Polly's Lover

Charles Montgomery Skinner (August 4, 1844 - June 30, 1928) was an American writer who published myths and legends collection books. His dream was to make American folklore heritage more glorious. Skinner’s writings were wide ranging. His career in literature and journalism included editorship of the Brooklyn Eagle. His study of the paper’s famed Walt Whitman appeared in the Atlantic Monthly.  He also commented on turn-of-the-century America’s turbulent economy in Workers and the Trusts and American Communes.

This short piece of prose represents a bright example of Skinner's writing style — laconic and clear. This is a sad love story that took place during the American Revolution. The central figure of the story is Polly, who used to be a young pretty lady whose heart was filled with love… and now she is a old miserable woman who takes a look at the old clock from time to time. Why?