PS 3545 . 1638 C5 1917 Copy 1 HARLOTT a Higher Thought Story By Samuel Mansfield Wilson CHARLOTT 3 UiGilER TUOUGilT STORY BY Samuel Mansfield Wilson Coprrlf,'bt 1917, by Samuel XlanftielcJ Wilson Fress ol •' The Purk Record " Fnrk City. I'tah ^i''^r.c X^- Si Zo ni>^ Sister — (Xccella fTDatella A'Ikisc s\ iiijiatliy ami daily kindness shines Beneath the chmd of others saddened mood Who saw within my weak and simple lines, 1'lie innei' feeliii'^s, chitiieil in hniyuao'e nide ©C1.A460347 MAR 27 1917 n^ 1 . Samuel >IanK{i<>I coiiiiiarcd To radio-activity's unknown foi-cc, Whose li.n'ht and heat with all the world is sliM-ed Without snbti'actiui;' from the primal souree. Jt would have caused to take a downward course, Unnumbered suitors, had not her |iure soul .^spil•ed to reacli a liii;lier, nobler i;dal. The flawless, tru<^ contour of form and feature. Does not describe real beauty — it defines A marble statue's counterfeit of nature — Alt[iou.i;-ii a master chisel chipiied the lines. Beauty is the snow-white soul which shines Tlii'ou,<;'li (.'Very a,n'ent that we reco,i;nize — The form, the liaii-, the checks, the li])s, the eves. ijeauty fades, if the ])ossessoi- loses fVom evil caus(>, this vital, ,i;'ranr('ss to t^harlott 's iiiFaiic-y — ima.iiiiK^ slu' as now a little i^'irl. With \"iolet eyes and li]»s that scciikmI tn be Two clierrit's, half sulnncr.ncd in li(|ni(l coi-al; With anbiirn hair, in thick and wavy cnrl, Kxemplifying trnc love nianitest — Th(> b<'ing's Clii-ist called to his side, and hlesi. 11. riie kindly matron of the orphanan'e Informed her that her ])arents each had died, When slie was but a baby. Then her age Was five, and she remembers clearly how she criedi, Ami we forgive the matron if she lied — A lie sh()idedigree starts next \'(M'se. CileiRlOTT •lb. T will not laud his name or throw boiKiut-ts, But say that lie was good in each respect — It sounds more sensible than hollow jiraise. While he embraced no "isni," "cult" or "sect," J le was a Christian, firm, secure, erect, I'liough he may be, irom others point of \-iew, A ' demagoii-nt'," "agnostic," "heretic" or "Jew." ■li\. He came into tlieii' midst two years bcfoi-e, From whence, except "down l^just," he did not state, -Vnd purchased, shortly afterward, a store. Was tall and handsome and just twenty-eight, And angled tor witli matriujonial bait. His ])ast to all was clothed in mystei'y, So T will give vou his life's liistoiw His father was a "mollusk," wiui descried His wife and baby at a tender age. Of all the weaklings, thus so fai- re])oi-t('d, This kind of "jelly fish," receives the badge — They love the sweets of life, and shirk the wage. I'he law should force deserters of their wives To care for howling children all their lives. 28. His mother's heart was bi-nkeii and she ciiose To sink, in order that her child might rise; Her unsophistication did disclose, No other path to her desijairing eyes. Fusehooled and helpless, simjjle and unwise, Her Christian ]jrecepts with hei- sins collide. And Will was five years old the day she died. 29. A country merchant down in old X'ei-mont, Had just one only daughter to his ci-edit. He always had desired and felt the want Of sons to helj) and cheer him, and he said it Was not his blame, because the sons weiv "debit," And so to jiiece out his desire's lack. He seized on Will, in town, and bi-ought him back. A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY H JIo proved a ftithcr and a tViciid to Will, By ck'an c'xam])le's true piiiinsojildcs — Endeavoring, always kindly, to instill Into the boy tlic nolilo- (|nalities. A man of force and ]»oise, of sense and ease, The teaeliing's whicli seem light in youthfnl ears, IJctnrn re(|((Td)le(| n1 iiiatin-(M' years. The merchant died when Will was twenty-oiie, And made a wisely-foolish last request, "That he would wed his daughter, and Ix'come Joint-heir, recei\'ing his entire l)e([nest." The daughter loved him two times more than ))est. .And he loved less the more she worshipped him; Consenting, just to please the old man's whim. 32. He stro\"e his liest to lov<' his sister-wife. Rut civil war was i aging in his hi-east; Emotional insurrection's deadly sti-ife Was shaking his small kingdom with unrest, n'he eimsummation of tliat dear i\^(|uest. Amalgamated duty with deception — lie could not mix them ami esca]>e combustion. 33. "1 iiKinied >'on to ])l(^ase my dying i'ather. But this false tie must not ]jer])etuate; To cut my right hand otf 1 would natch rathei-, Than that the bonds lie indeteiininate," "I cannot love you, and 1 do not hate," The v.'ite i-e])lied with feeling; "Yes, 1 know If you feel that way, you are free to go." ;!4. A lady demonstrator came one day, To boost a new food-tad, and aid extortion. She stirred in beauty Avith the food, some way, And serx'ed ;dluring smiles with e\-ery ]iortion. Made "goo goo" eyes at Will, for mere diversion — }fer cham))agne glances warmed him uj) inside — He did not know those bubbling dimples lied. CHciRLOTT 3o. Perceiving how the "rural lobster" fell A prey to her trained eyes' mesmeric lash, She seized the opportunity to sell Flii-tation as a "side line" to tlic "hash"— It did not pay to simply make a "mash." She was a workini;' girl and needed cash, So h.^ tell in licr fisli-scinc wit'i a splash. lie told tlie charmer of tlie dying wish That he should wed the unloveddoving si)ouse. The sorcerer then replied unto the "fish," "Not time, nor your unkindliness, can douse. My love fii-""s (pienchloss riamc, nor limits himse My measureless and all-extending love — What shall we do? Oh, helj) us, licavcn ahovc!" ;57. lie answi'i'cd h<'r: "Onr l<)\"e is so intense, To save a scandal you must go frt)m hence, Resigned by i)hiusible and false pretense. And live in town, in style, at my exijfu^c. Your beauty should be matched with oi)id('nc(', And it will be the safer, sanei' course. For each of us, awaiting the divorce." .'IS. She lived in town ami "Willie" ])aid the bills; jMeanwhile, his droojjing s])irits did recouj) — He walked on water and he ran u]) hills, And lived on love and dreai)is and hope and soup. No man is ha}>pier than the easy du])e; He soars in realms so near to heaviMi's border. That when he falls the erasli is so nmch iiarder. :{9. Casually he learned, his lady fiiend Was entertaining men at her apartment. The news brought fears and worries without end, xVnd jealousy, in (me complete assortment. He said unto himself, "If her deportment Proves the story not to Ije a lie, I'll murder lier, tliough 1 mvself slinll die." A HIGHER THOUGi-lT STORY 13 40. To fret' his riiiiul of x'cnoiiious suspicion, He hired two slijjitcry sleuths to shiuhiw her. Among the sahirii'il canines, tlieir })osition Was sliji'litly h)\ver than the conuiion cnr — Below the lowest in the calendar. They bon.ii'ht the evidence with Will's mvii coin By photoi;'ra))hing crimes the laws enjoin. 41. She lost the graft and Willie lost his mon<'y, And still the lesson he received was cheajj. He leai'iied irom that exjierience — sad and funny — That "As we sow, we always have to reap." .Vnd "will be juilged, by comjtany we Iceep. " The savage bumping turned him face to face 41 Tlieir dissolution suit was soen decided. On grounds of "incomjiatability." '^riie business was sold, and was diviiled Between the separat(n's, e([nally. And he arranged to leave inmiediately. Arriving in the far off middle west — So we'll pi'oceed, with Annie and the rest. 4.".. She said to him, before their wedding day, In earnest, forceful terms: "Will, I do not, .\nd never can, love you in just the way The woman should with Avhoni you share your lot; Because, I love — she should have said, "A sot" — v'~''he did not, though; she simply said, "Another;" "I only love yoi; as 1 love a lu'othei'. " 44. "I tell you now, and please do not mistake me. Our marriage will be only partnership; If, in some future time, you do forsake me. Or wish the lawful bonds that bind, wouhl sli]t, T will not hinder, and will help the grijj ( >f galling ties to loosen; and my friend You will remain fore\'er, to the end." U CHBRLOTT 45. The man replied: "Give me your sacred vow, That you will wed me, and you will be tiue. I love you dearly, and I feel, somehow, That you will learn to love as I love you. I will do more than mortal man can do To make you ha23py in so liigli degree, "^riiat you will love inc dearer far than he." 4(i. Will was foolish; he had ])etter far Obeyed the strong impulse, and said "good-bye." Kidicixlons as blending snow with tar, 'I'o even ])resume that love like hers would die. We learn to love? No, pardon me; tiiat's a lie; Love is the attune(| vibrations of tlie soul, .Vnd when the chord is struck, tliei'e is the gi);d. 47. Do you love your husband;' Many wives Would answer most sincerely : . ' • I lea\ens, no ; ' ' We loathe them, and the sunshine of oui- li\-cs Ts turned to utter darkness here below." The feeling by pi'opin(|uity dotli grow; (\)nstant contact leads to eai'thly bliss. Or tinctures living with the ser]tent's hiss. 4S. Women who endurv a life like this Abhor the gloi'ious tliought of niotbei'hood, And pray tVom out their hearts that tiiey may miss, Being ]iareiit to a most unwelcome brood. By being badlygood, and legallydewd; They counter ;ind oppose great natnri^'s law, And suifer inward fangs to gnaw and gnaw. 49. Those who learn too late, they are mismated, Shouhl break the tie before their lives are wrecked; ]\Iore honor lies in being separated. Than live together out of self-respect. 'Twere better that the race would be unsexetl, .\nd from unwished posterity ex'.'inttt, Than indissolnlde bonds of cold conteni])t. >4 HIGHER THOUGHT STORY lf> 50. The aucit'iit ijrecei)ts of society Afford to nuuTia.i^'c lint a false protection. Tile law, the custom, and jiropriety Exi)end their forces in the wnnis' direction; ljo\'e slundd be the law of the eh^etion ( H heart for lu^art, when soul to sonl res))onds; Ami if it wa\'ers, then dissoK'e the honds. 51. Man is the only animal extant, Wdiose l(»ve-force is not baser instinct's pi-esence. Love's highest office is a sacrament — The Idendini;- of tin' soul with mortal essence. A])])lied intelligently, its iridesceiise Would shed a clearer ray on social life. And to lax moral's tlu'oat, ajiply the knife. 52. Charlotte came into tlu'ir household only Ten nutnths after their mock wedding-day. Annie had begun to fer. Lid behind his s])(>cs. Knew it was the physical reflex Of inward battles, which were being fought Between des]Kiir and Ii0])e, to govern thought. Charlotte Idved lier niiire tlian any other, And told the Jjord in prayer liow she had been "So loving and so kind," and called her, ".Mother," With all sincerity the term can mean. The grown up child was now almost eighteen, And several year^ liad gladly borne the care Am] nursing of this patient of desi)air. 57. The Docto}' said, "I)o]te \y\\\ not cui'e >'oui' ills." Jie wished to get the suiferiM- of! his liands; Was tired prescribing poison headache pills. And nerve destroyers, known by many brands. So he advised a tri]j to other lands, In hojjes she soon would find a ])eaceful grave, < )r else i)i-ocure the thing hei' heart did era^•e. oS. Will Avas not a rich man ol ri'imte; He owned the little business down tiie street. Competition had grown so acute, He had all he could do to make ends meet. The news knocked him completely off his feet; But summoning his c(nirage. he was brave; ^\nd said, "She nmst go. .Vnythini;' to sa\'e." 59. He was a noble soul, who would have given His life, for this most loveless, love-sick woman; His hearts Idood freely, and his lio])e of hea\'en, Or used all means, occult oi- su])erhuman. He deemed the Doctor's words an evil omen; It is one way the M. D.'s gently tender Excuse f(n' failure, and avoid surrendoi-. A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 17 (iO. Will IuukUhI down a prit'i'lcss legacy — 'llic ripened fruit of lessons learned in youth; lay teaehinii- Charlotte life's iihiloso])hy, From every an.i^ie ot the naked truth; And ke))t her numl's machinery running smooth, P.y divers aggregates ot positive thoughts, Avoiding deeji worn r'uts and groo\'es and slots. (il. 'J'heir destination ehosen, in advance. The details ot the route, they did rehearse; Deciding, it was l)est to go to l^'rance. Where sunshine either eui'es or makes one worse — Charlotte was to aceom])any her as nurse. The luggage packed, the tickets bought already; lie k'issed them each gooddtye, with x'oice unsteady. (52. Lo\(' was nevei' made to he one-sid;'(l. Their jmrting kiss would make an image wee]). The emotions of the hushand were dixdded Between despair and liojje, and anguish deep; She, like caged wildness waking from a sleejj. And breathing after years true freedom's air, AVas eager to esca])e the barrvd des])air. 6.-!. Scarcely had they stei)])ed alxiard the shi]). Then who ajjpeared but Annie's old time lover. He knew not they wer-e going on this trip. And said, "The reason I am going over. Is just for recreation and recover"; T have been ill of late." We may sui-mise The goi'uiand only ncederl exercise. He thus went on, "How grand it is to see you; How strange it seems;" And sijeculated whether "Luck" or "chance," or "happen-so," in lieu Of information, had brought them together; Discussed the wind, the sea, the sky, the weather, Eeiterating still the sentence sweet, "It seems a miracde that we should meet." 18 CHSRLOTT 65. Few understand tlie j>lH'n()nienon of attraction, Or fathom those occult and i)sychic hnvs; Desire throui^h will ini))eis the ft)rce to action — Feeling is the primary, basic, cause. Tliis force will ever be and always w;is The essence of the Universe, and we know not If it be (lod or spirit, soul or tluuight. Since this unnecessary rvW has conic l)ack into our narrative to take a part. Let him Ix' known licncclorth as merely "Jack," Or "Jackass," but the name is not so short. I beg his pardon for this ill report, For being rich, I ])ity him no less — The inheritoi of a lilight, "unearned excess." 67. Their voyage o'er the calm and glassy sea Was like all other voyages may be, in this: Behind some place, where no one else could see, He and Annie met to love and kiss. And spend small whiles in most eidossal bliss. He had friends aboard the bounding bark. So their jiroceedings must be ke])t "iu ihirk." 68. Do you l)lame gentle Annie, deai', for falling A victim to the snake's hypnotic art ? lie was the "nonentity" she had been calling — The "nothing" which had swollen within hei- heart. One stolen tryst with him, so sweet and short. Outweighed decades of living, heretofoi'e — Oh! Could it only last fore\'ei'more! 69. Alas! Her bodv. was the thing he wanted — He held as naught her love's celestial flame; His brutalized mentality was haunted With lustful ghosts, which ever went and came. He caied not to encompass her deep shame. And only str-ove to keej) himself from blame, ^\nd share with none his monev or his uiiiiie. A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 19 70. Hi' told the friends aboard; "She used to wait On table foi my niotlier, years a^o; She was snch a well ,yirl, but of late Her former superb health is tailing slow. The doctor .sent her hitherward, and so 1 wish to lend her friendship and protection, .Vud steer the "l)oolis" away from hei' direction." 71. The ))arty disembarked in war-torn France. .Vnnie leased a cool, se(|uestered nook, Where foilage, trees and flowers did enhance The view which either way you wished to look — A little cottage by a babbling bi-ook, From "snooj:)ing guys," and prying eyes forsook, And Jiiek wrote tlie addi'ess down in a liook. As Charlott viewed the hawk and sparrow Hirt. Her heart seemed shrinking smaller in her breast; Their actions caused a deej) and painless hurt. And filled her with forebodings and unrest. She longed for home, out in tlie middle west, And wrote to Will: "My Mother dear, is well." P)ut Annie burned the letter; fire don't tell. The guilt whicli put her conscience on the rack. Dear Annie made a failure of concealing. She said to Charlott. "Isn't it dear of Jack, To show so much solicitude and feeling?" To substitute friendship for crooked (hniling Requires an adei)t in the art of fraud — Beginners lose liy being too slick-shoil. 74. ('(Uiscience is a touchstone li-om beyond — The great defendei- of the M)nl from sin; No being will go wrong who does respond To that small voice which sjjeaks to them within. Its audible-silent promptings drown the li, could she only do as she advised. 85. Jie said one evening, cold, inijx'rtinent; "I'll buy your silence, onlv name tlie price." It was the keenest shaft he could have sent. 8he froze his tainted tender, in words of ice: "You beast," she cried; "It is the greater vice — To ask for pay for love so freely given Is insult, blacker than the scowl of heaven." 86. Meanwhile, she wrote to Will a friendly letter. As self-accusing tears were gently raining. The letter ran: "I think I am some better. My strength seems steadily and slowly gaining, I fear you will grow tired of ray complaining. The Doctor tells me I am growing strong. And may retui'n home well, e'(>r very long." 87. "The wasting malady we so much feared ^\'ould he the sunshine of my life's eclipse Has lessened nmcli, and shall have disappeared Within another several month's ela])se. I do not know — the hand ot fate, perhaps, That led me here to find a cure, by chance, ITath (lone us wrong, in bringing me to France." 88. .\s well for him, good man; he little knew The burden which she bore beneath her lieai't. \nd he rei)lied: "You are so bi-ave and ti'ue; Stay and grow strong, and 1 will do my pai-t." His letter lashed her like a rider's (juii't. The sting of guilt augments by tendered aid. When neither man can rightly 1)(> rejiaid. 89. At home the girl had nuuiy childish beaus, And here the city dudes came in a car. Her beauty's scent had icached their sniffing nose. A HIGtlER THOUGHT STORY 2:i .\n(l tliey had lu-ard her stock was more than ]jar. Returning minus what they had come for, CUiarlott was not lioy-struck, so they found, And Annie did not wish theni sticking r'onnd. 90. -\s the gh)aiiiing IjhnKh'd into night tiie women sat together, A long, hnig time in silence — neither spoke. Annie's thouglits were raging like foul and gusty weather; At length the thunder of her brainstorm broke: "Say Charlott, dearie, wouhln't it be a .joke, [f you assume the role of motherhood, So Will sliall not know 1 have not been good ;'" 91. She clothed the ([uestion in a jocular guise To mask the magnitude of such deceit; She knew by their deep look, those azure eyes Would ne\'er countenance the devilish feat — They hated all things foul, unclean, unsweet. C'Ongealed with ghastliness, at length she said; "My Mother, deal-, we each were lietter dead." 92. Tiie girl was shocked beyond her jjower to think. While Annie thus continued: "I will be An outcast from the world; this shame will sink Me in the putrid mire of infamy, And Will shall curse my name and memory. T do not ask you, darling dear," she lied — But Charlott had decide(l, calm, dry-ey(Ml. 93. "My angel Mother, dear, 1 love you so. There's nothing I would not attempt for j'ou. I'll gladly shoulder all your grief and woe — You are my all — the little I can do ^Vill not rejjay your love. What may ensue Can never harm me, and 'twill not be long; 1 am inxnlnerable and I am strong." 94. "You cannot do it; no, my dearest heart; rt is beyond the scojk' of woman's power; C i-l cJ R LO T T Oue word or intimation on your jjart, Would sink me to the dei)tliK in one short hour. 1 'd rather meet it now, and see Heaven k)ur Than raise my chihl 'til he would understand. And have you fail, and blast me with this brand." 95. "I may do anything 1 wish to do, By concentrating on the end in \i('W. To save you and the child, 1 vow to >du, Before High Heaven, I will ))e hrni and true. My love will be the power to see me thruuuli. The darker side I will deny, discard — To do acts that way, Motlier, is not hai'd." 96. "Before your vahii', deai', my weakness dies: ]\Iy impotence succundjs at love's assault. Your inspiration and your sacrifice Will change my nature, while it hides my fault, And if your courage or your lo\'e should iialt, Come and tell me plainly your desire, \m\ I'll release you and will face the fire." 97. '" Heiiiember, .Mother, ill audther year, When 1 am daubed with slandei''s blackest paint, T shall not need your \nty or a tear. Because my soul and conscience bears no taint. J claim to be just human — not a saint; But humans may attain the mightiest might By living, doing and thinking right." 9S. No [lowei- on earth can down a will like hci-s; It even could scale the slime on Hell's abyss. The blinding cfouds of circumstance dispei*s(^ Before the rays of mental strength like this. The shafts of fortu)ie break or bend or miss Her pierceless citadel of dynamic i)ower. Which grows more strong, through sacrifice, each honi-. 99. "You know," replied her Mother; "certain men Consider young girls who have gone astrav A HIGHER THOUGi-iT STORY ^5 And striving to upbuild their names again, As more approachable, and easier prey; Young widows, too, are ti'eated in this way. ' ' The daughter interposed: 1 long to scorch Tlieir Itrute jii'oix'nsities with my tongue's torch." 10(1. "Besides," continued Annie; "Every town Has many women only partly decent; Wavering 'twixt extreme of up and down Of all conditions; it's the most unpleasant, When moral moons are shrinking to the crescent. Strong hearts alone can lise from moral breach: The saddest thing on earth is wojnan sinking. The heart-aches and the true-self's dying screech, They drown in nightly brawl and beastly drinking — A temjtorary drugged reprieve from ])ainful, tortured thiidcing. 101. "I've been told of special places where these tainte(| pcopl" meet — A basement beer-joint, restaurant, licensed clean and neat, To serve drinks openly to those who feign they wish to eat. The lunch is technical jjretense to keep the law by false deceit — A mock-cafe, vice clearing house, a mart, a sample-room retreat, Where dates are iiiaih' and prices set in smothei-ed accent cold and sweet. Competition is most keen between the female indiscreet. Formality is cast aside, the glance inviteth to a seat, Where terms are stated as complete as any legal business feat. Perhaps she needs tlie coin to pay ivnt, apparel, bread and meat. Or clothe a child, whose sire denied, the (|uestioned fruit of passion's heat. She may have wed and found instead of ti'uth and love, a low conceit, And thereby lost hei- faith in man, her own life's purpose to defeat. She may be one whom some unkindncss made with i-age and scorn replete, AVho, at the crucial hour in life, knew not the snares b(Mieath her feet. Or she may be a passioii-freak, a moral-indiecile, a cheat. This motley throng, forgathers there, where none are friends, and strangers greet. 26 CHtiRLOTT And no one sees or seems to care, not even the "Cop" u])on liis beat, "riieir i)resence there prochiinis tlieir ware, and keeps them off the chilly street. 102. "Many times since Will and I were wed. We have discussed life's dark, unsavory si(h'. I will repeat to you the things he said A bout the mighty gulf which doth divide Society's two factions. It may guide ^\nd arm you 'gainst the ruthless human tide. Whieli strives to sink, whdcx'er stai'ts to slide lo:!. lie said: "I've gone the route; 1 know tlie city well. Its good and bad; its medium, slow anil fast; And many of the tales which t could tell Would nauseate, and make you stand aghast; 'Twere better not to know, and to liave past Your life in some sequesteied, (|uiet place, Far fi'om the hel])less victims of the I'ace." 104. "No doubt you would be shocked if you but knew The secrets of the moral slums and sewers; The human froth and slime, and residue, Sweltering in the city's dark immures, A festering sore, which nothing e\-er cures — Advancement's handmaid, civilization's curse Commercialized, and growing worse and worse. 105. A stranger asked me one time, "Who an* those. With ]jainted lips and hair all bleached and curled ;'" I answered him, while looking at his clothes; "Why, those are ladies of the underworld; Two soiled ones whom society has hurled Into the seething, human garl)age liea]). Where all may sow who do not wish to i-eap." 106. "Why do you ask me? You nuist be unschooled In what the world floes not considei- nice; Else, I am sure, you would not ha\e been fooled A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY ( )n meeting tliey who lueicliandise in vice. Their faces tell yon they have paid the price Of someone else's fault beside their own, While they are serving- sentence, all alone." 107. "Their eyes besjieak the settletl scorn they feel For moral laws, whose verdict says they must For one misstep, or many, bare the seal Of shame and ostracism most unjust. They seek revenge by burning np in lust Other beings, whom I have no doubt. Are worse than they, but ha\'e not been found (mt.' 10!S. "They are about the only ones, 1 iind. Who are not hypocrites and false pretenders; They suffer, through the weakness of mankind. And ask no sym]>athy, or no defenders; Tlieir low exploiters are tlie worse offenders — Beyond redemption sunk, and still that power Tends to hold them down, ;nid sink them lower." 10!). "Is it the hand of fate? No; circumstance Hath placed them where they can't do otlierwise; Poverty, ignorance, beauty, or love's trance, Plath launched them in this shameful enterprise. Where all may sink and none may hope to rise. Not years of true repentance make excuse; Only death obliterates the abuse." 110. "Every man who feels the liuiiiini pulse. Must know what forces prey upon the weak; And still reforms and laws bring no results Woi-th while, and do not gain the ends they seek. The higher-up's might suffer — so to speak. If not effect — now, listen — but the cause Were brought within the sco])e of drastic laws." 111. His sermon quoted, Annie wrote: "Dear Will, C'harlott, is just what — 1 need not name; It is a heavv blow to me, but still £8 C i-i ^ R LP r T I feel the child is really not to blame. She is so young', it seems an awful shame; But here in France the people are so lax." The facts, as sharji as tacks, she siiu)(ithc(l with rhetoric wax. 111'. lie wrote, replying to her note : ' ' Dear wife. Just try and do the very best you can; it can't be remedied now, and such is life. When are you coming home.' Who is tlic msin:' Business is imi)roving, " thus it ran. He told a married man that very night ; The rum(n' traveled like a streak of light. ii;;. In sentences like this, "I told you so — "That's what they get for raising someone's kid; They had been warned, but it took time to show That she would do as other orphans did." The gossip slid like lightning down a skid; They lashed ])oor Charlott, till their tongues were .ichini; — 'Tis sad they did not know they wei-e mistaken. 114. ^\-bout this time, an unacquaintance came; A package of sweet innocence arrives; Resembling less the sire than the dame; And mercy! How the little fellow thri\-es! And if the colic or the cnjuj) or hives Should make him howl, or cause him to l»e sick, To cure them I will h;n-e liim grow dhl (|i)ick. 115. They fed the extra lK)ar(ler from a bottle; She did not dare, (I hope you understand.) If they put the nipple too far down his thi'ottle, Ide choked and ■coughed and cried to beat th- band. They loved to hold the bottle in their hand. Like women folk, they said, "He is so nice; We would not lose him, to axdid tlie price." IK). Charlott practised acting out the i»art, In order that the lie at home, seem true; Slie loved tlie little angel from the .■^tni-t, A i-IIGi-lER THOUGHT STORY 29 And found it was not very haid to do. At times the mother wonhl be jealous, too; Denying thus her chihl to hidt- her sins Thi' Mother often wished that he were twins. Jack met a woman there in sunny h'ranee, Who piereed his iiij^her manhood to the core. The resurrection from his seliish trance Brouii'ht an exuV)erance of hive's own store. His spirit and Ins being's matrix bore No likelihood to what it was, erstwhile; I'nt new ombodit'd, by her saintly smile. lis. The girl was cultured, wealthy, pure and sweet. With beauty, sense, and si)irit bold and chaste; Their honeyed heaven of courtship was complete; The new-made man real joy began to taste, Thi'dugh love's grand incognito, he end)racellutii)U, When I alone should make the retribution." 124. "1 hate myself — my effluence is obscene; My cursed progenitors were human lies; 1 wish my blood were tuinrd to gasoline, Which my infectious breath wouhl \aiiorize. Its pent exjjlosive's might to eiiipliasizi' — I'here with my spark of life, ignite combustion, And blow my soul to cinders witii concussion." 125. The great decision here was made. Next day He told her, as the words did sear his heart; Affairs at home were calling him away. Not later than tomorrow he uuist start. Thus ended their acciuaintance — sweet, l»ut short — Her love with absence ever did increase. And grew more ]totent after his decease, 126. She was a writer of no mean degree. Who could draw tears with keen and graphic pen; She wrote a jwem to his dear memory. A HIGHER niOUGHT STORY 31 And would re-read it, o'er and o'er again, In lonely hours, as sorrow's benison. My puny lines cannot inter^^ret French, But tells the iiiiiiort of hei- heait's dee]) wrench. TEE POEM. 127. "My 1o\-(mI and lost! Kacli hour has been a year, Since you ha\c jiasst'd the \'ale of human ken. I miss you more and lo\'e you far more dear Than I were ever caj)able of, when \Ve wi've togetlicr, in this earthly sphere. Time but augments tlie void I suffer here — An emptiness of life, forever growing, ^Vhich you, (h-ar lu-ai-t, once tided to over-flowing." 128. "I always feel y(Uir jaesence is so near That I can almost touch you; oft in dreams We live and love again, and I can hear Your deal' voice calling to me, and it seems That you have only been away somewhere ^Vnd have returned. Then waking, blank despair Engulfs me with a loneliness so dense, It smothers all my life and soul and sense." 129. "Did you, my lover, leave me for some breach Of" kindness, which you sutfered at my hands? *''as it for that you went beyond my reach, .Vnd left me darkly gro]jing, midst the sands Of this world's barren waste of desert lands? Did I unknowingly, by act or speech. Offend, or wound you ? T(dl me, I beseech. I pray you through the cosmic cipher-code. To answer me, from youi' unknown abode." IHO. "This self inci-imination doth o'ei'whelm More than the smite of them whose hearts are breaking; 1 suffer in the su]>ei'-conscious realm More than in dreams, or in the hours of waking. False sense and uiii'ealit\- mistaking 32 C f/ ^ R L T T For very tratli, or i.s it nature's way Of telling what I fear, and dare not say?" 131, "(jLi, make my fears' denial manifest, For I must meet the world, with hinyli ami song; That fear transcends my valors' supreme test. Else 1 would sutfer and grow poised ami strong. Though interest wane, and living lost its zest, The journey to the end will not Iw Itmg, T cannot share my sorrow with the throng; Its sweetly sacred pangs are mine alone, (!od grant they have no sorrows of their own." 132. Jler love and sorrow cleared lier soid of di-oss, And recoined her symjjathies with brighter gloss; She passed Gethsemane with the red cross, Exchano'ing saintlv service lor her loss. 1 .jO. Their joui'ney home holds nothing ol' import, Exce])t one thing 1 wish to mention here; Conjectiu'ing the connnotion the report Was causing in the native atmosphere; And how their friends would act toward Cliarlott, dear. 'I'hey knew befoie hand — why of coui'se, they knew — Women always know how women do. 1 34. "The cruelly jiainful, deepest heai't incision Connected with my acting of the ]!art. Will come if Will shall say with cold derision, " I thought you were a weakling, from the start." I fear his wounded pride will hreak my lii-art — 1 know his mighty faith and ti-ust in me — I will collapse at his contumely." 135. "lie gloried, proving calumnious gossi]) wrong, A\'hich did ]»renominate my destined tall; And tau,i;iit me always to "Be strong," "Be strong;" Be l)rave and kind and virtuous, withal; And do not stoo]) to actions low and small. >4 HIGHER THOUGi-lT STORY 3S Life holds a liiglicr iiii.sjsinn licrc for you, And you will lose it, il you are not true." "Insure yuur lieiiii^'s upward trend, in natun''s e\"olutiou. By murdering auger, tear and hate, and envious, selfish dream- ing; Dispose of others faults and fhnvs, hy love's true absolution. Which sees alone the real self, behind the outward seeming. Apply it, daughter, dear, and know life's truest, deepest mean- ing. 1 wish to prove tbiough you that all is culture of the mind — That as the mortal twig is bent, the tree of life's inclined." i;!7. "P'ree ycjur s])irit's ide;i-mint ot carnal, lewd alloys, And shun the bestial as y aerial o-razers will securely sleej) On |)reci])ices sheer, abrupt and rude; Defensive instinct urges them to kee]) From foes who fear this shcl villi;- altitude." 1 .')(). "Afar beneath, in endless vast ex|)aiise, Beyond the limit of the eye to see, The lesser niountains sleep in nature's trance, And breathe the calm of all eternity. In whose confines for brute supr(>iiiacy. The forest males engafie in bitter wars; The pine and spruce in sohMiiii majesty, Sigh out their sorrows to the listening stars." l.ll. "The crystal springs, like molten pearls released. Sing in the pebbly shadows' mottled blends; The wild things of the wood enjoy the feast Of nature's bounty spread in vales and glens. 1 count these creatures as my veiy friends, And feel the deer much lesser is a brute Than other species, and there's something sends A pang clear through me as I go to shoot." r])on the grandeur of this seeming allness, 1 look with awe-insi)ired, new-o])ened eyes; My jmiiy Ihgness and colossal smallness, This greatness by contrast doth emphasize. Description faints, imagination flies Back to creation, or the start of time. The sacred feelings which within arise, Are voiced in this one syllable, "Sublime." 15:1 "Removed from towns, from centers of congestion. From negative and aggregated thought. My higher nature cries for self-expression. And petty things of life ai'e all forgot. My soul outreached for it knows not what, Exploring mystic realms least understood ; Whoever feels this glorious thrill will not (/all soul-expanding silence, "vSolitude." A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 37 154. J Ik' Jioeky AJimntaiii ])i.)s|)cetiirs I'cccix'cil tlic iiiu'culy stranger With kindly wclooiiic, as a friend to ]»■; Their grizzly rongli exterior brought no tear of danger; Their faces beanie