  Mrs. Kate Slaughter McKinney ("Katydid"), poet and novelist, was born at London, Kentucky, February 6, 1857. She was graduated from Daughters', now Beaumont, College, Harrodsburg, Kentucky, when John Augustus Williams was president. On May 7, 1878, Miss Slaughter was married at Richmond, Kentucky, to James I. McKinney, now superintendent of the Louisville and Nashville railroad. Mrs. McKinney's best work is to be found in her first book of verse, Katydid's Poems (Louisville, 1887). This slender volume was extravagantly praised by the late Charles J. O'Malley, but it did contain several lyrics of much merit, especially "The Little Face," a lovely bit of verse surely. Mrs. McKinney's first novel, The Silent Witness (New York, 1907), was followed by The Weed by the Wall (Boston, 1911). Both of these works prove that the author's gift is of the muses, and not of the gods of the "six best sellers." Neither of her novels was overly successful, making one wish she had held fast to her earlier love, verse-making. Besides these three volumes, Mrs. McKinney has published a group of songs which have attracted attention. She resides at Montgomery, Alabama.
A LITTLE FACE [From Katydid's Poems (Louisville, Kentucky, 1887)] A little face to look at, A little face to kiss; Is there anything, I wonder, A little cheek to dimple When smiles begin to grow; A little mouth betraying Which way the kisses go. A slender little ringlet, A rosy little ear; A little chin to quiver When falls the little tear. A little face to look at, A little face to kiss; Is there anything, I wonder, That's half so sweet as this? A little hand so fragile All through the night to hold; Two little feet so tender To tuck in from the cold. Two eyes to watch the sunbeam That with the shadow plays— A darling little baby To kiss and love always. |
|
