cheer my way — 
 Restful and sweet and fitting to the day. 
 
 47 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 A PROLOGUE 
 
 Time never did begin and never ends; 
 
 It is — and e'er has been and e'er will be 
 
 An omnipresent vast eternity, 
 
 Wherein each moment (though unheeded) lends 
 
 Something to life that either mars or mends; 
 
 Each day, gliding away so silently 
 
 And swiftly, is an anniversary 
 
 For gladness or regrets. 
 
 And so, my friends, 
 Let us now pause at this auspicious hour 
 Wherein so many pasts and futures meet, 
 And while the bells ring out so loud and clear, 
 Resolve to overthrow with all our power 
 The ghosts of past mistakes, and gladly greet 
 The opportunities of this New Year. 
 
 January 1, 1911. 
 
 ACROSTIC 
 
 How thrills the heart of him who, after years 
 Of wandering, decides no more to roam! 
 Music of voices long unheard now fills his ears, 
 Echos of vanished joys, y«t tokens of sweet home ! 
 
 48 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 DIVIDING LINES 
 
 A shy sweet time of mingled rhyme, 
 
 A low, soft interlude; 
 
 A tender tune 'twixt morn and noon, 
 
 When Childhood and Womanhood 
 
 Meet on the banks of Time's swift stream, 
 
 Pause, hesitate as in a dream, 
 
 Gazing in thoughtful mood; 
 One must away and one may stay — 
 
 There's naught to interclude. 
 
 Lo, as they stand in wonder and 
 
 In doubt, from yonder wood 
 Love doth appear, and drawing near, 
 
 Sweet Love now doth interclude. 
 Time beckons, ever flowing on; 
 Behold! Childhood is vanished — gone! 
 
 Love, be it understood, 
 Hath gained the day to hold full sway 
 
 With beauteous Womanhood. 
 
 ACROSTIC 
 
 Bread to the hungry lips; wine to the weak; 
 Oasis to the weary eye that looks 
 On desert wastes for long; boon to lone souls who seek 
 Kindly companionship — sweet sympathy to bespeak; 
 So is to me the blessed eomradery of books. 
 
 49 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 THE DISTRICT SCHOOL 
 
 I've a pleasant recollection 
 
 Of a quiet farming section 
 
 In a certain valley that I used to know, 
 
 Where with slow but sure gradation 
 
 I began my education 
 In the land of Far-away and Long-ago. 
 
 And the place where I was entered 
 
 As a student was well centered, 
 
 Standing on a strip of pasture flat and low, 
 Where the country lads and lasses 
 Romped around among the grasses, 
 
 And the grazing cattle wandered to and fro. 
 
 Oh, how well do I remember 
 How each year, I, from September, 
 With my dinner-pail trudged miles in rain or 
 snow 
 
 Until June roses were blooming; 
 
 But let no one be presuming 
 There was e'er a time I didn't want to go. 
 
 Pumpkin College (I'll be candid) 
 
 Was the name the school was handed 
 
 At the time 'twas built, and neither friend 
 
 nor foe 
 E'er expressed a wish to change it, 
 Although someone did arrange it 
 Into plain P. C. — for brevity, I trow. 
 
 50 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 And we had all sorts of teachers — 
 Smart young men and fair girl-creatures, 
 And for sake of change, a cross old 
 
 maid or so; 
 But they each one did their duty — 
 And we learned! That was the beauty 
 Of the good old-fashioned schools of long ago ! 
 
 Those were days of "yes, ma'am," "no, 
 ma'am," 
 "Please may I speak?" and "May I go, 
 ma'am?" 
 And when classes to recite stood in a row. 
 Then if rules should go unheeded 
 And a punishment be needed, 
 That was what the teacher hastened to bestow. 
 
 "Jogfry," history, and grammar 
 Patiently they all did hammer, 
 The way we learned the three R's was 
 
 not slow — 
 Oh, we stored up useful knowledge 
 By the peck at Pumpkin College 
 In the land of Far-away and Long-ago. 
 
 51 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 THE TRUE INTERPRETER 
 
 Who is the one of the dwellers on earth 
 That in seasons of sadness or of mirth, 
 In palace or hovel, from short to shore, 
 'Mongst beautiful faces the wide world o'er, 
 Finds graces more lovely and charms more rare 
 In the face of a child unspoiled by care ? 
 Oh, 'tis he who has toiled with a parent's pride 
 Or she who has prayed by the cradle-side. 
 
 Who understands it, the heart of that child, 
 
 So innocent, pure, and undefiled? 
 
 'Tis he who has hearkened the laughter gay 
 
 Of his own happy little ones at play — 
 
 Or she who has sat in the twilight deep 
 
 Rocking and crooning her babes to sleep. 
 
 Oh, the heart of a child, with its joys and woes, 
 
 Only a father or mother knows. 
 
 52 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 THE THREE GRACES 
 Acrostic 
 
 Fresh, sweet, and cool the west winds come and go 
 And wander here and there and to and fro. 
 I see them not, and yet I know they blow ! 
 Thus in life's purpose would appear no wraith 
 Had we but this same certitude of faith. 
 
 How fair the rays of winter sun now fall 
 Over the rain-wet grasses of yon slope ! 
 Peerlessly bright so comes to my sad soul 
 Ever the golden glimmerings of hope. 
 
 Charity — covering for a host of sins! — 
 How good to meet with it amongst the ins 
 And outs of life where oft lurks calumny! 
 Rare is that one of us who would not say 
 It was, will be, and is — to cheer our way — 
 The grace most needed by humanity, 
 Yesterday and to-morrow and to-day. 
 
 53 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 TOWN AND COUNTRY DREAMS 
 
 By two firesides brightly gleaming 
 
 Sit two women, each one dreaming 
 
 Of the days of long ago too quickly spent; 
 
 And each deems the past more pleasant 
 
 Than the busy, dizzy present, 
 And their hearts are filled with bitter discontent. 
 
 One's a dweller in the city, 
 
 And her home is small but pretty — 
 
 Just a grassy plot and cosy bungalow; 
 
 But she don't want such near neighbors. 
 
 And no matter how she labors 
 'Tis not like the dear old home she used to know. 
 
 For she was a farmer's daughter 
 
 Till a city lad besought her 
 
 To become his ever true and loving wife, 
 
 Which she did with zest and laughter, 
 
 And was sorry ever after, 
 For she found she did not like a city life. 
 
 Now the children that came to her, 
 
 It would seem, might help to woo her 
 
 Into paths of sweet contentment; but not so! 
 
 'Tis for sake of their sweet childhood 
 
 She longs for the country wildwood 
 And a home like that old home she used to know. 
 
 But her husband works for wages, 
 And it seems to her as ages 
 
 54 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Since the time when they could e'er afford a day 
 
 Just to spend in pure enjoyment. 
 
 Then the times of "no employment' ' 
 Also help to make her thoughts moody and gray. 
 • ••••• 
 
 In the country dwells the other; 
 
 She too is a wife and mother, 
 
 And her husband is "the man behind the hoe." 
 
 Their farmhouse is wide and roomy, 
 
 But she thinks it very gloomy, 
 For 'tis not the dear old home she used to know. 
 
 She was once a city maiden, 
 
 And her pathways had been laden 
 
 With the pleasures that belong to city life; 
 But a country laddie wooed her, 
 And henceforth "misunderstood" her, 
 
 For she did not want to be a farmer's wife! 
 
 'Tis to her a tribulation 
 
 That her children's education 
 
 Must be trusted to a country school, and oh, 
 As she rests now from her labors 
 How she longs for "next door neighbors" 
 
 And a home like that old home she used to know. 
 
 She could stand the work, if only 
 
 She were not so very lonely; 
 
 And it seems her husband cannot spare a day 
 
 Just to spend in pure enjoyment. 
 
 'Tis continuous employment 
 That has helped to make her thoughts moody and gray. 
 
 55 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 So by these two firesides gleaming 
 
 These two women still sit dreaming, 
 
 Till the bright noonday of life is quickly spent ; 
 
 And their homes that might be pleasant 
 
 Are the scenes of ever-present 
 Bickerings, disputes, and ditter discontent. 
 
 Why, dear hearts, such useless fretting 
 
 For those things you can't be getting? 
 
 Seize the jo}^ that daily in your pathway lies, 
 And you'll instantly discover 
 Home is home the wide world over 
 
 And 'tis up to you to make it paradise. 
 
 THE HOME CITY 
 Acrostic 
 
 Yonder thy namesake's crest towers gleaming, 
 
 0, thou City Beautiful! 
 
 Under the golden sunshine streaming, 
 
 Lucidly calm, thy sea lies dreaming, 
 
 Lazily kissed by the breezes cool. 
 
 Lawn and park and garden vying 
 In a blossomy perfume; 
 Knoll and nook and terrace lying — 
 Evidence of brilliant bloom. 
 
 Thou hast been home, and thou shalt still be, 
 
 And thou art called, and ever will be, 
 
 City of Destiny. 
 
 Oh, how with pride thy beauties fill me! 
 
 My homesick heartstrings, how they'd thrill me 
 
 Afar were I from thee! 
 
 56 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 AFTER DINNER DREAMS 
 
 'Tis the hour just after dining. 
 
 In two easy chairs reclining, 
 
 Each with feet perched on the table of his den, 
 
 Lost in pipe-dream variations 
 
 And cigar smoke cogitations, 
 At the good ripe age of forty, sit two men. 
 
 One's a husband and a father 
 
 Cumbered with the cost and bother 
 
 Of a business, and a house, and children three, 
 
 And a wife with tastes expensive; 
 
 So he ponders, quite defensive, 
 And at times he almost wishes he were free. 
 
 If he only had stayed single! 
 
 He can almost hear the jingle 
 
 Of the coin he'd have in plenty ev'ry day! 
 
 And life might be just as cheerful — 
 
 Anyway, 'tis simply fearful, 
 Just to think of all the bills he has to pay. 
 
 Telephone, gas, light, and water, 
 Singing lessons for his daughter; 
 Groceries and meat and laundry bills galore! 
 
 Then the milkman and the baker, 
 
 And the tailor and dressmaker — 
 Oh, it fairly makes him blue to count them o'er! 
 
 Big assessments, too, and taxes. 
 While the earth turns on its axis 
 
 57 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Such as he must hustle just the best he can; 
 
 Then his thoughts begin to wander 
 
 And he, calmer grown and fonder, 
 Knows he'd not exchange his place with any man. 
 
 Wifie (bless the little woman) 
 
 Makes mistakes (to err is human) ; 
 
 But she's just the sweetest wife a man could get; 
 
 And Marie, Jack, and the baby — 
 
 They're a bit expensive, maybe, 
 But he's glad he's got the darlings, yes, you bet! 
 • • • • • • • 
 
 And how goes it with the other? 
 
 He lives with his "dear, old mother" 
 
 Having firmly vowed "no wedding bells for him!" 
 
 So now as he smokes and ponders 
 
 Over this and that, he wonders 
 Why his life of late seems barren of all vim. 
 
 Nothing's quite as he expected 
 
 After all. He's quite dejected — 
 
 Mother's growing old, he'll soon be left alone; 
 
 And the thought is most distressful. 
 
 His career has been successful 
 In a business way, but what's the use of own- 
 ing so much cash with none to spend it? 
 Life's so dull he fain would end it! 
 There were lots of girls he could have had, you bet! 
 
 But he waited long in choosing. 
 
 Then at last he falls to musing 
 O'er the girls he would have had, but couldn't get. 
 
 Would he really be more happy 
 As a husband and a pappy? 
 
 58 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 Is the question that he asks himself, and he,- 
 After all the years he's tarried — 
 Almost wishes he were married 
 
 And the father of a little family. 
 
 Then he spies the evening papers 
 
 And reads all the sporting capers, 
 
 Notices of births and deaths and newly wed, 
 
 Lenghty woman's rights discourses, 
 
 And a long list of divorces; 
 Then he smiles contentedly and goes to bed. 
 
 AFTER RAIN 
 
 What is so rare as a day after a fall-rain in Washington! And 
 June roses are still blooming.— Tacorna Daily Ledger, September 20, 
 1910. 
 
 Throughout the world to seek would be in vain 
 
 'Mongst Nature's beauties, for there's naught so 
 
 rare 
 As this — a day spent in the open air, 
 
 Where, all night long, the passive earth has lain 
 
 Cooled and refreshed by heavy autumn rain; 
 Made sweet, as if in June, by roses fair 
 And rich with ripened fruits, from ev'rywhere 
 
 Sending forth spicy fragrances. 
 
 I fain 
 Would linger long in pathways such as these 
 
 And deem the halcyon hours as time well spent; 
 
 Courting the fond caress of wind and sun, 
 The sympathy of flowers and grass and trees, 
 Blest with the fresh new hope, the calm content 
 
 Of an autumn day in western Washington. 
 
 59 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 A DAY'S RECKONING 
 
 What is woman's life 
 When Destiny's keen-edged knife, 
 Cleaving chaotic night away, 
 Reveals a tremulous Break o' Day, 
 
 And golden grows the sky? 
 Kisses, slumber, calm content, 
 Small eyes that gaze in wonderment; 
 Fond mother-prayers to heaven sent, 
 And low lullabies, breathed tenderly; 
 Thus is Innocence, Truth, and Purity 
 
 With Faith eternal blent, 
 While the angels watch on high, 
 
 And golden grows the sky. 
 
 What is woman's life 
 When Youth's dewy joys are rife — 
 When the brow of Morning, just begun, 
 Is warmly kissed by the rising sun, 
 
 And rosy is the sky? 
 Music, mirth, and laughter gay; 
 A little work, a deal of play, 
 And dreaming of idle hours away; 
 While yon broad vista stretches bright, 
 Viewed ever thus, in the rosy light 
 
 Of Hope's eternal ray. 
 Oh, the shining moments fly 
 
 When rosy is the sky! 
 
 60 
 
BROWN STUDIES 
 
 What is woman's life 
 
 As maiden and as wife, 
 
 When Morn has changed to burning Noon, 
 
 And passion's storm-clouds dim too soon 
 
 The azure of the sky? 
 Draughts of pleasure, rich and rare, 
 Mutt 'rings of doubt and clouds of care, 
 Fears, blasted hopes, storms of despair — 
 Then lo! a haven of welcome rest, 
 With balm for weary hearts depressed, 
 
 And Love eternal there, 
 While the years glide swiftly by, 
 
 And azure is the sky. 
 
 What is woman's life 
 When ends the day's long strife 
 And she, serene in the fading light, 
 Awaits the swift on-coming night 
 
 While dull-gray is the sky? 
 Lurking shadows, dense and deep, 
 All silently around her creep, 
 While mem'ries long, long vigils keep; 
 Then, when the last good-night is said, 
 How welcome is the narrow bed, 
 
 Eternal Peace, and Sleep! 
 'Tis beautiful thus to die, 
 
 When dull-gray is the sky. 
 
 61 
 
DEC 18 1311 
 
One copy del. to Cat. Div. 
 
 mm 
 
 •EC « !«l 
 

 m