| William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. (1878–1962). Anthology of Massachusetts Poets. 1922. |
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| Echoes |
| | | Ruth Lambert Jones |
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| TRAVELING at dusk the noisy city street, | |
| I listened to the newsboys’ strident cries | |
| Of “Extra,” as with flying feet, | |
| They strove to gain this man or that-their prize. | |
| But one there was with neither shout nor stride, | 5 |
| And, having bought from him, I stood nearby, | |
| Pondering the cruel crutches at his side, | |
| Blaming the crowd’s neglect, and wondering why— | |
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| When suddenly I heard a gruff voice greet | |
| The cripple with “On time to-night?” | 10 |
| Then, as he handed out the sheet, | |
| The Youngster’s answer—“You’re all right. | |
| My other reg’lars are a little late. | |
| They’ll find I’m short one paper when they come; | |
| You see, a strange guy bought one in the wait, | 15 |
| I tho’t ’twould cheer him up-he looked so glum!” | |
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| So, sheepishly I laughed, and went my way | |
| For I had found a city’s heart that day. | |
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