William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. (1878–1962). Anthology of Massachusetts Poets. 1922.

Echoes

TRAVELING at dusk the noisy city street,

I listened to the newsboys’ strident cries

Of “Extra,” as with flying feet,

They strove to gain this man or that-their prize.

But one there was with neither shout nor stride,

And, having bought from him, I stood nearby,

Pondering the cruel crutches at his side,

Blaming the crowd’s neglect, and wondering why—

When suddenly I heard a gruff voice greet

The cripple with “On time to-night?”

Then, as he handed out the sheet,

The Youngster’s answer—“You’re all right.

My other reg’lars are a little late.

They’ll find I’m short one paper when they come;

You see, a strange guy bought one in the wait,

I tho’t ’twould cheer him up-he looked so glum!”

So, sheepishly I laughed, and went my way

For I had found a city’s heart that day.