US parents mostly thinks our own's The smartest childern out! But Widder Shelton's little Saul Beats all I know about! He's weakly-like -- in p'int o' health, But strong in word and deed And heart and head, and snap and spunk, And allus in the lead! Comes honest by it, fer his Pa -- Afore he passed away -- He was a leader -- (Lord, I'd like To hear him preach to-day!) He led his flock; he led in prayer Fer spread o' Peace -- and when Nothin' but War could spread it, he Was first to lead us then! So little Saul has grit to take Things jes' as they occur; And Sister Shelton's proud o' him As he is proud o' her! And when she "got up" -- jes' fer him And little playmates all -- A Chris'mus-tree -- they ever'one Was there but little Saul. Pore little chap was sick in bed Next room; and Doc was there, And said the childern might file past, But go right back to where The @3tree@1 was, in the settin'-room. And Saul jes' laid and smiled -- Ner couldn't nod, ner wave his hand, It hurt so -- Bless the child! And so they left him there with Doc -- And warm tear of his Ma's . . . Then -- suddent-like -- high over all Their laughture and applause -- They heerd: "I don't care what you git On yer old Chris'mus-tree, 'Cause I'm got somepin' you all hain't -- I'm got the pleurisy!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE GARDEN OF ADONIS by EMMA LAZARUS THE WANDERER: 2. IN FRANCE: AUX ITALIENS by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON THESEUS by THOMAS STURGE MOORE BALLAD OF THE GOODLY FERE by EZRA POUND AIR: 'CAPTAIN JINKS' by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 76. YA WALI by EDWIN ARNOLD |