American essays -- 19th century; Short stories, American
Let those who will, linger before the marble statue, or chiseled urn
of the rich; dearer to me is the grave of the poor man’s child, where
the tiny, half-worn shoe, is sad and fitting monument. Dearer to me, the
moldy toys, the whip, the cap, the doll, the faded locks of hair, on
which countless suns have risen and set, and countless showers have shed
their kindly tears. And yet for the infant army who slumber there, I can
not weep; for I bethink me of the weary toil and strife; the wrecks that
strew the life-coast; the plaint of the weary-hearted, unheard in life’s
fierce clamor; the remorseless, iron heel of strength, on the quivering
heart of weakness; the swift-winged, poisoned arrow of cruel slander;
the hearts that are near of kin as void of love; and I thank God that
the little shoes were laid aside, and the dreary path untrod.
And yet, not all drear, for, as I pass along, I read, in graven lines,
of those who periled life to save life; who parted raging billows and
forked flames, at woman’s wild, despairing shriek, and childhood’s
helpless wail. Honor to such dauntless spirits, while there are eyes to
moisten and hearts to feel!
Beautiful Greenwood! with thy feathery swaying willows, thy
silver-voiced fountains and glassy lakes: with thy grassy knolls and
shady dells; with thy “Battle Hill,” whose sod of yore was nourished by
brave men’s blood. The sailor here rests him well, in sound of old
Ocean’s roar; the fireman heeds nor booming bell, nor earthly trump, nor
hurried tramp of anxious feet; the pilot’s bark is moored and voyage
o’er; the school-boy’s lesson conned; beauty’s lid uncloses not, though
rarest flowers bloom above her; no husband’s hand is outstretched to her
who stoops with jealous care to pluck the obtrusive weed which hides the
name she, lonely, bears; no piping, bird-like voice, answers the
anguished cry, “My child, my child!” but, still the mourners come, and
sods fall dull and heavy on loved and loving hearts, and the busy spade
heeds never the dropping tears; and for her who writes, and for them who
read--ere long--tears in their turn shall fall. God help us all.
GETTING UP THE WRONG WAY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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