[Gutenberg 14821] • A Spray of Kentucky Pine / Placed at the Feet of the Dead Poet James Whitcomb Riley

An excerpt from the book -

With James Whitcomb Riley,

some years ago. This Man From Down On The Farm,

made a Reading Tour, of--in Population--more than

one-half of this Imperial Republic, including

the Cream of the Canadian Provinces.

Of that Tour, at some other time, in some more

leisurely hour, he desires, if able, to make

a full and faithful Record.

This, is but a humble Spray of Kentucky Pine,

placed at the feet of the Dead Poet!

According to a long established Custom,

the Man, in some way, in private print--

\--for the Relative, for the Friend, for the Stranger too--

quietly Celebrates the various Red-Letter Days, of the

Dear Lady Here, On the Banks of Wolf Run--his Mother!

Her full Restoration, to her usual Good Health,

is a Source of much Joy, and the cause of much Gratitude.

The many Prayers made for her Recovery must have been of

much avail before the Great White Throne, of Infinite Mercy!

He is also deeply grateful, that the nearness of her

Eighty-Fifth Birthday, makes it possible for him,

to make an Inscription Two-fold, for the Dead,

for the Living--for the Dear Poet, for the Beloved Mother!

The linking of their names together, under this Spray of

Kentucky Pine--culled by a hand most loving--is like

unto finding the other half of a broken Chord, in some

Prelude Elusive: for James Whitcomb Riley, deeply

endeared himself, to the Dear Lady Here, while he and

her son were a long while away, on their Reading Tour.