Of Death before Maturity [pp. 401]

OF DEATH BEFORE MATURITY.
with the concessions previously named,
and by practising the closest economy
where it could be done without impairing
the efficiency of the work, the expenditures will not exceed that amount.
When I left California I carried with me
$ I, 500.00; I subsequently drew $I, 500.oo00
more. In addition to this I received for
work done for others and from sales and
salvage $21. 59, and from returned
freight charges $97.40, making the total
that has come into my hands since leaving for Atlanta $3,308.99. In return for
this amount I have vouchers for $2,538.80,
a record of petty expenditures on account
of Exposition work of $445.57, and I have
cash on hand to the amount of $Io0.85,
leaving a balance of $313.77 unaccounted
for. This balance represents a portion
of the cost of living of Mr. Johnson and
myself during our stay at the Exposition
and incidental expenses on the way there
and return. The total cost of replenish
ing, packing, and loading, the exhibit at
this end of the line before and after startingwas $970. I4. This added to $3298.14,
the cost of the work at Atlanta, makes a
total expenditure to date, chargeable to
Atlanta exhibit fund, of $4,268.28, and
leaves a balance in said fund of $ I, 131.72.
This, I estimate, will be nearly or quite
enough to reinstall the exhibit at the new
quarters you have selected at Number I6
Post Street, San Francisco, and when
that work is done as I hope to be able to
do it, the State Board of Trade will be in
better shape in every way than it was
previous to going to Atlanta, and it will,
for its extra pains and efforts in connection with the Atlanta Exposition, have
placed to its credit as an additional and
powerful reason for its existence and
support, one of the greatest works
ever performed for California, either at
home or abroad, for a like amount of
money.
J. A. Filcher,
Secretary and Manager California State
Board of Trade.
OF DEATH BEFORE MATURITY.
ALERT in the dusky glooms of the early morning,
Eager for food and full of clamorous, low-voiced cries,
The knots of sheep unravel, deaf to the herders' warning,
Wandering wide and far, with restless, unsatisfied eyes.
Never a stop or a stay till a morsel be swallowed, Mark you the fallen flowers, in the wake of their wasteful feet,A moment's content and quiet, by unrest followed,
And onward they trample and tread, till the time of the noonday heat.
Many years have I lived and learned and arisen from slumber,
Eagerly foraged life's fields, for the herbage they scantily yield.
I have cropped the heads of love's clover, and pain's bitter buds without number;
And now-ere the time of the noontide-I will go to another field.
Francis E. Sheldon.
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