ymes of |^Hendshit» I % m m Class ^E4::i»:>:)il_ Book , A J^-&-4" fapvTightF 1 ^07 _ COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. Rhymes of Friendship BY GUY R. HALL ILLUSTRATED BY E. B. DAVIS 1907 ft] Nicholson Printing & Mfg. Compan Richmond, Indiana lie«~A«YofCOP«RESS Two iottes Recdved SEP 4 ♦90f CoQynrW intry CLAS$4 KXCm No. COPY B. Copyright, 1907, by Guy R. Hall. • •• • • • ^ ^ 1^?^ ^- TO MY PARENTS, TO WHOM I AM FIRST AND MOST GREATLY INDEBTED, I DEDICATE THIS BOOK. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Lines _--_---- ^ Song of Trust - - - - - - -lo Memorial Stanzas - - - - - - 12 Stanzas to Our Smiling Girl - - - -15 To Maree 18 To Daisy - - - - - - - -21 To Marion ------- 23 To Lillian -------24 The Pearl ------- 29 A Portrait of Memory - - - - - ^i Altha Grain ------- 34 Lines - - - - - - - "37 *^ There is Time" - 38 Sleep ...-----^o Lux ET Veritas - - - - - - 41 Strains of Passion _-._-- 42 DOGGEREL AND DIALECT In Haymakin' -----.-45 March Blues ------- 49 *'Santy Claus " Talk - - - - - 52 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE UpOx\ Receiving Hints of Christmas - - 56 nonsensicals - - - - - - "59 Epitaph .--_--. 60 Jim Lowden's Epitaph - - - - - 61 Lines -------- 62 Jack Strimpler's Wife ----- 63 Dream of the Professor of Science - - - 68 To AN Old School-Mate - - - - - 72 Uncle's Old Sayin' - - . _ _ 7^ To Hero Ichenomeya ------ 78 A Happy Meeting 81 Pa's Fourth -------84 The Honest Pride of a Country Lad - - 89 **Jim" AND ** Jake" 93 e-S PREFACE IN COMPILING and publishing this Httle collection of verse, my distinct aim has been to give my friends the best fruits of my literary efforts. My in- tention is not to experiment with the good will of the public in order to discern what pecuniary profit I can derive from the work. I cannot hope for greater re- muneration than a continuation of such kind words and encouraging compliments as I have already re- ceived. Like the wayside singer, unheeded by a majority of the common multitude, I sing for such as will pause to listen ; not only those whose gifted hands "can touch the magic string,'' but the voiceless poets also, to whose natural sense of the beautiful the ring of poetry gives delightful response. Thankful for the reassurance of friends I sub- mit this brief volume to the public to be received and reacted upon, not as a work of exceptional merit, but as a gift in token of my appreciation of their manv favors. Very sincerely, GUY R. HALL. RHYiMES OF FRIENDSHIP B LINES (To a fair co-ed of other days.) Y SYLVAN streams, through flow'ry mead, Doth friendship's fancy rove, Their blossoms hold the sacred creed That tells of perfect love; But sweet as is the richest smell When fragrance flows most free, The honied draught cannot excel The smiles thou gavest me. 10 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP SONG OF TRUST I. ^RISE, my soul, and cast aside -^^^ This dark disguise of grief, And bid the sorrows that betide Thee henceforward be brief; Loath not to bear thy cross of care, Nor condescend to pine. But be thine ever-constant prayer : ^^Not my will. Lord, but Thine !'' 11. Though darkest shades pervade the gloom And compass thee about, A joy may still within thee bloom. When all is dark without; Though life may seem forlorn and sad Along this dreary way, Beyond the mists the air is glad With many a brightening ray. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 11 III. Rejoice, nor let thy faith in Him Grow weak in hours of pain, Let not the keeper's eyes wax dim Nor love's warm ardor wane; With humble purpose bravely spurn The gifts of worldly lust. To Him thy little all return In prayers of loving trust. IV. O pine not, though exceeding sore Thy light afflictions be. Thy Jesus all our sorrows bore On cruel Golgotha's tree; He will his erring child attend In mercy all-divine. Then let thy prayer today ascend: ''Not my will, Lord, but Thine V 12 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP MEMORIAL STANZAS (Read at the Hall family reunion, August i8, igo6.) I. STILL softly murmuring o'er the mound Where honor's humble toilers sleep, The west wind wails a doleful sound And seems with muffled voice to weep ; Morn bathes with dew her grassy stems, And fragrance steeps the atmosphere. The sod is strewn with glistening gems Where parted love first shed its tear. 11. The hands that delved, the hearts that yearned, The feet that trod th' unbroken way, The patient face, the hair that turned From morn's gay hues to twilight's gray, — When fortune's glittering tinsels wane, And wasted splendors pass forgot. Their righteous works shall live and reign With truths that wake to perish not. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 13 III. Yon greensward holds the withered buds, Whose unblown blossoms ne'er embossed Life's path with summer's flowery floods Ere early fell the autumn's frost; Full tender was the last caress, And gracious were the tears that fell To fondly lave each treasured tress, The unction of love's last farewell. IV. Not in the churchyard's solitude Does memory's fancy yearn to rove, She loiters through the verdant wood Where life abounds with joy and love; Yet dear ones' faces, radiant, fair, Through memory's wakeful visions sweep. We start to see the vacant chair. And grief returning needs must weep. 14 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP V. They lived in love, they passed in peace, With eyes of faith they saw afar The goal where earthly labors cease, And following hope's celestial star, They broke the bonds of fleshly fears And passed from darkness into day, Where all of sorrow's galling tears Their God himself shall wipe away ! RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 16 STANZAS TO OUR SMILING GIRL o LET the pure sweet lily bloom With exhalations rare To wilt above the silent tomb As memories languish there ; — While listless fancies hourly troop Where gathered friends of yore, Let still the mournful grasses droop To kiss the cold sods o'er. II. And let the ruddy roses blush Where hearts beat light and free, Where gay cantatas wildly gush From childish throats of glee; And grant to taintless innocence Its wonted raptures still. Nor seek from its convivial sense To blight the quickening thrill. 16 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP III. Yet for the winter's piercing cold The Hly naught avails, The rose no splendor can unfold To warm the blasting gales ; Must still the starless night seem long, No solace to impart, No ray, no smile, nor strain of song, To glad withal the heart? IV. No! For the eyes that look through tears Of sorrow all the while Our lady's lovely face appears, Whose sweet and queenly smile, Whose queenly smile, so pure and calm. Can visions drear dispel, Suggesting e'er the hopeful psalm: 'Teace reigneth, all is well.'' RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 17 'Teace reigneth," — O triumphant thought, Blest comforter thou art! Most beauteous truth, by tongue untaught, Her smiles can best impart; Where'er her peaceful path may lead. Through sunshine or through shade, Be each pure smile and kindly deed By Heaven's own love repaid. 18 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP TO MAREE (i2 years old.) I. WHAT pencil touches can portray The beauty of a Hfe as gay And peaceful as thine own? What blossoms with thy smiles compare? — What roses by the balmy air Of parting April blown? 11. Supreme thy pleasures are, Maree, — O would that thus they e'er should be, And that thou should'st not know The wounds that years can never heal, The cankering griefs too many feel, — The bitter cup of woe ! RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 19 III. O youthful eyes ! we see in them The luster of love's diadem, Kindness, serene and pure ! And may it be that they shall yield A fuller sympathy and wield A power strong and sure ! IV. Merrily chimes thy voice, Maree, And rings your laugh with wholesome glee, Thou seemest unaware That thou a mortal creature art. Destined to many a pain of heart. Perplexity and care. V. Yet cheerful be, for it is well That sorrow should not break the spell Of joy so innocent, And may you freely still partake Of all the pleasures that can make You even more content. 20 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP VI. This cannot be for aye, Maree, The girl will make the woman, she Must bid farewell to youth. But life which gives to fortune range Has that for thee which cannot change, — The Everlasting Truth. VII. And to this treasure ever cleave With heart submissive to receive The good it hath for thee, And while through time you do your best Just trust to Heaven's care the rest And all is well, Maree ! RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 21 I TO DAISY WALKED the headland green, profuse With flowers rare, whose mingled hues Gleamed through the sheen of morning dews In red and blue and yellow; How could I turn to go away From such a company so gay And pluck me not a sweet bouquet With richest hues and mellow? II. Beneath mine eyes that summer morn Laughed a white rose, should it be worn? dear ! it pricked me with its thorn And I was pained most crazy; 1 turned me to the violet blue, — ''Sweet, modest flower, thou art true,'' — But on me smiled with livelier hue, Not far apart, — a daisy. 22 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP III. ''Ah, daisy! thou my heart hast won, ril steal thee from the shining sun;" I plucked its stem, the deed was done, And pressed it to my bosom; O better Daisy, thou, to whom My lines compare this lovely bloom. With richer nectar and perfume In love's sweet thoughts shalt blossom ! egs RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 23 O TO MARION I. FT have we felt since you have gone How shone your smiles, O Marion! Your hour's brief call scarce heeded here Has left to us a hallowed cheer. 11. We knew you, loved you but somehow We ne'er have felt before as now The true worth of your nature sweet. To rank with all the loveliest meet. III. Let love continue and where'er Some sorrowing brother sighs despair, Lest he all higher aims should yield Smile still to strengthen, save and shield. IV. And gentle, loving spirit, we Shall keep one sacred memory: — The fair and smiling face of thine That gave its fullest light to shine. 24 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP M TO LILLIAN I. EET it seemeth, Dear, that we Should thy virtues envy thee, We, who deeds of love admire And from day to day aspire To attain that tranquil mind, To which thou At length, somehow Hast not vainly been inclined. II. There are those whose formal creeds Hamper so their daily deeds That they cease not night nor da}' To beseech and weep and pray For some sparing providence In behalf Of those who laugh In youth's happy innocence. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 25 III. Thy serene and smiling look Stronger is than stern rebuke To such boastful scorners, these Pessimistic Pharisees; Thou hast grace to still bestow Gentleness In deeds that bless Hearts that feel thy overflow. IV. And if thou shouldst deign to sigh When the tides of doubt rage high, Should thy spirit's feeble plaint Murmur through the tumult, faint,- Should we think this grief of thine Nursed within Thy heart is sin, That thou shouldst a moment pine? 26 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP V. In my fancy I can see Him who groaned on Calvary, Overwhelmed by all the blame Of our vices and their shame,- How in agony he sighed, Suffering, Though Heaven's King By Earth's children crucified. VI. Thou art human, better be. For it best becometh thee; Imperfection hath a charm When the sympathies are warm; 'Tis a blessing cast away When we shun The thought of fun, — There's a season to be gay. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 27 VII. Lavish be thy cheerful words Like the mingled chants of birds; What were this existence worth Had it not that fount of mirth Springing up with healing powers, Timely ere Our hearts despair, Pining through the lonely hours. VIII. Thou thy pretty whims must act. Fancy, too, must fashion fact; There be none with true desires But thy daily course admires ; Self-directed thou dost ply Work and play With gentle sway As the light-winged hours sweep by. 28 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP IX. Who is he that ever said Thou art vainly proud, Dear Maid? Hath he ne'er discerned that pride Cometh from the heart inside? Thou dost scatter welcome cheer To the few, And many, too, And thou art to many dear ! X. Heaven be gracious unto thee, Lillian, with a mind as free From all dread of worldly cares As the pure and gentle airs. That with soothing softness waft Kisses where The earth is bare Or where nodding daisies laugh! RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 29 O THE PEARL L PRICELESS pearl, Old Ocean's choicest gem! Hallowed thy crystal glory, spotless white ; Born with unnumbered beauties, diadem Washed from the deep of night. II. Thou'rt as the lowly in heart, methinks, and meek, Lovely and beloved thou dost remain To teach sweet patience to the faltering weak Engrossed with care and pain. III. To loathsome malice and to lust unknown. Jewel of the dreaming artist's first desire, Whose modest purity hath long outshone Ruby and bold sapphire. 30 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP IV. E'en at thy passive, silent attitude We are constrained to linger 'neath a spell, With solemn wonder and with awe imbued, No language art can tell. The ever-restless rover of the seas Hears through the roaring main thy softer song,- And fondly drinks of the honeyed melodies Caught from thy fairy tongue. VI. Ah, — fancy a living heart so nobly pure, A face of smiling radiance, with rich curls In beauteous ecstasy embroidering o'er, — Queen of the realm of Pearls ! RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 31 A PORTRAIT OF MEMORY. THERE once did glow a modest pride Within her azure eyes, So soft a spark that we had Hed To harshly criticize, And with this gem so twinkling vied Its sister star, Surprise. II. If flattering phrase I ventured e'er That glance grew sweetly bold. Then flitting o'er a brow more fair Than Aphrodite of old. Surprise would strew strange shadows there Beneath the curls of gold. 32 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP III. What, though, perchance a Httle vain? O could these eyes of mine Reflect the beauty back again That streamed on them from thine, — I too might be a Httle vain Such charm and rapture mine! IV. But whence Surprise ? I knew not whence That half-blown blush might be, That silent gaze which often since In dreams has fall'n on me So kindly yet so doubting, hence So deeply mystery. V. Upon some far Elysian heath Where fragrances so rare Through endless years sweet roses breathe To changeless Morning's air. Shall she above this realm of Death Abide my coming there? RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 33 VI. Shall these mild, those intenser beams That used on earth to glow, Alternate still as in my dreams Today they come and go. Or radiant, joyful, bathed in streams 'Where heavenly fountains flow? VII. Still loitering 'neath old shady bowers, Which now are still and lone, I can but weep to think of hours That once were and are gone. And stoop to pluck some choicest flowers To strew her grave upon ! 34 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP ALTHA GRAIN I. SOME lasses excel in the finery they wear, Or the elegant fashion of balling their hair, — But, pray, 'mongst a hundred thus handsomely dressed, In point of real beauty, which one is the best? II. The belle of the city may lavishly smear The talcum on thick where the blushes appear, Her suit may be gaudy and gay in extreme. Her laces may rustle, her ribbons may stream. III. When a lad from the country comes under her eye Who wears a cheap hat or a fifteen-cent tie, To speak to him, likely she'll ne'er take the pains, On account of a difference in costume and brains. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 35 IV. But up on North College away from the noise And stir of the city, and shouts of the boys, Lives Altha, the pride of the fair Httle street The first of its damsels, its flower most sweet. Like the gay-throated thrush in the tree where she swings She peeps through the green leaves and whistles and sings Till all who reside in that little home spot Have the last bitter tears of their sorrows forgot. VI. O today I can hear the gay laugh on her lips As down through their little green orchard she trips ! Did a man or a woman or child in this town Ever see on her brow the mere fringe of a frown ? 36 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP VII. Miss Altha is happy, and O can it be That from heavy temptation her spirit is free? Aloof from the level of grief and of pain, That she utters no murmur nor seems to complain? VIII. Ah, sweet is her life and its teaching is more To her friends and her schoolmates than ever before; 'Tis better to sing through our trials than complain. Is not this the lesson thou teachest, Miss Grain? IX. This world is too gloomy, too gloomy by half, So whistle and giggle and titter and laugh, Let every one join in the merry refrain: O its tra-la and ha-ha for thee, ALTHA GRAIN ! RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 37 LINES (Penned in an autograph album of a lady friend.) I. H ARBOR no malice, let your ways Be ways of peace, do what is good; And live so that the world will praise Your 'worthy type of womanhood. 11. Hold fast to honor, ever cling To truth, a pearl of greatest price ; Fair lady, touch not anything That bears a lingering taint of vice. III. To pleasure do not sacrifice The precepts of your better sense, Make love's unerring way your choice. And trust the Master's providence. 38 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP T 'THERE IS TIME" I. HERE is a time to study, There is a time to play, A time to muse, and also time To eat three times a day; Plenty of time for smiling, Some time to laugh aloud, There's time for peaceful solitude, And time to join the crowd. 11. There is time to be cheerful. But none to cherish scorn. We may serious be but never Be all hopelessly forelorn ; We may dream dreams and see visions If we pine not o'er our dreams, We may even love intensely If we go not to extremes. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 39 III. We may taste the cup of kindness If we will but pass it on, And partake of joys hilarious If we keep sweet through the fun; We may even joke companions, If we don't get hot and cuss When the other fellow practices As good a joke on us. IV. O there are years, yes, many years Of time to do the right, There's time to cherish faltering hearts But none their hopes to blight ! There may, alas, arrive a time To shed regretful tears For lack of moderation In our mirth of younger years! 40 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP SLEEP O GENTLE sleep ! that from thy ebon throne Descendest to anoint the toiler's eyes With healing unction, when the daylight flies And all the clamor of the day is flown, What sweet communion with thee all alone When visions more ethereal arise To pacify the restless, broken sighs That linger from the evening's weary moan ! Sprinkle, mild goddess, some lethean dews Upon the fevered forehead sore with care, Draw the dark veil, despondency, and lose The burdened spirit in the boundless air. Where fragrance-laden zephyrs ceaseless fan Fresh draughts of courage to the new-born man. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 41 LUX ET VERITAS (Published in the 1905 Arbutus of Indiana University.) OUR gracious Alma Mater, while thy name Is yet the symbol of the good and pure, While Light and Truth unsullied still endure The radiant heralds of thy deathless fame, — O be thy nurturing tenderness the same As in thine honored past, still strong and sure ! May the same ties that link our loves secure Our earnest strife, our every worthy aim; Still lead us onward, lovingly direct Our path as from thy fond embrace we part, And as we leave thy footstool to perfect Immortal structures fashioned to thine art, O quicken thou not more our intellect Than all the grateful passions of our heart! 42 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP STRAINS OF PASSION HOW can the soul impassioned hold its peace When thrilled with nameless joy or stung with pain, When seized with hatred or with love which fain Would stave the heart's stout bars to gain release And flood the joyful lips with ecstasies? For such inspiring, animating strain Can all of passion's raging currents drain Till consciousness streams on with wonted ease; Then, O my soul, lift up thy voice in song And let the burden of thy numbers be Sung in the spirit of the major key! — Not so, perchance, when thou shalt come among Brethren whose woes implore thy sympathy, But sing thy plaintive strain with power to solace strong. DOGGEREL AND DIALECT DOGGEREL AND DIALECT IN HAYMAKIN' WITH the sultry air a-sizzin' — Hot, and mornin' breezes laid, When the mercury has risen To the "ninety in the shade," 'Bout the time Pap cuts the hay down An' he talks o' takin' in, I jest feel somehow away down In miy breast it ain't no sin Jest to saunter, none to aid me, To the little grassy mound. Where the old, big maple shade tree Spreads its shadder on the ground. (45) 46 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 11. Folks are differ'nt in make-up, An' I 'low they'll alius be, So when they is hay to take up There are better hands than me, For in timothy and clover I have labored till I've felt, As I piled the windrows over. That I's jest about to melt; And I've sort o' doubted whether Any feller should or not Work at hayin' when the weather Is so awful, swelterin' hot ! III. O the atmosphere is brimmin' With the sweetest things that be When they's peace amongst the women Who delight in pesterin' me ! An' when hayin' comes in leap year An' yer not a-pitchin' hay. Boys, you'd better sort o' keep yer Wits about vou all the day; — RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 47 Fer this woman question only Would a feller's mind be free As he muses all so lonely Underneath the maple tree. IV. it's there I like to waller Tickled from my heart clean out ! But I'm careful not to holler Much when Pap is nigh about, Fer, w^hen he has cut the hay down An' he talks o' takin 'in, — 1 jest feel somehow away down In my mind if I begin Makin* too much fuss, — you chet-er, Pap'll call me to make hay With a voice that I've learnt better Than to ever disobey ! 48 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 'Tm careful not to holler Much when Pap is nigh about" RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 49 MARCH BLUES FELLER sort o' gits a spell O' blues 'bout this time o' year, An' it's purty hard to tell When the weather's so severe Which is the worse o' the two, — Feelin' cold er feelin' blue. 11. Feller keeps hisself housed in. Tries to feel good when he cain't, All the kinds o' medicine He kin take for his complaint Never soothe his ills, but jes' Make his bank account much less. 50 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP III. 'Bout the time a feller gits To believin' spring has come, Snowstorm comes along an' spits Flurries everywhere, i gum! And the piercin' wind jest blows Through a feller's winter clo'es. IV. An' he ain't no pessimist 'Cause he gits to feelin' blue, All the best folks on the list Git that sort o' feelin', too, — An' it seems to 'em 'at spring Keeps a dilly-dallying. V. Ef a feller jes' concedes That his soul is bein' tried, An' kin trust that all his needs By-um-by will be supplied, — Matters not what ills occur, He'll pull through much easier. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 51 Feller keeps hisself housed in' 52 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP I "SANTY CLAUS" TALK I. T AINT long till Santy Claus Makes his reg'lar visit wiv Candies, nuts, and toys to give To good little childern, 'cause I have noticed ever' year, When Thansgivin' dinner's past, That the days go mighty fast. An' that Christmas time is near, — An' when I lay down at night Fer to dream in high delight 'Bout Old Santy, I keep thinkin' That I hear his sleigh-bells clinkin'. II. O the good old Santy Claus, — Wonder how he looks? I've heerd Mommy say he has long beard White as snow all round his jaws, RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 53 That his cheeks an' nose are red, — An' my mommy telled me, too: ''Santy on'y comes when you Little saps are 'sleep in bed. An' he don't fetch nothin' then Sich as toys and candy when Little saps like you an' Tommy Say bad words an' sass their mommy.'* III. Wonder how old Santy Claus, Where he lives away so far. Knows who all us childern are ? 'Spec' he finds out by our pas; He knows what we want, yes-sir, Santy does, an' alius brings Ever' Christmas jes the things That the boys are lookin' fer; An' it's lots o' fun, you bet, Christmas mornin' jes' to get Out o' bed an' be a-peepin' 'Round while all the folks is sleepin' ! 54 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP ''****^*i^\ ^^«^^^^^s. ^v,^ ^j^ii'*^* "An' it's lots o' fun, you bet, Christmas mornin' jes' to get Out o' bed an' be a-peepin' 'Round while all the folks is sleepin'!" RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 55 IV. They's no man 'cept Santy Claus Does the funny things he can, — He must be a jolly man, — An' he's curious too, because He slips in an' leaves our toys. Ever' present jes' bran new. An' he fills our stockin's, too, And skips out wivout no noise; — Mommy says 'at he can squeeze Hisself up jest like he please. So I reckon that Old Santy Can get down our chimley, — can't 'e? 56 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP UPON RECEIVING HINTS OF CHRISTMAS I. CHRISTMAS gift!" my dear friends, "Christmas gift!" do you say? Better wait till that morning when cry it you may; "Christmas gift!" now don't chuckle and feel too se- cure, Not till the glad morn can you get it for sure. II. "Christmas gift!" do you say, pretty lass, to your beau? There's a limit to patience, 'twere well you should know; Perhaps it would spare you some heartrending sighs To speak to him kindly and not tantalize. III. "Christmas gift!" are you saying, young fellow, to her? If she frowns, youVe a case that is hopeless, yes-sir; For what can you hope from a lass who depends On her "dear papa's" purse for the money she spends ? RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 57 IV. "Christmas gift!'' do you say, little girl, little boy? Will some candy suffice or a nice little toy? Better wait till that morning if you would be wise, — Let him shout ''Christmas gift,'' who first opens his eyes. V. ''Christmas gift!" to the merchant I bid you to go, He'll not frown at your cry, nor rebuke you, O no ! I'll vouch for his smile being hardy and hale As he shows his abundance all ready for sale. VI. "Christmas gift !" hear the jingle of dollars and cents, — O a feller's fair friends are an awful expense ! And I've thought as I lavished my coin with a grin ; — Now where shall Ma's "china" I promised come in ? 58 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP VII. ^'Christmas gift!" O the friends that a fellow can spot, Many friendships so warm make a fellow half hot; Rather shake with my friends once a day through the year Than love so intensely as Christmas draws near. VIII. ^'Christmas gift!" my dear friends, ''Christmas gift!" do you say ? Better wait till that morning when cry it you may; "Christmas gift!" just be quiet, ere long we shall see Who rises and gets it, my friends, you or me. v2- OJOi^ o RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 59 W NONSENSICALS E FIRST did love madly But matters went sadly, We lost all the joy that we sought; This thought to refresh us: For aye will be precious The truth that so dearly was bought. Hers was a name I could not disapprove, Hers was a face I could not bear to love : Since name and face were hard to separate, I could but sigh, ''Dear sweet, we both must wait/' May these poor tributes from my heart Find welcome in thy hand, my fair. And if perchance they should impart Some kindred pang or common care, — O hear affection's yearning plea, And shed a tear of love for me ! 60 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP H EPITAPH ERE lies beneath this emblem shield A warrior young, who gave his life To 'scape th' abuses of the field And the tongue-thrusts of a heartless wife. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 61 J JIM LOWDEN'S EPITAPH IM LOWDEN, of woman born And christened in the year 1810, By 1840 wretched and forlorn He wifeless walked among his fellowmen ; By 1860, he could boast no more, But when another score Of years had heaped its cares Upon his silver hairs, It came to pass one day A woman crossed his lonely path and they Were married, — But Jim soon passed away, And here beyond his sorrows he lies buried. Man who is of woman born Is of few days and forlorn; Peaceful let his ashes lie, Man who doth bv woman die! 62 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP LINES (Penned hy one who stands up for the institute,) O MONSTROUS fad ! the township institute Where pedagogues assemble to dispute; — Nay, wise tribunal where all ponderous questions Are settled at some sweet school-marm's suggestions; Thy big assumptions, egotistic boast, Both I detest, but love thy pay the most; As for all teachers, there's not one of them Who'll not assent to have his dear ''per diem." RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 63 O JACK STRIMPLER'S WIFE I. NE thing with others I beHeve : God first made Adam an' then Eve; An' yit some folks is at a loss To know which one he meant fer boss. 11. Jack Strimpler an' his wife, these two, Live jest across from where we do. An' we know who's a-holdin' sway, A-livin' neighbors thataway. III. It's ''Git up, Old Man," ever' morn, "An' feed the horses hay an' corn. Fetch in a load o' kindlin' then. An' treat yer wife like other men !" 64 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP IV. The stock is fed, the wood is spHt An' carried in, the fire is Ht; It burns away to ashes most. And Strimpler has his bread to toast V. 'Tlease git up, Mother," is his plea, ''My weedy crop is needin' me ;'' Again he urges and again : ''Do git up. Mother, it's past ten." VI. I hear a noise in their bed-room. Sounds somepin Hke a flyin' broom, I hear a woman's angry shriek Confuse the words she tries to speak. VII. 'Tis Monday, that is, washin'-day. An' Strimpler is compelled to stay An' sweat above the washin'-tub With all the last week's duds to rub. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 65 " 'Tis Monday, that is, washin'-day' 66 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP VIII. Nen in the afternoon he sweeps The house through while his woman sleeps, He dusts the parlor rugs an' chairs An' their new bed-room set upstairs. IX. An 'ef she has a stove to black, It's ''Come, apply the polish. Jack;" An 'ef he soils the oil cloth The woman gets exceeding wroth. X. Before he harnesses an' plows He has to milk eleven cows, An' when he comes to strain the milk, — Wy, here's his woman dressed in silk! XL I've been perplexed enough an' felt Some keen tongue-lashes, an' have smelt The brimstone, but in face o' fac's My trials ain't one-tenth o' Jack's. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 67 XII. Some gossips blame the woman, some Are prophesyin' worse to come, Still others charge she is possessed An' wish her husband peace an' rest. XIII. I wouldn't add one slightest grain Of weight to Strimpler's life o' pain, I wouldn't whet no butcher-knife To wreak revenge aginst his wife. XIV. But any man 'at's cuffed like Jack, Who hain't got sense to turn his back, Deserves a woman's broomstick blows Right where he gits 'em — on the nose. 68 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP DREAM OF THE PROFESSOR OF SCIENCE I. p ROFESSOR stood within his dream As in his waking hours, When everything around did seem Controlled by mystic powers. 11. His cap he ventured to remove, When much to his surprise. It rose toward the clouds above And vanished in the skies. III. He saw the vivid lightning flash In blinding bolts and keen, But heard no after thunder crash, Nor could a cloud be seen. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP IV. He stood beneath a noonday sun, His limbs grew numb and chill, The streams, he noticed, had begun To turn and flow up-hill. V. He dropped a match in oxygen, And lo, out went the flame; Experimented once again, — Result was still the same. VI. He gazed with half-wide-open mouth O'er the horizon far. And saw suspended o'er the South Gleam out the Polar Star. VII. Pale grew his face as if some care His learned mind distressed. When now he witnessed the Great Bear Enthroned above the West. 70 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP VIII. He saw spring flowers pop their heads Above a winter snow, And thirty inches from their beds He saw the onions grow. IX. He saw his genial cook and wife Get angry at a cat, She threw their sharpest butcher-knife Which turned into a rat. X. And now attempting to inhale A deep, refreshing breath, His intercostals seemed to fail To stem approaching death. XL At length, with a despairing look He woke, exclaiming, — 'Tshaw V Some say he mildly blamed his cook For this strange breach of law. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 71 '*He saw his genial cook and wife Get angry at a cat" 72 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP TO AN OLD SCHOOL-MATE T HIS life as ever has, I see, Its clear and cloudy weather, The same today as 'twas when we Were both in school together. II. I overlaugh myself at times. Else would the flesh grow weary, But soberness, it makes my rhymes Disconsolate and dreary. III. If Master Fate, Tve sometimes thought. Could earn a man a living, rd be more righteous, ay and not Be cruel and unforgiving. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 73 IV. More seldom would I lay this head Upon a restless pillow, With spirit tossed uncomforted On sorrow's heaving billow. But yet methinks there is a balm To heal my sorest anguish, And I am for a moment calm, — A moment cease to languish: — • VI. This life as ever has, I see. Its clear and cloudy weather, The same today as 'twas when we Were both in school together. 74 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP J UNCLE'S OLD SAYIN' I. EST keep yer wits about ye/' My uncle ust ter say, On Sunday afternoon when Fs About ter drive away ; ''Yer startin' out, yer young and green, Jest like some gal to rout ye, Keep level-headed, be serene. An' hev yer wits about ye/' II. "Ah ! it's been your experience," I'd alius answer him, *'You ust ter go a-courtin' An' yer chances then wuz slim;" My uncle's face would turn to red. His cheeks an' lips grow pouchy, ''Take my advice, sir, keep yer head An' hev yer wits about ye !" RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP lb III. Ever since I wuz a kid, 'Cept mebbe once er twice, rd liked my uncle 'speshully An' follered his advice. An' now I looked him in the eyes, My uncle old an' slouchy, That blamed expression there would rise,- ''Jest keep yer wits about ye." IV. An' I have set an' wondered, — "What kin my uncle know? 'Tis forty years an' over Since uncle wuz a beau ;" But by-um-by I come to think My uncle not so slouchy. An' in my mind his words 'ud sink ''Jest keep yer wits about ye." 76 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP V. I lived an' learnt considerable With many ups an' downs, I got severe reproaches, I met with lots o' frowns; I learnt that when yer scooped aside The game goes on without ye, — An' that a feller's safest guide Is, "Keep yer wits about ye." VI. "Jest keep yer wits about ye," My uncle ust ter say, — An' this advice he gave me then Will do fer chaps today; — "Jest count yerself," says-ee, "as one. An' ever'thing without ye Regard as number two, an' son, Jest keep yer wits about ye." RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 77 " 'Jest keep yer wits about ye,' My uncle ust ter say, On Sunday afternoon when I's About ter drive away" 78 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP TO HERO ICHENOMEYA (A Japanese friend in college.) I. I'VE knowed you for a year er two, an' I can truly say That since we've been acquainted there has never come a day When pubHcly or privately, as I can recollect, You treated me with malice or any disrespect. II. Hero Ichenomeya, you've come here from Japan, Americans who know you say you're ever' inch a man. And in this yere opinion I honestly agree. As judgin' from your conduct as it appears to me. III. I've mixed with ordeenary folks an' folks of culture, too, I have some idles o' my own, I got my pint o' view ; I'm purty apt at judgin' an' since I've been with you Your natural charact'ristics, I've read 'em through an' through. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 79 IV. Today I can approach you with a cheerful smile an' take Your hand in mine an' squeeze it hard for honest friendship's sake ; You never seemed so stuck-up as a feller's ap' to be Who has attained the dignity of senior, seems to me. V. So you re a senior! you about to carry your A. B. Out here in Indiana, and besides a Japanee ! You must o' worked hard with your hands an' put in lots o' licks Since you've been here in college, — how old are you? — "Twentv-six !" VI. The boys in college like you, both the wealthy an' the pore, Your friends are staunch an' earnest, an' they num- ber many a score ; And when your class-mates honored you, outsiders realized That you deserved the dignity and wasn't much sup- prised. 80 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP VII. I highly prize your friendship an' 'speshully regret To part with your society, but never shall forget Our happy days together and of friends so good and true, So kind and sympathizin', Fm indebted most to you ! VIII. Well, Hero, when I come to think about you, Fll be blamed ! There never was a feller, who was any better named ; As one who loves his feller-man and loves his coun- try too, I never met a patriot more genuine than you. IX. And so, old friend, jest be yourself, concludin' I would say, Yourself throughout the sun and shade of life's un- certain day; Along the devious path and dark, O may we journey twain. Our hearts still linked together by true friendship's golden chain ! RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 81 A HAPPY MEETING o READER dear, if you were here A story I might tell, How as I passed through Richmond last A curious thing befell Me as I gazed at one, amazed. Who paused to gaze on me, I wondered who, — and he did too, — The other chap might be. 11. We gazed awhile, then with a smile Each recognized the other, Now more esteemed because each seemed Familiar as a brother; I saw the green, — of course I mean I saw fun's laughing glitter, — Well, anyway, if green, I say 'Twas green without green's bitter. 6 82 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP III. O there are hours when nameless flowers Breathe odors sweet in air, When joy expands to burst the bands Of melancholy care ! The striving crowd may revel loud In pleasure deemed complete, But nothing can be merrier than When two "fools'' chance to meet! RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 83 ''Each recognized the other" 84 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP T PA'S FOURTH I. HE folks once tried to celebrate The Fourth day of July, So Ma she sent me out to ketch A chicken fer to fry; Ketched a nice young pullet, Tuk it in to her, Ma says, — ''You stupid youngin', What did you ketch this fer? We can't spare our pullets, Go, turn that one loose, — Mind yer mammy quickly, Offer no excuse, — When we have fried chicken. Mind ye, ever' time. We ketch roosters fer they don't Fetch us but a dime." RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 85 11. Well, I turned the pullet Loose, and once agin With a grea' big rooster I came walkin' in; This time Ma wuz worried 'Cause she'd gone an' got Everything plum ready An' the water hot. She don't trust me any more But she say to Sis: ''Turn the cakes, fer mercy' sakes ! While I 'tend to this." III. Then she tuk an ear o' corn, Shelled it off an' fed Some thirty er forty chickens That roosted in the shed, Ketched a fine young rooster, Sentenced him to die. An' 'fore many minutes He wuz on to fry; 86 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP In about an hour Table it wuz set, An' I had my appitite Purty keenly whet. IV. Pa an' Ma an' Sis an' me Each one tuk our place At the table, an' Pa, he — He don't say no grace ; "But," says-ee, ''you youngsters Set back in yer chairs, — Haint ye got no manners? Hain't ye been nowheres? Have a little gumption An' patience jest to wait Till yer pap has time to put Some chicken on yer plate !" RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 87 'Tap," says I, ''they's others 'Sides us like as not," — But right then that pa o' mine Dropped the coffee-pot, — He jest tuk the gravy dish, Fished me out the neck, ^'That's your share," he says, says-ee, ''But not another speck;" He give Ma the drumsticks, Sis the pully-bone, An' he et up all the rest By hisself alone! «§& 88 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP "An' he et up all the rest By hisself alone." RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 89 THE HONEST PRIDE OF A COUNTRY LAD I. T DONT tell no man, — no sir, not my brother, ^ What my bizness is : — Fd ruther Git clean scrapped up once er twice, Yes, i jacks, than tell these nice Dudes with gum in mouth a-chewin' Everything on airth Fm doin' ! — When these quizzin 'saps come nigh, ''None yer bizness,'' I says I. II. What's the difference anyway? I kin work er I kin play; When I've worked an' when I've played I kin waller in the shade ; I kin take my old terbacker, Whet my blame' barlow an' whack 'er An' kin chew; — I pay my tax, — Nobody's bizness, now, — i — jacks ! 90 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP III. Oncet ez I wuz loaferin' 'round One blame' Saturday in town, Some big town guy straddled me,- '*What ye doin' here?" says-ee, ''Git back to the country where Ye belong, — how come ye here?"- I jest poked 'im in the eye, ''None yer bizness !" I says I. IV. Seed a couple, I believe, Drivin' 'long one Sunday eve ; Knowed they's somepin' goin' to be 'Cause I heerd the gal tee-hee; Nen she tried to speel off smart: "Where's yer old farm hoss an' cart?" An' as they drove whizzin' by, — "None yer bizness," I says I. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 91 V. Tother day at Jones's sale Abe walks up an' says, ''Ye's pale, Mebby ploddin' down life's hill, Hadn't ye better make ye will? How's ye liver gittin' 'long? Is ye appitite still strong? When ye ever goin' to die?" — '' ! None yer bizness!" I says L 92 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP I jest poked 'im in the eye" RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 93 "JIM" AND "JAKE" (The "Jim'' of the following poem was suggested to the writer by a real character with whom he became acquainted in college. While part of the story is true to fact, much has been invented to serve certain purposes of the writer. But there are "Jims" today, and in every community are also to be found those good-looking, good-natured, and slow-going fellows popularly known as " country- jakes.") I. JIM and Jake wuz babies, twin brothers, don't you know, Jake et an' slep' an' grew, but little Jim jest wouldn't grow; His ma tried soothin' syrup an' other medicine, Yet Jim seemed sot on stayin' a leetle crumped-up twin. II. Now Jake wuz made lots over an' patted on the cheek, Wuz tuk to see his gramma three an' four times a week, 'Cause gramma alius humored him an' jest deeclared that he Wuz the sweetest, smartest baby in the whole com- munity. 94 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP III. Pore little Jim wuz puny an' alius seemed so frail That his ma lost all hopes early an' looked fer his health to fail, An' when Jim talked an' Jake didn't when each wuz eight months old, — "Pore little Jake," their ma complained, ''has got a awful cold!" IV. Well, Jake did have a habit o' kickin' kivvers off. An' keepin' all the house awake by his outrageous cough, — Yet all the womern-folks agreed an' kinder sided in That though Jim wuz a purty boy, Jake wuz as sweet agin. V. The first excitement over, when some few years'd gone by. They noticed Jim could name the states, could add an' multiply. While Jake had tuk delight in toys, an' wuzn't nigh so quick At namin' states in joggify an' workin' 'rithmetic. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 95 "Jake had tuk delight in toys" 96 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP VI. Both entered school, — an' O their ma did take on mighty hard When they brought to her fer signing each his Httle report card! Fer all her female follies, folks wuz sorry most fer her, As she turned from Jake to murmur, ''What's this ejication fer?" VII. Now neighbors an' relations had begun to size up Jim An' wonder what perfession wuz to open up fer him ; Yet sorter sympathizin', sometimes fer his mother's sake, They'd guess on many a lucky move the game had yet fer Jake. VIII. Jim went away to college, an' gained distinction there, Jake tuk no chances, hired out, fer books he didn't keer ; — So when Jim rose commencement day to honor his degree. His ma, with friends an' strangers, saw the man who wuz to be. RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 97 IX. O how supprised his class-mates wuz, they shrank as in alarm When it was told that this same man had bought his- self a farm, Had hired his brother Jacob to feed an' milk an' slop While he hisself looked after the raisin' o' the crop! X. In spite o' gale an' gossip, honest Jim wuz widely known To be the people's champion to the morry o' the bone ; An' when before the public they summoned him to speak, He flung his point-blank periods to defend the suffer- ing weak. XI. At len'th a party caucus in the old home county met To feel the pulse fer gov'nor, but 'twuzn't clear jest yet What ch'ice they'd make; some feller rose an' nomin- ated Jim, But the factions split contrary an' didn't vote fer him. 98 RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP XII. Now when the State convention hung, they looked fer a ''dark horse/' An' Jim wuz nominated fer to run the final course ; An' when returns wuz published there arose the shout, ''Long live Our country, an' our own dear state, an' her execu- tive !" XIII. Ah ! where is Jim's poor mother, an' where is brother Jake? Two forms come toiling forward, one bent with many an ache, Bent low with many a secret care her sturdy son be- side, As weepingly she murmurs, "Jim, my boy, my darling pride !" XIV. The throng is hushed an' tearful as he tenders one caress With a pause of dear affection which but silence can express ; RHYMES OF FRIENDSHIP 99 ''Brother Jake, behold our mother, go, keep up the Httle farm, May Heaven's smile be o'er you to protect you from all harm/' ^ jji ^ ^ :{? ^ XV. Jim an' Jake wuz babies, twin brothers, don't ye know, Jake et an' slept an' grew but little Jim jest wouldn't grow; His ma tried soothin' syrup an' other medicine, Yet Jim seemed sot on stayin' a leetle crumped-up tw^in. LOfC K<3 K<3 SEP 4 1907 '^m LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 015 898 936