Chapter I: Introduction

In this day when the world is fairly teeming with books,--good books, books written with a motive, books inculcating morals, books teaching lessons,--it seems almost a piece of presumption too great for endurance to foist another upon the market. There is scarcely room in the literary world for amateurs and maiden efforts; the very worthiest are sometimes poorly repaid for their best efforts. Yet, another one is offered the public, a maiden effort,--a little thing with absolutely nothing to commend it, that seeks to do nothing more than amuse.

Many of these sketches and verses have appeared in print before, in newspapers and a magazine or two; many are seeing the light of day for the first time. If perchance this collection of idle thoughts may serve to while away an hour or two, or lift for a brief space the load of care from someone's mind, their purpose has been served--the author is satisfied.

A. R. M.

CONTENTS.

VIOLETS, 13

THREE THOUGHTS, 18

THE WOMAN, 21

TEN MINUTES' MUSING, 29

A PLAINT, 35

IN UNCONSCIOUSNESS, 36

TITEE, 44

ANARCHY ALLEY, 56

IMPRESSIONS, 63

SALAMMBO, 65

LEGEND OF THE NEWSPAPER, 72

A CARNIVAL JANGLE, 76

PAUL TO VIRGINIA (Fin de Siecle), 83

THE MAIDEN'S DREAM, 85

IN MEMORIAM, 93

A STORY OF VENGEANCE, 93

AT BAY ST. LOUIS, 106

NEW YEAR'S DAY, 108

UNKNOWN LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST, 110

IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, 122

FAREWELL! 138

LITTLE MISS SOPHIE, 140

IF I HAD KNOWN! 154

CHALMETTE, 155

AT EVENTIDE, 159

THE IDLER, 166

LOVE AND THE BUTTERFLY, 168

THE BEE-MAN, 169

AMID THE ROSES, 176