Title:  An American Idyll The Life of Carleton H. Parker

Author:  Cornelia Stratton Parker

Release Date:  February 7, 2005 [EBook #14943]

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

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[Illustration:  Carleton H. Parker]

AN AMERICAN IDYLL

The life of
Carleton H. Parker

By

CORNELIA STRATTON PARKER

[Illustration]

BOSTON

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY PRESS

1919

The poem on the opposite page is here reprinted with the express permission of Messrs. Charles Scribner’s Sons, publishers of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Works.

Yet, O stricken heart, remember, O remember,
How of human days he lived the better part. 
April came to bloom, and never dim December
Breathed its killing chill upon the head or heart.

Doomed to know not Winter, only Spring, a being
Trod the flowery April blithely for a while,
Took his fill of music, joy of thought and seeing,
Came and stayed and went, nor ever ceased to smile.

Came and stayed and went, and now when all is finished,
You alone have crossed the melancholy stream,
Yours the pang, but his, O his, the undiminished,
Undecaying gladness, undeparted dream.

All that life contains of torture, toil, and treason,
Shame, dishonor, death, to him were but a name. 
Here, a boy, he dwelt through all the singing season
And ere the day of sorrow departed as he came._

Written for our three children.

Dedicated to all those kindred souls, friends of Carl Parker whether they knew him or not, who are making the fight, without bitterness but with all the understanding, patience, and enthusiasm they possess, for a saner, kindlier, and more joyous world.

     And to those especially who love greatly along
     the way._

PREFACE

It was a year ago to-day that Carl Parker died—­March 17, 1918.  His fortieth birthday would have come on March 31.  His friends, his students, were free to pay their tribute to him, both in the press and in letters which I treasure.  I alone of all,—­I who knew him best and loved him most,—­had no way to give some outlet to my soul; could see no chance to pay my tribute.

One and another have written of what was and will be his valuable service to economic thought and progress; of the effects of his mediation of labor disputes, in the Northwest and throughout the nation; and of his inestimable qualities as friend, comrade, and teacher.