Bewildering Emotions

The merriment that followed was subdued -     As though the story-teller's attitude     Were dual, in a sense, appealing quite     As much to sorrow as to mere delight,     According, haply, to the listener's bent     Either of sad or merry temperament. -     "And of your two appeals I much prefer     The pathos," said "The Noted Traveler," -     "For should I live to twice my present years,     I know I could not quite forget the tears     That child-eyes bleed, the little palms nailed wide,     And quivering soul and body crucified....     But, bless 'em! there are no such children here     To-night, thank God! - Come here to me, my dear!"     He said to little Alex, in a tone     So winning that the sound of it alone     Had drawn a child more lothful to his knee: -     "And, now-sir, I'll agree if you'll agree, -     You tell us all a story, and then I     Will tell one."                 "But I can't."         "Well, can't you try?"     "Yes, Mister: he kin tell one. Alex, tell     The one, you know, 'at you made up so well,     About the Bear. He allus tells that one,"     Said Bud, - "He gits it mixed some 'bout the gun     An' ax the Little Boy had, an' apples, too." -     Then Uncle Mart said - "There, now! that'll do! -     Let Alex tell his story his own way!"     And Alex, prompted thus, without delay     Began.