I STOOD on the bridge at midnight, and looked at the sizzling town,
where the pleasure seeking people were holding the sidewalks down. The
moon rose over the city and shone on the dames and gents, but the glare
of the lights electric made it look like twenty cents. The windows of
homes were darkened, for no one was staying there; the children, as
well, as grownups, were all in the Great White Glare. Deserted were all
the firesides, abandoned the old-time game; alas, that the old home
circle is naught but an empty name! The father is out chug-chugging, the
mother is at her club, the kids see the moving pictures, and go to
hotels for grub. How often, oh, how often, in the days that seemed good
to me, have I looked at the children playing at home, where they ought
to be! How often, oh, how often, in those days of the proper stamp, have
I gazed on the parents reading, at home, by the evening lamp! But the
world has gone to thunder, forgotten that elder day; and I took up the
bridge and broke it, and threw all the chunks away.
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