HE CITADEL OF THOUGi BY MARY EVELINE PARKHOIST I Class / cJ cSSS/ -/ CoRyrigtitN^. /,7 i^ -/ CiyEaUGHT DEPOSIT. THE CITADEL OF THOUGHT BY Mary Eveline Parkhurst Published September, 1917 '«'^'r>>" \ COPYRIGHT, 1917 BY MARY EVELINE PARKHURST V. Blanche Bromlet LINOTYPE COMPOSITION COMPANY DAVENPORT, IOWA , Publisher / SEP k9 mi / >GI,A47H2S8 DEDICATED TO My Father: Waldo Parkhurst, Born at Milford, Mass. My Mother: Mrs. Lydia Emeline Russell Parkhurst, Born at Sodus Point, N. Y. My Brother: Milton Russell Parkhurst, Born at Le Claire, Iowa PREFACE The beautiful town of Le Claire, sheltered by the hills and washed by the waves of the Mississippi river was my birthplace. The yard surrounding our home was made a restful retreat by choice fruit trees, shrubbery and flowers of my mother's planting. Walking alone in this garden of beauty, watching the unfolding fruit and flowers, or sitting on the steps leading from the garden wall to the river, watching the fleeting clouds or bright stars reflected from the water; I would talk to my Creator and then I would talk to the trees, flowers and river; I would say, "Some day I will write a book and tell the beautiful thoughts whispered to me." Every breeze that sighed thru the trees or every wave that kissed the rocky shore was a voice speaking to me. Every sunbeam playing in the orchard or every silvery tread of a moonbeam was melody to me, and my heart was filled with gladness and joy as I walked alone dreaming and hopeful of that some day when I might write a book. PREFACE How I loved to be alone with God and His wonderful works. And then when I walked with the good people of the town how I loved them. They, too, were a part of God's creation. They were so kind and helpful and the most sacred spot to me on all the earth is my native town. There I was taught to love everybody — not their sins, but their souls. I said ''my book musi be sympathetic and radiant with hope." The bright rays of that ever-dawning some day har led me thru years of thinking and dreaming and nov I send "THE CITADEL OF THOUGHT" into th^ world trusting that its wisdom and cheer will fortify, inspire and brighten many lives. — M. E. P. Davenport, Iowa CONTENTS PAGE The Historic Elm ii Songs: The Brightest Gem of Earth . - . . .15 Man's Love 16 The Fisherman's Daughter 18 VllSCELLANEOUS: The Mothers of the Race 23 The Brave Youth 24 A Job 25 Life's Storms and Calms 26 The Dreams of Youth 28 Kindness 29 Payday 30 "Thou Shalt Not Kill" 31 Life is Vanity 32 Hatred 33 The World's Throbbing Heart ... 34 The Past 36 The Closing Day 37 CONTENTS PAGE Miscellaneous — Continued Service 38 Old Age 39 Thanksgiving 41 Rum's Power 43 That of Most Worth 45 Work, Pull and Push 47 Little Things 48 A Voice 49 My Bark 50 Man 51 Judge Not 51 A Moment of Time 52 Epigrams 53 The Rain Drops 54 The Mississippi River 55 The German Nation 58 THE CITADEL OF THOUGHT THE HISTORIC ELM AT LE CLAIRE, IOWA Whence came ye? Ye, broad sweeping elm Abiding in nature's realm; A graceful object of glory Whispering creation's story. It was seventy-five years or more In a calm and sweet day of yore A little sapling peeped from earth It was the first day of my birth. Oak and walnut trees were near-by Growing upward toward the sky; They looked at me in pure delight And sheltered me from human sight. Good men chose a steamboat landing Very near where I am standing The surveyor's searching eye Found me. He said, ''You must not die." Generous hands transplanted me In a line with another tree; But my companions, one by one, Passed away like the sinking sun. When civilization needs room Majestic trees must meet their doom. My green branches were cut away Then, I thought of my dying day. II THE HISTORIC ELM AT LE CLAIRE, IOWA But nature with a mother's care Healed my wounds with her skill most rare; My shadow measured large and round As it softly fell on the ground. Children clapping their hands in glee Exclaimed, *'What a wonderful tree!" I was an object of beauty Protected by civic duty. Then I knew my safety secure And thru the years I would endure. Scientist say that within self Are written laws of perfect health. Then it was my desire and will My Creator's laws to fulfill I'm growing round, wide and high As drifting years are passing by. My name glows on history's page The wonder of the present age. God planted me in fruitful soil I grew without effort or toil; Grew for my Creator's glory Whispering creation's story. 12 SONGS THE BRIGHTEST GEM OF EARTH The youth and the maiden must wed That is what the Creator said; When He made this green and fair earth And gave man his marvelous birth. Chorus: At thy feet I now throw my wealth With it I freely give myself; Love's song with the sweetest power Thrills my soul this very hour. In thy sweet and radiant face My fate I can lovingly trace; An honest heart I give to thee And wilt thou give the same to me? The brightest gem of all earth The gem of the most precious v/orth Is woman's love, true and pure, Thru all the ages to endure. 15 MAN'S LOVE Near the Mississippi's bank, grew an oak Where flowing waters o'er rugged rocks broke Into glowing beauty and dashing spray As the river rushed on a toilsome way; In a log cabin near the oak grown old Lived a fisherman brave and hunter bold The tender love of man for a brother Thrilled the depths of their souls for each other. Chorus: We are growing old, we are growing gray The mxoments are drifting, drifting away Like a fitful and sunny golden dream Adown life's flowing, rolling, sparkling stream; Some restful sweet day on the other shore, My brother, we will hunt and fish no more. Every good deed that on the earth is done W^ill be untold wealth at life's setting sun. To freely supply man's needs and man's wants They followed into nature's wildest haunts, Fish and game and fur to the rich they sold In the honest exchange for shining gold; The fisherman brave and the hunter bold Never forgot the hungry nor cold. Their life was like a sunny golden dream As they rocked on life's rolling sparkling stream. i6 MAN S LOVE Children's children of grandparents will tell The fisherman brave and the hunter bold fell In fierce battle; when one wintery day Wild beasts sought to carry a child away. The battle was won; but the fisherman brave And hunter bold, life for another gave. Now their lives like a sunny golden dream Glide upon the eternal sparkling stream. 17 THE FISHERMAN'S DAUGHTER Where the weeping willows grow And waters o'er pebbles flow On the Mississippi shore In years that have passed before; In a cabin trim and neat In quiet sheltered retreat At the edge of the water Lived a fisherman's daughter. Chorus: Is there a sailor for me Out upon the wide blue sea? Hasten on, drops of water Tell the fisherman's daughter; Shadows o'er my waiting soul In sorrow and sadness roll I'm growing old, growing gray Since my lover went away. Where the weeping willows grow And waters o'er pebbles flow Waiting the flight of years Thru the mist of falling tears At the edge of the water The fisherman's fair daughter Sits and sings, low, sweet and clear Waiting a message to hear. i8 THE FISHERMAN S DAUGHTER Hidden beneath the ocean's wave Is the gallant sailor's grave; To the fisherman's daughter Above the surging water A message tender and sweet Winds and waves could not repeat; And silence was unbroken And a message unspoken. 19 MISCELLANEOUS THE MOTHERS OF THE RACE The shadows were upon her face Her eyes were tearless and dull, She seemed as one in a dream From which she could not awake; She was one of the mothers Of the human race. Tvv'o sons kissed her at evening tide And went into the battle's red heat; "Mother," they said, "we willingly give our Hvcs; You give your brave sons It's service and sacrifice For our country's sake." After the battle fierce and long No sons came back to meet her No cheering voice greeted her Her heart was crushed and bleeding; Then, the shadows fell upon her face Her eyes were tearless and dull. She seemed as one in a dream From which she could not awake. The sufferings and mistakes of the race Fall heavily upon the mothers. Yet, the fire of patriotism ever burns At the altar of mother's love and devotion 23 THE MOTHERS OF THE RACE She giyes thru suffering and sacrifice Her sons; earth's most costly gifts. And a country's glory and protection Are the mothers of the human race. THE BRAVE YOUTH All honor and glory to the brave youth Who in the purity and strength of manhood Without a murmur, faces death In air or on sea or battle field For his country's glory and protection. The best in a nation's life Is quickly aroused When the war-cry sounds loud and clear; And the hour of need Is the hour of struggle And the hour of sacrifice Before the dawn of victory and safety. ANGEL'S FOOTSTEPS Angel's footsteps we can never trace If we willfully turn from God's face. 24 A JOB A most precious boon; Is plenty of room In the busy street For my plodding feet. A most precious gift And a mighty lift; To have sturdy health To earn daily wealth. The sweetest of all That comes at my call; Is a job most sure The dimes to secure. It's the idle man Disgraces his clan; Working with a smile Makes our life worth while. GOD'S POWER Every leaf, tree and flower Speaks of God's wonderful power At the great creative hour. 25 LIFE'S STORMS AND CALMS The day was glorious and bright Without a fleeting cloud in sight: The sun at the noontide hour Poured forth with radiant power Scorching and bleaching mother earth Like the fervent heat at her birth; Cattle and sheep pantingly lay Awaiting the close of the day When nightfall's quiet loving sweep Rocks mother earth to peaceful sleep; And quiet and rest calmly lay In the torrid tread of the day. Such are many lives on this earth Turmoil and discontent from birth. The scorching heat of daily life; The bitter, biting, cruel strife; The quick temper, the flashing eyes; The cutting retort that defies; Gives shattered nerves and broken wil That seeks to blight, destroy and kill Every purpose sublime and great That at all struggling lives await For Ambition's keen searching sight To follow Wisdom's glowing light. 26 LIFE S STORMS AND CALMS Listen, mortal contending man, Anchor your soul within the calm; Life like the summer day may run From the dawn to the sinking sun With cloudless sky aglow with hope Calmly measuring life's broad scope; Selfishness within the soul dies When mian gladly makes sacrifice; And at Duty's altar lays all At a fellow-man's pleading call. GOOD DEEDS The dewdrop sparkled in the morning light It was distilled under the shades of night; So deeds well done in the quiet hour Glow with radiant beauty and power In Eternity's brightly dawning day After the dark night of life drifts away. 27 THE DREAMS OF YOUTH The bright dreams of our youth Are clothed in rosy hue And sparkle as brightly As early morning dew. As swiftly passing years Drift from youth to old age And, then, in Hfe's dedine We read the written page; Of action heroic And the victories won From rising and sinking Of our life's glowing sun. The dreams of youth are traced Like a silvery thread Thru all the winding paths Of our life that we tread. As memory gives back The richly treasured store And youth and old age meet And dream them o'er and o'er. 28 KINDNESS A touch of kindness we will find In this bustling world of mankind. An unkind blow may be given By the keenest anger riven; A bitter word with a sharp edge May pierce to the soul like a wedge. Hope drooping, lies listless and sad Thinking the world cruel and mad. In crime there is a heaving sigh The keen critic cannot deny; The soul that commits crimie to-day Would gladly sweep that crime away Beyond thought and memory keen Into a dark realm unseen. And kindness walks with gentle tread Where human hearts have sinned and bled. HONESTY Honesty is a golden and secure road Where responsibility leaves a heavy load. 29 PAYDAY Hard knocks and a steady pull Make our lives complete and full; And the moments ring with cheer When payday comes tripping near. The man who is not a shirk And is cheerful at his work Sees many a shining ray At the bright dawn of payday. To m.other who toils for bread And by the world's bounty fed Payday is a blessed boon And never will come too soon. The youth with muscle and brain Seeking dizzy heights to gain Payday has magic power To cheer him on hour by hour. Payday with riches most rare Comes to those who do and dare Not always in shining gold But in values never told. 30 "THOU SHALT NOT KILL" 'Thou shalt not kill," down the ages Have loudly proclaimed seers and sages On History's written pages. "Thou shalt not kill," a brother man Who is created by God's plan Of your own or a neighbor's clan. "Thou shalt not kill" in vengeful ire To please satanic desire When the angry soul is on fire. "Thou shalt not kill" in battle's heat Where angels of peace find defeat And sad stories of war repeat. "Thou shalt not kill." Ye, warriors proud Won ye crown and shout of the crowd Except weaving the soldier's shroud? Oh mortal man! Vengance will fall At the Creator's sovereign call And give just reckoning to all, If, justice and eternal right Are trampled beneath boasted might In a sad and blood-guilty fight. 31 LIFE IS VANITY Someone whispers to me Life all is vanity; It flees as a summer cloud Life, each day weaves its own shroud. Someone whispers to me Life all is vanity; If our feet are, only, shod For the home beneath the sod. Someone whispers to me Life all is vanity; Unless a life good and pure Bids us thru time to endure. Someone whispers to me Life all is vanity; Unless we anchor our souls Where Eternity's tide rolls. Someone whispers to me Life all is vanity; Unless we look thru life's night Into Heaven's glowing light. Someone whispers to me Life all is vanity; Life is a school of discipline Teaching of the home without sin. 32 THE SHOALS Many voyagers sailing on life's stbrmy blue seas Have been wrecked on the shoals of indolende and ease. HATRED I searched into ancient lore I knocked at Wisdom's door I studied the human face Of every tribe and race; I weighed action keen and rude Without glow of gratitude; Then I asked a question plain The deepest knowledge to gain. Why races hate each other Like a jealous, mad brother? **Satan is playing his part In the wicked human heart." The angel of Mercy said As from the Bible he read. INDUSTRY Industry may be a royal road Leading to Prosperity's abode. 33 THE WORLD'S THROBBING HEART Some people are sighing Some people are crying Some people are dying. Many hearts are aching And with sorrow quaking And are nearly breaking. Life's mill ever grinds low Sifting out bitter woe Alike to friend and foe. The clouds gather at night Hiding the starry light From the weary, dull sight. Time's swift feet onward go Not tarrying to know The deepest notes of woe. Some will sing sweetest songs Knowing no ills nor wrongs Cheering the busy throngs. Some earthly paths have trod With sandals of peace shod Ever walking with God. 34 THE WORLD S THROBBING HEART Some live a life serene Sustained by the unseen And choicest treasures glean. Oh, frail and erring man! Of a most sinful clan Listen to this wise plan; Is life a desert drear Without hope, without cheer While mortals tarry here? 'Tis not the world around That gives the doleful sound In human hearts that resound, 'Tis within self that lay Joys that never decay Or sins that mar the day. If men were great and good And always understood The needs of brotherhood; A great and sublime age Would write History*s page In wisdom of the sage. 35 THE PAST The past has gone in rapid flight In the wake of day and of night; The shadows and sunshine had play In each fleeting and passing day; So grief, toil, anxiety and care Crushed many a soul in despair. Many drank in careless leisure From the sparkling cup of pleasure. "Gone forever," moans from the past Like a dying wintery blast; We do not hear the crushing tread Nor the sighing of hearts that bled. In Memory's castle most fair A soothing radiance dwells there; For choice pictures are on the wall That come from the past at our call. GOD'S SMILE I thought when a little child If the sun shone; God smiled. 36 THE CLOSING DAY I'm dreaming of days of yore With their golden treasured store When youth in beauty and power Enjoyed each passing hour. Days of rest and quiet have come And Ufe's fierce battle has been won; The glow of the sunset most fair Is more radiant and more rare Than youth's earliest morning bright Or the glare of the midday fight. 37 SERVICE It's busy people that keep the race In an incessant commercial pace; Hunting after the dollars and dimes In every country and all climes. Great merchant ships sail the ocean wide In an impatient race side by side; To secure from every foreign shore Food and clothing to bring to our door. Men dig into the caverns of the earth To find mines of richness and worth; That their coffers may with leap and bound Be filled with treasures from the ground. Men toil from dawn to the evening hour Thinking gaining wealth is gaining power; That they may climb the summit of fame And quickly carve an undying name. Oh, man! Pause at the threshold of the day Calmly consider life's winding way; Greed, gain, and selfish worldly power Is buried at the dying hour. That which will last and outshine the sun As your life's race you cautiously run; Is service for ''Humanity's good," That life's duties may be understood. 38 OLD AGE In the fading of the year The leaf is yellow and sear; The golden hues and the tints Give the most suggestive hints Summer is passing away Before the autumnal day. So life with the summer bright Drifts into the autumn's light; Life's radiant and rare day Is gently gliding away With its glowing, sinking sun Suggesting life's work is done. Each duty on earth well done Is a gem honestly won. Moments of righteous living And of unselfish giving Is the untold wealth in store When we reach the other shore. Old age is the harvest day When the good Master gives pay In expectation most keen Of the coming world unseen, And old age joyfully waits For the open, pearly gates. 39 OLD AGE Upon time's gleaming shore To be guided safely o'er The tide silent and drifting As clouds of life are lifting In the after glow of day Joyously passing away. WOMAN To be mother, wife, daughter and sister Is the fourfold earthly relation Of noble womanhood; Then the circle of her life is complete. MAN God gave man physical strength And endurance; When he loves and protects the weaker He is Godlike and lovable, The noblest of all God's creation. 40 THANKSGIVING **I am thankful," he said as he looked around With gratitude reverential and profound Upon his cheerful and happy children three Thru their parents harmonious decree To grow into Wisdom's clear, unerring ways A dehght in the parents declining days; And he gave each a loving fatherly kiss As he thought upon his peaceful home of bliss. "I am thankful," he said smiling at his wife His helpmeet in life's bitter and eager strife; "I carefully read in Proverbs Thirty-one What a virtuous and wise woman had done. And I hunted for the same measurement true When on the college ground I quickly found you; You were professor of domestic science Before our matrimonial alliance. "You knew how to build and furnish a home From the chimney-top to the foundation stone. You said that a woman's life should ever be Given to bring the world into harmony With lofty influence of civic beauty And potent demands of domestic duty. And that science was, only, a deeper view Of God's laws universal and ever true. 41 THANKSGIVING "You were waiting for a good husband like me To this you gladly and smilingly agree. In manual training and disciplined thought My ready hand and willing brain wrought; And toil, strict economy and the truth Has been my heritage from earliest youth. And when home is built on love and common-sense Then it will yield an abiding recompense. "And when woman with thought keen and tender Will most wisely and patiently remember If life's rugged, winding road she treads alone It is filled with many a thorn and sharp stone. Man and woman kindly helping each other May reclaim the fallen sister and brother; Then humanity will be taught new lessons And enjoy the Creator's greatest blessings." And he gave his patient wife a loving kiss As he pondered on his peaceful home of bliss. A. D. 1900 CLOUDS The brightest stars may be hidden from sight By the dense darkness of a cloudy night; So many choice blessings rich, rare and free By clouds of sin may be hidden from thee. 42 RUM'S POWER Four boys, pure as morning dew To early manhood quickly grew. The arena of business life With its ceaseless toil and its strife They entered. A throb of delight A spirit of strength and of might Actuated their mind and heart As they each chose a thrilling part In their hurried race for fame And unsullied and honest gain. Fancy's youthful and bright dream broke They soon to a stern fact awoke; Oppression and the wrong unite Ever against freedom and right Unjust power and sordid greed Is man's selfish and erring creed. Each found in life's shining pathway Temptation leading them astray. To one a rich syndicate large Was given to his care and charge. He distilled liquor to the shame Of his race and family name. Another one sold foaming beer Robbing homes of joyful cheer. The third in legislative hall At the keen liquor dealer's call 43 RUM S POWER To gain the political goal Bartered his purity of soul. The fourth in realms of thought Most glowing achievements wrought. And upward to an honest fame Ascended his popular name. He too, like his youthful friends three Was a victim to Rum's decree; In a dishonored drunkard's grave He sleeps, a poor deluded slave. Now voters, please tell if you can Who of the four was a free m.an? Two to gain the glittering gold Self to Satan unwisely sold. The third was a sly cunning knave The fourth was a deluded slave. Does not the Serpent of the Still Obey the Devil's stubborn will And find at fair Columbia's feet A safe and sheltered retreat? Voters, your God calls from on high Justice sends forth a wailing cry; Let your freedom have her sway Because you vote as you pray. A. D. 1900 44 THAT OF MOST WORTH An angel silently glided to earth To weigh that of the most value and worth; First he weighed the rainbow's tint and hue And then the sparkling, early morning dew The little drops of falling rain The golden and ripening grain The green grass creeping upon the hillside And drops of water on the rolling tide; Each one came at his loving bid and call And he smilingly weighed one and all. The angel went into the busy street Where the hurried men with men daily meet; He weighed care and toil, the sigh and the tear And the soul troubled with anguish and fear The bright gems of the rich and of the fair That pride and pomp and power ever wear. He searched for the coffers of shining gold For which man's life o'er and o'er has been sold; The angel turned away with a face sad There was naught in the street to make him glad. Then he saw a man of wealth and power Attuned to the burning thought of the hour Gently whisper into the waiting ear Of a suffering mortal standing near; 45 THAT OF MOST WORTH The angel listened "I love every man Of whatever tribe or whatever clan What I measure to others you can see Comes back in a double measure to me Sympathy for a neighbor and friend Is untold wealth to thee I gladly lend." Yes, sympathy that is of the most worth In all this beautiful and busy earth; It, only, wears the glitter and the glow Most glorious in the realm here below. And the angel softly touched his harp of gold And the melody back to Heaven rolled. GOD The greatest theme for lofty Speculation; The greatest theme to inspire Adoration; The greatest theme for restful Meditation; Is God. 1 46 WORK, PULL AND PUSH Work, work, work Do not shirk; Life is too eager a race Not to keep in a hurried pace. Pull, pull, pull Till life is full; Of brave action and of worth From the glad day of your birth. Push, push, push At the flaming bush; You*ll find like Moses of old A message better than gold. Work, push, pull every day Get and give all that you may; The reward honestly won Will come when life's work is done. A DREAM A dream of youth may be a persuasive power Directing mature action at a critical hour. 47 LITTLE THINGS It's little things day by day That yield full and ample pay In this life's shining pathway It's the little things done well That in the great count will tell And fears forever dispel. It's little things at the right time Will surely coin the nimble dime And give riches in any clime. It's little acts gentle and kind Oiling the ceaseless daily grind That will give joy and peace of mind. It's little steps to the castle of fame Where a glorious entrance you may claim If you have chiseled out a worthy name. CULTURE A pure heart actuated By sweet charity divine Is culture, without alloy, Most needed by all mankind. 48 A VOICE I hear a voice In the still and calm of night; It bids me make a choice Between the evil and right. I hear a voice Above the noise of the street; It bids me make a choice When erring men with men meet. I hear a voice Where life's ceaseless surges roll; It bids me make a choice For the welfare of my soul. "What is that voice In a clear melodious note Bids me make a choice?" ''God speaking," the angel wrote. MELODY The sweetest melody of all earth Is a little child's laughter and mirth. 49 MY BARK My little bark on the billows rock The passing storm with a sudden shock My courage and my bravery mock. So our life is like the ocean wide Whenever sorrows and ills betide Helplessly on the billows we ride. Our pilot will guide us safely o'er The restless tide and the breaker's roar To the safe and eternal shore. If by faith we see the guiding hand That wisely rules o'er sea and o'er land Gently pointing to the golden strand. ADVERSE WINDS The winds of adversity May wisely and kindly be The Heavenly Father's plan In dealing with erring man; To blow the chaff from the wheat And make life clean and complete. 50 MAN It was a thought, marvelous and great When God wisely planned man to create; To obey, to think, to act, to hope In eternity's enduring scope. With thought ever clear and action pure Thru an endless time to endure; As man's soul to the Creator's will Is linked in power and wisdom; till He Godlike courageous and brave A glittering highway he may pave Thru this life's stern and winding pathway To a victorious, joyful day; And scarred and masterful, he may stand Peer of any in his native land. JUDGE NOT Judge not an erring brother By the life of another. Eyes are ever keen and sharp While acting the critics part; Stop, and think, and slowly trace The evil in your own face. With charity sweet and kind Goodness in thy brother find. And with joy and patience sip From the cup of true friendship. 51 A MOMENT OF TIME A moment of time quickly onward goes Bringing to some joys, to others woes. It freely gives and takes without measure At its own selfish choice and sweet pleasure. It has hoarded wealth of silver and gold Opportunity and pleasure untold; Which will fall in its hurried and swift flight And will leave one man in a helpless plight And to a waiting and watching brother Give victory denied to the other. Oh time! Thou will not hear a pleading voice Thou, will not tarry at man's dearest choice; Man does not know the strange freaks of thy will Nor how time grinds patiently at the mill Of fate; teaching each man upon the earth That each moment has its value and worth. The troubled soul that feels the galling lash And with enduring power meets the clash Of unexpected events of this life In the hurried rush and fitful strife; Will wear a crown that this life is weaving As each man in action is achieving Something, that is worth thought and is worth power In life's most trying and testing hour. 52 A SAFEGUARD Perpetuity and continuity give womankind An abiding force of character; Woman moves with stately grace Worthy of herself Thru the ages of the world's history The mother, the safeguard of the human race. Her mission is to serve In any sphere of activity Wherever human sufferings and needs are known Her keen thought and mother's heart Make her a heroine under suffering and service; And the halo and glory of sacrifice crowns woman. HAPPINESS Happiness is a gem of rare beauty Found, only, in the clear stream of duty. LIBERTY Liberty, only, to do the right Is Freedom's supreme glory and might. 53 THE RAINDROPS Little drops of falling rain Tripping down the window pane Giving to the drooping leaf A needed and sweet relief; Watering our mother earth Since the day of early birth; Whisper to us precious rain Since to our earth you came Your mission to fulfill And to do the Master's will "Is cloudland so far away A good place in which to stay? And why did you ever roam So far from your lofty home?" "If I did not come to earth You would never know my worth; In my service here below I find my beauty and glow." The raindrop smilingly said Following the sunbeam's tread. And wore robes of mellow hue The purple, violet and blue. While the orange and the red Wove a bright crown for its head; It smiled from the rainbow bright A marvel to human sight. 54 THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER Majestic river flowing to the sea Your dearest secrets you never told me. When a child I walked your pebbly shore I told you my cherished dreams o'er and o'er. You never tarried in your restless sweep To tell the dark deeds of your waters deep. Many brave and wise explorers have said The veil of mystery hangs over your head. Undisturbed in your wildest career Onward you flowed without caution or fear; You leaped from hilltops to valleys below You crept underneath ice and over snow; Whirlpools and rapids foamed at your feet And sparkled and danced in hasty retreat While your clear waters over the rocks broke The rare beauty of the rainbow awoke. Upon your banks in the wilderness drear Lived the elk, white bear, buff'alo and deer; Monstrous fish sported in your waters blue While rare plants and choice fruits on your banks grew; The pine, oak, birch, poplar and elm Awoke to life in your ancient realm. Everywhere life was teeming and aglow Pulsating and throbbing with your onward flow. 55 THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER Grandeur of beauty in nature's estate Age upon age, must have been your playmate. The Indian came paddling his canoe In peace and war he made a friend of you; A bountiful feast before him you spread On fish, game, and fruit he fed. Civilized man did not tarry nor wait To divert the red man's impending fate. To possess the majestic flowing stream Was the white man's most selfish, golden dream. To gain sordid wealth and glittering fame To you, majestic river he laid claim. Your freedom and buoyancy and joy To civilization a mere toy Was lost. A nation bade you serve and wait While commerce stood knocking at your gate. And the cities cut your forests away Engineers wisely held your waves at bay And a channel deep has since been your pride As commerce thru your waters glide. Beautiful, cruel river, broad and deep Many lives you have rocked in death's cold sleep Neither moan nor sigh fell from your waves As your victims sank to watery graves; 56 THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER Onward in peace, light hearted and gay They merrily glided on their way. Your varied moods under the sunlight's glow As you seek for the Gulf of Mexico Give you a charm, a beauty and a grace That the keen human eye delights to trace; You lie so peaceful and quiet and still In slumbering repose, sweet and tranquil; Then the dark clouds gather in the blue sky A battle between wind and waves is nigh; The artillery of the storm sounded And the mad wind from its lair bounded Lashing your waves in its fury, it fled. You rolled whitecapped and laughing in its tread. A rich inheritance belongs to you; Gratitude to your source is ever due For giving you volume, worth and power A never-ceasing supply, hour by hour. Majestic, beautiful and graceful stream I now catch a radiant future gleam Of your usefulness and power and sway As coming ages swiftly pass away. Nations of the earth will rise and will fall You will obey their bidding and their call; To serve, is your mission great and sublime While you abide under the sweep of time. 57 THE GERMAN NATION You were of the Aryan race History can clearly trace; You made the Romans quake and fear When they thought you were drawing near. You were large in physical size — Barbarians v/ith fierce blue eyes. Your women kept at your side As you roamed o'er the country wide. With cheers and shouts and a war song, Courageously they marched along. A priestess upon the altar laid Human victims; a debt to be paid For sin, to appease an angry God As thru the dense wilderness you trod. There was fighting blood in your veins As you made known your claims; You demanded territory Where your tribes in safety might stay. For eighteen centuries they say Your great and good men sought a way To bring your tribes into peace And from bitter war find release; And give freedom to every man Who was born in the ''fodder" land. 58 THE GERMAN NATION On history you left your mark — Your footsteps were heavy and dark; Six hundred years with Roman power You fought till her dying hour; Your wars left you in sorry plight — You found nothing to do but fight. Your own tribes could not agree — Too many wished to rule, you see; You were the wonder of the race As you swung into your place Into an united nation Cemented by blood relation. When Bismarck with an iron hand Brought trained soldiers to his command, Military rule was your goal; For it, you gave freedom of soul. Since the year eighteen-forty-nine You have been coming into line With other nations of the earth — Making known your value and worth. Prosperity's generous hand Scattered blessings o'er your land, But your ancient habit to rule, Taught in your military school, Gave to you boasted pride and force And war seemed to be your only course. 59 THE GERMAN NATION You seek territory today As in ages long passed away. Thru the fighting blood in your veins You proudly demand unjust claims. Proud tyrannical Germany! The good people know your dark evil way To bring terror to the nations And break their peaceful relations; To bring the world to your feet Through your tricks and cunning deceit. Freedom has sent forth her clear voice Bidding nations to make a choice. Between oppression and stern might Or freedom and abiding right. The rich blood of your nation's dead By which this sad war has been fed Sends forth a bitter moaning wail Asking that justice may prevail. Human suffering in dismay Scoffs at your lack of charity While stern vengeance is crouching nigh The German nation to defy. A nation's character must be Shaped by the rules of integrity. 60 THE GERMAN NATION Her words in truth must be spoken And ever remain unbroken. Thou proud and boastful Germany! You are seeking for victory? Victory to abide thru time Is a heroic stroke sublime. Listen to a prophetic voice And make a rich and rare choice; Let oppression's yoke be broken And glad words of freedom spoken; Let freedom's banner be unfurled O'er your own land and the wide world. Then Germany will proudly rise Thru suffering and sacrifice, A free and wiser nation, Cherishing peaceful relation With all her neighbors far and near. Dispelling jealousy and fear. Regenerated Germany! Freedom is your victory. July i8, 1917. 61