The crowd was gone, and to the side
Of Borglum's Lincoln, deep in awe,
I crept. It seem'd a mighty tide
Within those aching eyes I saw.
"Great heart," I said, "why grieve alway?
The battle's ended and the shout
Shall ring forever and a day,--
Why sorrow yet, or darkly doubt?"
"Freedom," I plead, "so nobly won
For all mankind, and equal right,
Shall with the ages travel on
Till time shall cease, and day be night."
No answer--then; but up the slope,
With broken gait, and hands in clench,
A toiler came, bereft of hope,
And sank beside him on the bench.
[Illustration: CHILDREN ON THE BORGLUM STATUE]
Wendell Phillips Stafford, son of Frank and Sarah (Noyes) Stafford,
born at Barre, Vermont, May 1, 1861. Educated at Barre Academy and St.
Johnsbury Academy. Studied law and attended Boston University Law
School, graduating therefrom in 1883. Admitted to the bar in 1883.
Practiced law in St. Johnsbury until 1900. Was then appointed to the
Supreme Court of Vermont. Appointed to the Supreme Court of the
District of Columbia in 1904, which position he still holds.
Married February 24, 1886, to Miss Florence Sinclair Goss of St.
Johnsbury. Has contributed to the _Atlantic Monthly_ and other
magazines. Publications: _North Flowers_ (poems), 1902; _Dorian Days_
(poems), 1909; _Speeches_, 1913.