Comet and Other Verses — Jim, the Newsboy

And away across the valley In the heavens arching high, Like a bed for fairy flowers Swings the rainbow in the sky-- Swings until the shadows gather And the sun sinks out of sight, Seemingly to whisper softly To the world a fond good night.

Jim, the Newsboy Jim, the newsboy, died today, So the evening papers say-- And the funeral will be In the afternoon at three-- "Please" (the papers say) "a flow'r Bring for Jim before the hour-- Any color that you deem A true token of esteem, If you would remember him-- The newsboy, Jim.

At his corner near Broad street, Jim, tho' lame, would smiling greet With a merry, winning call All his patrons, great and small, And his fellow newsboys say That they miss him much today, And they have a tablet bought, And upon it this is wrought: "In memory of Newsboy Jim, We all liked him."

Little toilers on Life's road To yon visionless abode, There was much of good in Jim Or the boys had disliked him;

There was something in his heart That drew patrons to his mart, Something noble, something true-- Strive that it be said of you As in eulogy of Jim, "We all liked him."