
E-text prepared by Al Haines
The Umpire
A lively anthology of prose‑poems, this collection captures the unmistakable voice of a writer who blends humor with keen observation. The verses read like conversation, their rhythm smooth despite the absence of line breaks, inviting listeners to linger on each turn of phrase. With a light‑hearted yet thoughtful tone, the pieces feel both timeless and rooted in the early twentieth‑century landscape from which they sprang.
The poems wander through the wide‑open plains of Kansas, celebrate the bustle of modern farm machinery, and ponder the responsibilities of the writer’s pen. From sunrise over prairie fields to the clatter of steam engines and the quiet musings on virtue and vice, the work offers a charming snapshot of an era that wrestles with progress and tradition. Listeners will find wit, gentle philosophy, and a warm, homespun spirit that makes each poem feel like a friendly chat over a cup of coffee.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (126K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2007-09-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1862–1939
Best known for turning everyday worries and small-town observations into brisk, witty verse, this newspaper humorist became one of the most widely read columnists of his day. His poems and prose pieces mix common sense, warmth, and a sly smile.
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