•TO MY BOY" (page 5) SAGE BRUSH SOLILOQUIES -By- Lottie Gomes il NEVADA STATE JOURNAL RENO. NEVADA e <^ 4 191! Copyright. 1919 By Lottie Gomes ©CI.A5.16420 ^ 'M TO MY BOY Once I owned a Baby Like the one pictured above ; He snre was a baby to^ worship, To idolize, fondle, and love. He brought to our home each day Sonie new pleasure or joy, But time always so busy Changed the baby into a boy. Now he's a tall, maiily youth Preparing to graduate. I'm happy to be his mother, I ask nothing better of fate. — ^November 3, 1918. To-night he has marched away. Away from his home and me. To serve his country and justice To help the world go free. Pie is proud and glad to go. Eager to serve the right; I'm glad he will never know How hard for me, is this night. THE NORTHWEST The roisy light of an early dawn Is lighting the tip of Old Kulshan The trees stand guard Like soldiers brave — The ferns like plumes In the zephyr's wave. The moss lieis in pillows Under the trees While a soft voice whispers In the breeze, All things that are really best Belong by right to the "Great Northwest." The evening shadows are falling now Hiding "Old Kulshan 's" noble brow. The dew like the tears of one who yearns Falls on the trees and on the fetns. And the trails through the woo'ds As they're pressed by the feet Yield a spice-like odor Honey sweet. There is no land more fair And few so blest As this truly wonderful "Great Northwest." You want to see these things You say? Well ! Go to the countiy Near Bellingham, Bay With its dimpling' Lakes And miagical flowers Turning the W'oods into fairy bowers. Note — A few miles to the northeast of Bellingham is Mount Baker, which is still known hy the name the Indians gave it years ago — The Kulshan. — l. g. THE VISIT OF THE GHOSTS The Oild, Olid nioon Avas shining down Ou a. little old grey desert town The mountains desolate and wild Seemed to beckon and call to the soul exiled While the mournitul note of the coyotes' wail Seemed to pierce the dark mysterious veil That swings between The things unseen, And those that we feel are true and real. Deserted now, as it lias been for years Through a mist of tears. So I'll wander around and take a look And if I should meet a familiar spook I shall greet it I know With a warm hand shake And a. friendly smile, for old time's sake. Hush my heart; I see one now On, a porch, she's sitting bending low Over the work in her hands. — The shade of the woman who loved to sew. Ah ! Who comes here with a smile so clear With two little children hovering near"? And here's another, from o'er the way She always seemed happy, blithe and gay. Quite an addition was she to the town, We sometimes called her the woman in brown. Who's this modest sprite In the moon's weird light? She's almost afraid to look around, As she silently glides across the ground. The Ghosts of the past live on and on In memory's hall, and in the old town. Poor little eld town, Dear shades of the past. You once seemed real But you did not last. I'm really glad that I meti you all And laiow that you're not beyond recall. Although tO' strangers, you Ghosts; may be. You will always seem very real to me. I'll bid you good-night with falling tears, Farewell clear Ghosts of the vanished years. TO SOME MEN I KNOW On tlie desert wide "Where the sagebriTsh blooms And the coyote wails at night And the sonl grows sick In the long grey days At "Old Times" weary flight. No love for you In my heart does burn But pity as for some poor thing No loving thoughts to you would turn, No sweet song could we sing. Ovir very souls creep As we silently weep \¥hen we think of the years, And the sighs, and the tears Oit the women who yearn, But never can learn. No, never can. To love a land made only for man. Behold the barbarian man.. Loving the plains as a strong man can. No women's shops to distress his mind. All things to him are dear and kind, No pretty church, with its open door. Cushioned pews and velvet floor, But the doors of Saloons are open wide And over the sage for miles men ride To eat, to drink, to live for the day. Seems to make (so'me) men happy, Seems to be (some) mens' way. Music, and flowers, shops, and art, In their life takes no vital part But the days are grey And we miss the things so far away. And women can never tell How the desert makes' of our life a hell. AN OLD FASHIONED ALBUM I was looking through an Album Just the other day Looking through the ol4 book Just to pass the time away. And found the faces of "Old Friends" Of the long ago; The dear Faces of the "Old Friends" That used to meet and sew. This one in a charming gown Used to broaden all her "A's", She camie from Boston in her early da^'s, This one did not really claim a creed But she always proved ai friend To any one in need. This one had many talents, all worth while, But her friends loved her best For her truly lovely smile. This one here although years have iflown I often recall as symphony in brown. The last one although she's grown To woman's size, Has a child's innocence In her dark grey eyes. I have only loving memories Wherever I may go^ For the women who were members Of the club, that met to sew. TO WM. KENT, CONGRESSMAN Tlie old, old moon was looking down On a little old grey desert town. Ghosts were flitting here and there, Echoes were calling from everywhere. Shadows were lying deep and black Around the old station and railroad track. In the shadows dark and still A Ghost stands Icokinig" towards a hill Where wild things only have a home As freely over the rocks they roam. 1 love that hill, says thei voice of the shade, The meimo-ry of it will never fade. I've visited it since '81, Many summers have gone and come With plenty of sunshine and little rain And somehow I've always come again. Do you love the desert? a low voice said — Or was it an echo from overhead? I lived here once and spent my youth Learning the awful bitter truth That hating the place both day and night. My life was seared with the desert's blight You won high honors while doing youir best. You only oome to the wilds to rest. But I kept staying on and on Until I knew by every token That the desert had conquered, My spirit was broken. Yon being a man heard the desert's call. I being a woman hated it all But the echos and shadows And friendly Ghosts too Were calling to-night for me and for you. Once being a man, jon can't understand How Ghost that I am, I hate the land. In a wierd whisper they said farewell Now where they went I cannot tell. 10 TO HAZEL A white, white rose in a, garden old Was nodding her pretty head, I knew that she was speaking And listened to what she said. I'd love to be worn by a lady fair And nestle cilose ini heir shiny hair, Or be tucked in the breast Of her gowni of lace, Or held in her fingers White as snow. I sho'idd be happy then I loiow. For such fate I constantly pray tSiirely she will come this way. Then gather me quickly, Lady mine And wear me when the stars shine. Keep me with yoii a long, long while Lady with the sweet, sweet sanile. Just such a Lady As the rose was praying for In, her home on the Desert Was standing at the door. Borne on the breeze came a siweet perfume Not from the Desert Where the roses seldom bloom, For the Lady longed in that twilight hour For a white, white rose. Just, such a flower As bloomed in the garden Breathing a prayer That some kind Zephyr Wafted on the air To the Lady, w;ho in the twalight hour Welcomed the messa,ge cif, the flower That came that night Tc my Lady's heart Bringing com,fort and delight. 11 aiFTS A Mother's undying devotion^ Sunshine and beautiful flowers, The love and trust of little children All tliese blessings ha,ve been oursi T']ie affection of true friends The bird's sweet song All tliese blessings, Yet — how the soul does long In a way that's unexplainable For the something, we know not what, That is unattainable. 12 THE HELLO GIRL We have a dear little Hello Girl Who is faithful both early and late She is not very tall, In fact she's quite small, Her name is Katherine or Kate. We are going to lose our Hello Girl, In love she has fallen of late, A boy tall and fine. Has taken a Shine To dear little Katherine or Kate. 13 TO A BABE ^ You may search fo^r wisdom L'ntil yoii are wise Yoii wall (find no knowledge so dear As that — that smiles in a Baby's eyes Fresh from so'me fleaveiily sphere. You may search for treasure Until you are old And worn and w^rinkled with cai'e. You wall find not a gem One half so fine As the gold in a Baby's hair. 14 A WISH I would love to live again In some existence "Where joy, not pain, Would rule the life of everyone — For who oould be happy all alone^ — Where ono could wander at his will Always findinig siomething still To marvel at; Where each one siees the best there is. Oh ! Then the cup of happiness Would be running over every day. For such a, heavenly existence Let us Pray. 15 BELLINGHAM BAY Was there ever such another Fasicinating and. entrancing spot? If you that answer, Answer truly. You will swear that there is not. Serenely shining in the moonlight, Gayly dimpling 'neath the sun, Somietimes in a mood for romance, Sometimes in a mood for fun. How many thousands does she bless, What can I think, or write or say That will do justice To Bellingham Bay I 16 A WINTRY SCENE In a field of snow, As pure and sweet as Charity There stands alone — A Tree, Darkly etched against a rosy sky Grey nioimtainis like dark sentinels Staiidinig grimly by — - Just a wintry scene, Perhaps there's thousands more Just as pretty — But this one is dear to me For I view it frcm my door. 17 A GOLDEN HEART Once again I've watched the sunset As I watched it long ago Every eve it showsi new beauties As the scene shifts to and fro^ — Dark clouds of velvet softness Seem tO' curtain all the west. Watching them to-night My spirit seemed oppressed; When softly and gently As with some ghostly hand The clouds were pushed apart And in the open space There shone a Golden Heart Emhlem of Love and Charity. Oh ! from our many f aultsi, dear heart, set us free. TO THE GOLDEN ROD I asked — Who is this? In a Golden Crown Blooming in lonely places Chuni.ming- with modest flowers With sweet tiny lavender faces. One Aster looked up with a friendly nod And whispered ' ' Our friend King Golden Eod. ' ' 19 GOLCONDA In the foregrouiiid lies a tiny "Desert Town," in the distance looms Great mountiains wrapped in a ghostly grey mist. Wide spreading- distances meet the eye in every direction, an awful silence broods over all. No soiuid of mirth, ot careless laughter or merry whistle breaks the sepidchral stillness. A vast suspicion of God and Man seems to steal into one's very soul. THE BRAND Wide stretches of sagebriisli As (tar as the eye can reach What lessciis. the desert is meant to- teach I cannot f athomi now. Our star of destiny, in years to come May lead us far away But the scorching rays of the desert sun Have burned a brand on Our very souls That ^dll always, always stay. 21 TO JESSIE WEBB She sat in a quaint high backed chair With a cushion with a scarlet flounce At her back, her abundant grey hair, Arranged in smooth waves, her typical American features, her slendemess, all Combined to make a portrait I should Call American Womanhood in September. 22 THE NEVADA MOUNTAINS Their fo^mi and their oolor Change millions of times, And oft I'm expecting To hear the sweet chimes Ring out from Cathedral, Steeple and Towers On the soft evening air Of the twilight hours. Or, is it a fancy That from castles grey Float musical voices Olt joyous and gay '? Oh! The wonderiful mountains So old, so old — Outlined against the sky Of purple and gold. TO THE WILD ASTER Dear little Aster, the world is your home, "We find you and love you "W her 'ere we roam In the cool, sweet woods Of the far-away North, On the plains, or the deserts, Or the sweet Sunny South. Dear little chum of the Golden Rod, Yiour tiny head will gently nod While the stars look down On you and your chum In his Golden Crowai. The Crown and the name of ''Golden Rod" Are both the gifts of tlie Flower's God. 24 TO CLARENCE I'm thinking some day I'll see you again I do not laiow where, I do not know when But wherever it is, or whenever it be You'll be the same dear boy to me. TO LOLA Do you remember in the winters long ago This lone tree, standing in the snow With the moimtains and the sunset. For its friends through all the year I think it must be happy Don't you? Lola dear. A NEVADA SNOW SCENE A field of snow, as purei and sweet as Charity And in it all alone a tree Darkly etched against a rosy sky, Grey mountains like true soldiers Keep watch close by. Just a wintry scene there are thousandsi more Just as lovely — just as fair, But we cannot see them fromj our door. 25 TO MRS. DELANO I've watched your busy hands; Dear Friend As some new beauty they create ; I have watched them woirldng early And have watched them working late, And while those supple fingers Are as busy as a bee Your thoiights are busy likewise I can very plainly see. And I know when those dear fingers Make your work a thing sO' fine That the thoughts to match the work Must be very near divine. :26 A DIALOGUE A sweet rose said to a butterfly : Linger a,wliile, and tell me why It seems siO' very, very far To yonder beautiful shining' star. Now if I had fairy wings Uke you There would not be anything Old or new, I wouldn 't explore in the sky so blue. The butterfly took her at her word And on his gauzy wings sailed heavenward. Oh, dear me ! sighed the blushing rose, Now that he's gone, I just suppose I'll worry and fret, both day and night Until I shall look a perfect fright. When I mentioned the brilliant star I never thought he'd dare fly so far. I'd rather have him sO' bold and free Than somieone else I never did see. If he would come b'ack I would tell him so But if he shoadd not — ^he never will know. PLAYING THE GAME And ever the story's repeated Millions and millions of times Man goeiSi on purs-uing The dollars and even the dimes. What sort of a game are we playiilg'? Does anyone play the game right? Oat of life's dark meanings "Will we find onr way to the light? One incredi'ble thing about life is that the Young and obstinate are as young and obstinate as we once ivere. 28 THE PROSPECTOR AND HIS BURRO Come little Beastie Lets up and away The voice of the hills is calling to-day You carry your pack and I'll carry mine And you and I will make one bee line For the mountains. We've had a rest, and a real good play And now we must over the hills awa}^ To seek for buried treasure. Take one last look at the haunt of man Perhaps we shall not see it again P^or we are off for the mountains. You're just a donkey, I'm only a man. Each dcdng the little in life we can We may make a strike and come out rich Our b'caies may lie and bleach in the ditch. But we'll whistle a song and Trot gayly along, For we are off for the mountains 29 TO OLD ST. LOUTS I'm looking back to the long" ago To the City scenes I used toi know When all my daily griefs and joys Were just a part of the City's noise. We need not journey very far To find the quiet, restful green Of as pretty places as were ever seen. Oh! I love to wander in meimiory In the dear old parks I used to know With bygone friends Of the long ago. Other cities are fair — I can say with truth- But I love best the place Where I lived in youth. 30 TO A BOY I KNOW To Harry Petrie Some time in the misty future When we are oldeT grown, When the gay times and the sad times Into the past have flown We'll recall your (farewell party AVith a great deal of pleasure and joy — Most of us there were grown ups While you were just a boy. Your Dad with his boyish face The j oiliest one of all, Your Mother's sweet gracious ways I shall always love to recall. With such fine folks for examples Why shouldn't a boy aspire. Why shouldn't he have ambition, And his thcnghts soar higher and higher, Why shouldn't he make a noble man As only a really good Boy can? 31 DAY DREAMS ]3reaniiiig — always dreaming But never strong enongli To make the dreams coane true. God tries to help us all he can, But He leaves a heap for us to do And if our strength is. not so much And our will is weak We shall be found always In the ranks, with the lowly and the meek, Always hoping and dreaming in vain ' Til our very heart seems bursting with the pain. •DAY DREAMS' 32 JUST A THOUGHT A little thing will make us glad Ofttimes a smaller one will make us sad Thus the heart strings so sensitive Sometimes make it hard to live. When rude fingers jar And cause a discord Then we can only raise our eyes Toward the stars, and pray for Comfort from above And peace of mind — and love. 33 TO THE S. P. The trains that pass so swiftly "er the desert grey and ]jare Oft remind us when we 're lonely That they'll take ns anywhere. So we're reially not iforsaken While the sun shines on the land And the dear old S. P,. Railroad Extends to usi a helping hand. IN MEMORY OF BERT, MY BOY'S PLAYMATE Can it be true that Bert Who in our home with Our own boy "Wo'uld meet to pass the hours away In childish sport Can it be true that he tO' manhood grown Has been called by God To claim his owti fair heritage. It must be lair indeed To match his own pure life That now foTcver free'd from Care and strife Will shine trancendently in Paradise. Dear Bert, if we had perfect vision, Would we wish it otherwise. The joys that now are thine No mortal tongue can tell May this thought comfort those Who are bidding you farewell. You have gone bettore a little while, You'll be waiting now to greet them With your own dear simile. 3p TO BELLA When the light is dim And I feel sonl weai'y And I 'm longing for siomieone true I hear a quick step — Then a gentle l^nock When I answer, My Dear, it is yon. We sit and talk as the moments fly And while I'm my cares confessing A CQimifort comes stealing intO' my heart, And into my soul a blessing In the future not far away. When we're sipiritsi both In another land, I know I shall love to recall the day When I met you first And clasped your hand. I can' recall you as a portrait Sitting on a, Da,venport, with a Cushion of golden sheen for a background In a quaint ruffled goiwn of delft blue The color of your eyes. In your arms a, big gold colored Persian cat was purring happily When I looked at your lovely hair Which the afternoon sun was touching I said toi myself — What a s}Tnphony in Blue and Gold, If I could paint the picture It never should be sold. 36 SYMPATHY Oh, the sighing and complaining And the mnrmnring of the trees, Voices of the past, wafted on the breeze Then the sudden fall of tears For 'tis raining. Then a smiling for the siun is shining For a time, brave souls, Cease your repining. Keep straight on. Your thoughts on Duty And seeking everywhere For beauty. Think only of the good. Forget the bad, The happy do not need you. But be patient with the sad. Remember always through The passing years The SAveetest flowers Are watered by their tears. And the grandest souls Are often in despair. Not receiving even justice, Never knowing love and care. On the road we all must travel Ever towards the Eternal City Liet us place signs that cheer the heart Faith — Hope — Love and Pity. 37 A QUESTION When our spirits have taken tflight IntO' the great unknown Shall we seek, and shall we find Tliose we've loved And those we've known? Shall we greet them as of old In our arms their forms enfold Hear their voices raised in song Will all be right, and nothing wrong In Eternity'^ What is the meaning of Life And this wonderful driving force That urges eaich living thing onward For better, or miaybe for worse ; Ever and ever onward Each century, year and hour. As ever we seek the answer And ever are mystified more? The horse — we caill our servant; The fowl — seemeth good for food ; The hills — we dig for treasure ; The forest — ^we cut for wdod ; We ourselves are servants Of, an invisible Grod And are cut down at his bidding, And hidden under the sod. 3:8: IN MEMORY'S HALL Come Dear Friend, and stroll with me Down the silent halls of Memory While the mystic spell of the daysi gone by Breathes in the air, as the moments fly. While the silent flow Of our sacred thoughts Keeps time to the music of long ago. Dear friend, perhaps you too recall Yon picture hanging on the wall, A group — some friends — ^both wo^men and men- Shall we meet them once more ? And where and when? Some time in the land where souls dwell Where all is lovely, where all is well Led to them by our guiding star There will not be anything to mar The renewal of friendships That once were ours. The living over of golden hours There) are many pictures upon this wall Of faces, and scenes we love to recall Dear Fi-iends, we loved in the long ago. We shall meet you again For we miss you so. 39 TO HAZEL When life seems brig-htest And your simile j\Iakes everything seem well worth while. When life is saddest, and a tear Would start unbidden, Hazel dear, 1 find a sort of quiet peace The pain within my heart will cease A benediction on me fall. As in my sorrow I recall Your smile — Your lovely smile. When e're I think of You, My Dear, I wish you near — I Mdsli j^ou near. 40 THE CLOSE OF THE FAIR AT SAN FRANCISCO I hear the winds a sig'hing In a sottt and mournful way, And I see the clouds a weeping Bitter tear drops in the bay. And the trees, and flowers Are looldng everywhere F'or their late admirers. The People at the Fair. It's hard to realize The Fair is O'er, 'Twas a magic city It has vanished from the shore. 41 LAVENDER PLACE To the foot of the hill Where sweet Lavender grows In a row And a path leads up To a cottage white And the fir trees bend and, bow 'Wandering around With loving thoughts In the dear familiar places, I misis the forms of my old-time friends And their bright and pleasant faces. They will wander back To this lovely ho^me Some day, I surely know For the house, the treesi And the Lavender isiweet All seem to miss them so. LAVENDER PLACE' 42 THEIR LAST FIGHT On the Desert bleak The pale, cold moon Is shedding its weird light And the mountains bold Keep guard, at night O'er the gTaveis of those Who have fought their last long fight. In the shadows dark They sleep long, and well Life's story for them is told A ruda wood post is left to mark The graves of the warriors bold^ The one time glories at the west As well as the vanishing wrongs Will live in the tales we tell our youth And be treasured as well in song. Farewell, Barbarians of the plains You answered the call of the blood We avenged the death of Our Brother And to us the deed seeimethl good Eternity alone will tell what things, were evil What things were well. Farewell, vanquished foe, Farewell. 43 TO THE ARCH FIEND KAISER BILL Al(l night long, a mighty throng Of mutilated G-hosts, With awful cries Before his eyes March the murdiered Army Hosts. Suddenlj^ he tremibles And awakens with a start. Millions of icy fingers Are clutching at his heart. His vile ears[ are bursting With awful pain Caused by the dying shrieks Of the thousands he has slain. The silent sobs cif, orphans — - The Widows' lonely moan — The despairing cry of one Who has lost her only son — All this must come to him On every wave of sound. How can we wait, old tyrant, Until you are safe beneath the ground. Then I think the very Angels Will be glad your soul 's in hell. And the voices of the universe Will shout that all is well. You must have escaped From the laboratory of the Devil For you have proved yourself The boiled down, essence Of the very worst of evil. 44 TO ISABEL We may not know and oannot tell When, next we meet. Dear Isabel But we will remember in life's: busy whirl That you were a kind and good little girl. Though distance our paths may always sever We will be wishing you well forever and ever. Roses and Lillies, LiUies and Roses And Violets sometimes, Boolis and Music, Music and Books Some of them filled with rhymes. Gold and Silver, Silver and Gold, Friends that are new and Friendsi that are old, Clear sparkling water and bright sunshine, All of these blessings I want for mine. 45 TO HAZEL Shine on bright star of destiny And guard my lady fair. Blow sictftly gentle winds On her dear face anid shining hair. Sweet flowers bloom And give of your perfimie For her delight On this My Lady's birthnight. Of years she's been on earth Just; twenty eight. Shine on bright star Be kind, Oh fate; And when 'tis late And shadows fall A little on her way May she look upward And see her star Shining from; afar. Forever it will lead her on — It shines for her alone. 46 LET'S BE HAPPY Of all the things we should be sure of Forever and a day That we have a right to happiness Whatever men may say. The clouds may sometimes darken, The sun won't always shine, But dark, or light It is our right And it iSi a, right divine To be lo'Ving", to be happy And sometimes to be gay. For within us lies the power No matter what men say. In as much as we forget ourselves And humbly serve Shall we receive rich gifts Aye — more than we deserve. 47 IF If I could weep sometimes And ease my aching heart, If I could leave this life And stand awhile apart And see the miracle As a vast moving show, The questions I am asking Would be answered then I know. But — to be ready always to do my part And to be always chiding My weary aching heart Seems to have dulled the senses ; I cannot see, I cannot hear I only know I greatly ifear. 48 TO ELIZABETH M. A wee little miss with a dainty smile Disclosing' twO' teeth of pearl, Two lovely brown eyes A musical voice, come guess ; Who is this dear little girl? So dainty is she, it seems, but a breath JMight wait thisi dear fairy away. When I tell you her name is Elizabeth, Why surely — I hear you all say. 49 TO ELIZABETH AND DOROTHY You may search for wisdo'm Until you are wise ; But the wisdcm of worlds unseen by you Shines in Elizabeth's eyes. You may search for gold Until you are old And weary and bent with care ; But the gold that was lost From the Angels' crowns Is shining in Dorothj^ 's hair. Dear little sisters of tender years, Unharmed by the world With its hopes and fears. 50 TRY AGAIN— TO ANNE Didn't Sionieone, sonietime, sioraewhere Make g-ocd use of this refrain 1 Yoii should never be discouraiged But should always try a.g'ain. Did the writer sense, I wonder As the stirring words he wrote That they would apply to women When they asked the power to vote? I thinlv the words were meant for us As well as men. We are working for a, noble cause And we will try and try again. And it shall be: with all g'ood women, As it is with all g'ood men. When she really goes tO' vote S'he will do the best she can. 51 52 FAREWELL TO THE OLD HOME Oh ! let me walk around the old rooms Just, this once more. Let me walk in and out Through each familiar door. Let me feel the rugs I've so admired Beneath my feet as I walk about the floor For I feel that I shall never Do so any more. Let mei look once more at each picture That I placed with pride upon the wall, Let me kneel before the fireplace And once more recall The dear loved forms and faces And smile of those that Once were here, but now are gone. Oh ! that I could recall them As I kneel here all alone. Dear Home^ — I planned to spend My last days here when I 'd be growing old ; But I 'm bidding you farewell— To a stranger you are sold. 53 A CONVERSATION An Imp and an Angel met one day. They talked of the earth and her curious way Said the Ipnp to the Angel Earth's creatures can't fly No nwre than I. So I really believe, he said with a grin, They are Imps For they seem tO' love sin. Oh! sighed the Angel, As if in pain, Please — do' not say that again Their souls are as deep as a deep, deep well All the things I see I cannot tell. I see Faith, Ilope and Charity, And the wish to be all together (free. If ImpsI like you would not tease thtem so, Their wings might soon begin to grow. 54 TO MAY PETRIE We will rememiber in the future When the years have gently flo\^^l The honrs we spent together And the pleaisures we have known,. AVe met ofttimes to while the hoiirs away At other times to celehrate Sonne (friend's birthday. We would always seem to feel A little extra glee When wo were celebrating An Anniversiary. And on the date your birthday Chanced tio fall We welcomed the occasion — For we loved you best of all. 55 BY THE FIRESIDE AT THE TWIN FIRS The last fire of the old year Sheds itSi glow of good cheer As our thoughts wander forth To our ifjiends far and near, Loving them ever Doubting them never. Through years that have gone And years that may oome When far from our side When with us at home. Some of you are spirits That come to us at wil] Out of the mj'stic long- ago But we love you still. Old friends and new ones. Good friends and bad. The fire of, the New Year Brings dreams glad and sad. 56 IN THE WOODS NEAR BELLINGHAM I know a place, where the fairy grace Of a tender little vine On a pillow green, almost unseen By a careless passerby. Where one can trace In letters like lace The names of Angels fair. Bowing my head I clearly read The name of my mother there. KATE'S LIVING ROOM Do rooms ha,ve souls? I think they do. Some dark and sombre, Some bright and true. Often and often when I 'm alone On wdngs of meimory my thoughts have flown To a rooan all dressed in green and white, With great big windows admitting the light And the golden sunshine that glorifies all — Each statue, each picture that hangs on the wall- The piano, the books, the lace curtained door — Even the rugs — on the bright polished floor. A perfume steals, like a blessing unseen. From the soul of the room In pure white and green. 58 TO HAMPTON I know a little boy mth two big blue eyes. I wonider wliat he's thinking When he looks so wise. I know his thonghts are funny. He's full of native wit. For of Irish he has in him Quite a little bit. Some day in the future This boy will shine For liis mother is a wonder And liis Father's very fine. If ttate has denied them perfect joy It will come to them, with interest In the blue eyed boy. 59 FATE So much fuss and plaiuiing All for naughit, it seems to me Fo'r no matter what we do, What is to be, will be. DON'T WAIT D'on't wait to think the kindly thought Or smile the cheerful smile, Don't wait to give the little gift. Don't wait till after while. Don't wait to write that letter Until some other day; But — do the things you ought to do. And do them right away. 60 TO GEORGE You may live your life In a city fine Or be lost in a wilderness, My thoughts will always bring to you A share of happiness. For when the hoursi we are living now Are lost and forever gone, The loving thoughts I have for you Will keep living* on and on. 61 THE DIPLOMAT— TO LELAND MULLER This is Maggie the cat That lives in our house, Who has never as yet Caught a single miouse. As she always lives well And is sleek and fat We've concluded to call her The Diplomati. 'THE DIPLOMAT' 62 TO MR. CADE A man long used to the breezy west Wiitli its big and wlioleso'ine ways In little eld New York right now Is spending his nights and days; And thongh the niian is well and strong To him the hours seem very long. For he icnows — to truly do his best — He must be a part of the ''Great cut West. 63 TO MAGGIE Long years have passed Since first I heard your voice in song. Long years, and yet they dcn,'t seem very long. Per listening I hear the echo Of that sweet song of long a.gO' And lovingly recall the scene When yon a girl were singing Madaline. I would recall the night and hear That voice divine. No voice so sweet had I e'er heard before Nor since, dear friend of mine. 64 TO HARRY When the shadows are falling" And dream voices calling Out of the long ago I listen to hear a voice that was dear Of a boy I uised to know. T'was a voice full of cheer And things funny and queer "Would start the boy laugliing sitraight way^ As I sit here alone I 'm so sorry he 's gone But, I'm going to see him some day. And 111 try to tell him each funny event That's occured in this place Since the day that he went. For the things that may not seem funny to >'0u Amuses tba boy and me, through and through. 65 THE SOLDIER With brave eyes ever looking forward Into the great unknown future, Willing to chance ail And change his very nature, The one time carefree thoughtless youth Is now another' creature. The warm hand clasp of friendsi — Perchancie of sister, or otf, brother — ■ The fond embrace, or farewell kiss' Of liisi sweetheart and his mother. As he fares forth to meet Only God knows what — And still he falters not. Brave Knight of our to-day. What can we ever write or say. At this OT' any future time, That will do justice To' your courage And your faith sublime? We know not what may be before you But we do know that we adore you. 66 THE GHOSTS OF THE COWBOYS From a mist that came in the early dawn Of a frosty autumn day, Men on horses came riding forth And otf,f to the hills away. They were the men who long ago Came to the desert to stay — To be free from rules that man had made To be from cities away. They lived a primeval And wild rough life, Not caring for children or even a wife. They once were: real but now they are not, But they love to hover around this spot. I see them plainly, I hear them call But then I know that after all I see only the Ghosts of the Cowboys — J\Iost people see no cowboys here And what's more they have not For many a year, But we old timers know perfectly well Their ghosts come back and often raise hell. 67 TO MY SON To my Son, to the Boy that I adore Each day and each hoiir, Lad I love you more and more. In the past I sometimes thought We did not understand each other And I regretted that you had No sister, or no brothe-r. If I have failed you, Son, in any way Now is the time I humbly wish to say That love for you Prompted every deed. To so live That you migiit be proud of me Has been my only creed — my only creed. 68 BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL BELLIGHAM BAY On thy shores let me live And at last, pass away Thou, dearest of waters Bellingham Bay. The peace of the past Seems to dwell on thy shores, Seems to lull and caress To welcome, and bless And say to each heart "Bliss" be yours. How blesti are the children Thy sons and thy da.ug'hters Dear Belling-ham Bay, Thou siren of waters. A promise I make A tryst I will keep On thy beautiiful shores I will sleep my last sleep. 69 TO A FRIEND I wonder which of the beautiful stars That glows in the evening sky Is leading you, dear lady, As the moments swiftly fly. 'Twould seem it were a lucky star For flowery paths you have trod thus far; Of fond parentSi their greatest pride Until a. glorious maiden grown You were claimed as a bride By one both true and good. A few short years And you were crowned By glorious miotherhood. Two lovely daughters Falling to your share One dark, one fair. Life for you is like rich wine May your lucky star forever shine! 70 AT THE SACRED SUNSET HOUR Old mountains of the west, •At Sainsets hour From some great vase There seems to poiir Colors so beautiful 0(f| every hue; Flowers, crusihed to powder Violet, blue, rose and amethyst Shot through with gold; But soimetimjes you look Just grey and old Like grim sentinels Standing guard — ^o'er what? I often wondered But I never, never knew And never shall know. They keep their secrets well As the seasons comie and go Under their seeming coldness And their pride. Grod knows what wealth they hold Within their hearts What mysteries they hide. 71 IDEALS Long' years has it stirred In the woman's heart This thing, that the world Has Galled unrest And ever it cries As a soul in need To the fetters that bind it To be once at rest And, forever freed. Oh! this beautiful thing Has struggled so It isi living on faith. As the days oom,e and go Some time it will bloom As a fragrant flower. And it will be In that sacred hour When woman shall stand With loyal heart Beside the man To do her part Each vowing That, in the days to come, They will work for the nation And the home Seeking always to find the best. When the time shall come For their last long rest May they leave their ideals Safe in the hands Of the coming youth With the knowledge That they have done their best^ To teach them The higher truth; And nothing but the best The high and pure ideals That dwell in the woman's heart W^ill bloom in perfection only, When ai woman is free To do her part. 72 MY MOTHER 'Tis years since she hasi been at rest And yet, when she was Oif. earth's very best Can I forget? Ah no! Each day something Perhaps her writing, Or somiei song she iised to sing, Her picture, Or some book that she had read, Or memory recalling Some gracious thing that she had said. Or her advice. When we had spoken heart to heart AMiat ere I am I owe to her All of the better parti. Ill careless moments I might forget another But never for one moment Could I forget my sainted mother. The stitches she had taken. Like herself so dainty and so small, As I lay the work away How the bitter tear drops fall. Oh ! gentle mother hover near. Since you are gone an awful fear Co'mes o'er me when I am alone, I can not yet, believe my dear, That you are gone, forever gone; But in every strain of music And the fragrance of each flower I feel your spirit presence, Every day, and every hour. 73 TO MAGGIE If our souls do traasomigrate, As we are sometimes told, I think it will be your happy ttate To be cast in the delicate mold Of a tiny bird, And notes of liquid song' will flow Wher'ere you are the whole day through. Wher'ere I ami I want to be near. In fair or stormy weather, So, when myraids. of birds Are blending their voices all toig^ether, I shall hear yours first always and last Just as I have always in the happy past. 74 THE EAGLE The Eagle is speaking — What Eagle you say? Our Eagle of course Of the U. S. A. He's rejoicing on Christmas day — We hear him although he is far away, Oh! he's saying he's glad — We know by his scream, he'si also sad — For though the war is over and done, Amierioa weeps for many a, son. He tried to warn usi, He's saying now. And many a time ifjew quite low And screamed in his very loudest voice To get ready to train Our Boys; But he says we were dancing Both day and nighit And had no mind to thing of a. fight. In the future list^ — when the eagle screams Both day and night — He's on gaiard it seems. 75 THE AMERICAN EAGLE I hear the Eiagle of the Dear Old U. S. A. Talking' — Listen you can hear Although he's far away. He's saying — I could s:creain with joy Because the war is over. If I can help the People There won't be any more. Iif, they will only listen I shall tell them every time "When there 's any kind of danger Threatens them from any Olime, For I dearly love the Country And I love its People too I always scream in warning For that 's the best that I can do. I am the People's Guardian But I live up near the sky So to keep in touch with me Their Ideals must be high. 76 THE ROSES They are dead — - Their glory faded in one sihort day Dear f loses — how can I throw you away? No city dweller can ever know Or those that live where the flowers grow Wliat beauty they bringi us, And of what marvels they speak To those who live on the desert bleak. Oh ! how we enjoy them — and dread the day When we knoAV at last We will throw them away. Oh! beautiful roses, you've lived and died We would never had known Had we not been denied How great is your mieaning. How much you may tell Beautiful roses, Farewell ! Farewell ! 77 THE SLEEPING LADY In silence she lies In her shiroud of grey, She's the sleeping Lady The "Old Timers" say. She has chosen a. place F'or her last long rest Where the sun lingers longest As it sinks in the west — Like her I would rest when I die, Where the banners of sunset Hang in the sky, Like penants of glory Of Gold, Purple, and Rose, A glorious promise At the mystic day's close L. G. The formation and outlines of some mountains near Golconda, Nevada suggest the form of a Sleeping Lady. 78 INDEX Pa^e To My Boy , 5 The Northwest 6 The Visit of th© Ghiosts 7 To Some Men I Know.— 8 An Old Fashioned Album 9 To Wm. Kent, Congressman 10 To Hazel 11 Gifts -. , 12 The Hello Girl 13 To a Babe.... 14 A Wish 15 Bellingham Bay , 16 A Wintry Scene 1 7 A Golden Heart 18 To the Golden Eod 19 Golconda .., 20 The Brand , 21 To Jessie Webb 22 The Nevada Mountains 23 To the Wild Aster 24 To Clarence — To Lola — ^A Nevada Snow Scene 25 To Mrs. Delano , 26 A Dialogue ...., , 27 Playing the Game 28 The Prospector and His Buito 29 To Old St. Louis , 30 To a Boy I Know.... -.. 31 Day Dreams — 32 Just a Thought.... .., , 33 To- the S. P 34 In Memory of Bert, my Boy's Playmate 35 To Delia 36 Sympathy 37 A Question 38 In Memory 's Hall i , 39 To Hazel - 40 The Close of the Fair at San Francisco................... 41 Lavender Place 42 Their Last Fight 43 79 To the Archi Fiend, Kaiser Bill 44 To Isabel , 45 To Hazel 46 Let 's be Happy. -..- 47 If 48 To Elizabeth M 49; To Elizabeth and Dorothy 50 Try Again — To Anne... - 51 Farewell to- the "Old Home" ,. 52-53 A Oonversation , 54 To May Petrie j ....- 55 By the Fireside at the "Twin Firs'' 56 In the Woods Near Bellingham: 57 Kate 's Living Koom >. 58 To Hampton , 59 Fate— Don't Wait .- 60 To George -. 61 The Diplomat — To Leland Mujler 62 To Mr. Cade 63 To Maggie , .- 64 To Harry 65 The Soldier , 66 The Ghosts of the Cowboys 67 To my Son , 68 Beautiful, Beautiful Bellingham Bay , 69 To a Friend ■ :-. 70 At the Sacred Sunset Hc