Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 February 1902 — JIM’S SWEATHEART. [ARTICLE]

JIM’S SWEATHEART.

Mother put on her Sunday best. Her lilac wedding gown, And white straw bonnet, neatly tied, With strings of faded brown; We woke before the roosters crowed And started in the dew To see the boat race, for our Jim Ws Captain of the You see, six olive branches came To bless our honest love— Five slumber in the church yard green, With little stones above; But one was left in mother's arms — Stern Death was kind to him. The youngest of our tiry flock. The sturdy baby, Jim. He took it in his curly head To want a college course; I parted with the pasture lot And sold the sorrel horse; We sent him every dollar saved, And made a seedy pair In garments that had long outlived Their days of useful wear. We did not want to shame our boy, And so kept out of sight Behind a row of waving flags And fluttering kerchiefs white, But when the slender sculls swept by The rival crews abreast We both forgot our shabby clothes And shouted with the rest. The surging throng closed up in front, We could not see our son, soon a mighty cheer went up And told us Jim had won. The crowd took up the college yell And sent it to the skies, And college colors everywhere Shook out their brilliant dyes. He stepped ashore, looked up and saw His mother's wrinkled face, And hurried to her through the ranks Of broadcloth, silk and lace. He never gave a single glance Toward the pretty girls, But kissed her on the wrinkled lips, And kissed her silver curls. His sunburnt face was glorified With proud and happy smiles; He did not mind because her hat Was years behind the styles, But led her out before his friends, A figure quaint and prim In stiff, old-fashioned lilac silk—“My sweetheart, boys,” said Jim. —Leslie’s Weekly