JEM WILSON’S REPULSE
“How infinite the wealth of love and hope Garnered in these same tiny treasure-houses And oh! what bankrupts in the world we feel, When Death, like some remorseless creditor, Seizes on all we fondly thought our own.” … Read the rest
POVERTY AND DEATH
“How little can the rich man know Of what the poor man feels, When Want, like some dark demon foe, Nearer and nearer steals! “HE never tramp’d the weary round, A stroke of work to gain, And … Read the rest
THE MILL ON FIRE-JEM WILSON TO THE RESCUE
“Learned he was; nor bird nor insect flew, But he its leafy home and history knew: Nor wild-flower decked the rock, nor moss the well, But he its name and qualities could … Read the rest
OLD ALICE’S HISTORY
“To envy nought beneath the ample sky; To mourn no evil deed, no hour misspent; And like a living violet, silently Return in sweets to Heaven what goodness lent, Then bend beneath the chastening shower content.” –ELLIOTT. … Read the rest
JOHN BARTONS GREAT TROUBLE
“But when the morn came dim and sad, And chill with early showers, Her quiet eyelids closed–she had Another morn than ours.” –HOOD.
In the middle of that same night a neighbour of the Bartons was … Read the rest
A MANCHESTER TEA-PARTY
“Polly, put the kettle on, And let’s have tea! Polly, put the kettle on, And we’ll all have tea.”
“Here we are, wife; did’st thou think thou’d lost us?” quoth hearty-voiced Wilson, as the two women rose … Read the rest
A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.
“Oh! ‘t is hard, ‘t is hard to be working The whole of the live-long day, When all the neighbours about one Are off to their jaunts and play. “There’s Richard he carries his baby, And … Read the rest
A VIOLENT MEETING BETWEEN THE RIVALS
“What thoughtful heart can look into this gulf That darkly yawns ‘twixt rich and poor, And not find food for saddest meditation! Can see, without a pang of keenest grief, Them fiercely battling (like … Read the rest
JEM’S INTERVIEW WITH POOR ESTHER
“Know the temptation ere you judge the crime! Look on this tree–‘t was green, and fair and graceful; Yet now, save these few shoots, how dry and rotten! Thou canst not tell the cause. Not … Read the rest
A TRAVELLER’S TALES.
“The mermaid sat upon the rocks All day long, Admiring her beauty and combing her locks, And singing a mermaid song. “And hear the mermaid’s song you may, As sure as sure can be, If you will … Read the rest