Amos Niven Wilder

“ So when at last there comes relief, when the road is clear and the spirit has sunk to the sea-level of all nature, we can look back calmly on our escape. It is as though we had just awakened from a fever. We have been unconscious, we remember nothing of it but the paroxysm in the midst of which we awoke, and the beating of the heart which did not at once subside. Surely we have been in a far country, and the true self has not been there to comfort us. But now in the peace of reunion, myself and I walk along the muddied road or in the swampy woods, taking delight in all things. ”

“ The wind scampers ahead and back, jumps up at you and tugs at your clothes, for all the world like a terrier. Farm houses, fields, fences and poles vanish behind, while clouds and the distance race one up the road. The exercise sends the blood coursing through the veins, and the dizzy eyes behold the skies swirling and rushing as though composed of matter. Stop a minute and see the fields and skies whirling along while you steady yourself. ”

“ The wrinkles are left behind to multiply between the covers of text-books. Behind are the clenched teeth, the strained eyes, the nervous movement of the fingers through the moist hair, and all the other symptoms and concomitants of the Unnatural Process. Behind me is the Aristophanean laughter of a jaded Minerva from above the book-case; the madhouse laughter of Father Time on the mantel, where he spills gold that becomes dust and ashes ”