IN MEMORIAM 

 Thomas L. O'Brien. 

 What freak of Fate to send our soldier back, 



Safe from war's hazards and its fierce alarms! 

 What freak to follow in our soldier's track, 

 And snatch him after from our very arms! 



Ah, but this game is hard to understand — 



This hide-and-seek with Death, the elfish shade — 



For when we seek we find him not at hand, 

 And when he seeks we may not then evade. 



At duty's earliest call he answered "Aye," 



And when the need was greatest he was there ; 



Fighting that human freedom should not die, 

 Daring the storm as only freemen dare. 



Steady he held his course through shot and shell, 

 Over the top and through the tangled wire, 



Meeting the gas of hate, the liames of hell. 



That hissed and roared the deadly German ire. 



In every need he grandly bore his part, 



To duty where he found it reconciled; 

 In camp and hospital a woman's heart. 



And ways as gentle as a little child. 



Oh, the sublimity of such a life! 



Not less the hero for his virtues all. 

 Stern and undaunted on the field of strife. 



Yet ready aye to answer Mercy's call. 



And through ten thousand dangers unafraid 

 Comes back our soldier to his happy home, 



Seeking the peace his noble deeds have made, 



Seeking the rest and comfort that should come. 



Ah, but this scheme is hard to understand. 



The hand that throws the shuttle over, under, 

 Weaving our lives together strand on strand, 



Then rudely tears the woven web asunder. 



But what the Weaver's purpose who shall tell? 



Perchance a better pattern He would gain. 

 Register joy. for He hath woven well;* 



Register joy, our hero's free from pain. 



WILLIAM A. SPALDING. 



*Note. A message to his wife and by her transmitted to the 

 Proximo Club — his last word to fellow members: "Register joy, for 

 I am free from pain." 



61 



