PS Q r)5i:j3 ii^ALlf ORMIA PIO AMD.OTHPf? POEMS. fluZZlET. BALDY, ,.' & The California Pioneer OTHER POEMS. THE California Pioneer OTHER POEMS LIZZIE F. BALDY. San Francisco : Bacon & Company, Book and Job Printers. 1879. ''1 Dedication. My Brother, WILLIAM B. WALLACE. Lob Angeles, March, 1879. CONTENTS. The California Pioneer, . . - 9 Temperance Poem, - - - - 33 Our National Day, . . . - 38 Maud, - - - - - - 41 The Sea, . . - . - 45 The Broken Rinu, - - - - - 48 Echoes, ------ 50 To a Picture, - - - - - 52 The Old Log Church, - - - 54 Lulu, - - - - - - 57 Ultimamento, ----- 59 Two Voices, - - - - - 62 Clara, ------ 65 Impromptu, - - - - - - 67 Love, ------ 70 Mary, - - - - - - 73 Lethe, ------ 76 "The River of L^the," - - - - 78 Unrest, ------ 81 To M. R. R., - - - - - 83 A Warning, - - - - - 86 Beside the Sea, - - - - - 89 A Birthday Poem, - - - - 92 The Rainbow, - - - - - 94 Twilight Musings, - - - - 96 Mother, Home, and Heaven, - - - 99 The Boy's Request, . . - . iqq 8 CONTENTS. By thk Window, ----- 102 Among the Roses, - . - . 104 Cakrie, -.-.-- 106 Beautiful Bay, ----- 108 What Though? - - - - - 110 Baby Lizzie, ----- \\\ Willie, - - - - - - 113 A Garland, - . . . . 115 Lines to Addie, - - - - - 117 In Memoriam, - - - - - 120 Isolation, ------ 122 When my Ship Comes in from Sea, - - 125 No God, - - - - - - 127 Orange Blossoms, . . - . 130 Refrain, ------ 132 Dead Hopes, - - . . . 134 The Brook, ------ 130 Robes, ------ 138 Little Lu, ------ 140 Mamma's Kiss, ----- 141 Death's River, ----- 142 The Orphan's Prayer, - - - 144 Spring, .--... 145 Pity, ------ 146 Too Late, - - - - - 149 Lines, ------ 151 Los Angeles, - - . - . ^53 Shadows, - - . - . i5g California, ------ 153 Yl\e C5klifofi\ik 'Pioqeef. GOOD NIGHT! Good night! I cannot rest; the okl yet sweet refrain Calls up the phantoms of the past to throng my weary brain. 'T was twenty years ago to-night, I left my eastern home A boy with heart as buoyant as the light ocean foam. A mothei"'s tender kiss was pressed upon my beard- less face ; E'en now I see the pleading eyes of ray sweet sister Grace, And feel her arms around my neck just as they were of yore ; She came and tried to win me back, outside the kitchen door — " Oh, brother darling ! do not go to California's shore ; We love you — do not risk your life for all her golden ore. Stay with us — stay on the old farm ; father is grow- ing old. And half the anguish of her heart mother's face liath not told. 2 10 THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. The silver threads are creeping fast among her locks of brown, — Ah! would you give her loving voice for all the world's renown ? Stay ! brother, stay ! Oh, do not leave the dear old pleasant farm With all its recollections sweet — here you are safe from harm." She twined her arms around my neck, and thought to win me back ; But we have eager hearts in youth for the adven- turous track. " No, sister, no ! I cannot stay — but I will soon re- turn. And you shall have a portion, dear, of all the wealth I earn. Then there is May — bright, bonny May — make glad her lonely life ; She said she'd wait for my return, and then she'd be my wife." It seems so strange to think to-night of all the days long dead — How I stood at the garden gate, and held May's golden head Upon my shoulder, and we spoke the dear old vows once more ; I came to win May's fortune when I sought the Golden Shore. We sailed next day ; there were just five from out my native town. 'Twas the fairest day of all the year — Nature had not a frown THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. 11 Upon her face; our hearts were light; we were sure of success ; We thought the brave old shij) was good; nor would we doubt confess. 'T was on mid-ocean, far from land, the awful storm came down — The white-caps leaping in the air obeyed the Storm Fiend's frown, Until the good ship creaked and groaned just like a living thing ; Some knelt and prayed unto their God, and some stood shuddering To see the white waves leap the deck, the lightning cleave the sky, While all around was darkest night — the waves rolled mountain high. The captain's voice was heard above the thundering of the storm : "Come, come! — be quick!" the captain cried — 't was he gave the alarm — " Cut loose the boats, and till them all ; the old ship will go down ! The women and the children first ! " he said it with a frown. For men were pressing forward fast, all eager for the boat ; It seemed like ages unto us ere she began to float. One woman and her child were left — a lady fair and frail ; She went into the boat with us, the last one left to sail. The shii> went down ; the captain stood upon her reeling prow, THE CALII-ORXIA PIOXEER. And calmly given was each command ; -he was the last to go. We floated off ; each boat was full, yet three went down that night ; And the Storm King lost his fury before the morn- ing light, When Aurora hung her ciirtains of gold e'er the glowing east. Ere King Sol let fall his yellow ray o'er Neptune's troubled breast. Each one looked forth with eager eyes scanning the horizon in vain, « Naught met our view but the fragments strewn upon the surging main. All that was left of the good old ship — the mer- maids stole the rest. Before us floated a small cask, behind us was a chest. Worth more than all the wealth of earth to us poor famished few. The water shut within the cask was fresh as spark- ling dew ; The chest contained the bread ; we sought and reached the precious two. How sparingly was dealt to each their wee mite, day by day, And yet how fast our little all, how fast it passed away. Here mother love, stronger than death, thought only of her child, And every day her portion saved for him she loved so wild ; THE CALIFORNIA ■ PIONEER. 13 And prayed as only women pray, when all they love 's at stake : " Oh ! Father, watch and save us all, for the dear Savior's sake. No sail in sight, oh ! God of love, have mercy on us all." Only the sea-birds in the air echoed the maddened call. No water save the great salt sea — no bread — all, all is gone. And the gaunt specter Hunger lurks, while we float hopeless on. Now Death is drawing closer still ; is there indeed no God ? Oh ! for a glimpse of the bright earth, one sight of the green sod. The mother clasped her darling child and wildly prayed for him : " Oh ! look once more, good Captain, look ! far o'er the ocean's rim Is there no sail in sight? I pray, dear Father, save my child ! — I cannot, cannot give him up, unto the waters wild." The sharks slowly followed the boat, waiting their human prey ; Yet all the night we prayed to God, and all the endless day — That He would send some help to us, over the great salt sea. But when the tenth sun dawned in heaven three weary souls were free ; 14 THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. Their emaciated forms still lay touched by the snowy wave ; The rest had not the strength to give the dead a watery grave. Then we had ceased to pray for life, and calmly waited death ; There was no hope, we thought, except to stop each weary breath. The other boats had drifted off, we know not where they went. The mother still clasped her pale boy, her life was almost spent; She seemed to cling to it for him ; for self, she had no thought. Oh ! the pure strength of mother love, what wonder it hath wrought ; For when he wildly prayed for bread, and we had none to give, She brought the portion she had saved, starving that he might live ; And when the eleventh sun appeared, and " Water " was his cry, She cut the vein of her white arm, and prayed he might not die. Then God looked down and lieard her prayer, a white sail met her view, — Rose like a tiny bird of white far o'er the ocean blue ; Nearer and* nearer came the ship, and though I know not why. But yet, I think witliin our hearts we'd rather she'd passed by. THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. 15 Perhaps it was because we were so near the other shore, Death brought no terrors unto us, the fearful past was o'er. And yet the vessel nearer carae, till strong and will- ing hands Caught up the dying from our boat, and broke Death's chilly bands. 'T was then the glad cry of the child, "Oh ! mother, help is nigh ! Speak, mother, speak ! open your eyes, the stately ship is by ; You prayed so long, oh, mother, dear, that God has heard at last, — You always said that He would keep us in that dreadful past ; And here is life, and meat, and drink, we shall not want again. Oh ! mother, speak ! oh ! mother, smile, — why is that look of pain Upon your face when all are saved ? " He fondly raised her head. And oh ! the wild sad cry of pain when he saw she was dead. The stout hearts of those hardened men wept for that child's deep grief, Yet all the comfort they could give brought to him no relief. He clung around that loved one's form with a broken heart's despair. And many a loving, pleading word rang through the salt sea air. 16 THE* CALIFORNIA PIONEER. Oh, Death, who breaks so many hearts and giveth the weary rest, Why is it in our ignorance we know not what is best? He watcheth where our feet may tread o'er land or ocean wild, And the same loving, tender care he gives unto each child. And lifting upward our hearts in darkness and de- spair, We feel our Father's loving hand ; His voice steals through the air, And whispers to each breaking heart, " Tired spirit, peace, be still ! There is a world beyond this realm where Peace and Love fulfil The dreams that you have lost on earth ; the thoughts here most sublime Shall there outshine with grander light the master strokes of Time." We rounded into the Golden Gate over the ocean bar Into the city young and fair that had been our lead- ing star ; Into the city foul with sin, close to the Mission gray, Where many a holy Jesuit priest had bowed his head to pray. O'er the sand hills bare and bleak the fog-mist floated in Like a wraith of sorrow stealing away from the city's noisy din. THE CALIFORNIA- PIONEER. 17 The wings of morning brought the light from out the eastern sky, As we heard the captain's harsh command, the sail- ors' quick reply. Up to the wharf, where a motley crew of people met our view. She gave her living cargo up - the false ones and the true. A few hearts on the good old ship were knit so close together That we had sworn to never part in bright or stormy weather. Although we each one came for gold, yet kind and friendly feeling Could not be kept by yellow dust from o'er us gently stealing. The shipwreck on the stormy seas, the troubles there unnumbered, Were hidden close within each heart where Mem- ory never slumbered. The orphan boy left to our charge had drawn our hearts around him Until it seemed as though each soul was one more liuk that bound him And bound us all together, too. We stept upon the shore. And through the city white with tents our little band of four Went onward in its restless march after the golden treasure, Up through the dry and sandy streets, with steps whose restless measure 2* 18 THE CALIFOKXIA PIOXEER. Kept time with the quick-throbbiug hearts, and led lis up the river To Sacramento's tented town, where many a hard- ened driver Urged forth his slow and patient team : to us the sight was novel ; In ox team and its tented wagoh, a strange, quaint way to travel ; Yet those who sought the mining towns took this or any way, For every body was well met, and every heart was gay— A country new in everything brings down upon a level — So fine and coarse, and high and low, joined in the golden revel. Even the name we brought from home for years was never heard ; 'T was " Yankee Jim," and " Old Kentuck," with many a strange, quaint word. While traveling up the dusty road o'er Sacramen- to's plain. Our orphan boy became the pet of the gold-hunters' train. The Saxon beauty of his face, his manner tinged with sadness. Seemed such a contrast to the place, and to the men's rough gladness. We traveled onward up the road through many a mining cam]). Until wo reached the little town just as the even- ing damp THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. 19 And chilling dew fell over all ; and bright the camp- fire bui'niiig Lit up the Mecca of our ho])es, to which our steps were turning. Unlike a weary pilgrim band we waited for the morning With hearts impatient, hopes all high, untouched by failure's warning. We threw our blankets on the ground to dream of nuggets hiding Within the pockets of our claim, where they had long been biding. And with the morning light awoke. . There, circled by the hills, Was Hangtown with her hidden wealth ; and through the morning's still And quiet beauty swept the wind through forest ranks of pine. Above, the sunrise brilliant tints traced by the hand divine ; The sweet scent of the chapparal ; the manzanita's bloom ; The flowers of every hue that fell from Nature's wondrous loom. The picture filled our hearts with awe ; the mock- ing bird's rich song Seemed a fit authem for the State so young, so fair, and strong. We pitched our tents beside the stream. Just where the red sun's first bright beam Lit up the little mining camp ; 20 THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. And where the air was cool and damp, E'en in the heat of summer time. Here, in our semi-tropic clime, Where perfumed flowers of every hue Greeted the early miner's view. And where the bird on golden wing Essayed the gayest song to sing ; Here, where the pine-tree and the oak Concealed the squirrel, which awoke And fled through cedar, flr, and yew, In vain to escape the miner's view. Prospecting over hill and dale. From eai'ly dawn until the pale Stars shine in their far azure home, To watch the eager wanderer roam. The claim is found, it prospects well, And conjectures too wild to tell. Are talked of round the evening fire; The theme of which they did not tire. Of all the wealth long hidden there, Ah, wondrous castles built in air. The sluices to be bought and made. The picks and shovels, if it paid ; The way that we would work it, too. The cabin we would build in view Of this great claim, beneath the tree Which spread its giant arms so free, Forming a canopy of green Through which the sun-rays looked between. Yes, there was much indeed to do, The work was plenty, hands were few ; So with the lumber on the ground, THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. 21 And nails and hammers scattered round, Our merry hearts that beat as light As the wild bird with plumage bright, Which roars above our mortal eyes, Until it seems to pierce the skies. Then we went to work each with a will, — Nor all day long was the hammer still. Until the sun, sinking down to rest. Hung her golden curtains o'er the west ; Then we clustered round the great camp-fire, To talk of the claim, while the flames leaped higher. Perchance in the background a grizzly's eyes Would glare at us miners in sullen surprise. 'Twas a motley crew met in that small place, There were men from every clime and race, — Gentle and passionate, proud and cold, — Gentleman, rufiian, seeking for gold. Mingling all round the camp-fire bright, Watching the welkin above all white, Thinking of loved ones left at home, — Praying ever for their return ; — Watching the cedar embers burn. Counting the days since the salt sea foam. Reaching his white arm up to the land. Bore them away from that loving band. What tears were shed ; what prayers were said, Murmured lowly as o'er the dead ; Beautiful lips grew ashen pale ; Beautiful hands so small and frail Held them fast with a clasp of love, 22 THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. Praying the angels in heaven above Carefully watch o'er the wanderers here. Beautiful eyes, not sorrow's tear Need you shed for the wanderers here. Beautiful lips, no prayer of thine Can win them back o'er the ocean's brine ; And yet, perchance as the years roll round, Their hearts will list for the happy sound Th^y heard long ago in childhood's home Ere their feet had learned from thence to roam. Oh ! to see once more ray mother's face ; My sister rich in her girlish grace ; And to hear ray father's blessing said 'Mid the little throng. Ah ! some are dead ; And some by the promise of wealth are led Frora the dear old home. Built but of rough, unhewn logs, the miners' cabin stood Beside the little rippling stream which wandered through the wood ; Scarce six feet high, with but one room, that only eight by ten ; A chimney reaching half across gave warmth unto the men When after the day's work was done we sat there grouped around. And talked of horaes so far away as consecrated ground. The thoughts of loved ones over there beyond the ocean's billows THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. 23 Had often caused our hearts a sighj'and sometimes stained our pillows ; Yet we bravely worked and well in that humble dwelling ; We burnt and weighed the golden dust while our hearts were swelling With such wild rapture for the love which kept our lives so pure. We ever prayed to Him in faith for patience to en- dure Tlie little time that we should dwell upon the Golden Shore; But oh ! the years we wanted short have grown to full a score. We talked with many loving words of wife, and child, and mother ; And he who clasped a miner's hand was treated like a brother. There was no haughty creed, or caste j no social laws which parted Mnu from man in the Golden State — the miner was free-hearted. And he who reached those early camjjs, seeking for help in need, Was always sure from liberal hands to find a friend in deed. The old log-cabin by the stream is but a wreck to- day. And twenty years have come and gone down Time's relentless way. Ah, me ! what human hearts may bear, and human hands may weave ! 24 THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. How weary eyes may long for home, and weary souls may grieve ! What magic tie hath held us here, there are few to- day could tell ; The enchantment of those early days still holds its mystic spell. Many a claim has been worked out, and many an ounce of gold Has dropped from out the crucible as fi-om a fiery mould. And lit the hopes which rose so high: we saw no spectral hand Dropping its deadly mantle down upon Love's dis- tant band. Slowly across the briny deep the white-winged mes- sage came, I knew the letter there enclosed would bear my sis- ter's name. I broke the seal with trembling hands as quick as the heart-throbs beat; I never dreamt what fearful news my eager eyes should meet : " Our mother's dead." Oh ! God, I prayed, take back the stern decree. What words of awful agony went upward unto Thee. 'T was Grace who touched the sweet pale face within the coffin lying, While I only prayed in anguish wild, " Oh ! God, that I were dying." She filled poor sister's little world, this darling angel mother. THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. 25 And as she kissed the dead white face, she felt there was no other. We could not see the loving hand, the mourner's God and Father, Or how with tender, noiseless care his angels he doth gather, I only felt in my anguished heart how they took lier on the morrow. And laid her 'neath the cold, green sod. God, pity our first great sorrow. "Our mother's dead," again I trace those words with anguish keen. And see my darling sister's face, while distance drops her screen. 'T was far beyond the Pacific's wave, the Atlantic's snowy foam. She died, with dear ones round her bed in her peaceful Eastern home. And thus they wrote : " She calmly died, so gently passed away, We hardly knew when she awoke unto God's eter- nal day.'' Shall I never see save in memory, her loving face so mild. That ever turned a look of love to her restless, wayward child ? Who knoweth now her spirit eyes may watch her cherished boy, Or beckon him on with her angel wings to her home of endless joy. God only knows, we can but wait till we hear our Father's call, 26 THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. To take us from this school below to that home prepared for all. Time brought the solace only He to breaking hearts can bear, I took the weary burden up with all its toil and care ; Dear letters came from sister Grace, yet dearer ones from May, She strove to make my sorrow less in her sweet, girlish way; She counted up the months when I should be at home once more. And hinted something then of Grace which I had thought before — How soon a sister I should lose and she a sister gain — Yet while the news brought joy to me it held a dash of pain; That May's brother and sister Grace should be the wedded two. Where May and I had hoped to live our love life grand and true. She wrote, " Come home, your father's steps are getting weak and slow. He 's old, we cannot know the day when he may from us go ; He says that he must see his boy just once before he dies. Come back, my truant one, come back, and gladden those dim eyes — And other eyes. Ah ! well you know what greet- ings you would win, THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. 27 Words cannot tell, each of us keeps so closely locked within Our inmost hearts' deep cloister your memory as a shrine, Where I have yielded up to you a love almost divine." May's letter woke within my heart thoughts I could never still — They haunted me around the claim, and over vale and hill ; Where'er I went her sweet, pale face and wealth of golden hair Was always sure to be with me a picture saintly fair ; Those violet eyes, how fair the gem for which I dared aspire. They lit within my inmost heart Love's strong mag- netic fire. One night, when evening shadows fell athwart the weary earth, We talked of our rich placer claim, and of its golden worth, When sick at heart, I offered mine for such a sum I knew I would not be an owner long, and yet the other two Condoled and argued, tried to find some greater reason why My heart should reach across the seas in answer to love's cry. Yet when I'd sold my interest out, and packed my things to go, 28 THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. I felt a throb of tender pain through all my being flow. The boy whom three of us had watched since first we reached the shore, Was with us still, grown dearer now than he had been before. He won his way into our hearts until each of us thought Him our own ; and future dreams with his bright glory fraught Filled many a waking hour of night, and many a long day. So 't was the thought of leaving him that checked me on my way ; And yet when we had talked about " our Paul," the little waif, We fixed upon a certain school where we thought he'd be safe. We had each of us agreed to bear of his expense our share — Three guardians watching over him with many an unsaid jDrayer. I crossed the ocean's briny deep, and reached my native land. I sought my happy childhood's home with its bowed and broken band. My mother's face — oh ! how I missed her saintly presence there ! My father's bowed and weakened form, crowned with his silver hair. Told me the year since mother's death had worn upon him fast ; THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. 29 And well we knew that soon for him earth's trials would be past. And Grace was married ; all her life seemed filled with acts of love. With lier smiling face of girlhood days, and gentle ways, she wove A magic circle, charming all within the dear old home. And made the years that 1 had passed beyond the ocean foam Seem as a dream — a far-off dream of something that was not ; And yet that fair-haired boy's sweet face I never quite forgot. I sought for May — my cherished May — the hope of all my life ; She who'd remained through all the years my faith- ful promised wife ; Yet when I reached, her pleasant home, the cottage on the lea. Although the flowers bloomed as bright, a feeling came to me That somewhere in the glowing light a shadow seemed to wait — A feeling which will sometimes come ; a something so innate We cannot tell from whence it springs, or what should call it forth ; It comes a herald sorrow sends, chilling life's great- est worth. 30 THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. I only know my breaking heart could not have borne more. I cannot tell you of the days I spent within her door ; I saw her fading day by day until the autumn came, And then above a little mound they carved my darling's name. I cannot tell you more ; the wound is just as deep to-day As 't was upon that autumn eve we watched her pass away. Ah, me ! the sorrow of that day, deep hidden in my breast. Lies like all deepest thoughts of life — we t«ilk of them the least. The surface ripples with a word, a smile, or frown at will ; But the stronger springs which move the soul lie far more deep and still. I could not stay ; the dear old home had lost its charm for me ; Within each tree and flower I found links of love's memory ; And e'en the birds which sang so sweet caught up love's broken cords. So when Grace urged me to remain she only wasted words. I knew our father, safe with her, would slowly sink to rest, And — well, they had no need of me; 'twas only love's request. THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. Then once again from out the home where first I greeted life I turned my feet into the world to meet its toil and strife, Back to the Golden State again where Paul was all my care, He was my only blessing then ; and he is with me here. No son could give a father more than he has given me, For I 'm the only one that's left out of the watch- ful tliree. And sometimes, when I'm looking back through all those years of gloom, I see a shadow of myself from the past vapors loom ; A homeless, weary, aimless man, without a thought of hope, The darkest shadow o'er my soul through which no light could grope, 'T was doubt, the doubt of everything, fell like a mantle down, And closed ray soul as in a spell, until my heart had grown So skeptical I almost thought and said there was no God: That man was nothing, would not rise above earth's lowest clod. And so for many weary months the shadows darker grew. Until an angel touched my soul and let God's sun- liafht throuoh. 32 THE CALIFORNIA PIONEER. 'T was far upon the border land 'twixt this life and the other, And when the fever reached its height a dream of May and mother, Or may be 't was their veiy selves, I never yet could tell, For when I try to think of it there comes a mys- tic spell Around the dream, or vision still ; yet through the years that came Unto my lonely life, it left a pure and holy name, Which scattered all the shades of doubt, and now I 'm waiting here Until another angel calls, and I again draw near The border land which leads us down the river's damp, dark shore. Where we await the boatman's strokes to row us gently o'er. TEMPERANCE POEM. 33 Written for Merrill Lodge No. 229, L.03 Angeles. BROTHERS and Sisters, here to-night we feel the great fraternal bands, Which clasp around oixr Golden State sweet Tem- perance's pure hands, From Siskiyou's mountains crowned with snow, where Winter sends his fragile flowers, To where Los Angeles' orange-blooms throw the perfume of her bridal bowers ; From north and south, from east and west, our family circle gathers in. To pledge our lives anew to-night, to fight the darkest form of sin : To drive from out the State we love the saddest curse of our fair land ; To take once more before the world the bravest boldest, firmest stand. True soldiers in a noble cause, — Faith, Hope, and Charity ; — we hold The mystic three with magic wand, worth more than all Golconda's gold. Faith holds the scepter, and we see afar in future years to come 3 34 TEMPERANCE POEM. Our Goddess Temperance, clothed in white, drive Bacchus from his vineyard home. Oh ! may she soon rule o'er our land, till every heart shall sing her fame ; No more the drunkard's fiery cup shall steep the souls of men in shame ; No more the little hands shall cling around the drunken father's knee; But every household in our land shall from the awful curse be free. Hope takes the scepter, and we look abroad upon our golden land, And see the tiny hands that hold the badge which marks her youthful band ; These little ones whose souls are jiure ; upon their brows no shadow lies ; They see earth redolent with flowers 'neath child- hood's sunny skies; Too near to God to feel the pain that comes to those of older years ; They are His chosen little ones. Hope keeps them from the drunkard's fears. Oh, Temperance Lodges! be it yours to guide aright each youthful band ! Ye may not know the wondrous zeal some little word of yours hath fanned ; Yet in the future years to come, the seed that you have sown to-day May blossom all around your path, and shed its perfume o'er your way ; And when this earthly lodge is closed, and you have ta'en the last degree, TEMPERANCE POEM. 35 How many souls be yours in heaven marked with the sign " Fidelity." Where Love the greatest power on earth still wields secure his wondrous art, And whispers to each drooping soul his magic pass- word to the "heart." Sweet Chai'ity now takes the wand, and waves it o'er the drunkard's home ; The Good Samaritan of earth, she whispers to the fallen " Come." She spreads her robe o'er sin and shame, hid in the wine-cup's fearful draught, To wash the plague-spots from the soul, she bids them earth's first nectar quaff, Hebe poured no sweeter for the Gods, than we may find in silver springs, Or in the perfumed mountain streams, o'er which the snow-white lily swings. 'T is consecrated since the time that Moses led the tribes of old Unto Mount Hoi-eb's holy side, and smote the rock till water rolled Down to the waiting multitude, saving the people that he led : And so should we like him of old raise many a weary, drooping head, Place roses on the fading cheeks, smooth wrinkles from the pallid brow ; '' Joy and Peace shall come to all who take the Tem- plar's solemn vow. We gather here to guide aright the interests of our noble band. 3r. TEMPERANCE POEM. Then let us now with will and might stand soul to soul, as hand to liand, A solid phalanx ; so no foe shall ever break the living wall ; • And yet each watchman in our ranks shall hear the faintest, lowest call. Help be given to all who come, fraternal hands shall hold them up, And lift to nobler paths on earth the one who spurns the drunkard's cup. The Golden Rule shoidd mark our lives, leaving a record most sublime. Our trophies should be human souls saved for our monuments of time. And greater heroes there are none in all the songs that poets sing. Than he who firmly turns away from where the tempters' voices ring ; And Titan-like raises his head above the demon at his side, Although the syren voices call to Lethe's dark and noisome tide ; That false nepenthe of the soul which burns out honor, joy, and love ; And leaves a thing that's sunk so low even the an- gels up above Must shade their eyes and turn away, it is so sad and strange a thing. Lost! lost for aye! the echoes roll till Temperance stops the saddened ring. A soul is saved, and shouts of joy pass through the corridors on high, TEMPERANCE POEM. 37 Until it reaches God's white throne, where the river of life flows by. Banner Lodge of California, brothers and sisters here to-night. Let us with loyal, earnest zeal clasp firmly on the shield of right. The demons of despair and death will pass their poisoned cup around. Then be it ours to wage the war for Temperance's consecrated ground ; Until at last the work is done, and we from our Grand Worthy Chief Receive the gift he offers all who work in Jesus' pure belief. Within the circle of His love where the river of life flows at our feet, With Heaven's Regalia for our prize and all our loved ones there to meet; Never again to lose them, there, but safe through all eternity, We hold them fast in the circles of Love, Faith, > Hope, and Charity. 38 OUR NATIONAL DAY. Ouf ]vJ"ktioiikl f)ky. FLING out your proud banner, the red, white, and blue. Shall ever float over the bravest and true. From the sweet sunny South to the far Northern seas, May our national banner float on the fresh breeze ; Oh ! Americans greet it, cast hatred away. Let your hearts blend in peace on our national day. Where the orange groves wave their rich fruitage of gold, To where the Sierras stand frowningly bold, The " City of the Plains," with its capital grand, Unite and rejoice all o'er our glad land. From Florida's coast to the far Northern Maine, May our national day meet its welcome again. Let the boom of the cannon sound o'er the glad earth, O'er a century hath fled since our nation had birth ; Bid the grim tyrant Time bring back all his dead ; The battle-fields, too, where the brave soldiers bled ; The Father of our country, noble Washington, We will never forget while the centuries run. OUR NATIONAL DAY. 39 The patriots who stood brave, noble, and true, Beneath the first folds of the red, white, and blue ; Oh ! Death, with thy sickle, so bright and so keen. See they, through the vail of life's silvery sheen. How we reverence the day they fought for and died? May it ever be America's pride. So young and so fair, so mammoth and strong; The pride of the earth, the avenger of wrong; From thirteen tiny States, our nation hath grown From sea unto sea, and our bright flag is known All over the earth, where in ocean or bay The zephyrs and waves are ever at play. Hearts true and strong fight as bravely for right, As all the heroes who 've passed from our sight ; When at Valley Forge, through blood-trodden snow ; Without clothing or food, and hearts full of woe, The troops and their leader awaited the spring. To fight for the nation where freedom should cling. And fair Wyoming, with horrors untold, Still lives through time. The martyrs so bold, Who gave their lives for Liberty's cause, Refusing the weight of Saxon laws, Fell by the Delaware's rippling tide. And from the " Niagara," brave Periy's pride. When the " Guerriere " met the " Yankee craft," How the tory captain proudly laughed ; Ah ! he little thought of shot and shell, Which could jDrove the Yankee's will so well ; Yet the ship went down 'neath the blue wave — Left Hull the victor, staunch and brave. 40 OUR NATIONAL DAY. How oft were the rivers and lakes dyed red ! How oft were the battle-fields strewn with the dead ! How oft was the tomahawk huried in the blood Of women and children ; till the crimson-dyed flood Swept all o'er the land with such terrible power, That the stoutest hearts quailed in that dismal hour ! Ah ! this was the price paid for Freedom's sweet home ; May she furl her white wings, and never more roam From the nation that loves her, but ever remain; Our bright flag will float from main unto main ; And Americans shall rejoice and be free Forever in the land of Liberty. MAUD. 41 M cLU d nnWILIGHT is creeping, ^ Bright stars are peeping, Silent watch keeping Over the night ; Little birds sleeping. Bright flowers weeping. Zephyrs are sweeping Over them light. Yes, haste to the shore, And dip the bright oar, Nor list to the roar Of the rough wave; Haste to the meeting, Old Time is fleeting, Angry waves beating Down by the cave. Sweet Maud is flying, Bright stars are prying. Zephyrs are sighing. Why will you go ? Now you rush headlong; If you should live long, 3* 42 A/A UD. Don't you think ere long You will find woe? Oh, no ! no, never, Tliough we live ever. True love forever Will bind our hearts ; We will go trusting, Nor with heart bursting, When we are thirsting, Drink of his arts. This adage keeping, Look before leaping, Better than weeping, Dear little Maud ; Fie ! you don't hear me. Though you are near me, For you, oh ! dear me. Think this is fraud. Now you care for naught, And you have no thought Save those with love fraught- Ah, lie ! Maud, fie ! Close you must cherish. Then it will flourish. Slighted, 'twill perish — Love will soon die. Thus whispered the flower. Did all in its power. MAUD. 43 In that night's hour To stop Maud's feet ; Maud would not listen, Bright her eyes glisten, As she doth hasten Some one to meet. Fearing no slaughter, Maud, only daughter, Over the water Is watching a boat ; Light it skims o'er, Touches the shore — "Darling, step lower " — Outward they float. Fair Maud is flying. Bright stars are prying, Zephyrs are sighing — Why will you go ? Left father and mother. Sister and brother. All for this other. When Love said Go. What will they think, Maud, When they find by fraud, Some lover with laud Has stolen their bird ? Maud, are you not wrong ? No more the gay song. Long, shall they wait long. Ere it is heard. 44 MA UD. O'er the waves darting, Some one's heart is smarting For the words of parting That will never come. Stop the dull heart aching, And the low sobs breaking, Like a child awaking Far away from home. For me you left all, Even your father's hall, Maud, would you recall All that is past ? Some one is kissing her. Some one is blessing her, Are any missing her Whom he holds fast ? THE SEA. 45 ¥lie gek. "I should like to sail on, and forever, and never touch the shore again." — Nathaniel Hawthorne. A WAY o'er the great blue ocean, ■J-^- Far out on the shoreless sea ; Away from the world's commotion, I long forever to be ; Where the throbs and the pulsation Of the great heart of the world Through the arteries of the nations Are never madly hurled. Where none of Earth's grief and sorrow, Can come with its weary blight ; But where on each glad to-morrow, We watch the billows of white, Which the ship, like a bird of the ocean, Flings back from her shining prow ; Like a stately bird in her motion. Skimming o'er the waters now. With the sea-birds sailing around us, The porpoise leaping below ; The trackless waters surround us With their never-ending flow ; 46 THE SEA. Where the monsters of the ocean, Tossed up the snowy spray, And the sweet south wind's devotion, Chideth the tropic day. Where the Storm King in his fury, Rides the tempest nobly grand ; The thunder is his augury. And the lightning from his hand Flashes on the angry ocean. Till the waves roll mountains higli ; As the wild winds shriek with passion. Moaning upward to the sky. Oh, Neptune, God of the Ocean, While wooing the mermaid fair. You've won, with a wild emotion, The children of earth and air ; Far down in your coral cavern Now sitting in regal state ; Make you your laws as you govern To blend with the Goddess Fate. You 've hidden earth's fairest treasures Down in your coral caves ; For love, life, beauty, and pleasure Have sunk 'neath the seething waves ; You 've stolen the wealth of nations. And drawn the good ship down. For you heed neither wealth or station. When obeying the Storm King's frown. THE SEA. 47 It 's in vain men seek thy wonders, Beneath tlie mighty deep ; Afar the green waves under Thy fairest gems still sleep. No magic wand can ever Bid the great waves depart ; Nor find the unknown rivers That wander through thy heart. For men cannot roam, mermaiden, 'Neath the sea's restless flow ; Where, in your green-wreathed aiden. The pearls and amber grow. The wonders earth hath never claimed. Jewels no crown may wear. Myriads of creatures there unnamed, You hold those secrets rare. Ah ! the strange infatuation, Ever calling from the sea ; With its mystic estuation, And its unsung poesy. We are sailing, sailing ever, To that great and mystic sea, On Time's swiftly flowing river. To the Ocean — Eternity. 48 THE BROKEN RING. ¥l\e Si'okeq t{ii]^. " With this ring do I wed thee." he placed on her hand The daintiest, brightest, wee plain golden band. " 'T is for better, or worse, in life, until death, I will love thee, my wife, as long as I 've breath." The wedding was o'er, yet the heart of the bride Gave back no resj^onse to the one by her side. He had sought the fair hand, nor thought of the love That's more to a woman than worlds up above. Years passed, and the jewel its luster had lost. He had tarnished the gem, and forgotten its cost. But the woman's fair face, in beauty and pride. Covered over with roses the wound she would hide. The mark is a part of the cross taken up ; She'll drink life's bitter draught as she would joy's cup. The longing for love that will enter her heart Will steal through each fiber and crush every part, THE BROKEN RING. 49 Until, worn and weary, the cross is laid down, Then Love, the Eternal, will give her the crown. Blind world, call her happy, think she was, and is now, Ah ! the ring has been broken, and so has the vow. 50 ECHOES. %t\o^i. T SIT in the gathering twilight, ^ While the silent shadows of gray Steal up like the shades of Chaos Ere the darkness was rolled away ; And a spell of the night came o'er me, When 1 saw — or seemed to see — Coming up from the j^ast to the present, Things that are or were to be. Ah ! many a hope is buried, And many a funeral knell Will send through our souls its echo From Memory's deei>toned bell. We may list to the world's gay music, And dwell in her brilliant bowers, Yet there '11 come up through the splendor That knell for the lost of ours. We may laugh at life and its passions, And sneer at the blood and tears, As if no heart-graves we were hiding. Deep buried for years and years. We may smile at another's sorrow, And talk of the foolish things ; ECHOES. 51 Yet each of us hears in the twilight A knell which Memory rings. Ah ! we turn with a spirit vision Down the still aisles of the past, And we see but a fading shadow Of the things too bright to last ; Of the dreams we pictured in beauty ; Of the castles we built in air ; Of a future life all perfect — Love and peace sat enthroned there. But the dreams have faded to nothing; The castles have crumbled to dust ; And the fair, sweet life, born in Fancy, Hope never shall hold in trust ; And we turn away, for the pictures Are draped with the crape of despair, And we hear forever an echo Of a death-knell through the air. 52 , TO A PICTURE. ¥o a Pictm^e. THY face brings a memory to-day Of a pleasant week spent in thy home, Where the burdens of life for a time cast away, The shadows of cai'e which in and out stray O'er our pathway wherever we roam. I have wished with the Poet of- old That the land-breeze of earth may be light ; That the storm-winds of sorrow may never unfold Their pinions, and shadow thee darkly and cold. Or e'en touch thy young heart in its blight ; That the stars up above may look down, And watch thee where'er thou may'st roam ; And may shield thee forever from Error's dark frown ; May cast o'er thy brow Love's radiant crown With a halo 'round thy happy home. I have thought of thee oft, and to-night, As the Angel of Peace draweth nigh. And the Day King hath passed with his legion of light Down into the west, and out of our sight, And Night's sentinels gem the blue sky — TO A PICTURE. 53 I see thee again 'mid the flowers Of thy home in our bright, sunny land, A rival to Flora as queen of the bowers, Thy bright ways beguiling the flight of the hours, While I then joined as one in your band. All the pictures which light np life's way. Memory hangs in her close-curtained hall ; No rude stranger fingers lift the curtain away; Thought and bright fancy through the corridors stray, And one will ever answer your call. May the banners of crimson and gold. Which the King of the Day flingeth back, Reflecting his splendor o'er woodland and wold. Be a type of the future your eyes may behold As you journey on life's unseen track. Dark eyes with the shadow of dreams Oft reflecting thy far-away light ; You see but the future, where Hope's promise gleams ' Neath Love's royal beauty, close by moonlit streams. Where he whispers his promises bright. I think there are some in this life Blest with all that is fair, good, and true ', God keeps from tlieir pathway all care, sin and strife ; Makes them blest as daughter, friend, sister and wife ; May the light of His love fall on you. 54 THE OLD LOG CHURCH. ¥lie Old l^oi QX\\xtt\. TN the primitive days that have long past away, ^ When the sun shone as brightly as sun shines to-day, Here the old church was built, and the settlement small Held the stanch frontier heart, that would answer the call To the volunteer ranks, when the foeman was near. Leaping into their saddles as swift as the deer. Pursuing the red warrior o'er plateau and dale. Until night threw around them her dark star- gemmed vail. Like a benison of peace bringing rest everywhere. While the w^orshippers knelt in their quaint church of prayer. Old Time holds his scepter, and beneath his stern sway A city looms up in her stately array ; New churches have taken the place of the old. New worshipers worship within the new fold, Whose spires point to heaven ; here tlie rich and the gay THE OLD LOG CHURCH. 55 Kneel low at their altars : do they all kneel to pray With the reverence for God marking all of their moods, As when the old church stood mid nature's solitudes; When the faith of the people had hallowed the sod, And they raised this rude temple to worship their God? No fine garb of fashion, no carpeted aisles ; No cloak of vast riches, from which guilt oft smiles ; No soft cushioned pews in which sinners may rest. Unheeding the future in the present's bequest ; No grand organ music, no fashionable choir. But they sang the old tunes with a heartfelt desire. The swift flowing river rolling down to the sea Oft caught up the refrain in her wild minstrelsy ; And the wide answering paean went up on high. Till the echo hath flown like birds to the sky. The church is still there and the river flows on, But the people who built it, Oh! where have they gone? Many bridges hang over the river's dark wave. Progress laughs at the failures she hides in the grave ; Her bidding the iron horse obeys with a bound. His track like a girdle spans the continent round ; The lightning of heaven flashing o'er the wire. Brings the news of a people as a single desire. And here Commerce, twin sister, asserts her bold sway. While success crowns her efforts with laurels each day, 56 ■ THE OLD LOG CHURCH. But the little log church stands deserted, alone, Like some ancient relic whose daytime hath flown. Oh ! church as you stand in your loneliness now. Hath the dark hand of death pressed each worship- er's brow ? Did the sunlight of peace shine with joy on each face, As they knelt round thy altar to ask for His grace ? Our God sends his blessing in hamlet and hall, He sees not their riches, but heeds each low call ; The church may be humble, or stately and grand. The last to be built, or the first in the land. The old log church may crumble to dust bye-and-bye, But Grod keeps the record of each up on high LULir. 57 I