m^9 \miiltt' \ '' .''j'^MiiiLitiwii'i^'i'] Fireside Poems — ^ — IRVING I. A. MILLER LIBRARY OE,CONGRESS. ' Shelf UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. cikt/^^. a. '?f{i:e^^ FIRESIDE POEMS By V<^" IRVING Jf A. MILLER 33 Marslialltown, Iowa, 1887. The Miller Brother Publishing and Job Printing House, Marshalltown, Id. 1887. -Y^^, r^CS^tr % Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year of cur Lord 1887, BY IRVING J. A. MILLER, In the OflBce of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. DEDICATED TO HER WHOSE HANDS HAVE REARED ME FROM MY INFANCY, THE TRUEST FRIEND ON EARTH, MY xMOTHER. ^z^e^ z^efieiee. It is with uuieh pleasure that the author presents to the grandest of Nations, the first literary efltbrt of his life, "Fireside Poems." He does tliis fully cognizant of the responsibility which he has so willingly shouldered. There are ups and downs in every journey, and no man's path is wholly strewn with roses. While the author is confident, that — to make his life a suc- cess and win tlie plaudits of coming generations — lie must (like all of his predicessors) traverse thorny paths, he is willing to submit to criticism and profit thereby, well know- ing that: In distant lands, at home— go where you will, You'll find the critic and his little mill. Although this adventuro may not prove as grand a success as the author desires, he finds solace in the fact that he has accomplished what he set out to do, publish a book, which he launches on its own merits, and he will be more than pleased should they into whose hands it may fall, find the following quotation not inap[)ropriate : "Where frequent beauties strike the reader's view, He must not quarrel for a blot or two; But pardon equally to books or men The slips of human nature and the pen." I. J. A. M. CONTENTS. Poems Page Devotion - - - - - - 11 A Psalm of Hope - - - - 13 Along by the River ----- 15 Dream of a ylie})her(l Boy . . . 17 Courage ------ 23 Young America ----- 25 A Mother's Adieu ----- 27 Down by Grandfather's Mill - . . 31 Montana Mountain Scener}' - - - - 33 The Storm - - - - - 35 Drinking Song - - - . - 36 Mabel's Deatli-bed - . . . 37 The Tomb ---... 39 Decoration Day Memorial ... 41 Battles of the Heart ----- 44 My Creed ------ 45 Fedora --.... 49 . The Army of Time - . . . 52 Lurlie ------ 53 Sons of Lexington ... - 5(3 A Lover's Farewell ----- 58 The Soldier Bov's Rei)rieve - . . 53 viii Contents. Poems Page A Mother's Parting Plea - - - - 65 Rescued --.-.. 67 Who Knows? . - - - . 68 Riverside ------ 70 A Legend of Arizona - - - - 71 Recollections of My Tender Youth - - 77 Soldiers' Plome Dedication - - - - 79 By the Sea - - - - - 82 A Morning in June - - - - - 83 Affection's Link ----- 84 Axioms ------ 85 Tobogganing - - - - - ' 86 The Wonderful Land ... - 87 Suppose a Man has Erred ... gg When From this Earth My Spirit 's Flown - 90 Delia's Christmas Dream ... 91 Onward - - - - - - 95 A Dream of Home .... 97 Song of the Wash-woman - - - - 98 Night -..-.. 100 After Twenty Years .... loi Three Cheers! ...... HO Boyhood Days - - - - - 111 Which Would You be, Dear Boy? - - 112 An Ode to the Siren .... 113 Contents. IX Poems Page The Purest Love - - - - 115 Lines ------- 116 Ebenezer's Thanksgiving Dinner - - 117 When Death Enshrouds Our Lifeless Clay - 123 Those Rebel Flags . . - . 124 Peace to the Departed - - - - 125 The Mirror - - - - - 120 The Hacred Love of God - - - - 127 Tribute to Senator John A. Logan - - 128 My Ship - - - . . . 129 An Honest Thouglit - - . . 131 Destiny ------ 139 The West - - - - - - 134 The Farmer Boy - - - - - 135 When the Baby Died - - . . 136 Suicide --.-.. 137 A June Idyl ----- 133 Wanted ---... 139 in Menioriani ----- 140 Santa Clans - - - - - 140 Aut()graj)h ----- 142 My Valentine ----- 143 Lines to Mazie - - - - 114 Lines to Julia - . - - 145 A Wish Expressed - - . - 146 DEVOTION. I love all souls to whom true love is due; I love my countiy, yea, devoutly too, And proudly bonst of her as one who sings The freedom of a land unruled by kings. A land of riglit where ev'ry man is free, Whate'er his rank or nationality, To toil by sweat of brow, or richly thrive, To live as single, or to early wive. To gather gold and save his daily pelf, Express his thoughts, or, keep them to himself; Yet all must bear in mind to faithful be And live as brothers should, in harmony; And like the bees, improve each passing hour By garn'ring lore from ev'ry learned power, Content to labor with a will and wait. With manly pride each day receive his fate, And win or lose, with patience persevere Until he sees the mount of glory rising near. 12 Firemle Poems. Then with redoubled energy recall Ilis forces for the final rise or fall, Nor any nerve relax while in the fight Until he finds himself a Plumed Knight. I love the man who daily lives to learn, Content to give and prosper in return, Nor scorns a brother, but still holds him dear ; However he may rank, counts him his peer; A man of culture and of noble deeds; A friend to all ; whose ev'ry action leads To e Ever be our joyful theme. * * * Through the North and like a tempest Flash'd the news so fraught with terror Of the firing on Fort Sumter, Its surrender and its fall ; Then our blood ran hot with anger And too well you know the reason — 'Twas the signal of a challenge That imperil'd each and all. Decoration Doji Memorial. 43 How the volunteers inarch'd forward In their strong deterininntion ; How they wav'd their country's banner — Pledging life for its defense; How they fought witli stern resistance, Stood like mighty flerculeans; Fought and died repulseless martyrs — Where the battle rag'd intense. Long will live the old traditions; Live in poetry and story, Of those battles grand and mighty In the days of slavery; Of the bloody fields of Shiloh And the mighty siege of Vicksburg And the dauntless Lee's surrender And the bondmen's shouts of glee. :1: * * Now that all the war is over And once more in peace we prosper, And the pow'r of thrift and pleasure Holds possession of our land; Let us drop this bloody question And forever in the future Strive to mould our favor'd Nation As one grand, fraternal band. 44 Fireside Poems. BATTLES OF THE HEART. Tell me not with hesitation That the bravest battles fought; Were the battles of our Nation — Battles by our heroes wrought. They were battles of another — Fought without a ball or dart; Battles of each noble mother — Fought within the troubl'd heart. Battles, not of wicked violence — Fought on fields of gory red ; Battles fought in sorrow, silence, Conquer'd aye, when life had fled. Yea ! the spot I long have cherish'd, Is this battle field of old, Where the bravest warriors perish'd And the cause was never told. My Creed. 45 MY CREED.* You may talk about religion and discuss it till 3'ou die; Bring to light its holy teachings, show them up to ev'ry eye; And impress on ev'ry sinner, foujid betwixt this earth and hell. Heaven's charms and lasting wonders and the angels that there dwell; But remember this my kinsmen, he's a christian soul in- deed, Wlio'll befriend a man in trouble, and befriend him when in need. We t(»-i!(Jr Poems:. And thus there pass'd on a summer day as the ev'ning shadows fell, A woman wrapp'd in the shroud of shame, to the gloom of death and hell. may this tale of a siren's life be a lesson to the young So strangely charm'd b}^ the same old songs, that for years, Fedora sung. THE ARMY OF TIME. Adown tlie deep valley of endless decay, Are passing the millions in battle array ; Each clad in full armor rides on in his pride — The sabre of justice display'd at his side. How softly and silently onward they pass, A hopeful, ambitious, innumerable nuiss; How graceful their movements — how grand and sublime, Comm:uided with valor by General Time. Fatigu'd and o'ercome by the wearisome jar. The fates of exposure from journeying far; Each roird in his blanket of j)eaceful repose. Lies down by the river that silently flows. Lurlie. 53 And bivouac'k'd there on the banks of decay, They wait for the marshaling call of tlie day; While slowly their spirits, at Charon's behest, Cross over the Stvx to the reaion of rest. LURLIE. "Dying, I'm dying!" he tearfully gasp'd, "Oh where is my bonny, my pligbted bride? Where is my Liirlie who lovingly clasp'd So warmlv these hands bv tlie water's tide? Bring her — my darling, who vanish'd from me, Oh show her the way to my dying bed; She who has crossed the turbulent sea. And far from the arms of her lover fled; Fondly I'd press her with joy to my breast, And kiss once those lips witii an eager will; And tell her I loved, and love her the best, And that I forgave, and forgive her still. 54 Fireside Poems. Bright was that morning in sweetest of June The lily and hyacinth fresh with dew; Warbling and chanting in beautiful tune Red-robin sang gayly of love that's true. Softly I led my betrothed to where In beaut}^ uprises the shrine of God; Breathing the fragrance of flowerets rare We travers'd the pathway by lovers trod. She with her diamonds and rubies and pearls, And ring which I gave her — a gift of love — Stood by my side with her golden-hu'd curls Pledg'd vows that were witness'd by God above. Lurlie, dear Luriie! my lov'd one; my bride; My moments are fleeting and death is nigh; Life is fast waning, O fly to my side! That I may forgive you before I die. * * * * A sorrowful dame in a far away town 'Mid richest of splendor, where she has stray'd; Ponders alone as the sun is borne down, And thinks of the lover she has betrav'd. Lniiie. ~)5 Gravely she ponders witli tears in her eyes While phinning a voyage across the sea Back to the mansion, beneath the blue skies So dear to the lovers of liberty. Hours and days pass speedily on In vanishing haste, to return no more; Proudly one day on a sunny June morn The vessel which bore her touch'd on the shore. Clear are the heavens, unclouded and bright, And sunbeams are dancing around the gate, Kissing the flowers rejoiced by their light; In gloom doth her liusband her coming await. Sobbing and sighing he writhes in his pain And I'renziedly cries with a wand 'ring mind ; "Lurlie, Lurlie! turn homeward again! Come back to me darling, be true and kind !" Slowly and silently opens the door; There enters a woman witli wistful eyes; Rushes to clasp him — alas! he's no more, She shudders; she falls and beside him lies. 56 Fireside Poems. SONS OF LEXINGTON.* "Whether upon the scaffold high Or in the battle's van, The fittest place for man to die Is where he dies for man." Here lie the "village heroes;" graves Of father, son and elder sire, Who sank beneath the tidal waves Which roam'd the sea of hostile ire. Who proudly stood, uninov'd, ehite, And bravely met their loyal fate. 0'er[)0w'r'd in number, true to trust They fought and fell, to freedom just. * The last stars were vanishing from night when the foremost party, led by Pitcairn, a major of marines, was discovered by the husbandmen of Lexington, advancing quick- ly in advance. Alarm guns were fired and the drums beat Less than seventy, per- haps less than sixty, obeyed the summons, and, in sight of half as many boys and unarm- ed men, were paraded in two ranks, a few rods north of the meeting house. The ground on which they trod was the altar of freedom, and they were to furnish the victims. Pitcairn rode in front of his men. and, when in five or six rods of the minute men. cried out: 'Disperse, ye villians! ye rebels, disperse? lay down your arms! why don't you lay down your arms and disperse?' The patriots stood motionless in the ranks, witnesses against aggression; too few to resist, too brave to fly. At this, Pitcairn d'.s- charged a pistol, and with a loud voice cried, 'Fire!' The order was followed by a close and deadly discharge of musketry. Day came in all the beauty of an early spring. The trees were budding; the grass was growing rankly a month before its time; the bluebird and the robin were gladden- ing the genial season and calling forth the beams of the sun which on that morning shone with the warmth of summer; but distress and horror gathered over the inhabi- tants of the little town. There, on the grass, lay in death the grayhaired and the young; the grassy field was red 'with the innocent blood of their brethren slain,' cry- ing unto God for "vengeance from the ground. Seven of the men of Lexington were killed, nine wounded; a quarter part of all who stood in arms on t'le green. These are the village heroes, who were of more than noble blood, proving by their spirit that they were of a race divine. They gave their lives in testimony to the rights of man- icind, bequeathing to their country an assurance of success in the mighty struggle which they began.— /<>o?n "Tfie History of the United States," by Bancroft. Sons of Lrxingto)!. 57 Here lie the "village heroes" — bold, "Who were of more tlian noble blood ;" Long will their praise both sung and told Historic page with glory flood. "Too few to win, too brave to fly," They stood unswerv'd by Pitcairn's cry: "Disperse ye villains! ye rebels disperse!" They stood as one, for better or worse. Here lie the "village heroes" — true, Who fell before the fatal fire. When bullets of the British slew Our martyrs on tliat morning dire; Who spill'd the blood to country dear, Brave, loyal hearts that knew no fear; Those gray hair'd sires and worth}^ sons Who fell before the British guns. Here lie the "village heroes" — sure, Who once our spangl'd banner bore. Whose memory will e'er endure And be rever'd forevermore. And now that they are of the past. With glory's mantle 'round them cast, Our trust it is to laurels heap On honor'd graves, where heroes sleep. 58 " Fireside Poems. A LOVER'S FAREWELL. A mighty love to love it is, And 'tis a pain that pain to miss ; But of all pain, the greatest pain It is to love, but love in \edn.— Cowley. I only know we loved in vain — I oiily feel— Farewell !— Farewell \— Byron. HIS LOST DEVOTION. Doom'd is the love which bound you unto me; Now cut in twain. No! Never can it be Renew'd. Lost shall it e'er remain I pray. I care not for you any more. 0, May, Does not the past come to you like a pest And haunt your blissful dreams and mar your rest? Does it not phantom-like through mem'ry flash And bring- to you remorse for actions rash? Do you not think of happy days gone by When there was naught to dim a lover's eye; When you were young and handsome; and your cheek Was sweet and chaste as any rose? I si)eak Not thus to-day to give you pain; it is Anil always was and shall remain sweet bliss ^-1 Lover's Farewell. 59 To me, to have you keep tlie Vjest of health And if A'oii can, amass a mammoth wealth; But never can I, and, on this depend, Behold in you my all — my bosom friend. Oh madly I once lov'd you, but alas! The time is past and quickly did it pass; The sparkling- i Reprieve. 53 Unto the curse of your forsaken wife I add the curse of m>' embitter'd life. And you, once idol of my heart and pride In days gone by, who did your love confide Unto a fiend, the sorrows he has brought 'i'o you are quite enough, I curse you not. Farewell my old time love! This is the last I'll say. We'll bury now the hopeless past; And as I stroll where once two lovers stray'd, I'll think of her who once ray heart betray'd ; And so I'll onward plod my lonely way, Rememb'ring you — a hope of 3'esterday. THE SOLDIER BOY'S REPRIEVE. Upon a scaffold tow'ring high Thoy led the pris'ner forth to die, — A child, for he was nothing more; The make-up of a youth he bore; And with a step — a manly one — That well becomes a hero son. Between two stalwart guards he walk'd Undaunted still, and calmlv talk'd. 64 Fireside Poems. When oil the "drop" he stood erect, No sign of fear could they detect; The stately scaffold slightly shook, His eyes were fix'd ; a far off look Betray'd he thought or partly knew Some messenger would come in view. "Three minutes more!" the sentry cried In nervous voice, close by his side ; But there he stood to peril nerv'd, Beneath the eyes of One he serv'd. A stillness crept o'er all the crowd ; Spell-bound they stood nor spoke aloud. * * * * A messengei' brook 'd no delay ; His foaming steed s[)ed on its way, For all depended on that steed, Should he arrive, Paul would be freed. On, on he came! 'Twas life or death! They saw him and they held their breath ; So anxious were they, one and all. To know if there was hope for Paul. "Two minutes more the sentry cried; Grave silence reign'd on ev'rv side; A Mother's Parting Plea. 60 His only hope was in that steed Which hasten'd on with light'ning speed. The moments flew — the strain'd eyes flash'd — As on his way the horseman dash'd O'er rocky roads, with bounding gait, For ev'ry moment held his fate. "One minute more!" the sentry cried, And quickly then the noose was tied, The fatal cap conceal'd his face; His hands, behind, were bound in place. "Hold there!" the horseman loudly cried. The crowd gave way on ev'ry side; The air was fill'd with sliouts of joy ; Repriev'd was Paul the Soldier Boy. A MOTHER'S PARTING PLEA. How well do I remember the ev'ning we were wed, 'Twas in the month of Aju-il, the light of (hiy had fled; The shades of night li;id fallen and usher'd into sight The stars in all tln-ir splendor — the watchmen of the night. ()() Fireside Poems. I lov'd you ! I adoT\l you when life to me was dear, And shar'd with you each secret; the joy, the hope, the fear. You lov'd me, yes, you lov'd me, but not with pure desires, Love vanish'd like the twilight when fading day expires. Yes, take the farm Augustus, all else we now enjoy ; But one thing leave, oh leave me! and that is Joe our boy; My heart is nearly breaking ; 'twill break it, aye I know, If you should claim and take him — my darling baby Joe. Have you a heart Augustus? If so, why do you spurn To grant this only favor — the babe for which I yearn? Remember you are trifling with patience, if you err The blame is on your shoulders — the worst that may occur Then once more I implore you ! — curse me with your hate! But give to me my darling! Why do you hesitate? I reach my arms to take him ; you press them both away ; He answers: "Mamma! Mamma!!" Oh give him up, I pray ! And so you still resist me witli cruelty and scorn? think. O thii]k Augustus, that morning Joe was born. Rescued. 67 How merrily and (juiekly our hearts botli beat with joy As to your breast you press'd him, our first and only boy. Augustus, Augustus! speak gently ere we part; God but this is fearful; 'twill break, 'twill break my heart To leave this house forever and leave my child behind To live and toil for others; my God! I'm going blind! My sight is surely failing; I reel! I'm going wild! God lead me to my darling; my onl}', only child! 1 hear a voice — I quiver I — a summons from the grave! My God ! — my senses leave me, I die — my baby save ! RESCUED. The building is settling in ruins, The flames clamber up to the sky ; O'ercome with excitement and danger, The mother sends upward her cry; "Oh, Father of love and of pity," (The accents are piercing and wild) "Oh, send us an angel of mercy, To rescue my perishing child!" G8 Fireside Poems. A ladder is skillfully hoisted ; A fireman ascends it with haste ; They see him go in at the window — There's scarcely a moment to waste ; They're watching with deepest of anguish, They anxiously wait his return ; The flames soon envelope the window, And nothing of him they discern. A moment of dreadful confusion, Then follows a series of cheers ; Half strangl'd but bearing the baby. The fireman in triumph appears. He slips down the tottering ladder ; The danger is over and past. "Thank God!" cries the overjoy 'd mother, "My darling is with me at last!" WHO KNOWS? Who knows to what he may aspire in years to be? The ragi^ed lad wlio roams our streets from morn till night, The or[)lian boy, the waif that braves the surging sea, May rise and to the world become a beacon light. wild Knows f (lil The poorest boy with active mind may see tlie day When he will rank a gallant, noble, trusty man; And at his feet great nations, choicest trilnites lay. While ranking hini amono- the foremost of the van. Tliere is a goal set out for ev'ry one. 'Tis true That some arc destin'd for a grander, better life ; But he who nobly toils as humble martyrs do, ^\^ill conquer and a hero' be amid the strife. This world is very large, and no man need confine Himself to any rank, or station, or degree; 'Tis his to trust and humbly bow at Honor's shrine — And take the gift im[)artial Justice may decree. We hope, but oh too often do we hope in vain ; We grasp, but only grasp to find it is too late. With l)leeding wounds we rise all nerv'd up to the strain And try once more, to only learn again our fate. We often moui'ii because we cannot grasp the prize For which we yearn. Alas! we sink in vain des[)air; We might have won, had we but sought the goal that lies W^ithiii our reach and loil'd with patience and with care. 70 Fireside Poems. RIVERSIDE.* This is the place. Behold the massive gate Through whose wide portals pass the dead, to sleep Until tluit day when all must meet their fate; To slumber in tlieir tombs so dark and deep Beneath the grass where they once softly trod; The burial ground and "Acre of our God.'' We wander in, close by a quiet lake Fed by a fountain with its silv'ry spray; Where gay sunbeams like fairies dance and shake, And snow-white swans go sailing 'round in play. While passing on, strange memories arise As we take tliought of scenes before our eyes. Here close at hand grand monuments appear In marble, granite, stone of ev'ry hue; And by them graves of those whom we liold dear, Tlie sepulclires of friends l)oth tried and true. We stop and read names carv'd with cafeful skill Of faliier, mother, child, remember'd still. * The Marshalltovvn cemetery bordering on the Iowa river and facing southward. ^1 Legend of Arizona. 71 Then j)assing on, we lialt beside a stream; There on the bluff and gazing down we see The Sjiarkling Iowa as in a dream Go tlowing by so merrily and free; And this is where upon a summer day 1 love to rest and while the hours awav. A LEGEND OF ARIZONA. The sun came glowing o'er the hills And peep'd in through the cabin door Where father, mother, little child Were breakfasting in days of yore. Five savages in native garb Who lov'd their tomahawks to wield, Crept slowly from behind the rocks, Where they since daybreak lay conceal'd The babe sat playing w^ith its blocks Before the door which stood ajar; When, with a flash a tomahawk Flew at it like a shootino; star. 72 Fireside Poems. The scout well knew it was too late To close the door; so, with a bound He grabb'd his rifle — drew a bead — And stretch'd a savage on the ground. But scarce a moment had ensued Ere five red demons leap'd within And fully arm'd (with glaring eyes) Began their fiendish work of sin. It was a struggle fierce for life^ A desperate and awful fight ; But b}' their brave, heroic skill They })ut their enemies to flight. The wild assailants fled dismay 'd. Took refuge in the distant hills; Among the nxtks and tlirough the glades Their war-cry echoed o'er tiie rills. "Be quick my dear!" the father said, "To yonder cave we now must flee; We know not when they may return To satisfy their hellish glee." A Legend of Arizona. 73 The mother witli her niiirder'd babe; The scout with rifle on his arm : With Imrried footsteps sought the cave, A refuge from the red-men's harm. I must return," he quickly cried, "Plere is my gun and cartridge sack; Now keep good watch for those red-skins, In just five minutes I'll be back." "Good by!" he said, she clos'd the door, Secured it with a timber stout. Then through a loop-hole, gun in hand, She watch'd the quickly flying scout. She saw him go within tiie hut, A moment pass'd, then out again: "If he can only reach this cave!" She murmur'd and scarce breath'd she then. For ev'ry minute seem'd an hour As he sped quickly on his way; When just within a score of yards His gallant doom was seal'd for aye. 74 ^ Fireside Poems. Almost within her reach he fellj A single gasp and all was o'er; She would have flown unto his side, But well she knew he was no more. How dreadful was her agony; Pier murder'd babe lay by her side; , Her only aid lay cold in death. "What shall 1 do!" she wildly cried. Like hungr}' wolves the red-men came To satisfy tiieir cruel greed, They burn'd the hut, then quickl_y turn'd To finish up their hellish deed. The mother knew her time had come. Courageously she stood her ground; The Reds advanc'd; she airn'd and fired. Once! twice!! they fell with telling sound Away! away!! like startled deer Tiie rest in terror quickly fled; No time had they to stop and see Or gather uj) their tawny dead. .-I Legend of Arizoiut. 75 The}' found it not an easy task To face a single battery, And so — to carry out tlieir i)lot — They shortly took to strategy. They gather'd 'round the tiniber'd cave And begg'd her to unbar the door And come out so that they might see The pale-faced-warrior's squaw once more. But all their coaxing ])rov'd in vain l^'or she was master of the cave ; They did not dare an entrance force Defended by the fairest "brave." At last disgusted they withdrew — Departed with the setting sun, And darkness clos'd the tragedy — Their havoc for that day was done. All night the mother with her babe Lay still within that dungeon cave ; For her a prison, for her child A strange and temporary grave. Fireside Poems. When daylight enter VI on the scene, It brought the hist day's horrors back ; She op'd the door, threw up both arms, Rnsli'd forth a raving nKiniac. As on his weary, lonely path A hunter chanc'd to pass that way, He heard a faint and moaning sound, And turning saw to his dismay: Tliere stretch'd upon the grass in death Two lifeless bodies cold and pale. While bending o'er them in her grief A woman sat — this ends the tale — l\o hurried to her as she bow'd Her head and kissed them with a moan, Hut 'twas too late, she chis'd her eyes For sight and consciousness had flown. There with a spade, and side by side, He laid them in their grave to rest; The murder'd father and his wife, The babv on its mother's breast. RecoJfecfioits of m;/ Tentlrr Youth. RECOLLECTIONS OE MY TENDER YOUTH. "Fair laughs the morn, and soft the zephyr blows. While proudly riding o'er the azure realm In gallant trim the gilded vessel goes ; Youth on tht prow, and pleasure at the helm ; Regardless of the sweeping whirlwind's sway. That, hush'd in grim repose, expects his ev'ning's prey."— 0»-«,i/. Aye, swiftly tlie .sands through the hour ghiss are falling, As quickly we speed on our uiissioiis each day; 'Mid moments of silence, or turmoil, or passion, We hasten along till our youth fades away. Aye, fades like the flowers so dainty and charming, Alas! wlifii they forfeit their rarest perfume, And pass through the portals of richness and splendor, And vanish forever to rest in the tomb. Ah! gay do the scenes of our innocent childhood Through Memory's portals come flitting with cheer; The fond recollections of parents and lov'd ones; The homes of our youth and our playmates so dear. Oh, yes! I can picture that home of contentment, A. little rough shanty close by the way-side; With cracks in the walls, through which snow kept a drifting. While cold was the winter that rallied outside. 78 Fireside Poem.9. I see by the hearth-stone, my dear parents sitting In deep meditation, in silence profound; The fire brightly glowing; and now as I listen I hear the wolves howling with hideous sound. I hear the winds roaring! Like some monster demon The storm madly clashes against the frail shell. How little they know, who reside in a palace, Of troubles and cares tliat with poverty dwell. Methinks I am plodding the very same pathway — O'er valley and hill to the old district school — Across the clear brook, where in innocent childhood I travers'd its banks where the zephyrs blew cool. All! there is the teacher, whose words kind and tender Still ring in my ears, as I mournfully sigh While slowly reviewing tliose many bright faces Of schoolmates who've vanish'd as years pass'd us by. But time is the wooer of many vast changes; Each day is a witness of something anew; And soon we're aware of tlie time that is fleeting And hasten to bid youth a final adieu. Adieu! oh svveet youth with thy many past pleasures; Farewell to that shanty my long cherish'd home; Farewell to my teacher, those many bright faces; Farewell to the meadows where oft di