«i 
 
 ^- 
 

 % 
 
 ^__ 
 
0884 
 
 »Py 1 
 
 
 KATRINJE 
 
 A TALE OF 
 THE LONG AGO 
 
 Si 
 
 ^ 
 
 
KATRINJE 
 
 A TALE OF THE LONG AGO ^ 
 
 BY 
 
 J. Russell mowris / 
 
 % 
 
 CINCINNATI 
 19 2 2 
 

 -r^?^^*^"^ 
 
 \\^ 
 
 Copyright, 1922 
 J. Russell Mowris 
 
 .AV* > ' ""'' 
 
 C1A695576 
 
 / 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Christening 9 
 
 Early Days 10 
 
 Katrinje 15 
 
 Petrius 16 
 
 Love's Echoes 17 
 
 The House That Was a Home 18 
 
 The Garden 20 
 
 " Mammy-Jen" 22 
 
 Slavery Days 25 
 
 The Wedding 28 
 
 The Alarm 38 
 
 The Covenant 42 
 
 Fullfilment 43 
 
p 
 o 
 
 Q 
 O 
 
 w 
 
KATRINJE 
 
 THE CHRISTENING 
 
 Where the Rondout winds its way, 
 Like a serpent in its play, 
 
 Twisting through the reeds and brakes, 
 Till a larger form it takes; 
 
 Joined by other streams along 
 With the music of their song, 
 
 Sometimes swift and sometimes slow; 
 Like an arrow from the bow; 
 
 Or, now, curling, twirling, go 
 Crystal waters in their flow! 
 
 Where the river's grace grows strong, 
 Where it sings its sweetest song, 
 
 Where the Catskills stretch their feet 
 Till the Shawangunk hills they meet, 
 
 Seventeen miles from old King's-town — 
 Where good Dutch folk settled down — 
 
 There, like child o'er-tired with play, 
 As on mother's breast it lay. 
 
 Drinking in that purest rest 
 Such as angels give the blest; 
 
 So the little hamlet seemed, 
 For its face with beauty beamed. 
 
 Fairest far of all its race. 
 
 Sweet "Accord" they named the place. 
 
10 KATRINJE 
 
 EARLY DAYS 
 
 'Twas here, so many years before, 
 When known as simply "Rochester" — 
 
 That patent name, by Enghsh Crown, 
 In seventeen three, was first set down; 
 
 Including then much more domain 
 
 Than now that township's bounds contain. 
 
 Far back, in sixteen seventy-seven, 
 A deed to England had been given, 
 
 By Sewakenamo, Sachem 
 Of Katatawis — best of them 
 
 Who, as Esopus Indian chiefs, 
 Sought to o'ercome the lingering griefs 
 
 Attendant on that earlier day. 
 When Wildwijk and Kahanesing lay 
 
 In ruins, by the murderous hands 
 Of Tory and of Indian bands. 
 
 Then, Shawangunk, too, beyond the crest 
 Of mountain, had been like distressed. 
 
 But that, in sixteen sixty-three. 
 Would soon be ancient history. 
 
 So, now, the settlers, well assured 
 That all worst things had been endured, 
 
 With larger faith and stronger heart, 
 Made living there their chief fine art! 
 
 And, while at "Kerck Wawarssinck", they 
 Were met with God to praise and pray, 
 
EARLY DAYS 11 
 
 Their powder dry and guns in sight, 
 They watched, prepared as well, to fight. 
 
 For years, maintained on Deyo's Hill, 
 A fort, long garrisoned, was still 
 
 In evidence — even as late 
 
 As eighteen hundred sixty-eight. 
 
 A relic, then, of former times 
 When psalm of life, unset to rhymes, 
 
 Had oft a broken melody 
 And singing bullets set the key. 
 
 In Rochester and Wawarssinck, 
 Or far beyond as one might think. 
 
 More pleasant place could not well be 
 Than right here! "Just the place for me!" 
 
 Captain Joachim Schoonmaker said: 
 And here he planned his own homestead. 
 
 Nature, to him, through loving eyes. 
 Revealed her heart — a Paradise! 
 
 And many generations rose 
 
 To bless that which his wisdom chose; 
 
 And many yet, in later age. 
 Will count it "goodly heritage." 
 
 What wonder then, that there should be 
 Where staunchly grew the great roof -tree, 
 
 With roots so deep and branches high 
 It seemed to wed to earth the sky; 
 
 While wide-extending arms o'erspread 
 With safety, peace and love, 'tis said; 
 
12 KATRINJE 
 
 With meat and drink abundant share 
 To guest, as well as owner, there! 
 
 The stealthy foot in moccasin, 
 
 On friendship bent, oft came within 
 
 To bear the news of some exploit 
 Of cunning scheme or skill adroit 
 
 Of routing wolves or trapping bear; 
 And, always with some part to spare. 
 
 Red-skin brought trophies of the chase 
 To prove to Pale-face his heart's grace. 
 
 Thus compact, signed by life sincere, 
 Made faith more sure each added year; 
 
 And each day's setting sun betold 
 A richer wealth by far than gold 
 
 Piled up in coin or garnered grain 
 That one could count his earthly gain; 
 
 For sire's best legacy to youth 
 Was just the simple life of truth! 
 
 By patent grant, these lands had come 
 To early settlers, seeking home; 
 
 And large estates lay side by side. 
 With acres stretching hundreds wide. 
 
 So parents oft gave children part 
 Of their ancestral lands, as start 
 
 To make their independent way — 
 A dowry for their wedding-day! 
 
EARLY DAYS 13 
 
 Rare neighbors were these families; 
 Each trading work to give more ease 
 
 To gathering grain, when crops were big 
 Or, even sticking of a pig. 
 
 If unexpected company 
 
 Should happen, some day, suddenly 
 
 To come; their own men having gone 
 To town, with stuff to sell; or, drawn 
 
 On "jury duty," had to stay 
 In town all night; or be away 
 
 In that big mountain pasture-lot. 
 To see the fence had no weak spot, 
 
 Before they turned the young stock in. 
 Those creatures soon got wild as sin! 
 
 It was a sight to feast the eyes 
 When, coming on them by surprise, 
 
 With deer and fawns they ran a race 
 From some sequestered drinking-place! 
 
 When acorns and the beech-nuts grew 
 In plenty, hogs were turned in, too. 
 
 Sometimes, at night, a pig's shrill squeal 
 Or calf's loud bawl would make one feel 
 
 A chill ; for everybody knew 
 
 What hungry wolves and panthers do! 
 
 Then to the Stokes house, 'gainst the hill. 
 Near by where runs the Stony-kill, 
 
 Where Log-town road leads to the Clove, 
 With flint-locks loaded, on they drove; 
 
14 KATRINJE 
 
 Past where Awosting Falls displays 
 It's beauty, in it's rainbow sprays, 
 
 When first the sun creeps up the sides 
 Of cliffs where Minnewaska hides; 
 
 Or by the trail where Mohonk Lake 
 Reflects its rocky shores, which make 
 
 Deep caverns, where ofttimes a bear, 
 Or wolf, or panther had its lair. 
 
 And scattered round among the stones. 
 Were lots of gnawed-off, whitened bones. 
 
 They went — a dozen, more or less; 
 And each man ached with eagerness, 
 
 In hopes to reach the place of fray 
 Before the "varmints" got away. 
 
 For soon as blood was on the air. 
 
 The old beasts brought their young ones there; 
 
 And while the feast was at its height, 
 The hunters let their flint-locks bite. 
 
 So most homes had a rug or more, 
 
 Or coat, or robe, some beast once wore. 
 
KATRINJE 15 
 
 KATRINJE 
 
 Of gallant youths and maidens fair 
 The country had its goodly share; 
 
 But none more comely could be found, 
 In all that countryside around, 
 
 Than one whose grace adorned the name 
 ''Katrinje Schoonmaker" — the same 
 
 In heaven and earth; for God well knew 
 He need not wait to call her through 
 
 The pearly gates, at any time — 
 Her life — so simple, yet sublime! 
 
 Her face shone forth a heavenly light 
 Which told the world her soul was white; 
 
 Her tender touch cast such a spell 
 
 That sick folk soon grew strong and well; 
 
 And those who'd felt the blight of sin 
 Were sure they'd let an angel in, 
 
 When, as by chance, she passed theirVay 
 And merely spoke the time of day! 
 
 For Sharon's rose, with fragrance^sweet, 
 Filled all her world with heavenj_complete. 
 
16 KATRINJE 
 
 PETRIUS 
 
 Of lovers, more than tongue could tell; 
 But only one, who knew right well 
 
 That every impulse of her heart 
 Formed of his own a sacred part! 
 
 Petrius van der Marcken — he 
 So much her true affinity 
 
 That, whether she thought "yea," or "nay," 
 His mind was just the same alway! 
 
 As stalwart as some giant oak. 
 
 On which oft storms their vengeance broke; 
 
 Yet left upon the passing scene 
 The giant undisturbed, serene. 
 
 Thus Petrius; so strong, so good — 
 A monarch, in his realm, he stood! 
 
 A heart to laugh, a voice to sing. 
 Yet ruled, as every inch a king! 
 
 He turned the glebe and sowed the grain; 
 Rich harvests followed sun and rain: 
 
 Barns filled so full, and coffers, too, 
 Want seemed forever lost to view! 
 
 With his delight it was to share 
 And all who needed, anywhere. 
 
LOVE'S ECHOES 17 
 
 LOVE'S ECHOES 
 
 The woodman's ax rang clear and shrill 
 With echoed song from distant hill; 
 
 And every stroke rehearsed its part 
 In some sweet symphony of heart; 
 
 While husking-bees and singing-schools 
 Had indicated all the rules, 
 
 By which a young man might proclaim 
 His right to change a maiden's name. 
 
 Katrinje, too, was not remiss 
 In pubhshing that she was his. 
 
 The radiance of her sweetest smile 
 Bespoke her constant joy meanwhile. 
 
 "And now," the gossips said, "there'll be 
 A wedding grand, most certainly!" 
 
 And sure enough! They watched the signs 
 And plainly read between the lines; 
 
 While all about, the countryside 
 Hailed with delight the future bride; 
 
 And, as the Captain's grandchild came, 
 Spoke tenderly the maiden's name. 
 
18 KATRINJE 
 
 THE HOUSE THAT WAS A HOME 
 
 Their fathers' farms together lay, 
 And measured miles, in either way. 
 
 A hundred acres from each side 
 
 Were parents' gifts to groom and bride; 
 
 And where farms joined, it had been planned 
 To build the best house in the land! 
 
 So rocks and stones were heaped up high, 
 Where deep foundations were to lie; 
 
 And massive walls, like battlements. 
 Opposing Nature's elements, 
 
 Grew large, upon a sightly hill. 
 Where Heaven it's glory loved to spill. 
 
 The gables stood due east and west; 
 
 Each topped with chimney, from whose breast 
 
 Glowed hospitality and cheer, 
 
 When wintry winds wailed loud and drear; 
 
 And, in the blackness of the night. 
 Oft vagrant sparks would leap in flight, 
 
 Like shooting stars, to chase away 
 The goblins, ere the break of day. 
 
 The hall stretched through, from side to side; 
 Its Dutch divided-doors flung wide 
 
 Upon an apple-orchard, north; 
 
 Where feathered songsters, bursting forth 
 
 In rapture, sang; while honey-bees 
 Buzzed in the blossoms of the trees. 
 
THE HOUSE THAT WAS A HOME 19 
 
 Humming their songs of glad content — 
 Their thanks for sweets the blossoms lent. 
 
 And to the south, the other door 
 Revealed what might have been before, 
 
 A bit of Paradise, well gained 
 
 Ere Sin had marked it "lost" or "stained." 
 
20 KATRINJE 
 
 THE GARDEN 
 
 A rustic arch, o'er which was flung 
 A cHmbing bush, where roses hung; 
 
 As if, in redolent delight. 
 
 Their perfumed breath sought to unite 
 
 An atmosphere of pleasing grace 
 With beauty of a pretty face! 
 
 Within, the paths all edged with box, 
 Made bordered beds for pansies, phlox. 
 
 Narcissus, marigolds — all mixed — 
 'Twould seem that Nature's hand had fixed 
 
 The color-blending of their flower 
 As for a queen's reception-bower! 
 
 And, farther on, the hollyhocks 
 Half-hid the corn, with tasseled stalks; 
 
 While sweet-peas set their flowering screens 
 Where other peas ran race with beans; 
 
 Sweet- Williams gallantly stood guard 
 Where lettuce, radish and Swiss chard. 
 
 Potato and tomato, too, 
 
 Were on parade, for dress review. 
 
 Gay cock's-combs blushed their deepest reds 
 And slightly turned away their heads 
 
 From where the lady-slippers stood. 
 What modesty! A joke, too good! 
 
 And there, beyond the lilac-bush. 
 The rhubarb, with a gentle push. 
 
THE GARDEN 21 
 
 Ran up its stalk and spread its leaf — 
 So glad that spring-time brought relief! 
 
 The four-o'clocks, with half-shut eyes, 
 Murmur their evening Angelus; 
 
 While lavender and mint dispense 
 Their spicy odors for incense; 
 
 And poppies throw their bright-hued spread 
 Above the portulaccas' bed; 
 
 And all the while, the big sun-flowers 
 Have marked the passing of the hours; 
 
 Till Nicotine, from edge of night. 
 Flings out her beauteous stars of white; 
 
 Which, with the stars of Heaven above, 
 Breathe fragrant message, "God is Love." 
 
22 KATRINJE 
 
 **MAMMY-JEN" 
 
 "0 Lor' sakes, Chile! Don' nevah say- 
 How's you c'n live one single day 
 
 'Thout dis yere ol' mammy o' yourn — 
 Who's nussed yer evah sence you'm born! 
 
 In cours', I want ter live wi' you — 
 Wat other place on earth 'u'd do 
 
 Fer dis yere ol' black mammy yere, 
 D'ye 'spect? No, don' you nevah fear! 
 
 My Honey! dat place whar' am you — 
 Right dar' mus' be whar' I is, tool 
 
 Sure, I go wi' you an' Marse Pete! 
 An' nevah will I lif my feet 
 
 Evah ter go away f om you; 
 Till angels come de glory fru, 
 
 An' call dis yere ol' mammy home 
 
 Ter git things fixed fer when you come!" 
 
 Could ever language more express 
 
 Than when hearts speak? No need to guess! 
 
 At meaning! 'Twas not so o'er-laid 
 With wordy rubbish, so well said. 
 
 That Truth — all stifled far beneath — 
 Was dead; because it could not breathe! 
 
 Ah, Mammy-Jen, a whiter heart 
 
 Ne'er pumped blood more red, for its part 
 
"MAM MY- JEN" 23 
 
 In making of the best mankind — 
 Though blacker face one ne'er could find 
 
 Than yours; which beamed its glory bright 
 Like noon-day from a deep mid-night! 
 
 No need of Proclamation's word, 
 Nor battle-smoke, nor fire, nor sword 
 
 To make you free! Although a slave, 
 You took such place as master gave. 
 
 Like other thousands, south and north. 
 Where love and truth set seal of worth 
 
 Upon Humanity as God's, 
 
 'Twas not a question of the bloods 
 
 Which mark the difference of race 
 In minds and features of the face! 
 
 The kind of heart strings and their length — 
 The institution and the strength 
 
 By which mankind is bound or freed — 
 A greater thing than Law or Creed! 
 
 Such bonds were yours, dear Mammy-Jen, 
 As real, true motherhood had been! 
 
 While wrapping round your own off -spring 
 Your heart of love and sheltering wing, 
 
 You wove into your service rare 
 Such comfort for white babies there 
 
 That all distinctions, through that love, 
 Were lost entirely! God above 
 
24 KATRINJE 
 
 Well knew that, should the nestlings need, 
 You'd be full equal to the deed 
 
 Of shredding from your heart the strings 
 And yet more widely spread your wings 
 
 To make secure the nest where they, 
 In bondage of your love, might lay 
 
 Their heads against the breast where beat 
 The heart e'en Death could not defeat! 
 
 So, Mammy-Jen's dear, old, black face 
 And willing hand had old-time place 
 
 In the new home. Her loving heart 
 Continued in its heavenly art 
 
 Of living life, in simple touch, 
 Interpreting Christ's "Inasmuch." 
 
SLAVERY DAYS 25 
 
 SLAVERY DAYS 
 
 Phoebe, own child of Mammy-Jen, 
 And other women slaves, from ten 
 
 To twenty — often more, than less — 
 Were part of place and premises 
 
 Where Miss Katrinje had been bom. 
 And always, from that very mom, 
 
 Beloved by them, she loved them, too! 
 Now, married she — what should they do? 
 
 For her to pass from their life's scene, 
 At once a question it had been 
 
 As to how many there should be 
 Of these old servants who should see 
 
 Continuance with "Missus Kate" 
 In her new home. So Phoebe's state 
 
 Of daughterhood to Mammy-Jen — 
 Waiting-maid and playmate had been 
 
 Throughout the early years; and now, 
 She found her place just where and how 
 
 One might expect. Then, Lindy, who 
 With Chloe, composed the kitchen crew. 
 
 Made working household quite complete 
 For "Missie Deah" and "Marsa Pete." 
 
26 KATRINJE 
 
 There too, had been men slaves, like Ben, 
 And Tom, and Jake, and Mark; who, when 
 
 The master, years before, gave land 
 
 With freedom and with home, each planned 
 
 To settle there in New York State. 
 There some had lived till, time grown late, 
 
 They fell asleep; and daisies hide 
 Where now their forms rest side by side. 
 
 And, over near the edge of wood. 
 
 The grave, which sealed the widowhood 
 
 Of Mammy-Jen, raised its low bed 
 To pillow Jedidiah's head. 
 
 Some others, by adventure stirred. 
 
 Joined negro friends, from whom they'd heard 
 
 Of Amherstburgh, "across the line" 
 In Canada. And there, in fine, 
 
 They found a refuge — one free town 
 Where blacks could not be hunted down! 
 
 For it must here be understood 
 That all masters were not so good 
 
 As to grant freedom to their slaves; 
 In north, as well as south, white knaves 
 
 Sought gains in bartering human flesh; 
 And some fair price ne'er slipped the mesh 
 
 Of their tight fingers' grasping greed. 
 Nor stayed the pace of bargains* speed. 
 
 So, often when oppression sore 
 
 Made living worse than death, blacks bore 
 
SLAVERY DAYS 27 
 
 To Canada, from everywhere, 
 A common weal or woe to share. 
 
 By stealth, they took uncertain flight 
 Through woods; or, covered by the night, 
 
 Were spirited on their dark way 
 And held in friendly homes by day. 
 
 Poor fugitives, whose masters claimed 
 
 Each pound of their black flesh, though maimed 
 
 By cruel lash or blood-hounds' teeth ; 
 Or faint, the wintry storm beneath! 
 
 For this free land, which from its birth 
 Had beckoned to the ends of earth 
 
 A welcome to the world's oppressed. 
 To set its seal upon distressed 
 
 Humanity's bondage to men 
 And ransom for return again. 
 
 Should any slave slip off the coils 
 Which held him as another's spoils, 
 
 To us seems now a fairy tale. 
 Fit only Hades to regale! 
 
 There's scarce one left who can recall 
 The awfulness, distress and all 
 
 The misery of that woful time 
 When slave-hunting was in its prime! 
 
28 KATRINJE 
 
 THE WEDDING 
 
 It was the month of roses — June; 
 All Nature was in true attune 
 
 With that great universal theme 
 Which once made Eden lovelier seem; 
 
 For next to love of God in Heaven 
 Is loving heart of woman given! 
 
 Perhaps fair Luna had conspired 
 
 With Sol; and that their hearts were fired 
 
 With that benignant element, 
 And sympathetic ardor lent 
 
 To making of a perfect day. 
 
 For every cloud was tucked away, 
 
 Except a few — like curtains hung 
 About the dome of heaven — strung 
 
 As dainty, festooned draperies. 
 Giving air of sumptuous grace 
 
 To some grand, regal banquet hall. 
 And softly filtering over all, 
 
 Fell glory of Sol's radiance — 
 A king's welcoming cognizance! 
 
 Andries, goodman of the house vied 
 With Sol; Annje, his wife, supplied 
 
 That queenly grace, which makes a home 
 More than a place to which to come. 
 
THE WEDDING 29 
 
 Preparations in course had been 
 For many months; and all were in 
 
 Expectant state of hearty glee; 
 And yet, with that solemnity 
 
 Which marks the presence of a joy 
 Borne in on angels' wings — convoy 
 
 Of God's best gifts to men, at times 
 When ring in human hearts the chimes 
 
 Of heavenly music, when speaks God's voice, 
 In sealing some eternal choice. 
 
 'Squire" Klaerwater, a family friend, 
 From Kings-town had come to put an end 
 
 To such matters as might deserve 
 The law's hand, by which to conserve 
 
 To youthful twain "rights to possess" 
 In friendly peace and happiness. 
 
 So he his seal and signature 
 
 Had fixed to deeds, to make secure 
 
 The new home, with lands and other 
 Gifts, such as father and mother 
 
 Only can think of for the child 
 
 Of their hearts' love, who has beguiled 
 
 Them their affection to divide. 
 
 Or to make their hearts' space so wide 
 
 As to include that other heart. 
 Which, to their child, is counterpart. 
 
30 KATRINJE 
 
 The wedding-guests, from far and near, 
 Had planned for well-nigh a whole year 
 
 For this event. From Jersey, some; 
 Manhattan, too; others had come — 
 
 And not a few — from Newburgh and 
 Poughkeepsie; where steamboats which land 
 
 Along the Hudson, brought all such 
 
 To King's-town Point; then, by stage-coach 
 
 Seventeen miles up the old Lime Road; 
 Stopping anon, to change the load 
 
 Of passengers who, with their trunks 
 Bounded on and off, with big chunks 
 
 Of merriment, thrown all about 
 Like the sunshine, just coming out 
 
 In early morn or after a storm, 
 When Nature wakens in best form. 
 
 And long before the time was due, 
 The country-folk and town-folk, too, 
 
 Would gather at the village inn 
 To meet the stage-coach coming in; 
 
 'To get the mail," some said; but then, 
 It was quite apparent that, when 
 
 The letters all distributed. 
 That which the mail contributed 
 
 Was, for most, far less than the word 
 Of general gossip they had heard. 
 
 The wedding news, of course, would be 
 Discussed by every family. 
 
THE WEDDING 31 
 
 The driver gathered reins and whip 
 And braced his feet, so not to sHp; 
 
 Chirped his wheel-horses, gave the lash 
 To the leaders; then, for a dash! 
 
 The old stage-coach, like basket hung 
 On straps of leather, swayed and swung; 
 
 And, as they drove, the way along, 
 Sometimes a jest or snatch of song 
 
 Would almost make the company 
 Think they were on a trip at sea; 
 
 Till catching gleam of silver thread. 
 Where turns the Rondout in its bed 
 
 Far in the distance, near the wood. 
 
 Or, circling through the meadows strewed 
 
 With bleating flocks, like drifts of snow, 
 And winding herds whose gentle low 
 
 Was wafted to them on the breeze. 
 Whispering through the wayside trees, 
 
 They halted on some towering hill 
 Till every one should drink his fill 
 
 Of beauty of that landscape rare — 
 A garden of the Lord stretched there! 
 
 And thus refreshed, onward they went, 
 Passing ox-teams with wagons, bent 
 
 All in one direction; all filled 
 With happy faces; women frilled 
 
 And furbelowed; men stocked and dressed 
 In fancy waistcoats — all their best; 
 
32 KATRINJE 
 
 But much home-spun — ^home-woven, too; 
 Showing what Dutch house-wives could do! 
 
 And here and there, one well could see 
 The marks of aristocracy; 
 
 Some silken gown, or Paisley shawl, 
 Or broadcloth coat and breeches — all 
 
 Spoke of Britain, France or Holland; 
 
 Whence — ^prized heirlooms from those whose stand 
 
 For larger liberty — came more 
 Than clothes for children to adore! 
 
 For it was a glorious truth. 
 
 Where parents' mantles fell on youth, 
 
 Hearts courageous still strongly held 
 To principles their lives had spelled! 
 
 Bright faces of the little tots. 
 Like daisies or forget-me-nots 
 
 Grown thick amidst a field of green. 
 Were scattered in each load as seen 
 
 Moving toward that place where they 
 Should celebrate the wedding-day. 
 
 The guests had come; and everywhere 
 Old comrades' greetings and the rare 
 
 Recounting of the former days 
 
 By some, whose diverse fortunes' ways 
 
 Had led them very far apart 
 
 From early friends and place of start; 
 
 While nearer neighbors talked upon 
 How stock and crops were coming on. 
 
THE WEDDING 33 
 
 The colored servants whisked about; 
 
 For months they'd turned things inside out. 
 
 They said: "Fer dis yere weddin' sure 
 Wuz mos' glorious thing eber your 
 
 Eyes w'u'd see dis side ob glory — 
 Words c'n neber tell de story!" 
 
 Under the trees the feast was spread. 
 Only the branches overhead 
 
 Shut out the vision of the sky, 
 With its great dome of blue and eye 
 
 Of the sun smiling through on all; 
 While, from the leafage, came the call 
 
 Of singing birds, trilling love-song 
 To answering mates, to whom belong 
 
 The family cares in homes near by; 
 Where, swinging in the branches high, 
 
 Patient, expectant motherhood 
 
 Was cheered with song and hope of brood. 
 
 'Twas something like when rivulets 
 Of joy break loose and spurting jets 
 
 From Love's glad heart mingle their streams 
 Of soul-felt music, when the dreams 
 
 Of life, with power and beauty, come 
 To fulfillment in "Home, Sweet Home." 
 
 Then, as God intended, the truth 
 Of His love is our life, forsooth; 
 
 And two hearts, having found the good 
 In each, are blessed in parenthood. 
 
34 KATRINJE 
 
 Which blesses oft again this earth 
 
 By Christ's kingdom in childhood's worth. 
 
 Such were the thoughts which stirred the hearts 
 Of twain, whose own especial parts 
 
 In life were making this their day. 
 Now the Dominie led the way 
 
 To where the wedding party, flanked 
 By loyal negro servants, ranked 
 
 According to their household place, 
 Were circled round the outside space; 
 
 While both families, with their kin. 
 In easy order, waiting in 
 
 Two long rows — one on either side — 
 Formed an aisle for the train of bride 
 
 To meet the groom at garden gate, 
 Where he, in waiting, stood in state. 
 
 Dominie Fryenmoet now gave 
 Quick survey of that fair conclave, 
 
 Then, as a signal, dropped a rose. 
 Like the song of a lark, which grows 
 
 With its flight, a sweet childish voice 
 Softly lifted a mellifluous 
 
 Strain whose spreading volume swelled till 
 All that whole place it seemed to fill. 
 
 With a cadence, then, as soft and low 
 As brush of angels' wings which go 
 
 Unseen by mortal eyes, but known 
 By music of ethereal tone; 
 
THE WEDDING 35 
 
 Till chorus of happy children, 
 Scattering roses as they sang, 
 Gave rapturous voice, in Holland Dutch, 
 To the twenty-third psalm; so much 
 
 The praise of God, the prayer of all, 
 A benediction and a call 
 
 To consecration of all life — 
 
 To bride and groom— husband and wife — 
 
 A heavenly hush, a holy calm 
 
 Filled every heart with God's peace balm! 
 
 And there, beneath the heavens blue. 
 Each plighted other to be true. 
 Then measured words fell from the lips 
 Of the Dominie; as dew drips 
 From the brow of the morning, caught 
 By the sun and dextrously wrought 
 Into sweetness and strength for hearts 
 Of lilies and oak-trees, whose parts 
 
 In God's plan, though widely diverse, 
 Were His; and each lived to disperse 
 
 His blessing and glory to man- 
 Its own way, each; but His, the plan! 
 
 Thus, blessings of Heaven besought 
 The Dominie, asking that nought 
 
 Of earth's destroying powers might 
 Involve the present joy and light 
 
 Of this glorious day; whose face 
 Smiled promise of abundant grace 
 
36 KATRINJE 
 
 For future years, secure and blessed 
 With His leading into Life's best. 
 
 Final commitment to God's care 
 
 Was voiced by all in our Lord's Prayer; 
 
 Benediction and "Amens" said, 
 Congratulations then were spread 
 
 Like sunshine o'er the happy pair; 
 Who, now attended, led to where 
 
 The tables, stretched beneath the trees, 
 Groaned with weight of delicacies. 
 
 "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," 
 Till Nature's voice gave back echo. 
 
 Their hearts sincere poured gratitude, 
 As offering of their thanks to God. 
 
THE WEDDING 37 
 
 Around that board were other friends 
 Than those whose tie by blood pretends 
 
 To claim heart consideration. 
 Kekaumo, who long held station 
 
 As Indian medicine-man, sat 
 Not far from Petrius' right and at 
 
 Left of where Squire Klaerwater, 
 With his own attractive daughter, 
 
 Held a court of conversation 
 With pleasing edification. 
 
 Lifting a glass of water clear, 
 Turning to spring which bubbled near. 
 
 The Indian said : "A toast to you, 
 In the name of our Mother true! 
 
 "This pure, sweet water, gushing forth 
 From the great heart of Mother Earth, 
 
 Is our life, from her heart to ours — 
 Free coursing of her blood, with powers 
 
 To makes our lives as sweet and clean. 
 As strong and beautiful, as seen 
 
 In her sincerity of heart. 
 
 Of which this evidence is part! 
 
 Sincerity! So heavenly fair, 
 
 It's face shines Heaven everywhere! 
 
 As the Great Spirit, through the sun, 
 Reveals Himself to everyone! 
 
 Better than gold or jewels rare 
 
 That priceless gem! Such glory there 
 
38 KATRINJE 
 
 That monarchs might well wish to claim 
 Its virtues to enrich their fame! 
 
 When man or woman finds such soul, 
 Giving like, happiness is whole! 
 
 So, here's to Happiness, good Friends! 
 Long life to each and both, while bends 
 
 The arch of Heaven down to you, 
 And wee papooses stepping through 
 
 Into your wigwam, share that bliss 
 Which you've found in a world like this: 
 
 And I am sure, 'twill not be long 
 
 Ere they sing, too, Life's sweetest song!" 
 
THE ALARM 39 
 
 THE ALARM 
 
 Scarce had the last note of good-will 
 Been spoken when, o'er the hill, 
 
 Came messenger, running with stride 
 As if the wings of the wind, tied 
 
 To his feet, gave desperate speed 
 To announce some desperate deed. 
 Straight to Petrius hastened he; 
 Advised with him most quietly; 
 
 Then quickly on again he strode 
 Through the fields to the old Lime Road. 
 
 Katrinje's ears his words had caught — 
 She pondered well the vexing thought! 
 
 An Indian uprising had come 
 Again to menace peace and home. 
 
 The Napanogs had suddenly 
 Called council at the "Big Pine Tree;" 
 Where tumbling falls leap o'er high brink 
 Some four miles back from Wawarssinck. 
 
 They planned to have a holiday, 
 Sweeping with torch along the way 
 
 Down the valley, clear to King's-town! 
 Such was the word the man brought down. 
 
 A friendly Indian passed the word 
 To Abe Bevier; which, when he heard 
 
 Saddled his horse and fairly flew 
 All about Wawarssinck and through 
 
 To Kahanesing garrison; 
 
 And they had sent the warning on. 
 
40 KATRINJE 
 
 Petrius, rising, bowing low 
 
 To the Indian, said: "Kekaumo, 
 
 Our thanks! We love you as our friend! 
 We know your heart is true; but bend 
 
 Your bow; and, with an arrow dipped 
 In this same love we know and tipped 
 
 With a flint whose strike calls the spark. 
 Let go straight to the steely mark 
 
 Of hearts of other Indians here 
 
 Till they glow with like warmth sincere! 
 
 That messenger just brought us news 
 Of a plot to turn fire-brands loose 
 
 Throughout our valley beautiful! 
 Dastardly! We are dutiful 
 
 To our homes and families — all! 
 
 And to such friends, like you, whose call 
 
 To our hearts gives us well to know 
 That hearts like yours ne'er stoop so low. 
 
 As with a stealthy tread and hand 
 Of death — a fire-destroying band — 
 
 Would seek to do despite to those 
 Who count you brothers, and not foes! 
 
 So we reciprocate your toast! 
 'Sincerity of heart" — no boast 
 Of anything, save just the truth — 
 Most valiant strength for age and youth; 
 
 But, let it here be understood 
 
 That should you hold our friendship good 
 
 We, on our part, shall call it well; 
 If not, I can not, just here, tell 
 
THE ALARM 41 
 
 What consequence may follow free 
 Upon the heels of treachery! 
 
 If, as we feel, you are our friend, 
 You will quickly put some fixed end 
 
 To such things as this! Do but prove 
 By quick action, how much that love 
 
 You bear us holds of verity — 
 How much of heart sincerity! 
 
 We've always sought to treat you well; 
 And, if you've aught against us, tell 
 
 Us now what ling'ring grievance lurks 
 To give place and power to such works 
 
 As this we hear about! If friends. 
 The spirit of our love transcends 
 
 Such ignorance and malice mad, 
 
 Whose eyes are bhnd, whose heart is bad! 
 
 If we be men who cherish right. 
 Let the Great Spirit be our light! 
 
 Let peace between our peoples dwell. 
 And here make Heaven — not a Hell! 
 
 Brother, eat, drink and haste away 
 And ne'er stop till you stoutly stay 
 
 This murderous scheme! But, ere you go, 
 Let your blood with mine swear that no 
 
 Red man's heart shall e'er bum with hate 
 Toward us, who on our part wait 
 
 Only to show you fellowship. 
 With heart as well as word of lip!" 
 
42 KATRINJE 
 
 THE COVENANT 
 
 Tetrius, brothers sworn are we! 
 Kekaumo's heart speaks: 'If need be, 
 
 Kekaumo's heart will give its blood 
 And stop its beat to turn the flood 
 
 Of any evil that may come 
 
 To you or yours, or to that home 
 
 Which you and your fair bride, this day, 
 Are setting up along Life's way! 
 
 I go; and you need have no fear 
 That a red man will e'er come near 
 
 With fire or deed of deadly harm! 
 Kekaumo has a strong right arm! 
 
 Kekaumo is medicine-man! 
 Kekaumo speaks so winds' ears can 
 
 Catch his words and carry them on 
 Till every red man's heart takes down 
 
 The message that Kekaumo gives — 
 And there is not the Indian lives 
 
 Who will not lift his face to Sun 
 
 And bow his head and say, * 'Tis done!' 
 
 Let nothing mar your wedding-feast! 
 Farewell! May every day, at least, 
 
 Bring you that joy and sweet content 
 Which from Kekaumo's heart are sent! 
 
 Farewell!' " The Indian mounted steed; 
 And, far away, the hastening speed 
 
 Of echoed hoof-beats sounded faint, 
 
 As though "Farewell!" were prayed by saint! 
 
FULFILMENT 43 
 
 FULFILMENT 
 
 And such Kekaumo was, that day — 
 A saint indeed, in earthly clay, 
 
 Whose spirit, with its power, dwelt 
 
 Where need could reach when need was felt! 
 
 And thus the wedding-feast progressed 
 In peaceful valley, undistressed 
 
 As evidence of truth in toast 
 Kekaumo proffered to his host, 
 
 Upon his wedding-day with her — 
 Katrinje — there at Rochester! 
 
 Whate'er calamity befell 
 Other hamlets, truth 'tis to tell 
 
 That Rochester ne'er shared such fate 
 As fire or death through Indian hate. 
 
 Petrius and Katrinje long 
 
 Abode at their new home, where song 
 
 Of love with daily toil was blent; 
 And oft their little children spent 
 
 Their happiest hours in listening 
 To that old story once again, 
 
 About Kekaumo, doctor-man, 
 Who gave such good heart medicine 
 
 That all disease of red man's hate 
 Was sure to quickly dissipate! 
 
 And later still, on Grandpa's knee 
 Or huddled round, attentively, 
 
44 KATRINJE 
 
 Little heads — a dozen or more — 
 Would bob and say, "One more before 
 
 We go to bed, grandpa! That one 
 About the Indian man — ^the one 
 
 Who gave toast to Grandma and you, 
 Then made his wishes all come true!" 
 
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 
 
 018 348 132 0^ 
 
/^e^ 
 
 r 
 
 It 
 
 ^r~^ 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 liliiiiillllllllllillL 
 
 018 348 132 9