Violets and Other Tales   By: Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson (1875-1935)

by

ALICE RUTH MOORE

Copyright 1895 by the Monthly Review All rights reserved

To my friend of November 5th, 1892

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

PREFACE.

These fugitive pieces are launched upon the tide of public opinion to sink or swim upon their merit. They will float for a while, but whether they will reach the haven of popularity depends upon their enduring qualities. Some will surely perish, many will reach some port, but time alone will tell if any shall successfully breast the ocean of thought and plant its standard upon the summit of fame.