Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 84, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1914 — The ONLOOKER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The ONLOOKER

by HENRY HOWLAND

GIOPIES I oZ WINTER

I met him on ths corner where I saw his breath congeal. And he spoke from furs that covered him almost from head to heel; “Ah, but this is lovely weather! Stirs a fellow’s blood, you know; If I could I think I’d always havs it ten degrees below; Take a cold bath every morning, sleep out on ths porch at night— Nothing like it it you’re anxious to keep feeUn’ fit and right.” In the hovels people shivered, ch 11 - dren who were lightly clad Heard the frosted windows rattle

and neglected to be glad; Through the storm the doctors hurried, wearied from long lack of rest, Miny a weeping mother vainly clasped * dead babe to her breast; Through the city Death went stalking, striking down the young and old. And the gaunt cab horses shivered as they stood out in the cold. I met her in a parlor, where she lolled In luxury; “Ah,” she said, “this is the season that brings greatest joy to me; How I love to hear the creaking of the wheels upon the snow; What a joy there is in living when it’s ten degrees below! Springtime brings its fragrant blossoms, but I feel supreme delight ’ When the wind blows from the northland and the world is clothed in white.” By the curb an old man tumbled; at his side his shovel lay, And his poor, thin coat was fluttered by the wind that howled away; Pallid children crouched where sadness could not be induced to leave, In the hovels women shivered and forgot all but to grieve; Through the city Death went stalking, ■madly strlklag right and left Where the little, gloomy coal bins of *ll contents were bereft.