Violets and Other Tales

Violets and Other Tales

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Moore
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Title: Violets and Other Tales
Author: Alice Ruth Moore

Release Date: June 29, 2006 [eBook #18713]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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VIOLETS AND OTHER TALES

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.
When one enters the domain of authorship, she places herself at the
mercy of critics. Were she as sure of being commended by the best and
most intelligent of her readers, as she is sure of being condemned by
the worst and most ignorant, there would still be a thrill of pleasure in
all criticism, for the satisfaction of having received the praise of the
first would compensate for the harshness of the latter. Just criticism is
wholesome and never wounds the sensibilities of the true author, for it
saves her from the danger of an excess of pride which is the greatest
foe to individual progress, while it spurs her on to loftier flights and
nobler deeds. A poor writer is bad, but a poor critic is worse, therefore,
unjust criticism should never ruffle the temper of its victim. The author
of these pages belongs to that type of the "brave new woman who
scorns to sigh," but feels that she has something to say, and says it to
the best of her ability, and leaves the verdict in the hands of the public.
She gives to the reader her best thoughts and leaves him to accept or
reject as merit may manifest itself. No author is under contract to please

her readers at all times, nor can she hope to control the sentiments of all
of them at any time, therefore, the obligation is reciprocal, for the fame
she receives is due to the pleasure she affords.
The author of these fugitive pieces is young, just on the threshold of
life, and with the daring audacity of youth makes assertions and gives
decisions which she may reverse as time mellows her opinions, and the
realities of life force aside the theories of youth, and prosy facts
obscure the memory of that happy time when the heart overflowing
with----
"The joy Of young ideas painted on the mind, In the warm glowing
colors Fancy spreads On objects,