Classic Poem

The merriment that followed was subdued —
As though the story-teller's attitude
Were dual, in a sense, appealing quite
As much to sorrow as to mere delight,
According, haply, to the listener's bent
Either of sad or merry temperament. —
" And of your two appeals I much prefer
The pathos, " said " The Noted Traveler, " —
" For should I live to twice my present years,
I know I could not quite forget the tears
That child-eyes bleed, the little palms nailed wide,
And quivering soul and body crucified. . . .
But, bless them! there are no such children here
To-night, thank God! — Come here to me, my dear! "
He said to little Alex, in a tone
So winning that the sound of it alone
Had drawn a child more loathful to his knee: —
" And, now-sir, I'll agree if you'll agree, —
You tell us all a story, and then I
Will tell one. "
" But I can't . "
" Well, can't you try? "
" Yes, Mister: he kin tell one . Alex, tell
The one, you know, 'at you made up so well,
About the Bear . He allus tells that one, "
Said Bud , — " He gits it mixed some 'bout the gun
An' ax the Little Boy had, an' apples , too. " —
Then Uncle Mart said — " There, now! that'll do! —
Let Alex tell his story his own way! "
And Alex, prompted thus, without delay
Began.