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Thoughts at 
 Random 
 
 ** Uncle Joe*' Henderson 
 
"UNCLE joe; 
 
Thoughts at Random 
 
 A Collection of Poems 
 
 BY J. R. HENDERSON 
 
 PRICE 25 CENTS 
 Copies sent Post Paid on receipt of Price 
 
 COPYKKJHTED 1911 
 I{Y ,] U. IfENUEHSON, KlLEY. WiP. 
 

 sT^ 
 
 PKEFACE. 
 
 To those who love t j read at rhyme, 
 
 And in that way spend their leisure time; 
 
 And to all who strive to make others happy by word or look, 
 
 I cheerfully dedicate this little book. 
 
 — TJw AutJior 
 
 I 
 
 ( 
 
 ©CI.A295546 
 
n 
 
 ^ CONTENTS. 
 
 L 
 
 •^ PAGE 
 
 '^Abraham Lincoln 12 
 
 Advice to his Father 8 
 
 Annie Lyall 37 
 
 Appreciation of the Ladies' Aid 36 
 
 A Tribute to William Charleton 27 
 
 Composed for Abraham Lincoln's Centennial, February 
 
 12,1909 52 
 
 Dan Mcllvie's Well 24 
 
 Dedication of Cornelius Vilas Guild 32 
 
 Eben Collins' Silver Wedding 13 
 
 In Memoriam for John McDonald 53 
 
 In Memory of Samuel McCaughey 28 
 
 I Institute Souvenir 18 
 
 John McDonald and Uncle Joe on the Financial Question 54 
 
 Little Joe 30 
 
 Little Joe's Holiday Greeting 34 
 
 Matrimonial Poem 10- 
 
 Monopoly 26 
 
 Ode to Watertown 23 
 
 On the Death of Little Robbie Collins 15 
 
 On the Road to Riley 45 
 
 ! Seat 61 42 
 
 Seventy-Fifth Anniversary 16 
 
 Sociable Invitation 20 
 
 Song of the Wisconsin Boy 7 
 
 The Staff 29 
 
 The Watertown Convention 22 
 
 To a Friend 51 
 
 To the Memory of William Ogilvie 38 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. Ned Gaffney 56 
 
 1 ribute to Robert Burns 39 
 
 Tribute to his Wife, Maggie 9 
 
 Twentieth Anniversary 35 
 
 The Roster Trial 42 
 
 Wedded Bliss 33 
 
SONG OF THE WISCONSIN BOY. 
 
 Come friends now and listen 
 
 AVhile a song I will sing, 
 And pleasure to each one 
 
 I am sure it will bring. 
 I will sing of my birthplace 
 
 And my heart's filled with joy, 
 To say Wisconsin the state. 
 
 And I a true Badger boy. 
 
 Chorus. 
 Wisconsin, Wisconsin the state of my birth, 
 To me the loveliest spot on the face of the earth; 
 The home of the Badger, the Beaver and Deer; 
 And the wide spreading oak in abundance grows here. 
 
 In her rivers and lakes 
 
 Fine fish do abound; 
 And the bright sparkling mineral 
 
 They dig from the ground. 
 The sheep, horses, and cattle 
 
 They graze on the hill 
 Drink from the spring brook 
 
 Of cold water their fill. 
 
 You hear the hum of the bee 
 
 As she gathers her store, 
 To provide for the winter 
 
 When the summer is o'er; 
 And the farmer that tills 
 
 The fine fertile field. 
 In the harvest he reaps 
 
 A bountiful vield. 
 
Now il istit'ty years; 
 
 It was May Forty-eiglit, 
 She was admitted to this union 
 
 As a full sister state. 
 AVe will sing on her semi-centennial 
 
 With hearts full of glee, 
 And hope her full centennial 
 
 We will all live to see. 
 
 ADVICE TO Ills FATHER. 
 
 ITere's the adsice Uncle Joe gave his father on the ()ccasi(jn of 
 the old gentleman's sevcnly-eighth birthday: 
 
 Dear father, now that you are seventy-eight, 
 
 Your knees are stiff and your back's not straight. 
 
 The l)lood through your veins it courses slow, 
 
 And not so warm as it was long, long ago: 
 
 Now as you have grown so feeble and old. 
 
 The nights are frosty and the days are cold, 
 
 lU-re is a little ad\ice I will give to you. 
 
 And tell you what I think you ought to do. 
 
 Take your bible or some other book', 
 
 Select some warm and cozy nook. 
 
 Where with the specks astraddle your nose, 
 
 Sometimes you read, sometimes dose. 
 
 If you think you are sitting too long still, 
 
 You can get the tobacco box your pipe to fill. 
 
 A match you will find in the box there on the wall. 
 
 And on the stove give it a scrall. 
 
 Now there is the fire your pipe to redden, [hidden. 
 
 And(iuietly smoke away all troubles that in your breast are 
 
 I'll look after the chores, take you no fear, 
 
For you looked after them for mo for many a year; 
 
 Everything- for your comfort must 1 do, 
 
 For years ago you did it for mo, now I'll do it for you. 
 
 And those little children around hero that you see, 
 
 1 am doing it for them, some day they will do it for me, 
 
 Al least I will give them a:n example of what they ought to do, 
 
 AVlion I am old and feeble and bent down like you, 
 
 And it may be, sir, in some far distant day, , 
 
 When I am feeble wilh sickness or with age grown gray, 
 
 They will read this advice that I have given lo you. 
 
 And ask their old father the same thing to do. 
 
 And when this life is ended and you are laid away, 
 
 To moulder again back to old mother clay, 
 
 I'll have this satisfaction which none can gainsay. 
 
 That I did my duty to my father while with me he did stay. 
 
 And ril not fear to meet you in Heaven above. 
 
 Where all is true kindness, cemented with love. 
 
 For I say to you father, and to all persons li\ing. 
 
 That true kindness and love is the highway to Heaven. 
 
 Then let us be kind to the old, the weak and the young. 
 
 And angels will guide us when Iho Lord, He savs come. 
 
 TRI15UTE TO HIS WIFE MA(4GIE. 
 
 Wisconsin, the home of my adoption, 
 No other spot on earth so dear to me; 
 love her woods, her hills, her lakes. 
 And her world famed Uni — versify I 
 
 Every one born within this state 
 
 Are heirs to an honest heart. 
 And her flower-clad hills and rippling rills 
 
 To them love and kindness doth impart. 
 
 9 
 
I know whereof I speak, 
 
 For my wife, Maggie, now lias silver'd liair. 
 Forty years having come and gone 
 
 Since here she first breatlied the air. 
 
 Twenty of tliem she's been my wife, 
 
 And poured out tlie supper tea. 
 Every morn when she rises from her bed, 
 
 She asks her Lord to bless and protect me. 
 
 She prays to Him who reigns above, 
 
 To Him who sits upon the eternal throne. 
 
 To encircle with His arms of love, 
 Her children and her home. 
 
 She prays that every dying soul 
 
 May hear salvation's call. 
 And every living sinner from pole to pole 
 
 At her Lord's feet may fall. 
 
 Oh! sweet content, long I sought your face, 
 As alone I scrambled up life's hill, steep and scraggy, 
 
 But I never got a glimpse of j^our abiding place 
 Until joined in wedlock with my peerless Maggie! 
 
 MATRIMONIAL POEM. 
 
 This poem was delivered on the occasion of the marriage of 
 David Ryan and Maggie Brown, Sept. 28, 1895. 
 
 Neighbors and friends we have met today, 
 
 At the home of Michael Brown; 
 To see his daughter Maggie give her hand away, 
 
 And wear the bridal gown. 
 
 10 
 
To see her prepare to leave tlie place of her birth. 
 
 This pleasant paternal home; 
 To go out into the world with David Ryan, 
 
 To make a happy one of her own. 
 
 ^Ve will each take her gently by the hand, 
 
 And wish her long life to enjoy; 
 For we are sure her cup of happiness will overflow, 
 
 With David Ryan for her boy. 
 
 And David we'll lake him by the hand. 
 
 And give him a hearty shake. 
 For we know that he'll be kind to Maggie, 
 
 All for her parents' sake. 
 
 For when they saw you come from church today, 
 Tears of joy down her mother's cheeks did run; 
 
 When father whispered in her ear, 
 
 "Lost a daughter l)ul got another son." 
 
 Now David, here's a staff for you. 
 
 You don't need it yet I know; 
 But sir, I hope you will live to appreciate, 
 
 This trifle from old Joe. 
 
 When man is young here he goes. 
 
 The woods resound with his merry laugh 
 
 But when he is old this is the way, 
 It is then he needs the staff. 
 
 Maggie lass, here's a tea pot for you. 
 
 Its use you quite well know; 
 Long may you live to sip the tea. 
 
 That from its spout will flow. 
 
 11 
 
And when you are in your own home, 
 
 A home where there'll ne'er be a gibe or (luarrel: 
 If I around should chance to roam, 
 
 Give me a drop out of the barrel. 
 
 Now, long life and happiness to you both, 
 
 As along life's road you go; 
 And may you love one another to the end, 
 
 Is the sincere wish of Uncle Joe. 
 
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
 Here is what I have to say nboul Abraliam Lincoln on his 
 birthday, Feb. 12: 
 
 The American people meet today 
 
 In churches and halls kind words to say 
 
 In praise of him. 
 Who was the one to plan and lay out the way 
 
 To sweep from our land disg'race and sin. 
 
 While in his youth he split the rail 
 
 And threshed the grain with his home-made Hail, 
 
 All this to make him stronger 
 To speak the words that would make rebellion quail, 
 
 And nations at him wonder. 
 
 He was the one that spoke the word, 
 "Freemen now unsheath your sword, 
 
 I must proclaim emancipation, 
 And with the help of a true and living God, 
 
 We'll make this a free and united nation." 
 
 12 
 
The war wont on for lour long- years, 
 
 The eyes of mothers and daughters bcdimmed with tears 
 
 From the rising until the sotting of the sun; 
 The mother for the father she had not seen for years, 
 
 The daughter for the brother or some other one. 
 
 When at length Gettysburg was won, 
 
 When through battle clouds brightly the sun 
 
 Shone from on high, 
 When slaves rejoiced, their freedom's come. 
 
 He had to die. 
 
 Slain by an assassin's hand. 
 
 Without a moment's warning before his (Jod to stand. 
 
 No farewell could he say; 
 Causing profound sorrow throughout our land 
 
 Even to this day. 
 
 Abraham Lincoln, for thee we mourn, 
 
 The country you loved will that love return; 
 
 Calm and peaceful be your repose, 
 i^'or America only when she to embers burn 
 
 Shall cease to speak your praise in rhyme and prose. 
 
 EBEN COLLINS' SILVER WEDDING. 
 
 Spoken Dec. 14, 1895, at their residence. 
 Twenty-five years ago today 
 You promised ojie another; 
 You promised before Cod and man 
 You would live this life together. 
 
 And during the five-and-twenty years 
 
 You have passed up the hill of life, 
 
 Eben Collins has proved himself an honest man 
 
 And you, an industrious wife. 
 
 13 
 
And today we have met, at this, your home, 
 A home filled with peace and plenty. 
 The tables loaded down with sweets 
 And a decanter, not half empty. 
 
 Mrs. Collins, should we give you a choice tonight 
 
 Of some titled duke or peer, 
 
 Your hand in his again you would place 
 
 And say: "I'll take my Eben dear." 
 
 Now we'll give your husband that self-same chance 
 To select the daughter of some lord or seer, 
 His hand again in yours he would place 
 And say: "I'll take my Ella dear." 
 
 And should we all live another twenty-five years. 
 As I hope and trust we will. 
 We'll come again to your happy home 
 Knowing you love one another still. 
 
 It will not be the fickle, amorous love 
 
 Of fifty years before. 
 
 But a calmer and undying love 
 
 or two that are neai' Tour score. 
 
 Now, friends, today let us eat and (h-ink 
 Until we have got our fill, 
 Then to our homes let us haste away. 
 Loving one another still. 
 
 U 
 
ON THE DEATH OF LITTLE ROBBIE COLLINS. 
 
 The following- is a little poem on the death of Robert Collins, 
 who died at his home in Verona, Sept. 20, 1895: 
 
 At the home of Eben Collins 
 
 There is sorrow tonight, 
 For malignant diphtheria 
 
 Rages there in its might; 
 And a father and mother 
 
 Alone pray to their God, 
 To spare the life 
 
 Of their dear little Rob. 
 
 No neighbor, no friend 
 
 Is allowed to be there, 
 To speak words of comfort 
 
 Or their grief for to share; 
 And his last little request 
 
 They have to deny, 
 To shake hands with brothers and sisters 
 
 A farewell goodbye. 
 
 Together they watch 
 
 Through that long Autumn night. 
 Doing all that they can 
 
 The disease for to fight; 
 At three o'clock in the morning 
 
 Comes the hnal heart throb, 
 And they pray, accept of his spirit 
 
 Oh, our true loving God. 
 
 They are there all alone 
 
 Their boy he is dead, 
 Quietly they prepared him 
 
 For his last little bed; 
 
And in the coffin his body 
 
 They gently placed, 
 While tears gush from their eyes 
 
 And run down from their face. 
 
 It's all over now 
 
 The father he said, 
 As with trembling- hand 
 
 He made fast the lid. 
 But for days and for weeks 
 
 You could hear a sigh and a sob. 
 As a fond mother mourns 
 
 For her dear little Rob. 
 
 Death casts a gloom o'er our homes 
 
 Come when it may, 
 But a thousand times worse 
 
 When it comes in this way; 
 And I hope you will all earnestly 
 
 Pray to your God, 
 That no more of your number 
 
 Pass under this rod. 
 
 SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY. 
 
 Spoken at the homo of R. E. Beat, on the occasion of 
 mother's 75th birthday. 
 
 Neighbors and friends, we have met today, 
 To pleasantly pass a few hours of our life away. 
 To eat and drink and take a smoke, 
 And with one another to crack a joke. 
 
 16 
 
For our frioud and neighbor, Robert ]>eat, 
 Made up his mind some friends to treat. 
 For today his mother is seventy-Hve, 
 And few born that day are now alive. 
 
 And Jon^' may she li\e to enjoy this life. 
 
 With her son Robert and his good wife. 
 
 Live to see her little grandsons grow to be honest men, 
 
 An honor bol h to her and them. 
 
 My wish is that she will live at least another twenty-Hve. 
 That her hens and turkeys with her thrive, 
 And that every egg she puts 'neath a hen that's cluckin' 
 Will produce a live bird before its broken. 
 
 Then she will say to Robert: "Go once more, 
 "And tell my friends Fm still to the fore. 
 "Tell them to come again and get their dinner, 
 "For today Fve struck the even hunner. " 
 
 And to go Fm sure we'll no be bleat. 
 And with her a hearty dinner eat, 
 Aye, even to drink a bowl of toddy, 
 And wish her weel, that kind auld body. 
 
 And now, my friends, let us all rise to our feet, 
 
 And with our right hand our right hand neighbor greet, 
 
 And as this will form a circle round, 
 
 May love and friendship in each heart be found. 
 
 And when Joe finishes this homely rhyme. 
 
 We'll sing that song called Auld Lang Syne, 
 
 And before een 'o us tak' our seat 
 
 We'll wish long life and happiness to Grandma Beat. 
 
 I'Z 
 
INSTITUTE SOUVENIR. 
 
 Delivered at tho Opera Hall, Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, Tuesday 
 evening, Jan. 28, 1896. 
 
 Mr. President, ladies, and farmers all. 
 Tonight we have met in the opera hall 
 To hear professors from the city. 
 Men Vviio are gleg to talk and very witty. 
 
 Men who are versed in farming lore, 
 Read books and pamphlets by the score; 
 Men who will tell us the scientific way 
 To till our farms and make them pay. 
 
 Tell us tiie best breed of cattle 
 
 That will fill our pockets with the yellow metal; 
 
 And the kind of cows to keep and milk, 
 
 To dress our old wives in imported silk. 
 
 Men that know the kind of sheep 
 
 That on the farm we ought to keep; 
 
 The kind that will grow the most wool makes the softest yarn 
 
 To knit into shirts and socks to keep us warm. 
 
 And the best breed of hogs in the whole lot 
 
 That the flesh will swell when your wife boils it in the pot. 
 
 Or if in the pan she wants to fry 
 
 It will not spit or spat into her eye. 
 
 Tell us the breed of hens that is sure to lay 
 
 One egg and sometimes two a day, 
 
 And the rooster that will rise in the early morn 
 
 And cackle loud for the hen when he has found the worm. 
 
 18 
 
Now here is a truth I will tell to you: 
 That an institute conducted by J. M. True, 
 That for years after fruit will bear, 
 And all farmers will the profits share. 
 
 For he will tell us how to plow and hoe, 
 
 To make the potatoes and corn with vigor grow. 
 
 And Avhere last year a tiny stalk grew, 
 
 This year a healthy one and perhaps two. 
 
 For he knows and will explain the way 
 That soon the mortgage we can pay; 
 And the renters on farms, worn to the stone. 
 Soon will own a fertile farm of their own. 
 
 And after you have heard it all. 
 
 And return home again from this opera hall; 
 
 If on the farm you would succeed. 
 
 To a little advice pray take heed. 
 
 Leave off the cup of social mirth 
 I For more permanent joys beside the hearth: 
 Work in the field till it is dark, ■ 
 Be up in the morning with the lark. 
 
 In the spring be the first to plow and sow, 
 lit gives the seed longer time to sprout and grow. 
 And when the summer's past and the harvest is come. 
 You will find the early seeding takes the plum. 
 
 If you do this and mind what Uncle Richard said. 
 The foundation of your fortune's laid: 
 •'He that plows deep while others sleep 
 
 Will have both corn to sell and keep; 
 fVnd he that at tlie plow would thrive 
 
 Must either hold himself or drive." 
 
 10 
 
Thanking- you all for your kind attention, 
 
 Tliough this is hardly worth my while to mention: 
 
 In farmer's phrase, "(iod bid you speed still daily lo urow wiser 
 
 And may you bettor tend your plow, than e'er did your advi^el•. " 
 
 SOCIABLE INVITATION. 
 
 In Tom A. Stewart's shidy grovo, 
 Two miles west of Verona Station, 
 
 The S. S. children made up their minds 
 To have a day ot recreation. 
 
 Mothers will bake up pies and cakes, 
 Fathers will toil the grove to clean. 
 
 For they will have a basket dinner, 
 Upon the grass so soft and green. 
 
 The Rev. Robb will open with prayer. 
 And pray with fervent grace, 
 
 He will ask the Lord to come and bless. 
 The children of this place. 
 
 Their parents, too, he'll not forget. 
 For we are all sinners here below. 
 
 Then will follow a declamation. 
 By one called Uncle Joe. 
 
 The singers, they will sing a song, 
 While Lottie on the organ play, 
 
 And Rev. Brown from a distant town, 
 Will deliver the oration of the day. 
 
 The dinner hour having now arrived. 
 We'll be seated in a circle around, 
 
 While love and amity will fill each heart 
 Upon that picnic ground. 
 
 20 
 
And Ihe rooster thai crowed at :• o'clock, 
 And blew a blast on his horn. 
 
 The old hen at his side to notify, 
 Ag-ain of the coming morn. 
 
 He loo I know will sure be there, 
 But there will be no light in his eye, 
 
 lie will be baked between two crusts, 
 And they'll call him chicken pie. 
 
 The dinner o'er the chikh-en then, 
 Each on the stand will lake their place 
 
 And tell us what they have learned 
 About the Saviour of our race. 
 
 A stand will be upon the ground, 
 
 Built in the coolest shade, 
 Where every lad can treat his lass, 
 
 To ice cold lemonade. 
 
 Ice cream too they'll have in store, 
 
 For those who wish to buy, 
 Candy and peanuts for the young, 
 
 And pop for those that's dry. 
 
 Saturday, Aug. 10, the year '1)5, 
 Now that's the day that's set, 
 
 Come, one and all, and be sure you don't 
 The (lav and date forget. 
 
 21 
 
THE WATERTOWN CONVENTION. 
 
 It was August 2iid, ninety-four 
 
 We stepped on the train and sluit tlie door 
 
 And away we went 
 To Watertown, forty miles or more 
 
 Was our intent. 
 
 When we did there arrive, 
 
 We found we had quite a drive 
 
 To theHotel Commercial, 
 Where Jones' headquarters he would strive, 
 
 Not to share the faith of our Bushnell. 
 
 Burr Jones he is our man from Dane, 
 John Leary will present his name 
 
 At ihe convention. 
 And we will work with might and main 
 
 To secure his nomination. 
 
 Over at the Hotel Daub, 
 
 I found Robert Kirklaud; he's a lad 
 
 Of Scottish birth. 
 I spent an hour with him and his squad 
 
 In social mirth. 
 
 Robert he's a typical Scot, 
 
 On his fair name there's not a blot — 
 
 No, not one. 
 I wouldn't be surprised if there was a plot 
 
 To send him down to Washington. 
 
 There, too, the Bar wigs have a room 
 Where you can, and that very soon, 
 Be at vour ease. 
 
And your face looks like a full moon, 
 Rising- o'er the seas. 
 
 With the Barwig boys you could find no fault, 
 For they had a drop of the finest malt 
 
 That was brewed in Dodge. 
 And they wouldn't stop, tho' you'd say halt, 
 
 Till they'd fill your podge. 
 
 For four days the chairman stood upon the stand 
 And cried: Nine votes for Robert Kirkland. 
 
 Yes, that was it. 
 While Jones, fourteen he did land 
 
 And twenty for Carl Earwig. 
 
 But ballot five hundred and twenty-eight, 
 Robert Kirkland had his nine votes straight— 
 
 Not one more. 
 Jones ceased to be a running mate 
 
 And Barwig got the thirty-four. 
 
 And when the chair announced the nomination; 
 Kirkland he made an oration. 
 
 And so did Burr. 
 We picked up our traps, went to the station. 
 
 And off home with a whirr. 
 
 ODE TO WATERTOWN. 
 
 Watertown is a city mostly built of brick, 
 And through the center runs a creek; 
 
 Perhaps 'tis hardly worth my while to mention, 
 And yet it is the very place I would pick 
 
 To hold a congressional convention. 
 
 23 
 
The inhabit ants, too, thoy like to see 
 Their city lionored as it should be 
 
 With men of fame, 
 Burr Jones, Cantwell, Quinn and Ogilvie, 
 
 And a dozen more from the county Dane. 
 
 Watertown, what city can I with thee compare 
 For honest men, and maids Jhafs fair? 
 
 Of thee I am proud. 
 And 1 will ne'er forget when I was there 
 
 TTnlil death siiall my memory cloud. 
 
 And even then metliinks my soul 
 
 Will yearn to come back and take a stroll 
 
 Along that street, 
 Which crosses the river and up a knoll 
 
 Where your christian people go their God to meet 
 
 DAN M< ILYIE^S WELL. 
 
 It was during the drought of ninety-five. 
 When nothing green could live and thrive; 
 
 When springs and w^ells w^ent dry, 
 Dahle water to Henderson had to drive — 
 
 A new well he would try. 
 
 So he hired one Dan Mcllvie, 
 And an honest Irish lad is he — 
 
 To do the drilling; 
 And said "drill until plenty water here you see, 
 
 And for every foot you'll get six shilling." 
 
 For four days Dan worked at this well; 
 Every foot he went down he noted it well. 
 
 Another seventy-five cents to feed and clothe the bab; 
 
 24 
 
lie never took a bl'eathiii.i;' spell 
 
 lUit cried, '"Andrew; now I am ready!" 
 
 The fourth night while Uan lay in his bed. 
 His aching" arms down by his side, 
 
 His fingers jarred, scarce could feeh - 
 Some villain took it inlo his head 
 
 To drop into llie well a chunk of sleel. 
 
 It was in the night, when all was still, 
 
 He crawled through the gro\e, raised up the drill, 
 
 And shame to tell. 
 He raised the steel with a demon's will 
 
 And dropped it down into the well. 
 
 For two days Dan worked hard and sore, 
 
 The steel to crush, the hole to bore- 
 It was all in vain; 
 
 He had to move the machine two feet or more, 
 And start from the top again. 
 
 Dan was vexed and very mad; 
 
 He smiled at times, yet his heart was sad 
 
 To see his labor wasted in this way; 
 I'll put a curse upon his head. 
 
 And I'll do it now this very day." 
 
 "\fay his skin with boils be a solid scroll. 
 And vermin over him nightly crawl, 
 
 And in his body Satan and his angels reign, 
 T'ntil in his agonv he will bawl: 
 
 I'll never do the like again!" 
 
 Should the wretch this chance to see. 
 Or troubled with a guilty conscience as he should be. 
 And wish to change his way of livin', 
 9.") 
 
Let him go and ask Dan Mcllvie 
 
 And I know for sure he'll be forgiven. 
 
 For Dan, though by poverty pressed, 
 Has a forgiving heart in his Irish breast; 
 
 One that will forgive an erring brother; 
 He'll say, go, and your conscience have peace and rest, 
 
 But never do it to another. 
 
 Oh, may God hasten the time, 
 
 When in our land there will be no such crime 
 
 As stealing from the poor man's purse — 
 And forgive Dan in Thy good time 
 
 For speaking forth such a fearful curse. 
 
 MONOPOLY. 
 
 O, Fortune may it be thy pleasure. 
 
 To give me naught to do but at my leisure; 
 
 To make my thoughts to rhyme with a true measure. 
 
 Make my bread, my clothes and water sure. 
 You might then take all my golden treasure 
 
 And divide it 'mongst the poor. 
 
 Give it to him who is sore oppressed. 
 Who is scarce of food and scant of dress; 
 To him who by his neighbors pressed 
 
 For what he owes. 
 Give to him until he is with plenty blessed. 
 
 And better clothes. 
 
 For it's a sorrow thought that throughout our land. 
 Thousands who are deserving at thy hand, 
 On poverty's brink they've got to stand; 
 While vagabonds grow rich, 
 
Fori-in^' around tliem monopoly's band, 
 To crowd their fellow in the ditch. 
 
 Methinks that soon will dawn the day, 
 When the laborin"^- men will hold the SAvay, 
 And to trusts and monopolies they will say: 
 
 "We'll break your band, 
 And sweep you in utter dismay 
 
 From otr our land." 
 
 Then man to man will a brother be. 
 
 Then mothers will shout and clap their hands with ;nlee, 
 
 For no more lockouts or strikes they'll see 
 
 Throughout our land. 
 All will be love, friendship and prosperity. 
 
 When broken lies monopoly's band. 
 
 A TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM CHARLETON, 
 
 The Dane County board's composed of fifty men. 
 And when they meet they shake hands and then — 
 
 They all set to their work, 
 Some to figure with a pencil, son\e to write with a pen, 
 
 And others various bills sort. 
 
 The senior member of this county board 
 Is a man who at one time carried a sword, 
 
 His country's honor to defend. 
 He still loves his country and his Lord, 
 
 And to every mau a friend. 
 
 He is six feet tall and a few inches more, 
 His head is covered with age's frosty hoar, 
 For that it's all the better. 
 
It's jammed chockrul of l(\nal lore, 
 He knows it, e\oi'y woi-d and Icttci'. 
 
 When a member wants some legal advice 
 He goes to him and in a thrice 
 
 They've got the information desired. 
 TTe'll give it to them slice after slice, 
 
 And iie\'ei- oiicc^ get t ii'cd. 
 
 To be led and dir'^ct(^d by such an honest light, 
 AVe liave no fear but what we'll do right; 
 
 Fair and honest between man and man. 
 And our works may always be shown to the light 
 
 We fear no critic's scan. 
 
 He's long been the acknowledged leader of board: 
 No man had e'er cause to doubt his word; 
 
 He's as honest as the day is long, 
 As true as the steel that was his sword. 
 
 His name is William Oharleton. 
 
 IN MEMORY OF SAMUEL McCAUGHEY. 
 
 Ah death, once more you have come around, 
 To have build in your city another mound, 
 
 With a marble block to bear the inscription; 
 Here Samuel McCaughey's dust may be found 
 
 On the day of resurrection. 
 
 Oh, how could you be so bold, 
 
 As on that j'oung man to lay your hand so cold. 
 
 And make us grieve today; 
 As we laid him in the grave again to mold 
 
 Back to kindred clay. 
 
 28 
 
Sammio, now that you have gone, 
 
 Tlic dcay, the week seems twice as loiii;-, 
 
 Kor your face no more Til see; 
 rutil I meet you around Christ's throne 
 
 In Etern — ity. 
 
 For the book of books it tells us plain, 
 
 That all who believe in Him who in hea\en tloes reij^n, 
 
 And from that faith does not sever; 
 Though dead to earth they shall live again 
 
 And sing the praise of their Lord forever. 
 
 THE STAFF. 
 
 Spoken on being presented with one by his old friend, John 
 McUunald. 
 
 Kind friend, accept of many thanks. 
 For this gift of yours to ease my shanks; 
 
 This staff to steady me down the hill of life, 
 ril use it until I join the majority's ranks, 
 
 And leave this world of grief and strife. 
 
 You saw with your perceptive eye, 
 
 That the top of life's hill I was drawing nigh; 
 
 In truth, I am there already, 
 And down its incline swiftly must fly, 
 
 I needed this staff to keep me steady. 
 
 A young man just i)assed his "teens, 
 Clad in a calico shirt and blue jeans, 
 
 On his leg a supple calf, 
 Fed on mush and milk, pork and beans. 
 
 He needs no statl". 
 
 29 
 
For when his clay's work is done 
 He is ready then to have some fun, 
 With others for mastery to strive; 
 With a crony perhaps a race to run 
 • Or in some pond to swim and dive. 
 
 But see him when he nears four score, 
 One foot passes the other and no more; 
 
 He is on the hill of life where the incline's steep, 
 Leans on his staff till his hand is sore, 
 
 To case his tired and weary feet. 
 
 His staff he holds in trembling- hand, 
 Makes a desperate effort erect to stand, 
 
 But all in vain. 
 Time weighs him down with a heavy hand, 
 
 And his joints are stiff and ache with pain. 
 
 When man is young his strength's his glory, 
 
 When he is old he points with pride to his hair that's 
 
 And says, "I've lived to see [hoary 
 
 The truth of that old story, 
 
 Man's life on earth is vanity." 
 
 LITTLE JOE. 
 
 It was February, and we had a thaw 
 
 The wind from the east blew cold and raw, 
 
 Two years ago, 
 And fever with its deadly paw. 
 
 Laid hold of little Joe. 
 
 And while we sat about the bed — 
 1 at the foot, his mother at the head: 
 He was sinking low, 
 
 30 
 
She risini;' quickly said: 
 
 You must for Dr. Kingsley go. 
 
 I went and it was not long 
 Until the doctor was among 
 
 Some neighbors there — 
 Neighbors who liad come along 
 
 Our grief to share. 
 
 Oh I if Tve would but lake a thought, 
 And strive to share our neighbor's lot; 
 
 And with him grieve 
 On this memory we would place a blot 
 
 That would never leave. 
 
 The doctor walked up to the bed; 
 He felt the pulse and raised the head, 
 
 And said: "I don't know,'' 
 And Mrs. McDonald while tears she shed, 
 
 Sobbed "poor little Joe." 
 
 And during that long winter's night 
 The doctor made a gallant fight, 
 
 Our son to save. 
 And with the morning's glorious light 
 
 He plucks him from an early grave. 
 
 Now, my friends, is it any wonder 
 That r should Dr. Kingsley honor? 
 
 And help him on. 
 He lost that night his eight hours slumber 
 
 But saved my son. 
 
 Now, mothers kind and fathers all, 
 "When sickness on your homo do fall, 
 You may rest secure — 
 
 31 
 
If you will on Dr. Kingsloy call; 
 For he'll strive to cure. 
 
 ril not say lie can raise the dead: 
 
 Or if he tells the sick to pick up their bed 
 
 That they will walk. 
 But if he has the slightest threanl, 
 
 It's death he'll balk. 
 
 DEDICATION OF CORNELIUS VILAS GUILD. 
 
 One day quite lately as I strolled, 
 
 Through the Madison capitol park, 
 I heard sweet sounds of music. 
 
 Which brought joy to my sorrowing heart. 
 
 I knew not from whence it came, 
 
 As through the air it shrilled, 
 I asked a stranger, he replied, 
 
 "They're dedicating Cornelius Yilas Guild." 
 
 "Cornelius Vilas was a maid 
 
 With unbounded kindness blest. 
 But Ah! she died and left us here. 
 
 And soared to her heavenly rest. 
 
 "While here on earth she expressed a wish. 
 That Grace church should have a Guild, 
 
 Her parents said they would fulfill that wish, 
 For one, it's they would build. 
 
 "Now the Guild is build, and on a Marble block. 
 
 As you pass through the door. 
 You may read this inscription carved thereon, 
 
 Cornelius Vilas Guild, eighteen ninety-four. 
 
 32 
 
"Truly it is a handsome gift from a parent, 
 
 Yet we ought to thank our God, 
 Who imbued her mind with that noble thought, 
 
 And her tongue to speak the word. 
 
 Kind stranger, well I remember the day, 
 
 When my grief I could not smother, 
 When I saw Cornelius carried away 
 
 From a kind and indulgent mother. 
 
 I saw her father bent down with grief, 
 
 Every muscle in his frame did quiver. 
 As we laid her away with ceremonies brief, 
 
 Aye! Laid her away for ever. 
 
 And your joy of today, was begotten that way, 
 
 Begotten with sorrow unspoken, 
 For with a sigh and a moan they returned to their home 
 
 Their family circle riven and broken. 
 
 WEDDED BLISS. 
 
 Now, Jimmie. since you have a home. 
 And furnished with a pretty wife, 
 
 May success attend your every effort. 
 And live a long and happy wedded life. 
 
 May the first one born to this happy union 
 
 Be a bright and cooing boy, 
 That will make his father laugh with glee. 
 
 And his mother shed tears of joy. 
 
 And may he be a healthy child, 
 That'll give you little bother: 
 
 And when he to manhood grows — 
 Be wiser than his father. 
 
Yet may he do as liis father done. 
 
 Never to romp and roam: 
 But marry some true American lass, 
 
 And make another happy home. 
 
 May the second be a little maid, 
 
 With a rose upon her cheek — 
 That will run and play with this little boy. 
 
 At the old-time hide-and-seek. 
 
 May she live and be a comfort to you both. 
 
 In your declining years; 
 And when she takes a thought to wed — 
 
 Discard foreign dukes and peers. 
 
 Do, Jimmie, as her mother's done, 
 
 Her country ne'er disown: 
 But marry some true American lad. 
 
 And make another happy home. 
 
 Ah! this will make a happy voyage of life^ 
 A pleasant sail from shore to shore: 
 
 Then laid away within the tomb. 
 To be seen bv human eves no more. 
 
 LITTLE JOE'S HOLIDAY GREETING 
 
 A merry Christmas and a happy New Year! 
 To all my playmates and teacher dear. 
 And to all scholars far and near 
 May this holiday season bring good cheer. 
 And may Santa Glaus be sure to come 
 With many nice presents to everyone: 
 
 34 
 
And a great many more may we all live to see. 
 And with each return thank God on bended knee. 
 Always with thankful hearts our voices lift, 
 To Christ the giver of every good and precious gift. 
 
 TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY. 
 
 Of the marriage of Jonnie Patton and his wife, Melvina Proud, 
 February 14, 1896. 
 
 Twenty years ago tonight, 
 
 The wedding bells rang clear and loud. 
 For that day Jonnie Patton got for his bride. 
 
 A sonsy lass, Melvina Proud. 
 
 And as twenty years have come and gone, 
 
 Today's their wedding china; 
 We've come to this, their happy home. 
 
 To shake hands with John and his Melvina. 
 
 We've come to this, their pleasant home. 
 And we make remarks — how fast does a family grow. 
 
 For here we have ample proof 
 That little cupid made no mistake tw^enty years ago. 
 
 We've come to this, their happy home, 
 
 To eat of the marriage feast once more, 
 And wish them health and happiness, 
 
 For at least another score. 
 
 Another score did you say? 
 
 To that I'll add ten. 
 This will bring us to their golden wedding day. 
 
 And again we hope to meet with them. 
 
 35 
 
When this night's sport is through. 
 
 And towards home eacli one wends their way. 
 May we bow our heads and tliank our God 
 
 For each blessing of this day. 
 
 APPRECIATION OF THE LADIES' AID. 
 
 Spoken Novemljor 27, 1895. 
 
 Ladies, since last with you I met, 
 
 The summer has come and gone, 
 And the longer night and the shorter day 
 
 Tell us winter's wearing on. 
 
 Though I've not with you met, 
 
 Still you've met at stated times, 
 And been very successful, this I know, 
 
 Gathering in the dimes. 
 
 The reason that I know so well 
 
 Was when you cut up that caper. 
 And appointed a committee of three 
 
 To go and buy paint and paper. 
 
 Mrs. Eben Collins she was one, 
 
 Mrs. J. P. Henderson another. 
 Then you appointed Maggie here, 
 
 Just Old Joe for to bother. 
 
 They came right here, they took my team. 
 
 And straight way went to Moe, 
 And the bargain that they made with him. 
 
 Would shame us men 1 know. 
 
 36 
 
You were not satisfied willi that, 
 
 For you an order gave, 
 That sheds around the church be built. 
 
 Our horses for to save. 
 
 The church is papered, painted, grained, 
 
 New steps put at the door. 
 The sheds are built to entice us there. 
 
 To meet with the God that you adore. 
 
 Now in behalf of the trustees, 
 
 Accept thanks for what you've done. 
 
 And may the blessing- of our Lord 
 Be with you everyone. 
 
 AKNIE LYAL. 
 
 Of all the maid's that ere I knew. 
 
 None had so sweet a smile; 
 As a lass that lived in Verona, 
 
 And her name was Annie Lyall. 
 
 None knew her but to love her. 
 
 And if you were in her company awhile 
 You would find you was with an angel. 
 
 For one on earth was Annie Lyall. 
 
 But death the fell destroyer 
 
 On Annie he did smile, 
 He's always looking- for the best, 
 
 And he withered Annie Lyall. 
 
 She died in the spring time of her life. 
 And in death wore that same soft smile 
 
Which caused us all to love her, 
 And call her sweet Annie Lyall. 
 
 She is gone from her father and mother. 
 
 Her sisters and us all for awhile; 
 But in heaven we will meet her as an angel. 
 
 For one on earth was Annie Lyall. 
 
 TO THE MEMORY OF WM. OGILVIE. 
 
 [Dec. 7, 1894.] 
 
 Verona today is in mourning, 
 
 She needs no veil to cover her face. 
 For she has laid away in the grave yard 
 
 The foremost business man of the place. 
 
 For years WillOgilvie was our stock man. 
 
 Bought our cattle, sheep and swine, 
 Paying the highest prices the market would afford. 
 
 We ne'er had cause to whine. 
 
 No more he'll be seen around the stock yards 
 
 With a short stick in his hand, 
 Stirring the heavy porkers around 
 
 To see if they can stand. 
 
 And then to get them on the scales. 
 
 You would hear his shrill sty-sty. 
 The hogs are on, and the gate is shut. 
 
 In the twinkling of an eye. 
 
 His scales were always right, 
 
 Balanced so fair and true. 
 Will Ogilvie ne'er wanted a pound 
 
 Thai rightfully belongs to you. 
 
 38 
 
The Presbyterian church has lost a friend. 
 
 A main stay and a prop, 
 For every time the contribution box went round, 
 
 You could hear a quarter drop. 
 
 And when we had a special collection, 
 
 For missions foreign or at liome, 
 A dollar he was sure to give, 
 
 To help the good work along. 
 
 We mourn with his aged mother. 
 
 His kind wife and family all. 
 But their true consolation must come through Him. 
 
 Who will not let a sparrow fall. 
 
 TRIBITE TO ROBERT BURNS. 
 
 Kind friends, it gives me great delight 
 To appear before you here tonight, 
 
 To say a word or two in praise. 
 Of that famous bard who first saw the light 
 
 On Scotland's sunny braes. 
 
 For the finest poetry we have today, 
 Its author was born in a hut of clay 
 
 Roofed o'er with straw. 
 He ne'er did a college tuition pay 
 
 Or studied law. 
 
 He had for themes, a mouse, a louse and a daisy. 
 Told what Tarn O'Shanter saw when he was dosey. 
 
 Gave Dr. Horn brook a pill. 
 And near set the clergy crazy, 
 
 When he wrote his prayer for holy Will. 
 
 39 
 
It was he who by chance did meet 
 
 (>n the banks of Ayre, mid snow and sleet. 
 
 An old man tired and worn 
 Who with uplifted hand and trembling feet [sands mourn!"' 
 
 Said "man's inhumanity to man, makes countless thou- 
 
 It was he who advised the youthful man 
 
 When about to leave his father's home, the world to scan. 
 
 "Conceal yourself, from critical dissection. 
 But keek thro' ev'ry other man, 
 
 Wi" sharp and sly inspection." 
 
 And while he plowed in chill November, 
 I'pturned the mouse's nest as you'll remember. 
 
 And as it sped away down the furrow. 
 He spoke to it in words so kind and tender 
 
 So full of sorrow. 
 
 To see that little beast turned out of house and home. 
 On that bleak Held to starve and roam, 
 
 With nothing now to build another, 
 From his tender heart there came a sigh, a moan, 
 
 As he would for an outcast brother. 
 
 'Twas him that we see on a New Year's morn, 
 Under his arm is a rip of corn, 
 
 A gift to his old mare Maggie, 
 And he said ''many a mile swift you have me borne, 
 
 Sae there's a rip for thy old baggie.'' 
 
 'Twas he who owned an old pet sheep. 
 That one day got bothered about his feet, 
 
 With a hempen thether. 
 And it said "Hugh, run and to my master speak, 
 
 And for your pains you'll get my bladder." 
 
 40 
 
It was he who mourned tlie daisy's fate, 
 Strove to save the flower, but it was too late. 
 
 Cruslied and broken was its stem, 
 And he said '"ruins stem plow share drives elate 
 
 On flowers and men."" 
 
 He wrote us songs in the flnest rhyme, 
 Gems sparkling like diamonds from a mine. 
 
 For years a constant flow 
 Of such beautiful thoughts, as Auld Lang Syne. 
 
 And John Anderson, my Joe. 
 
 For iiis Highland Mary a song he wrote 
 Which by lovers of song will ne'er be forgot. 
 
 Made the cotter before the peer to stand, 
 Yet satisfied with his humble lot 
 
 To till and plow the land. 
 
 One hundred years now have fled 
 
 Since he has been numbered with the dead. 
 
 Born, lived and died in an humble station. 
 Today his poetry is loved and read. 
 
 In every clime and nation, 
 
 There"s not a Scott that breathe today, 
 From John 0"Groot"s to the river Tay, 
 
 Or from pole to pole upon which this sphere it turns. 
 But true homage they will pay 
 
 To their honest poet. Bobbie Burns. 
 
 41 
 
SEAT 61. 
 
 [An extemporaneous poem addressed to Mr. Spaulding at his 
 request to have Uncle Joe tell him the seat he occupied in the 
 winter of "91 while in the assembly.] 
 
 First multiply six by ten, 
 
 And then you add a one; 
 If you compute this mathametical problem right. 
 
 You know the seat that old Joe sat upon. 
 
 The cane that's in that seat is stout and strong-. 
 
 It's held up many a fool, 
 But Joe's the only one that ere rose up 
 
 And cried: "God bless our little school." 
 
 THE ROSTER TRIAL. 
 
 The first and last days. 
 Part I. 
 
 [four, 
 February iweaty-sixth, the year eighteen hundred and ninety- 
 I took a trip to Madison, where Yd often been before, 
 To hear the famous Roster trial, a trial as you shall see. 
 Accusing some state officers of afoul conspiracy. 
 
 Judge Siebecker sat upon the bench, 
 
 His beard was shaved as clean as a bead, 
 He took a mallet in his hand, and says: 
 
 "Now, gentlemen, proceed." 
 
 John Olin for the plaintiffs. 
 
 The Tracy, Gibbs and Dows, 
 In the presenting of the case. 
 
 Took seven weary hours. 
 
 42 
 
And at his side sat Jeffries, 
 
 A boy full of legal lore, 
 With a smile upon his honest face. 
 
 And his hair cut pompadour. 
 
 [plea 
 John AVinans, for defendant Clark, said he would make his 
 
 When the evidence was all in, and the jury it would see 
 That he never tried for to defraud, 
 
 Or to form a conspiracy. 
 
 Governor Peck, with a face so bland. 
 
 Wears a mustache and goalee, 
 Flanders says: "Just wait a while: 
 
 There's no conspiracy." 
 
 LaFollette, Jones and Chynoweth, 
 
 They are men of learning deep, 
 They'll prove our Jim's so innocent 
 
 That the jurymen will weep. 
 
 To see such honest men brought into court 
 
 On such a terrible plea, 
 They'll prove the lads quite innocent 
 
 Of a foul conspiracy. 
 
 Senator Bashford and General Doe 
 
 Are the last on the list we see. 
 Lawyer Lamb says: "Wait a while: 
 
 There's no conspirac}'." 
 
 These defendants are all men of worth. 
 
 Men that will live in history; 
 They'll prove lo jury, judge and us all. 
 
 There's no con s))! racy. 
 
 43 
 
Pakt II. 
 For nvelve lonj-- days this trial went on. 
 
 And the lawyers got no rest. 
 John Olin for the plaintffis, 
 
 He did his level best. 
 
 But the lawyers for the defendants saw. 
 
 What John he could not see, 
 That it Avas beyond the power of mortal man. 
 
 To prove conspiracy. 
 
 They had McPhail upon the stand 
 
 For four and twenty hours, 
 With seventeen bright lawyers. 
 
 To lest his mental powers. 
 
 He told about that roster job- 
 None knew as well as he — 
 
 But he never proved a single word 
 Of a foul conspiracy. 
 
 Colonel Bird was next put on the stand. 
 
 He told his story well, 
 He was the one who went across 
 
 And raised particular h — 1. 
 
 The Democrat people sent him o'er 
 
 To investigate the deal, 
 While Geo. Raymer swore, by the powers that be. 
 
 He'd make those fellows squeal. 
 
 •'Now, Col. Bird," said Governor Peck. 
 
 "Fve thought that matter o'er, 
 And the law relating to the same — 
 
 That contract is no more. 
 
 44 
 
"Tlie Democrat people over there. 
 
 AVhom you do represent, 
 Of late with democratic government 
 
 Are very discontent. 
 
 "The people of this commonwealth 
 
 Elected me their chief, 
 And ril protect their treasury 
 
 From every pilfering thief.'' 
 
 Then Flanders says: "A non-suit here! 
 
 The judge, he says: "That's right: 
 And, so far as I'm concerned, 
 
 This ends the legal tight. " 
 
 And turning to the jurymen 
 
 He thus to them did say: 
 "Gentlemen, your'e discharged; 
 
 Go down and get your pay. 
 
 "Go to your homes and families. 
 
 Make haste, then so to do, 
 And wishing a safe journey home, 
 
 I bid vou all adieu." 
 
 I 
 
 ON THE ROAD TO RILEY. 
 
 It was on the road to Riley, 
 
 Two farmers they did go, 
 The one was John McDonald: 
 
 The other Uncle Joe. 
 
 They had neighbored together for many a das- 
 For thirty years or more: 
 
 45 
 
They took a seat and began to talk. 
 How they'd vote in ninety-four. 
 
 Now, John, he was republican, 
 
 He was deep-dyed in the wool: 
 And Joe, he was a democrat 
 
 And a graduate from their school. 
 
 John says, "I've lived right here 
 
 For thirty years and ten. 
 And I would like, if you can explain to me. 
 
 Why so many idle men. 
 
 "The democrats they have been in power 
 For the last two years, or more. 
 
 And our laboring men are tramping "round 
 Till their feet are tired and sore. 
 
 "Down at Pullman they had a strike. 
 
 Monopoly to over-throw, 
 They were drove back with the bayonet. 
 
 And the rest Ave all well know. 
 
 ■'Their ragged children are on the streets. 
 
 They beg from door to door, 
 And the mother with the babe at home. 
 
 Mourns till her heart is sore. 
 
 "The father, too, can get no work, 
 And nights he tramps the floor. 
 
 For to-morrow he is ordered out, 
 Monopoly locks the door. 
 
 "Starvation stares them in the face, 
 His children cry for bread, 
 
 46 
 
And the motlier'.s clieek.s are crimson 
 With the tears that she has shed. 
 
 "Our factories they are all locked up, 
 
 Scarce one with an open door; 
 Don't you think we had better go and vote 
 
 Republican in ninety-four." 
 
 "Now, neighbor John, it's what you say. 
 
 I know is very true, 
 But that democracy is not at fault. 
 
 I'll prove this here to you. 
 
 "The republican party was in power 
 
 For twenty-five years or more. 
 And they put a tariff on all goods 
 
 That arrived upon our shore. 
 
 The merchants, they of other lands. 
 Held up their hands and swore. 
 
 They would never go again and trade 
 On America's protective shore. 
 
 "It built up factories here and there, 
 It made millionaires by the score. 
 
 With the high priced goods we had to buy. 
 They were driving us to the door. 
 
 "The wheat that we in the spring did sow, 
 And stacked with fingers sore, 
 
 Fifty cents a bushel was all we got. 
 For we could get no more. 
 
 41 
 
*'And Germany, too, against our pork, 
 
 Politely shut her door, 
 And two and a half was all we got, 
 
 In eighteen eighty-four. 
 
 **Our Congress has been figuring hard, 
 
 Until their heads are sore; 
 We'll give the lads another chance, 
 
 And vote democratic in ninety-four," 
 
 Now John he gave a little laugh, 
 
 And says, "I'll tell j^ou, Joe, 
 That song that you have just now sung, 
 
 Is the song of two years ago. 
 
 "Then the American people left their work, 
 
 And all went to the polls. 
 And told the Congress in plain words, 
 
 'You must take off those tolls.' 
 
 "They have passed a bill and changed some things. 
 
 But that bill, now in the main, 
 Is just the old McKinley bill, 
 
 Enacted o'er again. 
 
 "But I'll tell you what I've been thinking. 
 
 And I'll propose this now to you, 
 That we'll go and read up Populism, 
 
 And see what they intend to do." 
 
 ••Just what I've been thinking, John, 
 
 But don't you hear the train? 
 We'll have to hurry or we'll be left, 
 
 We'll talk this o'er again." 
 
 48 
 
It was when the equinox had passed us by. 
 And the sun was seen through a smoky sky; 
 
 It was when the acorns were falling from the trees, 
 With every gentle little breeze. 
 
 It was when the wild goose, that lays up no store. 
 Took wings again for a southern shore; 
 
 It was then those same two farmers they did meet, 
 And on an old log took a seat. 
 
 "Now, neighbor John, since last we met. 
 
 I've been studying hard to see, 
 If by voting for either old party. 
 
 How it would benefit you or me. 
 
 "Three years ago we were under republican rule, 
 
 And they on high protection stood; 
 Then we had the disgraceful Homestead riots, 
 
 And the shedding of human blood. 
 
 "The democrats took up the theme. 
 
 And from sea to sea did cry, 
 That the laboring men were being robbed, 
 
 And they knew the reason why. 
 
 "They claimed that under republican rule, 
 
 And the infamous McKinley bill. 
 It would ruin all our commerce. 
 
 And our homes with misery fill. 
 
 "Then the democrats went into power, 
 
 Got possession of the ship of state. 
 And now the misery in our land. 
 
 Is woeful to relate. 
 
 49 
 
•"We've had two years of democracy, 
 
 Two years of tariff reform, 
 And in every cottage in our land, 
 
 The laboring- man does mourn. 
 
 "I'll tell you, John, what we'll have to do. 
 And we mean to do what's right: 
 
 We'll go and vote with the Populists, 
 We'll then monopol}' fight.'* 
 
 "Now, Joe," said John, "I've heard you say. 
 And you've said it well, my boy. 
 
 But the Populist party is very weak. 
 Trusts and monopolies to destroy. 
 
 "I know the party is young and weak, 
 Like a babe it scarce can walk; 
 
 But in November, as sure as we're here. 
 It will be old enough to talk. 
 
 "And two years from now, mark what I say. 
 
 It will with corporations battle. 
 And in the strong arm of the laboring man. 
 
 Trusts and (combinations throttle. 
 
 "I say again, what we must do. 
 
 And this we should remember, 
 To go and vote the Populist ticket straight, 
 
 On the sixth of next November." 
 
 Reasons Why. 
 We have no interest steals, no roster deals, 
 
 No Upham scrip to hide; 
 We have no Peck our ship to wreck. 
 
 On third term's tempestuous tide. 
 
 50 
 
Our shii) will sail, though it blow a gale. 
 
 And in the harbor safely land, 
 Monopolists (|uail, when they see our sail. 
 
 And a solid labor band. 
 
 And farmers, too, will join our crew, 
 With their hands as hard as horn; 
 
 In monopoly's ranks they'll play some pranks. 
 They'd wish we'd ne'er been born. 
 
 In this land of ours we'll yet name the power, 
 That will give us laws that's right. 
 
 Monopolies crush and trusts we'll brush. 
 Into everlasting night. 
 
 TO A FRIEND. 
 
 Come, my friends, let us shout with glee. 
 
 And throw our hats high in air, 
 For Danny McDonald has got a bride, 
 
 ( )ne comely, young and fair. 
 
 One that was born in old Springdale, 
 She's not ashamed to milk the cow, 
 
 .She'll feed the calf, and do the chores, 
 While Dan he tends the plow. 
 
 Dan, too, was born in this same town. 
 And he's a boy we all honor and respect, 
 
 The pretty lass he's got for a wife. 
 He'll ne'er dishonor or neglect. 
 
And may kind fortune hover 'round 
 
 Their home both night and day. 
 And should misfortune strive to enter in. 
 
 She will instantly bar the way. 
 
 And when old age has crept along, 
 
 And placed his furrow'd stamp upon their brow. 
 May they ne'er have cause to regret that day in March 
 
 When they took the solemn marriage vow. 
 
 COMPOSED FOR ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S CEN 
 TENNIAL, FEBRUARY 12, 1909. 
 
 Arise, my countrymen, arise I 
 And honor Abraham Lincoln's name. 
 In churches and halls sing the praise 
 Of his never dying fame. 
 
 One hundred years now have fled. 
 Since he first saw the light of day; 
 And every true American, the world o'er, 
 Will to him homage pay. 
 
 Born of humble parents. 
 He rose to the highest station: 
 And when he died, he left us 
 A free and united nation. 
 
IN MEMORIAM FOR JOHN M'DONALD. 
 
 April was drawn to a close: 
 Melted and gone the winter snows. 
 The rock lily shoots up and blows 
 
 In purple hue. 
 It was then I lost a friend and, God knows. 
 
 One kind and true. 
 
 Not only a friend to me, but a friend to all, 
 One ready to respond to a neighbor's call 
 When trouble would upon them fall, 
 
 He would make haste to be there. 
 And with kindness, soothe the wormwood and the gall, 
 
 To which the human flesh is heir. 
 
 Farewell to thee, my life-long friend! 
 Your noble life's now to an end, 
 A life to all I could commend; 
 
 For during the seventy years you held the lease, 
 You strove and gained the glorious end. 
 
 With your fellow men to live at peace. 
 
 In answer to a communication, which appeared in the Mt. 
 Horeb Times, telling how the girls of Verona, Mt. Horeb and 
 Black Earth kissed, — signed Country Jake. 
 
 Country Jake, for goodness' sake, 
 
 Why did you run by the Riley girl? 
 You should have flown the track, tried her a smack, 
 
 Then told us how she made it whirl. 
 
 And Klevenville, too, past her you flew: 
 
 And she's one that wears a curl. 
 Next time you rhyme, take more time 
 
 And not offend such a pretty girl. 
 
 53 
 
And CouQiry Jake, while your hand I shake. 
 
 ril tell you a truth you ought to know: 
 The girls of today, kiss the very same way 
 
 That their mothers did long, long ago. 
 
 JOHN McDonald and uncle eiOE on the 
 
 FINANCIAL QUESTION. 
 
 It was when March winds began to blow, 
 
 Each day the sun shone longer, 
 And though the ground was covered with ice and snow. 
 
 The atmospnere grew warmer. 
 
 It was in that month the year ninety-five, 
 
 When ice and slush prevails, 
 That John McDonald thought he would strive 
 
 To split some new oak rails. 
 
 He fell'd a dandy white oak tree. 
 
 And to butt it off he was not slow, 
 When who came along, him for to see, 
 
 But his old neighbor. Uncle Joe. 
 
 They had neighbor'd together near forty years. 
 
 Their friendship ne'er was broken. 
 Though troubl'd at times with their pigs and steers, 
 
 Not an angry word was spoken. 
 
 He came across to have a friendly smoke, 
 
 And a pleasant conversation, 
 To inquire for his health and the weal of his folk, 
 
 They met with this common place salutation. 
 
 54 
 
Good morning, John, how do you do, 
 
 Are all the people well, 
 •'Quite well, thanks, how is it with you, 
 
 Have you any news to tell?" 
 
 We're all quite well, Tm pleased to say, 
 
 All able to eat and drink. 
 The only news I have today 
 
 Is about our financial chink. 
 
 The American people are in a fever'd state, 
 
 About their silver coin 
 And how with gold that it should rate. 
 
 Pure bullion from the mine. 
 
 ''Joe, you sit on that stump and take a rest. 
 
 While I sit on the beetle. 
 And tell me what you think is best, 
 
 For the poor American people. 
 
 "For 'tis plain to be seen there's something wrong. 
 
 In twelve months we've borrowed one hundred and twenty 
 million, 
 
 And at that rate it will not be long, 
 Until we'll owe a good round billion. 
 
 '"Our President now has wrote a letter, 
 
 They call it sound finance. 
 There's nothing suits the 'gold bugs' better, 
 
 As 'round Wall street they hop and dance. 
 
"They've had it printed by the score, 
 
 I, myself, I got a bundle. 
 They think the farmers need nothing more, 
 
 For to his views they're sure to tumble." 
 
 But just take the last sixty million loan, 
 
 They 'sold it for a dollar four, 
 And the sun had not six days shown. 
 
 When it was worth a straight eight million more. 
 
 And this they'll call it sound finance. 
 
 And by such deals our debts will pay. 
 When any one can see at a glance, 
 
 We're growing poorer day by day. 
 
 John, all legislation in our assembly halls, 
 
 Favors the man with gold, 
 And the poor, it makes no difference how he calls, 
 
 His interests always pigeon holed. 
 
 TO MR. AND MRS. NED GAFFNEY. 
 
 (Twenty-fifth Anniversary.) 
 
 Twenty-five years ago today 
 
 The solemn words were spoken, 
 
 Vows made, and time has rolled away, 
 Not one nas e'er been broken. 
 
 Now we have come to your happy home 
 To eat of the marriage feast once more, 
 
 To shake your hands and wish you well. 
 Talk of the happy days of yore. 
 
And should you both live another twenty-five, 
 
 As I hope and trust you may, 
 We'll come again to your happy home, 
 
 To celebrate your golden wedding day. 
 
 A day that only a favored few. 
 Who set sail on the matrimonial sea. 
 
 In health and strength, by the grace of God, 
 Are permitted for to see. 
 
 And now on bended knee. 
 
 And with clasped hands, let us pray 
 To the giver of every perfect gift, 
 
 For each blessing of this day. 
 
 I 
 
u^m 
 
 )ne copy del. to Cat. Div 
 
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