Class I_S2S?h5. 
 BookXs!l_B6L 
 GQlpglitl^°-ijJIL_ 
 
 COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 WRITTEN FOR THE FAMILY 
 
KITYMES AJ^D YEESES 
 WRITTEN FOR THE FAMILY 
 
 1880-1900 
 
 BY . 
 
 GRINNELL WILLIS 
 
 1901 
 
 /.' 
 
Copyright, 1901, hy GrinneU Willis 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 CONGRESS, 
 Two Copies Received 
 
 APR. 22 1901 
 
 COPTBOHT EftTRY 
 
 CLASS A-XXc N«. 
 COPY Q. 
 
 
To my Motlier-in-Laiv 
 
 The laws of the land are many and old, 
 Moses made some of them, so I am told; 
 But the bonniest law that ever I saw 
 Is my own, my jolly old mother-in-law. 
 
Introduction 
 
 I HAVE written these "Rhymes and Verses" from 
 time to time during the last twenty years, without 
 preparation, and many of them at an hour's notice, 
 simply to express the fun or sentiment of an occasion. 
 Their defects are many, and I claim no poetical merit 
 for them. I offer this little volume to my family as a 
 loving reminder of old times and happy days, which 
 are now only memories of the past. 
 
 ' Affectionately, 
 
 Grinnell Willis. 
 
Contents 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Christmas Rhyme, Sung at Every Christmas Gathering for Many 
 Years 1 
 
 Lines to my Wife when "We Moved into Our New House at Morris- 
 town, February 18, 1892. The Old Home Dressed Anew . . 3 
 
 To Robert Haydock, Christmas, 1884 5 
 
 Read at Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Haydock's Fiftieth Wedding Anniver- 
 sary, 1839-1889 ^ 6 
 
 To Sara H. Baker, on her Bii-thday, March 2, 1891 .... 8 
 
 To Sara H. Baker, when She Left Us and began Her Course in the 
 Training School at " Bellevue " 9 
 
 Read at Mr. and Mrs. Haydock's Forty-ninth Wedding Anniversary, 
 Twelfth Street, January 27, 1892 10 
 
 To Mrs. Chinery, on her Eighteenth Birthday, February 29, 1892, 
 from Hannah 13 
 
 Read at the Opening of the New Club House of the Germantown 
 Cricket Club at Mannheim, April 27, 1892 15 
 
 To Mary Drake, Christmas, 1893 19 
 
 To Robert Haydock, February 1, 1894 20 
 
 Mary's Birthday, 1895 22 
 
 Hannah sailed for Europe May 23, 1895. H. H. W.— Bon Voyage . 23 
 
 Nina's Birthday, August 28, 1895 24 
 
 Anna Hallowell Graduated at the Harvard Annex, Proposing to 
 Give her Life to the Classics, but Meeting Horace Davis Abroad, 
 She Changed Her Mind. On the Announcement of hev Engage- 
 ment We Sent Her a Fleur-de-lis Pin, with the Following Lines : 
 Hallowell vs. Horace 25 
 
 To Anna Hallowell and Horace Davis at the time of their Wedding 26 
 
 Anna Hallowell's Wedding. " Noddebo," November 28, 1895 . 27 
 
PASE 
 
 On my Forty-eightli Birthday I sent to George and Fred Moore and 
 Busli the Following Lines 30 
 
 Having stood Q-od-father for F, V. Burton's Eldest Son, I Sent Him 
 a Cup with the Following Lines Engraved on the Bottom of It. 
 1892 32 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. F. V. Burton, on the Occasion of the Laying of the 
 Corner-stone of their New Home, at Newburgh, N. Y., September 
 25, 1896 33 
 
 To Frank Stockton, Christmas, 1896 ....... 34 
 
 Christmas, 1896. Fred and George Moore and Bush had a Christmas 
 Card of Three Sailor Boys in Summer Rig, on "Which I "Wrote the 
 Following Lines 35 
 
 My Wife's Forty-eighth Anniversary 36 
 
 Christmas, 1897. The Christmas Chime 37 
 
 To Cousin Mary Parsons on her Seventy- fifth Anniversary, 1898 . 38 
 
 Lines Written in Mrs. Walter Cutting's House Book, Pittsfield, 
 Mass., January 23, 1899 40 
 
 Written for the Engagement Dinner given to Ridley Watts and 
 Gertrude Hoy, October 24, 1899 41 
 
 To my Nephew, Jack Hallowell, Right End of Harvard's Football 
 Eleven, November 27, 1899. Harvard 17 — Yale .... 43 
 
 A Twelfth Street Valentine 44 
 
 To D. S. Newhall. With a Hearth Brush forjtheir New Home . . 45 
 
 These Lines were Sent with a Set of Glasses to Fred and George 
 Moore and G. Fairfax Bush, with "^Hiom 1|^ had Made Pleasant 
 Expeditions on the Wheel 46 
 
 We Made a Visit to Uncle Charles and Mary Wharton at Newport. 
 At Christmas Time Mary Sent a Shawl, with the Following Lines 48 
 
 Sent with a Fly Book to my Old Friend, Fisher Corlies ... 51 
 
 Sent with a Mince Pie to a Friend 52 
 
 Sent with a Christmas Stocking to Hope Willis. Hope's Stocking 53 
 
EHYMES AND YEKSES 
 
Christmas Rhyme, Su7ig at Every Christmas 
 Gathering for Many Years. 
 
 Audience, awaiting Santa Glaus, sings : 
 
 Welcome all to-night, 
 
 We're glad you've come in time, 
 Sing with all your might, 
 
 Oh ! sing the Christmas rhyme. 
 Make the chorus ring. 
 
 Shout the loud applause, 
 Sing with all your voices, sing, 
 
 Hurrah ! for Santa Claus ! 
 
 Chorus : 
 
 Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle loud and long, 
 
 How joyful is the music of this our Christmas song ! 
 
 Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle loud and long, 
 
 How joyful is the music of this our Christmas song ! 
 
 [1] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 We all love Santa Clans, 
 
 A merry man is he, 
 We'll shout our loud applause 
 
 And greet him merrily. 
 He has a heavy pack 
 
 With Christmas gifts galore, 
 He soon will come a-knocking, — 
 
 A-knocking at the door. — Chorus. 
 
 Many homes to-night 
 
 Are waiting for his call, 
 Their welcome will be warm and bright 
 
 But ours is best of all. 
 Hark ! He's coming fast, 
 
 Hear the sleigh-bells ring, 
 
 Now he's here at last — 
 
 ^ Enter All Hail ! The Christmas King ! — Chorus. 
 Santa Claus : =" 
 
 Farewell, ring out the song, 
 
 Sing with all your heart. 
 Speed the parting guest along 
 
 If he must depart. 
 Let the echoes ring, 
 
 Shout the loud applause. 
 Sing with all your voices, sing, 
 c ^^}^. . . Grood-by to Santa Claus.— Chorus. 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Lines to my Wife, wlien We Moved into Our Neiu 
 House at Morristown, February 18, 1892. 
 
 The Old Home Dressed Anew. 
 
 Home again ! How sweet the sound 
 
 Of that familiar word ! 
 Our pulses thrill, our hearts rebound 
 
 Again, when it is heard. 
 A year of absence brings us back 
 
 To home, and all that's dear j 
 The setting of it may be new. 
 
 But the old things still are here. 
 Our books and pictures greet us 
 
 From their places on the wall, 
 And friendly faces meet us 
 
 In answer to our call. 
 A new home ? Yes ; both old and new, 
 
 But if we reckon o'er 
 What makes a home for me and you, 
 
 The old one seems the more. 
 
 [3] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Old love that time has stronger made, 
 
 Associations old, 
 The children God has given us 
 
 To cherish and unfold, 
 A mother's smile and tender care 
 
 (The home's foundation wall) — 
 All these are home itself, 
 
 The essence of it all. 
 And so the new is still the old 
 
 Where hearts are strong and true. 
 And we are once more in the fold. 
 
 In the '' Old Home Dressed Anew." 
 
 4] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 To Robert Haydock, Christmas, 188Jf. 
 
 Once more at home, at Christmas time, 
 
 We gather at thy call, 
 Thy children and grandchildren, 
 
 We are coming, one and all. 
 From East and West we're coming, 
 
 A joyous, happy throng. 
 Our hearts are glad, and on our lips 
 
 The merry Christmas song. 
 We've had our own Saint Nicholas, 
 
 Our merry Christmas tree, 
 But better far than all of these, 
 
 ■ "V^e're coming home to thee. 
 Thy presence is our beacon light. 
 
 Our star by day, our guide by night. 
 God bless you both, your children pray, 
 
 And keep you safe for many a day. 
 
 [5] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Read at Mr. and Mrs, Oeo. Haydock's 
 
 Fiftieth Wedding Aimiversary, 
 
 18S9-1889 
 
 'Tis the golden harvest time, 
 
 The richest of the year, 
 
 When nature dons her brightest dress, 
 And decks the fields and the wilderness 
 
 With glory far and near. 
 
 'Tis the time of peace and joy, 
 
 Of promises fulfilled, 
 
 Of bams well stocked with the ripened ear, 
 And even the haze in the atmosphere 
 
 By a sweet peace is stilled. 
 
 'Tis the golden time for you. 
 
 Life's harvest garnered well, 
 
 The peace of fifty years well spent 
 Has only love and sweet content 
 
 And happiness to tell. 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 May ever the golden blessing 
 
 Be yours, and ne'er depart, 
 
 And the love of friends who have been so true, 
 Who are present now to rejoice with you. 
 
 Be found in every heart. 
 
 [7: 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 To Sara H. Baker, on her Birthday, 
 March 2. 1891. 
 
 " Thy hands are such dear hands, 
 
 They are so full, they turn at our demands 
 
 So often ] they reach out, 
 
 With many trifles scarcely thought about, 
 
 So many times ', they do 
 
 So many things so kind and true ; " 
 
 And we, whose hearts are full, can only say, 
 
 While blessing thee from day to day. 
 
 Our love and sympathy are surely thine, 
 
 Enduring to the end of time. 
 
 [8] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 To Sara H. Baher, 
 
 when she left us and legan her course in the 
 
 Trainmg School at '^ Bellevioe." 
 
 Dear friend, 'tis hard to say farewell, 
 And harder yet it is to tell, 
 In parting words, how strong the tie 
 We sever now in this good-bye. 
 We all shall miss thy gentle grace, 
 Thy willing hand and cheerful face ; 
 No other friend thy place can fill. 
 Though absent we shall claim thee still ; 
 God bless the work thou hast begun, 
 
 And guard thee in the years to come, 
 And when thy heart is weary, or alone. 
 
 Come back and rest in this thy home. 
 
 [9 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Read at Mr. and Mrs. Haydock's Forty-ninth 
 
 Wedding Anniversary , TivelftJi Street, 
 
 January 27, 1892. 
 
 Brothers and sisters young and old, 
 
 Here is a story to be told, 
 
 A rambling story full of fun 
 
 Of the j oiliest family under the sun ; 
 
 So blow the horn and ring the bell, 
 
 And hark to what I have to tell. 
 
 There is a dear lady whom all of us know, 
 "Who lives in New York right opposite ^' Trow," 
 And she and her good man are chock full of mirth, 
 A blessed old couple, the salt of the earth. 
 Their childi'en are many, some there and some here, 
 But they all come together at least once a year 
 To bless and be blessed, and to offer a prayer 
 For the family circle in love gathered there. 
 
 The family stock is old and strong. 
 In Philadelphia they belong j 
 
 10 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Fishers, and Whartons, and Haydocks too 
 
 Were raised in clover at old ^' Belle vue " ;. 
 
 And Smiths and Mellors joined the throng, 
 
 While the numbers increased as the years rolled on, 
 
 And Hallowell and Willis were counted in, 
 
 And the delegation from " Sandy Spring," 
 
 And Storks and Haywards, and many more 
 
 Found the latch string of the door. 
 
 Ever a welcome warm and sweet 
 
 Met all at the door of '' Old Twelfth Street." 
 
 The slave in distress has been taken in, 
 
 And the Quaker preacher stiff and prim. 
 
 The '^ merely eating friends" have been fed, 
 
 And entertained, and put to bed. 
 
 And many a soldier in the war 
 
 Said his last farewell from this open door. 
 
 Here good advice was often spoken. 
 
 And words of cheer, or some little token 
 
 Slipped in the hand of the parting lad, 
 
 A trifle to make his heart feel glad ; 
 
 Or children and grandchildren trooping in 
 
 With their everlasting noise and din, 
 
 And Santa Glaus with his heavy pack. 
 
 Shouting to keep his reindeer back, 
 
 While the lads and lasses danced around. 
 
 To a song that made the walls resound — 
 
 [11] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 All this, and much more, the door could tell 
 Of the many who've rung that well-worn bell. 
 
 We read of the joy of a cheerful heart, 
 
 And the good that love can do. 
 Does any home more love impart 
 
 Than this one which is open to you ? 
 Can we number the heart strings that center here 
 
 Or the many friends that come 
 To pull the latch string year by year, 
 
 And call this spot theii' home ? 
 Our home, thrice blest indeed. 
 
 And 'tis well for us to speak 
 The loving thoughts, in a time like this, 
 
 That come to those who seek. 
 So join the toast I offer you, 
 Our Father ! Our Mother ! tried and true, 
 God bless them, we pray, 
 
 And for many years more 
 May the latch string hang out 
 
 At the " Old Twelfth Street" door. 
 
 12] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 To Mrs. Cliinery, on lier Eighteenth Birthday, 
 February 29, 1892, from Hannah. 
 
 I WISH I was a baby, 
 
 A tiny dimpled thing, 
 To hear again the lullaby 
 
 My old nurse used to sing. 
 
 To roll about, and kick and laugh. 
 
 Without a thought or care, 
 Serenely happy, just to know 
 
 That my old nurse was there. 
 
 She always loved to bathe me 
 
 In my cunning little tub, 
 To wrap me in a blanket. 
 
 And give my back a rub. 
 
 She knew when I was hungry, 
 When my bottle I should take, 
 
 She watched while I was sleeping. 
 And amused me when awake. 
 
 13 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 She is a sweet old lady, 
 The babies' dearest friend, 
 
 Her touch is tenderness itself, 
 Her patience without end. 
 
 But stay ! did I say old *? 
 
 No, that can never be. 
 Youth, the Fairy, cares for her, 
 
 My Dear Old Chinery. 
 
 Others answer to the roll. 
 Each twelvemonth to a day. 
 
 And none may ever shun it. 
 Or have leave to stay away. 
 
 But when her star was lighted. 
 Youth said, '' Be kind and true, 
 
 As you care for little children. 
 So I will care for you." 
 
 And we. Youth's servants, here to-day, 
 
 His bidding gladly do. 
 For leap year comes but seldom. 
 
 Eighteen leap years to few. 
 
 [14] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Read at tlie Opening of the Neiv Club House of the 
 
 Germantotun Cricket Cluh at Mannheim, 
 
 April 27, 1892. 
 
 The cricket is a jolly elf 
 
 With a bright and cheerful song, 
 Who knows that ease and comfort 
 
 To an open hea^rth belong ; . 
 When the fire burns the brightest, 
 
 And the guests are coming in, 
 When hearts are at their lightest 
 
 You may hear the cricket sing. 
 So let our " Mannheim" cricket 
 
 Be the minstrel here to-night, 
 And sing his song of welcome 
 
 In the changing fire-light. 
 
 Let him tell to us the story 
 Of heroes, bold and true, 
 
 Of the boys who won our battles. 
 When cricketers were few ; 
 
 15 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Of faithful, honest effort, 
 
 Of treasure freely given, 
 Of those who for the good of all 
 
 Have long and nobly striven j 
 Of this fine hall, this castle fair, 
 
 This homestead builded well, 
 The " Mecca " of all cricketers, 
 
 Let our ^' Mannheim " cricket tell. 
 
 Cricket — the noble, ancient game, 
 Old England's sport, — of storied fame, 
 Coming a stranger and unknown, 
 In Germantown had found a home. 
 Back in the fifties, we can name 
 Such cricketers as Tom McKean, 
 And Welsh, and Patterson, and Brown, 
 The Old Guard of the Oermantown. 
 The Newhalls, Wisters, and many more. 
 Whom we delight to number o'er. 
 And who were always in the van 
 When Young America began. 
 
 The lads were scarcely wicket high, 
 But iron nerve and practised eye 
 With steady bat, and nimble ball 
 Won frequent victory over all. 
 
 16 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 And made these clubs a household word 
 Wherever cricketers were heard. 
 
 Established thus by yeoman true, 
 The game in strength and favor grew, 
 And other clubs began to claim 
 Their share of local cricket fame. 
 But these two rivals in the race 
 Were always in the foremost place, 
 And every year the battle test 
 Found one of them to be the best. 
 Until with wisdom rarely seen, 
 Where rivaby has been so keen, 
 They thought to join the red and blue 
 And make one club where then were two. 
 
 So Young America was wooed 
 By Germantown, in earnest mood, 
 And, like a bride, gave up her name. 
 That both should have a nobler fame. 
 
 In union there is strength, 'tis said, 
 And when in time these two were wed. 
 Dame Fortune was an honored guest. 
 And gave the future her behest, 
 
 [17] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 That ever to the White and Blue 
 Her Royal Legions should be true. 
 
 The " Germantown," now doubly strong, 
 Outgrew the home she'd known so long, 
 New fields, and larger quarters were 
 The urgent problems then for her. 
 It seemed indeed a giant task, 
 Almost too great for her to ask, 
 But only from the bended bow 
 Can we its strength and power know. 
 And promptly, to her earnest call. 
 Her sons gave answer, one and all, — 
 A sturdy answer, quick and true. 
 What you command, that we will do. 
 
 And so, this jewel in her crown, 
 
 This pride and joy of Germantown, 
 
 This home where old and young may find 
 
 Pleasure and sport of every kind. 
 
 Where recreation's song is sung, 
 
 And youth grows strong, and age grows young 
 
 Where honor is the lesson taught. 
 
 And all are gentlemen in sport. 
 
 This home, our ^' Mannheim," came to be 
 
 Their pledge to her of loyalty. 
 
 18 
 
EHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 To Mary Drake, Christmas, 1893. 
 
 The mountains of tliy native home 
 Keep guard o'er those who go and come, 
 Their summits, ht with morning ray, 
 Bring the glad tidings of the day, 
 And sunset glow, and evening star, 
 Sweet messengers of comfort are. 
 
 So in thy quiet, rest f ul way 
 
 Thee gives us strength from day to day, 
 
 Thy smile to us is morning cheer, 
 
 A blessing when the night draws near. 
 
 Thy presence is the sweetest thing 
 
 That old Saint Nicholas can bring — 
 
 A benediction to us all. 
 
 Which we shall evermore recall. 
 
 [19] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 To Robert Haydock, February 1, ISdJf., 
 
 How still it is to-night ! 
 
 The silence is so near, 
 Even the passing shadow 
 
 Seems to fall upon the ear. 
 
 Our very hearts are still, 
 
 And as we sit alone, 
 "We listen for a step 
 
 Which we know is past and gone. 
 
 The presence which has blessed us, 
 From youth to manhood's prime j 
 
 The sympathy so ready, 
 The smile almost divine, 
 
 The tender heart so true, 
 The open, generous hand. 
 
 Are only memories now — 
 A mystery of the spirit land. 
 
 [20] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 We grieve and yet we should rejoice 
 That such a life has been j 
 
 And that we have shared its blessing 
 With all our fellow men. 
 
 Death has no sorrow when it comes 
 
 In such a peaceful way, 
 And life will be the better 
 
 For each one every day. 
 
 [21] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Mary's Birthday, 1895, 
 
 We children three, and father one, 
 Planned with one another, 
 
 How we'd have a little fun 
 With our loving mother. 
 
 Mother's birthday soon will come, 
 The years we will not state, 
 
 But in our well-adjusted home 
 We always celebrate. 
 
 The thought perhaps was rash, 
 But with a laugh and chuckle, 
 
 We put in all our ready cash 
 And bought a silver buckle. 
 
 A trifle, say you ? 
 
 Yes, but the love in such a token 
 Makes a tie between us 
 
 That never can be broken. 
 
 [22] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Hannali sailed for Europe May 23, 1895. 
 H, H, W.— Bon Voyage, 
 
 The name of my girl is Whistle-de-dee, 
 A bonny lass you'll find her, 
 
 She has sailed away across the sea, 
 And left me far behind her. 
 
 She is the apple of my eye, 
 
 Her smile is life to me, 
 I know she'll come back by and by 
 
 From far across the sea. 
 
 May every wind that blows be fair 
 
 And ocean's temper mild, 
 God bless thee, is thy father's prayer, 
 
 My love ! My darling child ! 
 
 [23] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Nina's Birthday y August 28, 1895. 
 
 Ei&HTEEN years ago to-day 
 A bit of sunshine came my way, 
 A rosy, dimpled, laughing thing, 
 As full of hfe as a bubbling spring. 
 You would never forget 
 
 If you had seen her, 
 My dimpled girl, 
 My lovely Nina. 
 
 They tell me she is of age to-day, 
 
 That the years have taken my girl away. 
 
 But I have still a lady fair. 
 
 With that lovely spirit dwelling there. 
 
 And as of old, I still can trace. 
 
 The laughing sunshine in her face. 
 
 Ah ! You'll not forget 
 That you have seen her, 
 
 My lady fair, 
 My lovely Nina. 
 
 24 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Anna Hallowell Graduated at the Harvard Annex, 
 Proposing to Give her Life to the Classics, but 
 Meeting Horace Davis Abroad, She Changed Her 
 Mind. On the Announcement of her Eiigage- 
 ment We Sent Her a Fleur-de-lis Pin, luith the 
 Follmoing Lines: 
 
 Halloioell vs. Horace. 
 
 Behold the Harvard Annex Queen, 
 
 Staid and stately and serene ; 
 Many a line of Greek she read, 
 
 At home it was her daily bread. 
 But when she crossed the raging sea, 
 
 And roamed among the Fleurs-de-lis, 
 Horace became the only book 
 
 Into which she cared to look, 
 And now she says she will translate him 
 
 Into Hallowell verbatim. 
 
 25 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 To Anna Hallowell and Horace Davis 
 at the time of their Wedcli7ig. 
 
 Full many a cent 
 
 Is quickly spent 
 That should be for the family mending, 
 
 But this is sent 
 
 With the full intent 
 That the lovers shall do the spending. 
 
 26 
 
EHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Amia HallowelVs Wedding. 
 
 '' Noddeho," 
 Novemher 28, 1895. 
 
 Old ^' Noddebo " is gay to-night 
 With merry voices sounding, 
 
 Her clans have come with faces bright 
 In love and mirth abounding. 
 
 They raise aloft the chorus 
 Echoed back by wall and rafter, 
 
 And old and young join in to swell 
 The merry song and laughter. 
 
 'Tis a wedding feast to-night, 
 The fii'st in this dear home ; 
 
 A crowning joy of years gone by, 
 And hope for years to come. 
 
 [27] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 light of life ! so wonderful ! 
 
 No human thought divining, 
 It comes to us without our wish 
 
 Or even our declining. 
 
 It burns in us from youth to age, 
 The reason none can say ; 
 
 We only know that life is ours 
 To live as best we may. 
 
 We see it lighted when our girls 
 
 And boys to us are given, 
 And know that they must work and strive 
 
 As we ourselves have striven. 
 
 We raise them up to maidenhood, 
 To manhood and their prime ; 
 
 And hope they may be blessed in life, 
 As we were in our time. 
 
 Their homes will be where love is known 
 
 If ours have been the same, 
 And they will value most from us 
 
 Example's cherished name. 
 
 28 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 And when the hour of parting comes, 
 
 As it has come to-day, 
 We send them forth in hope and trust 
 
 Rejoicing on their way. 
 
 'Tis always hard to say good-bye, 
 But when their wings are grown 
 
 The birds from out the nest must fly : 
 Their problem is their own. 
 
 From us, no time, nor absence 
 
 Can separate us ever j 
 Our hearts are one, beyond the power 
 
 Of circumstance to sever. 
 
 29 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 On my Forty-eighth Birthday I sent to George 
 
 and Fred Moore and Bush the 
 
 Following Lines : 
 
 Dear boys, when you are forty-eight, 
 
 And realize how time has flown, 
 You'll value most youi' honest mate 
 
 Who loves you for yourself alone. 
 The friend whose loyalty you've tried, 
 
 Whose heart is ever straight and true j 
 You'll give up all the world beside, 
 
 And keep him ever close to you. 
 
 Our Potts and I must regulate 
 
 The family and its concerns ; 
 Must keep the aunts and uncles straight 
 
 And help each one along by turns. 
 He flutters in society 
 
 And I admire his success, 
 While I shun such variety. 
 
 But love him fondly none the less. 
 
 30 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Then George the ready, the true blue, 
 
 Your place is warm within my heart 5 
 One never turns in vain to you 
 
 To do the full and manly part. 
 And Bush, whose spirit never wanes 
 
 In any stress of circumstance, 
 Whose sparkling wit fresh vigor gains 
 
 From every change of thought or chance 5 
 '* You can have me without delay," 
 
 As I have heard the children say. 
 And so, my boys, we'll jog along, 
 
 Tho' twenty years between us stand, 
 You've made the tie between us strong, 
 
 You've given me the open hand. 
 I am the first to climb the hill, 
 
 And soon must take the downward grade ; 
 But I'll be waiting for you still, 
 
 To see the coast is safely made. 
 
 Affectionately yours, 
 
 Grinnell Willis. 
 
 31] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Having stood God-father for F. V. Burton's 
 
 Eldest Son, I Sent Him a Cup with 
 
 the Folloiving Lines Engraved 
 
 on the Bottom of It. 
 
 1892. 
 
 My boy, it is a priceless gift 
 
 To bear tliy father's name, 
 
 A heritage of honesty, 
 
 A stepping-stone to fame. 
 
 The world has naught of gear nor gold, 
 
 Nor fields, nor woodlands fair, 
 
 Nor castled halls, nor kingdoms old, 
 
 More precious or more rare. 
 
 Cherish the name, revere it, boy, 
 
 Be staunch, be strong and true. 
 
 The scion of a worthy sire. 
 
 The truest of the true. 
 
 32 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 To Mr. and Mrs. F. V. Burton, on the Occasion 
 
 of the Laymg of the Corner-stone of their 
 
 Neiv Home, at Newlurgh, JSf, Y., 
 
 September 25, 1896. 
 
 Home is the place that thrills the heart, 
 
 And stirs the tide of feeling, 
 Of our best selves it is a part. 
 
 The shrine where all are kneeling. 
 
 Love keeps his fires burning there, 
 And friendship finds the open door, 
 
 Sweet childhood comes to claim its share, 
 Widening the circle more and more. 
 
 And so the daily thought and care 
 Of every man is Home, Sweet Home, 
 
 'Tis present with him everywhere. 
 He lives and works for them alone. 
 
 May love and skill guide heart and hand 
 To build your castle firm and fair. 
 
 And fortune's choicest gifts befall 
 All those who dwell or enter there. 
 
 [33] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 To Frank Stochton, Christmas, 1896. 
 
 I KNOW a merry man, with a twinkle in his eye, 
 
 He nods a merry nod to every passer-by. 
 
 He's a neighbor and a friend whom everybody knows, 
 
 And he finds a cordial welcome everywhere he goes. 
 
 He has friends to do him honor, and glory when he 
 
 needs it, 
 When he writes a funny story everybody reads it — 
 Guess my riddle if you can, who will name my merry 
 
 man? 
 His renown will never change while the world reads 
 
 ^' Rudder Grange." 
 
 34 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Christmas, 1896. 
 
 Fred and George Moore and Bush had a Christmas 
 
 Card of Tliree Sailor Boys in Summer Rig, 
 
 on Which I Wrote the Following Lines: 
 
 Look at us ! Look at us ! 
 
 We are bachelors three ; 
 We can sail the best yacht 
 
 Ever launched on the sea. 
 We can reef, we can steer, 
 
 We can jolly the girls. 
 And it takes a smart man 
 
 To get onto our twirls. 
 
 35 
 
EHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 My Wife's Forty -eiglith Anniversary. 
 
 At f orty-eig-ht 'tis not too late 
 
 To lay some claim to youth, 
 A little gray, perhaps, you'll say, 
 
 And that's the honest truth. 
 But we can sing the song of Spring, 
 
 And keep our spirits gay, 
 And thou wilt be the same to me, 
 
 My true love every day. 
 
 But why repine at loss of time. 
 
 Or count our vigor past ? 
 Youth is a swain who'll long remain 
 
 With those who hold him fast. 
 If in our hearts his sunshine is. 
 
 His welcome at the door. 
 We both will say, with each birthday, 
 
 We're younger than before. 
 
 36 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Christmas, 1897, 
 The Christmas Chime. 
 
 We hear, like those of olden time, 
 
 The music of the Christmas Chime, 
 
 Telling its story again and again, 
 
 Of *' Peace on earth, good will to men " — 
 
 That beautiful story told so well 
 
 By the sound of the joyous Christmas bell. 
 
 It seems of Christmas-time a part. 
 
 Finding an echo in every heart, 
 
 And everywhere throughout the land 
 
 Its tokens pass from hand to hand. 
 
 So may we our voices raise 
 
 With thankful hearts in songs of praise, 
 
 As joyful as the merry chime 
 
 That rings so clear at Christmas-time. 
 
 37 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 To Cousin Mary Parsons on her 
 Seventy-fifth Anniversary, 1898, 
 
 If we're alive 
 
 At seventy-five, 
 
 We all would like to be 
 As blithe and spry 
 And keen of eye 
 
 And full of fun as thee. 
 
 In very truth 
 
 The springs of youth 
 
 Have been, and still are thine, 
 And thou canst say 
 That locks of gray 
 
 Do not their ends define. 
 
 Why then let fears 
 Of failing years 
 
 Beset us, when we see 
 How bright and gay 
 In every way 
 
 Life always seems to thee ? 
 
 38 
 
EHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Come, take the cup, 
 And fill it up, 
 
 And pledge the wish with me 
 May every year 
 Bring health and cheer. 
 
 Our honored guest, to thee." 
 
 [39] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Lines Written in Mrs. Walter Cutting's House 
 Book, Pittsfield, Mass., Jayiuary 23, 1899. 
 
 It is not always length of days 
 
 That makes a friendship strong — 
 One heart may know another, 
 
 Though acquaintance be not long ; 
 A word of cordial greeting, 
 
 A look, a smile, may mean 
 The sure and true foundation 
 
 Of mutual esteem. 
 I write my name in parting, 
 
 And much my heart would tell. 
 And I only can express it 
 
 In the good old word *^ Farewell." 
 
 40 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Writteii for the Engagement Dinner given to 
 
 Ridley Watts and Gertrude Hoy, 
 
 Octoler U, 1899. 
 
 A YOUNG man paced with anxious stride, 
 
 Up and down, from side to side. 
 
 Oh ! Ho ! says I, Watts up, my boy ? 
 
 Says he, I've lost my '' Ship-a-Hoy," 
 
 The finest craft that ever sailed, 
 
 Alas ! Alack-a-day, he wailed, 
 
 It would have been a lasting joy 
 
 To change her name to Watts from Hoy. 
 
 Avast ! says I, it's not so bad, 
 
 Come, take a brace ! Cheer up, my lad ! 
 
 Such wild despair will never do. 
 
 She's wondering Watts become of you. 
 
 And sailed off on a cruise, you know ; 
 
 Be sure you'll have her soon in tow. 
 
 I think if you'll consult the log, 
 
 You'll find she's shaped her course for Quogue, 
 
 Down where the summer breezes blow. 
 
 Where days are long, and time is slow. 
 
 [41 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Where lovers wander on the beach 
 Out of sight and out of reach, 
 Whispering and mnrmuring Hke the sea, 
 That old, old story of you and me. 
 He smiled and started off that way, 
 And when I crossed his bows one day, 
 His deep despair was turned to joy, 
 He had in tow his ^' Ship-a-Hoy." 
 
 42 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 To mij Nephetv, Jack Halloivell, Right End of 
 
 Harvard's Foothall Eleven, 
 
 November 21, 1899, 
 
 Harvard 17 — Yale 0. 
 
 '' H" STANDS for Fair Harvard, 
 
 Who mothers us all, 
 For her heroes who gladly 
 
 Respond to her call j 
 For the Honors they've won 
 
 In serving her well. 
 And for her " Right End," 
 
 John White Hallowell. 
 Play straight and play strong, my lad, 
 
 Honest and sure. 
 And your fame at Fair Harvard 
 
 Shall ever endure. 
 
 43 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 A Twelfth Street Vale?iti7ie. 
 
 In the merry days of youth, 
 
 When life was all a rhyme, 
 What a jolly thing it was 
 
 To write a valentine ! 
 Or if you had a cent or two, 
 
 Like some one I could name, 
 You'd skip around the corner, 
 
 And buy one from " Mr. Lane." 
 A gushing, blushing missive, 
 
 With hearts and flowers on it, 
 And printed at the bottom 
 
 A lovely little sonnet. 
 Can hearts that fifty seasons know 
 
 Recall that golden time ? 
 And heads a little tinged with snow 
 
 Enjoy a valentine f 
 Yes ; memory gives an added zest, 
 
 The ripened fruit is always best. 
 
 LotC. 
 
 [44] 
 
RHYMES AND VEESES 
 
 To D. S. Neivhall 
 With a Hearth Brush for their Neio Home. 
 
 The brightest spot on the earth is home, 
 
 And when one calls that spot one's own, 
 
 And gives to every nook a share 
 
 Of individual, watchful care. 
 
 Planning each room to suit its guest, 
 
 And please each varying fancy best ; 
 
 Ah ! then perfection is attained. 
 
 And sweet content for all is gained. 
 
 But yet, perchance, by hook or crook, 
 
 There may remain a vacant nook 
 
 Whose furnishing, a little scant. 
 
 May welcome still an occupant. 
 
 If this by the fireside chance to be, 
 
 Reserve it, if you please, for me, 
 
 A humble applicant for fame 
 
 Who seeks to hang beside the crane. 
 
 May the light of thy fire for thee ever shine. 
 
 And the warmth of its welcome be thine for all time. 
 
 [45] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 lliese Lines loere Sent ivith a Set of Glasses to Fred 
 
 and George Moore and G. Fairfax Bush, 
 
 with Wliom I had Made Pleasant 
 
 Expeditions on the Wheel. 
 
 What, ho ! My Benedicts ! My boys, 
 
 Beware tlie tempting cup ; 
 But when your uncle comes around, 
 
 Fill up ! my boys, fill up. 
 
 What matter if our Potts is late 
 
 Or the " Cynics' " shafts strike home, 
 
 Or nephew Bush indulge his fad 
 Of guying all who come. 
 
 We've ridden many a joUy mile 
 
 Down many a dizzy coast, 
 And as we hope for many more, 
 
 Come join your uncle's toast. 
 
 46 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 The wheel ! The wheel ! our trusty steed, 
 
 So speedy and so sure j 
 We'll ride it on o'er hill and dale 
 
 While health and strength endure. 
 
 And so, good luck ! My Benedicts ! 
 
 Fill up the glass, I say ! 
 We've many a mile before us yet, 
 
 And many a holiday. 
 
 47 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 We Made a Visit to 
 
 Uncle Charles aiid Mary Wharton at Newport, 
 
 At Christmas Time Mary Sent a Shawl, 
 
 with the Following Lines : 
 
 I THOUGHT I'd like to write a rhyme 
 
 To go with Mary's shawl, 
 But I seemed to stick at every line, 
 
 And couldn't write at all. 
 My wife she wanted something fine, 
 
 Full of sentiment and love. 
 Hearts a-heaving and a-sighing 
 
 Like the billows in your cove. 
 Of course I couldn't quite agree. 
 
 As husbands won't, sometimes. 
 And that's the reason why you see 
 
 I'm sending you these lines. 
 I want to give you solid chunks 
 
 Of our appreciation 
 Of Newport hospitahty. 
 
 Without exaggeration. 
 
 [48 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 You took us both clean off our feet 
 
 When we stayed with you last Summer, 
 That ranch of youi's is hard to beat — 
 
 What we should call a hummer. 
 It isn't very much for trees, 
 
 Bananas wouldn't thrive, 
 But then you always have a breeze, 
 
 And can always take a drive. 
 The visitor arising 
 
 Before the break of day, 
 Would see our host and stalwart sons, 
 
 In very light array, 
 Disporting in their bathing tent 
 
 Like bull-frogs on the shore j 
 And every minute in they went 
 
 The bottom to explore. 
 AU through the day the sailing 
 
 And tennis took our time. 
 And when the bell for dinner rang 
 
 You found us all in line. 
 When evening came we took our ease, 
 
 Not caring to be active. 
 And found the porch and summer breeze 
 
 By far the most attractive. 
 In fact, that breeze so soothing was 
 
 That many a nod was seen. 
 
 49 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 And many a nap and solemn pause 
 
 And many a pleasant dream, 
 Until our host would rise and say, 
 
 '^ Wake up ! The Pilgrim'' s coming ! 
 I see her lights far up the bay 
 
 And hear her paddles drumming ! " 
 Then when that wondrous show was gone 
 
 No more was ever said, 
 The lights were all put out at once. 
 
 And the family went to bed. 
 'Tis thus, dear people, we recall 
 
 That pleasant summer day. 
 And memory lets her mantle fall 
 
 On this my humble lay. 
 May Santa Claus his blessing give 
 
 To all of you and yours. 
 The pleasure you have given 
 
 Its own reward assures. 
 
 50 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 8ent tvith a Fly Booh to my Old Friend, 
 Fisher Gorlies. 
 
 Fisher and Fishing botli have F 
 
 For their initial letter, 
 And when Fisher goes a-fishing 
 
 No fellow fishes better. 
 
 But when a fellow fishes 
 With Fisher for his friend, 
 
 That fishing is ideal, 
 
 And friendship crowns the end. 
 
 [51] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Sent with a Mince Pie to a Friend. 
 
 Emblem of the Yankee feast, 
 Choicest dish of all the East, 
 Could I wish, I would that I 
 Should always have a piece of pie. 
 
 [52] 
 
RHYMES AND VERSES 
 
 Sent luith a Christmas Stocking to Hope Willis, 
 Hope's Stoching. 
 
 Goodness gracious ! ain't it shocking ! 
 
 That Hope should hang up such a stocking ! 
 We've heard you say that she was/ai; 
 
 But, heavens ! such a leg as that ! 
 Have a care when she goes out, 
 
 For P. T. Barnum is about. 
 And Santa Claus ! what will he say *? 
 
 He couldn't fill it in a day. 
 Jack Frost will faint or have a fit. 
 
 And that will be the end of it. 
 Well, Christmas comes but once a year, 
 
 You may get to the toe if you persevere. 
 
 53 
 
Apr-30 1©01