Grandma Bradley
1904-2002
The following was recited by Grandma to Annette
one piece at a time as she would
remember it.
Grandma Bradley's recitation for elocution at 10
yrs. of age .
In grade school, Grandma Bradley (Eunice) played a blind girl
in the play "Florinda, the Magic Rose"
at St. Bernard's Grade School.
Somebody's Mother
The woman was poor, and old, and gray, and bent
with the chill of a winter's day.
She stood at the crossing and waited long uncared for by the throng
of human beings
who passed her by nor heeded the glance of her anxious eye. Then
down the street
with the laughter and shout glad of the treat that school let
out come the boys like a
flock of sheep hauling the snow piled white and deep. Passed the
old woman so old and gray
I hastened the children on their way. Nor offered a helping hand
to her, so weak, so timid
afraid to stir lest the carriage wheels or the horses feet should
tramp her down in the slippery street.
At last comes one of the merry troop the gayest laddy in all the
group. He passed beside her and
whispered low "I'll help you across if you wish to go."
So her frail hand on his firm, young arm she
placed. And so, without hurt or harm he guided the trembling feet
along proud that his own were firm
and strong. Then back again to his friends he went his young heart
happy and well content.
"She's somebody's mother boys, you know for all she is poor
and old and slow.
And I hope some fella will lend a hand to help my mother you understand.
If ever
she is poor and old and gray and her own dear son is far away.
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