The Life and Work of James A. Garfield, Twentieth President of the United States / Embracing an Account of the Scenes and Incidents of His Boyhood; the Struggles of His Youth; the Might of His Early Manhood; His Valor As a Soldier; His Career As a Statesman; His Election to the Presidency; and the Tragic Story of His Death.

by John Clark Ridpath

His coming.

Before the driving blast

The mountain oak bows down his hoary head,

And flings his withered locks to the rough gales

That fiercely roar among his branches bare,

Uplifted to the dark, unpitying heavens.

The skies have put their mourning garments on,

And hung their funeral drapery on the clouds.

Dead Nature soon will wear her shroud of snow

And lie entombed in Winter’s icy grave.