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, @3I'll@1 agree if @3you'll@1 agree, -- @3You@1 tell us all a story, and then @3I@1 Will tell one." @3"But I can't."@1 "Well, can't you @3try?"@1 "Yes, Mister: he @3kin@1 tell @3one@1. Alex, tell The one, you know, 'at you made up so well, About the @3Bear@1. He allus tells that one," Said @3Bud@1, -- "He gits it mixed some 'bout the @3gun@1 An' @3ax@1 the Little Boy had, an' @3apples,@1 too." -- Then Uncle Mart said -- "There, now! that'll do! -- Let @3Alex@1 tell his story his own way!" And Alex, prompted thus, without delay Began. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MANOKWARI, IRIAN JAYA; IN MEMORIAM, ALFRED RUSSEL WALLACE by KAREN SWENSON A MODEST LOVE; SONG by EDWARD DYER SPECIMEN OF AN INDUCTION TO A POEM by JOHN KEATS SIBLINGS OF A GRAYER SKY by NAVEED ALAM THE ARGONAUTS (ARGONATUICA): HYLAS by APOLLONIUS RHODIUS |