THE COMPLETE WORKS OF LOUISA MAY ALCOTT: Novels, Short Stories, Plays & Poems (Illustrated Edition). Louisa May Alcott

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ written by Louisa M. Alcott on the death of her mother.

      Mysterious death! who in a single hour

       Life's gold can so refine,

       And by thy art divine

       Change mortal weakness to immortal power!

      Bending beneath the weight of eighty years,

       Spent with the noble strife

       Of a victorious life,

       We watched her fading heavenward, through our tears.

      But ere the sense of loss our hearts had wrung,

       A miracle was wrought;

       And swift as happy thought

       She lived again,–brave, beautiful, and young.

      Age, pain, and sorrow dropped the veils they wore

       And showed the tender eyes

       Of angels in disguise,

       Whose discipline so patiently she bore.

      The past years brought their harvest rich and fair;

       While memory and love,

       Together, fondly wove

       A golden garland for the silver hair.

      How could we mourn like those who are bereft,

       When every pang of grief

       Found balm for its relief

       In counting up the treasures she had left?–

      Faith that withstood the shocks of toil and time;

       Hope that defied despair;

       Patience that conquered care;

       And loyalty, whose courage was sublime;

      The great deep heart that was a home for all,–

       Just, eloquent, and strong

       In protest against wrong;

       Wide charity, that knew no sin, no fall;

      The spartan spirit that made life so grand,

       Mating poor daily needs

       With high, heroic deeds,

       That wrested happiness from Fate's hard hand.

      We thought to weep, but sing for joy instead,

       Full of the grateful peace

       That follows her release;

       For nothing but the weary dust lies dead.

      Oh, noble woman! never more a queen

       Than in the laying down

       Of sceptre and of crown

       To win a greater kingdom, yet unseen;

      Teaching us how to seek the highest goal,

       To earn the true success,–

       To live, to love, to bless,–

       And make death proud to take a royal soul.

      THE history of the next six years offers little variety of incident in Miss Alcott's busy life. She could not work at home in Concord as well as in some quiet lodging in Boston, where she was more free from interruption from visitors; but she spent her summers with her mother, often taking charge of the housekeeping. In 1872 she wrote "Work," one of her most successful books. She had begun it some time before, and originally called it "Success." It represents her own personal experience more than any other book. She says to a friend: "Christie's adventures are many of them my own; Mr. Power is Mr. Parker; Mrs. Wilkins is imaginary, and all the rest. This was begun at eighteen, and never finished till H. W. Beecher wrote to me for a serial for the 'Christian Union' in 1872, and paid $3,000 for it."

      Miss Alcott again sent May to Europe in 1873 to finish her studies, and herself continued writing stories to pay the expenses of the family. The mother's serious illness weighed heavily on Louisa's heart, and through the summer of 1873 she was devoted to the invalid, rejoicing in her partial recovery, though sadly feeling that she would never be her bright energetic self again. Mrs. Alcott was able, however, to keep her birthday (October 8) pleasantly, and out of this experience came a story called "A Happy Birthday." This little tale paid for carriages for the invalid. It is included in "Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag."

      Louisa and her mother decided to spend the winter in Boston, while Mr. Alcott was at the West. Her thoughts dwell much upon her father's life, and she is not content that he has not all the recognition and enjoyment that she would gladly give him. She helps her mother to perform the sacred duty of placing a tablet on Colonel May's grave, and the dear old lady recognizes that her life has gone down into the past, and says, "This isn't my Boston, and I never want to see it any more."

      Louisa was at this time engaged in writing for "St. Nicholas" and "The Independent."

      The return of the young artist, happy in her success, brings brightness to the home-circle. In the winter of 1875 Miss Alcott takes her old place at the Bellevue, where May can have her drawing-classes. She was herself ill, and the words, "No sleep without morphine!" tell the story of nervous suffering.

      Journal.

      July, 1872.–May makes a lovely hostess, and I fly round behind the scenes, or skip out of the back window when ordered out for inspection by the inquisitive public. Hard work to keep things running smoothly, for this sight-seeing fiend is a new torment to us.

      August.–May goes to Clark's Island for rest, having kept hotel long enough. I say "No," and shut the door. People must learn that authors have some rights; I can't entertain a dozen a day, and write the tales they demand also. I'm but a human worm, and when walked on must turn in self-defence.

      Reporters sit on the wall and take notes; artists sketch me as I pick pears in the garden; and strange women interview Johnny as he plays in the orchard.

      It looks like impertinent curiosity to me; but it is called "fame," and considered a blessing to be grateful for, I find. Let 'em try it.

      September.–To Wolcott, with Father and Fred. A quaint, lovely old place is the little house on Spindle Hill, where the boy Amos dreamed the dreams that have come true at last.

      Got hints for my novel, "The Cost of an Idea," if I ever find time to write it.

      Don't wonder the boy longed to climb those hills, and see what lay beyond.

      October.–Went to a room in Allston Street, in a quiet, old-fashioned house. I can't work at home, and need to be alone to spin, like a spider.

      Rested; walked; to the theatre now and then. Home once a week with books, etc., for Marmee and Nan. Prepared "Shawl Straps" for Roberts.

      November.–Forty СКАЧАТЬ