University of Virginia Library

TOM.

Yes, Tom's the best fellow that ever you knew.
Just listen to this:
When the old mill took fire, and the flooring fell through,
And I with it, helpless, there, full in my view,
What do you think my eyes saw through the fire,
That crept along, crept along, nigher and nigher,
But Robin, my baby-boy, laughing to see
The shining? He must have come there after me,
Toddled alone from the cottage without
Anyone's missing him. Then, what a shout—
Oh! how I shouted, “For Heaven's sake, men,
Save little Robin!” Again and again
They tried, but the fire held them back like a wall,
I could hear them go at it, and at it, and call,
“Never mind, baby, sit still like a man,
We're coming to get you as fast as we can.”
They could not see him, but I could, he sat
Still on a beam, his little straw-hat
Carefully placed by his side, and his eyes
Stared at the flame with a baby's surprise,
Calm and unconscious, as nearer it crept.
The roar of the fire up above must have kept
The sound of his mother's voice shrieking his name
From reaching the child. But I heard it. It came
Again and again—O God, what a cry!
The axes went faster, I saw the sparks fly
Where the men worked like tigers, nor minded the heat
That scorched them—when, suddenly, there at their feet
The great beams leaned in—they saw him—then, crash,
Down came the wall! The men made a dash—
Jumped to get out of the way—and I thought
“All's up with poor little Robin,” and brought
Slowly the arm that was least hurt to hide
The sight of the child there, when, swift, at my side
Some one rushed by, and went right through the flame
Straight as a dart—caught the child—and then came
Back with him—choking and crying—but—saved!
Saved safe and sound!
Oh, how the men raved,
Shouted and cried, and hurrahed! Then they all
Rushed at the work again, lest the back-wall
Where I was lying, away from the fire,
Should fall in and bury me.
Oh! you'd admire
To see Robin now, he's as bright as a dime,
Deep in some mischief, too, most of the time;
Tom, it was, saved him. Now, isn't it true
Tom's the best fellow that ever you knew?
There's Robin now—see, he's strong as a log—
And there comes Tom, too—
Yes, Tom was our dog.