The Philadelphia Book Author:James Hall Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: BY SAMDEL EWING. I Do remember an old bachelor — And hereabouts he dwells — whom late I noted In suit of sables with a care-worn brow Conning his books ;... more » and meagre were his looks. — Celibacy had worn him to the bones ; — And in his silent parlour hung a cloak The which the moths had used not less than he ! Four chairs, one table, and an old hair-trunk Made up the furniture, and on his shelves A grease-clad candlestick, a broken mug, Two tumblers, and a box of strong cigars, Remnants of volumes, once in some repute, Were thinly scattered round to tell the eye Of prying stranger — this man had no wife. — His tattered elbow gaped most piteously, And ever as he turned him round, his skin Did through his stockings peep upon the day. — Noting his gloom, unto myself I said, An if a man did covet single life, Reckless of joys which Matrimony gives, Here lives a lonely wretch would show it him In such most dismal colours, that the shrew, Or slut, or idiot, or the gossip spouse, Were each a Heaven, compared with such a life. — But this same thought does not forerun my need, Nor shall this bachelor tempt me to wed. As I remember this should be the house; Being Sabbath noon, the outer door is shut.- I Do remember a precise old maid— And hereabout she dwells—whom late I noted In rustling gown, with wan and withered lips, Demure and formal, dusting-cloth in hand, Rubbing her chairs, and meagre were her looks. Envy had worn her to the very bones ! And in her shining parlour flower pots stood, Decked with geranium, and jessamine, And orange trees, and roses, pinks and lilies, " Bachelor''s buttons," crisp as she herself, And lowly passion-flower, the type of love ! Six chairs, two tables, and a looking glass, Were burnished bright and oft; and round the room, On wall, in closet, ...« less