Let him stand there, under the shadow of that
Mighty Shaft, the Tribute of your Grand Commonwealth,
to her Valiant Sons--the Soldier, the Sailor.
Let him stand there, on a one-piece Pedestal
of Indiana Stone; Simple, Massive.
Thereon carve his Name, the date of his Birth;
the date of his Death; and these Immortal words:
"Well, Goodby, Jim:
Take Keer of Yourse'f!"
Read, re-read, and read again, the Poem.
That Poem is an American Classic!
It is the Epitome of Self-Sacrifice
for the Sake of a Vital Cause!
It is the one Idyl of the Middle-West!
It is thoroughly America!
It is intensely Indiana!
Pardon the Plea!
But Prepare the Way!
Turn the Page--read the Poem!
The Poem
Old man never had much to say--
'Ceptin' to Jim.--
And Jim was the wildest boy he had--
And the old man jes' wrapped up in him!
Never heerd him speak but once
Er twice in my life,--and first time was
When the army broke out, and Jim he went,
The old man backin' him, fer three months;
And all 'at I heerd the old man say
Was jes' as we turned to start away,--
"Well, good-by, Jim:
Take keer of yourse'f!"
'Peared-like, he was more satisfied
Jes' _lookin'_ at Jim
And likin' him all to hisse'f-like, see?
'Cause he was jes' wrapped up in him!
And over and over I mind the day
The old man come and stood round in the way
While we was drillin', a-watchin' Jim--
And down at the deepot a-heerin' him say,
"Well, good-by, Jim:
Take keer of yourse'f!"
Never was nothin' about the _farm_
Disting'ished Jim;
Neighbors all ust to wonder why
The old man 'peered wrapped up in him;
But when Cap.
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