Literature and Art Books (Volume 4) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1909 Excerpt: ... ST. MARTIN AND THE BEGGAR MARGARET E. SANGSTER Margaret Sangster, an editor and poet, was born in New Rochelle, New York, February 22, 1838. She received her early education at Vienna, and when very young displayed considerable literary talent. About 1872, her poems entitled "Elizabeth, Aged Nine" and "Are the Children at Home?" were first published. At different times she has been connected with Hearth and Home, Christian Intelligencer, Christian at Work, Harper's Young People, and, in 1889, she succeeded Mary L. Booth as editor of Harper's Bazar. Her chief works are "Poems for the Household "; "Home Fairies and Heart Flowers"; and "Twenty Studies of Children's Heads with Floral Embellishments." In the freezing cold and the blinding snow Of a wintry eve in the long ago, Folding his cloak o'er clanking mail, A soldier is fighting the angry gale Inch by inch in the camp-fire's light, Star of his longing this wintry night. All in a moment his path is barred; He draws his sword as he stands on guard. But who is this with a wan, white face, And piteous hands upheld for grace? Tenderly bending, the soldier bold Raises a beggar faint and cold. Famished he seems, and almost spent, The rags that cover him worn and rent. s Crust nor coin can the soldier find; Never his wallet with gold is lined; But his soul is sad at the sight of pain, The sufferer's pleading is not in vain. His mantle of fur is broad and warm, Armor of proof against a storm. He snatches it off without a word; One downward pass of the gleaming sword, And cleft in twain at his feet it lies, And the storm-wind howls 'neath the frowning skies. "Half for thee "--and with tender art He gathers the cloak round the beggar's heart--"And half for me "; and with jocund song In the teeth of the tempest he str...