And, in all forgetful ways,
Shall we sit apart and wait--
In the evening of our days?


III

Nay, my wife--my life!--the gloom
Shall enfold us velvetwise,
And my smile shall be the groom
Of the gladness of your eyes:
Gently, gently as the dew
Mingles with the darkening maze,
I shall fall asleep with you--
In the evening of our days.




[Illustration]

JIM


He was jes a plain, ever'-day, all-round kind of a jour.,
Consumpted-lookin'--but la!
The jokiest, wittiest, story-tellin', song-singin', laughin'est, jolliest
Feller you ever saw!
Worked at jes coarse work, but you kin bet he was fine enough in his talk,
And his feelin's, too!