y -"'y^^y , 'S 3515 .04873 18 L898 ^opy 1 /I y// .#^ r/. -^-^^ %. ^y 1^ ^ m 2 tb99 MY EARLY RANDOM HITS ....OR.... ik STORIES ls POETRY ^5 PROSE" W. WALKER HANNA, M.A., Esq, OF THE PHILADELPHIA BAR A Booklet containing my first ongina ventures n English Literature, and now offered in the hope that may prove acceptable to "young people" if not to their elders PHIIvADEIvPHIA Prbss of George Dukes 1020 Arch Street 1898 ff 22191 Copyright by W. Walker Hanna, 1898 im 2 - rw lot' J U CONTENTS. PAGE Converted Anew i Our Corporation 13 Which Chose the Best — (Poetry) 13 The Sabbath— (Poetry) 19 True Source of Contentment — (Poetry) 20 The Federalist's Reward — (Poetry) 20 Paths That I,ead Away -(Poetry) 21 Mother Mine— (Poetry) 22 Monopoly vs. TrAth — (Poetry) * * 23 Municipal Reform from an Educational vStandpoint . . 24 Woman's Rights. Sic semper tyrranis 29 A Wonderful Discovery — (An Abstract from " Glasgow Herald ") 32 On the Selection of a Vocation 34 Political Freedom in America 35 A Great Problem 37 The Doomed Ship — (Poetry) 41 The Old Oak's End— (Poetry) 42 The Old Year's Departure — (Poetry j 43 Lights Out— (Poetry) 43 Ambition — (Poetry) 44 The Exile— (Poetry) 44 To a Friend— (Poetry) 45 Philanthropy's Query — (Poetry) 45 To Find Heaven— (Poetry) 46 The Mystic Few — (A modern Satire) 47 Changes, or "An Experience " 55 The Youngsters' Cruise (A sea yarn) 71 Dedicated to My relatives the nearest, — My closest friends and dearest. conv:ert:ed anbw. In the little village of K , in the western part of the State of Pennsylvania, at the house of one of its most prominent, wealthy and distinguished citizens, a little party of young people had met together to enjoy themselves, as only socially in- clined young people can. What made it all the more pleasant, for each and every one of them, was the fact that although young in years, they were all old acquaintances, all about the same age, eighteen to twenty years or thereabouts (not much over, at any rate), and all members of the little village church, which, at no great distance, reared its pointed spire towards the sky. With but one excep- tion, perhaps, all of the young people were> as regards their prospects in life, comparatively well- to-do, their parents being the happy possessors of rich, well situated, well paying farms. Of these last, none extended over as many broad acres or had, in general, a richer soil than that of Judge Latrobe, in whose large, roomy mansion, as we have already observed, so many bright, happy faces were assembled. Well might his only daughter, Elizabeth, feel a just pride in the old house and its noble surround- ings. Full of light-hearted joy, and like some fairy sprite almost, every movement graceful and harmonious, she had moved among her guests with that proper and becoming dignity which bespoke a superior intelligence and refinement. Elegant as were some of the rich adornments which embellished the family mansion, or which sparkled from her person, more elegant, more hand- some, more attractive was the light, lithe, supple form of the beautiful, fair-complexioned young lady who presided therein. Now, as she stood in the hall-way, wishing a " Good-night " to the last of her visitors — a young man of quiet, courtly bearing — some such thought must have flitted through his mind, for, pausing a moment, before he left the door-way, he took her hand, which was extended towards him, kissed it, and was gone. Hastening down the gravel walk, out through the shrubbery, he finally entered a sweet-scented, glori- ous avenue of old pines. Here he overtook two of his former associates, who somewhat leisurely were pursuing their homeward way. " What ! Harvey Hale ! " they both exclaimed, upon his coming up to them. "How pale you look ! What in the world ails you, man ? Hast seen a ghost — a spirit ? ' ' inquires David Dunstan , the elder of the two. "Yes," responded Harvey, gloomily, "a spirit that will send me, heaven knows whither ! " ''Why, man, you are beside yourself to-night," responded the younger of the two — Dick Darleigh. " Your eyes must have been bewitched by this one evening's unaccustomed splendor ! ' ' Just here, it seems but right to remark, that Harvey Hale, though as well educated and as well informed and gifted as either of his two com- panions, was, however, in his worldly prospects, their inferior. Lured on, perhaps, by the small salary attached to the position, he had, only a brief two years before this, accepted the post of village schoolmaster. By virtue of this capacity, he had made the acquaint- ance of some of the best people of the place, among others, as we have seen, of Judge Latrobe and his charming daughter. Good, genial, old Doctor Harris, the rector of the little village church to which we have already in the course of our narrative alluded, thought highly of the young man, knowing just enough concerning his previous career to be well convinced of the fault- less integrity of his past life . One circumstance alone puzzled the good old Doctor, and, to a certain extent, prevented that free cordiality which might otherwise have existed between them — Harvey Hale was a a cynic. Even in his religious tenets there were traces of a sarcastic, satirical disposition that seemed to wither whatever his fancy touched, leaving always the impression that a geyser does — of some pent-up, violent, threatening force within. What might have produced this sourness, this bitterness, which like some underlying strata was ever ready to come to the surface on the slightest disturbance, was ever the question in the little community. And, although a church member, yet that fact hardly served to screen him from the often expressed suspicion, that one seemingly so indifferent to religious persuasion must be a disguised agnostic. Ah, well ! Each heart knows its own bitterness, and there are some natures, which, although pure and blameless, have been so misjudged and mis- represented, or have met with so many reverses at the outset of life, that they can take but little pleasure in thoughts or things mundane or com- mon : and happy is he who escapes the symptoms of mental and intellectual apathy which so invari- ably follow. Of such a nature was Harvey Hale, and liable to just such a tendency. His early training had been sound and good, and being of a sober, intelligent, inquiring state of mind, he was readily attracted by a religious atmosphere. This continued until his seventeenth year, when, his father having met with reverses in business, the family was plunged into poverty, and thus early in his career he began to be hampered and oppressed by a situation indefinably uncongenial. Having found it incumbent upon him to act his part, and college being out of the question, he had nobly relinquished the meditated study of a profes- sion and had sought instead means of obtaining a livelihood. For some time his exertions in this direction were unrewarded, and he was doomed to disappointment and defeat, suffering untold mortifi- cation from each heartless rejection. Feeling the poignancy of his position, less on his own than on the family account, for he was now the main support of the little home, his sensitive nature at length yielded and he rapidly grew iras- cible and irritable, and finally, almost desperate. Well was it for him, at this juncture, that he obtained an appointment as schoolmaster in the little village of K before mentioned, in which position, as we have already observed, a character beyond reproach and an unblemished reputation enabled him to exercise a certain amount of influ- ence of an active, potential kind. This, too, made his company always desirable, and hence the invita- tion to the social gathering from which he was now, returning. Reaching a turn in the road, his two companions took one path, while he, his spirits somewhat restored by their badinage, took the other, a path- way leading through a dense wood, this being the shortest cut to the humble dwelling a part of which was appropriated to his use. Coming soon in sight of the ruddy light which shone out upon the blackness from its little nook, near the window of his room. He pondered awhile, as if to study the scene, then went forward abruptly, and with a char- acteristic air of determination opened the door and disappeared within. CHAPTER II. A GREAT ocean steamship, under a full head of steam, is rushing along over the bosom of the mighty deep, over that route which usually carries the ordinary tourist from America to Europe — New York via Liverpool. The weather being rather rough, with a high sea running and w4th every prospect of a storm, her passengers, consulting their own safety, comfort and convenience, are mostly below deck. Two or three young-looking men alone excepted — these prompted, perhaps, by the foolhardy exuberance of youth — endeavor to keep their sea-legs moving with their accustomed dignity, but alas ! with poor success. Away towards the bow, one of these last, muffled up to the chin in a large grey ulster, stood watching the white-capped waves as they broke against the sides of the huge vessel, sprinkling not only the deck, but also his person with the light, foamy spray. Another individual, now advancing, drew the latter 's attention. '' Charley Seldon ! You here, too ! " he ex- claimed, a moment later. "Harvey Hale! as I'm alive!" rejoined the other, finding himself thus addressed by the quon- dam stranger. " The same ! And now, pray tell me what has induced my old school-chum to take this trip ? " *' Business, my dear fellow, business. Nothing more or less," responded the other — Charley Sel- don — to this rather inquisitive remark. "And now," continued he, imitating Harvey Hale's tone and quizzical stare, " what brings you here ? " "Oh, business, I believe; same object as your- self," replied Harvey. " Do tell ! What kind of business, if I may be so bold?" ** To enter public service." ' * Ah ! Have your friends at Washington re- warded you ? ' ' ** In what way, may I ask ? " "Why, in securing you a diplomatic appoint- ment, to be sure ! " " Really, my dear sir, you do mistake me alto- gether. I have no friends who would, to that extent, interest themselves in me. Besides, it is the military service of Great Britain that I am about to enter. ' ' " You amaze me ! What ! going to exchange the freedom of a Republic for the tyranny of despotism ? ' ' " I am going from what has been to me the country of oppression — the country of blasted hopes — to the one which, if nothing else, is the country of bold, chivalrous sentiment ; and as my ancestors valiantly fought for the flag of Old Eng- land, I see not why their descendant should not live or die under its folds." 8 "Noble inspiration, young man!" exclaimed Charley Seldon. '* But remember," he continued, ' ' that you were born an American ! ' ' ''True, very true," replied Harvey, wincing slightly ; " but my father was born an Englishman, and now my parents, being dead, and my remaining relatives all English, there remains nothing to attract me any longer towards the somewhat super- ficial civilization of the country I have left. In consequence, I have decided to throw in my lot with a people whose history is my history, and whose aims are not always as mercenary as those of the average American." *' But look at the education which you have received," interrupted Charley Seldon. ' ' What is that without opportunity ? ' ' " Well, but look at American enterprise," ob- served Charley, rather warmly. *' For that I care little. Great Britain will just as surely reap the benefit of it, whenever it is not what it seems to symbolize — American fraud.*' *' But consider," expostulated Charley, "what opportunities may be found on the Western Con- tinent by those who have only to avail themselves of them. Witness, moreover, the great number of men of low station and of humble birth, who, through perseverance, have become successful and famous." " Pshaw ! the same thing may be said of many on the other side ; but listen : How many men are there in the country which we have left over whose ashes the world will weep? Few, I expect. Where, again, are your men of decided convictions, of honest purpose, of sympathetic soul ? " *' We have many such." ** Well," continued Harvey, reflectively, " I, at least, have failed to meet them." " As to that," Charley Seldon observed candidly, " I see you are to have the best of the argument, though I fear you are sadly prejudiced upon the entire subject." *• Shake!" said Harvey, extending his hand. *' I am glad, at all events, to meet with one who is of honest mind, and I shall hold you an exception to the general rule . ' ' The rough weather having somewhat abated, and the bell having rung for dinner, the two friends, arm in arm, went down to partake thereof. CHAPTER III. Right here it seems necessary to make some slight explanation of Harvey Hale's somewhat singular conduct and utterances. As the reader will remember, we left him in the little village of K , if not wealthy, at least outwardly con- tented. But a change came. Falling in love with the Judge's daughter, he forfeited the Judge's esteem, and although his conduct had been through- out quite honorable and correct in every particular, yet this sufficed — this so-called offence — to cost him his position. Unfortunately, his parents having both died shortly before this, he found himself lO alone in the world without resources, and not obtain- ing another situation readily he became despondent, and the natural tendency of his mind being of a morbid character, he had gradually arrived at the not uncommon but erroneous conclusion that a change of climate and of country was necessary. Thus, we can understand how a suspicious imagination, dwell- ing upon fancied grievances, would suggest his forego- ing utterances, and how also it had prompted the wild, if not desperate purpose, which he had in mind. With this brief explanation let us proceed. ^j* ^J^ ?j^ •^ ?j^ 5j^ A day of intense, oppressive heat, but almost over now, the scorching sun no longer darts its fiery rays upon the lig^ht, sandy Egj^ptian soil. To the English army, engaged in a campaign against El Mahdi, the false prophet, the day has been one of wearisome fatigue — of necessary vigi- lance, of dangerous rencontre and hard- fought battle. Horde after horde of fierce, fanatical Arabs had in vain endeavored to break through the British lines, but how futile their ill-starred devotion to Mahomet, their enthusiastic zeal in behalf of the pretender ! Against the steady, unflinching heroism of Great Britain, and the more convincing aim of well-trained rifles, it had availed nothing. True, the army of occupation could not boast that it had suffered no loss, for there were those stretched upon the ground who would rise no more to unite in earth's conflicts. II At least, one brave officer of high rank, would lead his men no more to battle with the foe. L3^ing upon the field, he held in his death -grip the neck of the Arab warrior whose javelin had pierced his vitals. Each courageous to the last, had died true to his respective faith, the one to be mourned and remembered by a grateful nation, and the other to be, perhaps, even forgotten by his former associates. The enemy had, of course, suffered the most severely; yet, here and there, could be found the red-coat of loyalty, to prove that the hard-won victory had required a bloody sacrifice. The troops were now engaged in burying the dead ; the medical staff, in caring for the wounded. Entering the hospital tent, in front of which floated the British ensign, an old veteran, with grey locks, wearing a colonel's uniform, approached the couch or cot of one whose days were evidently numbered. Minus an arm and severely wounded from several sabre slashes across the body, lay a young man in the very bloom of early manhood. There was, notwithstanding the contracted brow, which bespoke pain and suffering, a look of intense anguish, an appearance of absolute despair, "Young man," said the Colonel, **a letter to you, from some friend in America, having just arrived by post, I have concluded it best to read to you its contents, while consciousness yet remains, in order that some consolation may be administered unto you ere all is over. Bravely you 12 fought in this day's fight, and well do you wear the shoulder-straps conferred upon you of a lieutenant in Her Majesty's Foot. Now for the letter, which is as follows : " ' K , County of , Pa. " ' My Dear Harvey : How could you be so cruel as to leave us as you did ; the village misses you greatly, and the old Rector has never recovered from the shock, which shows, notwithstanding your opinion, that he did think something of you. I do believe he regarded you almost as highly as I did. Through Charles Seldon, an acquaintance of mine, who has lately retured from Europe, I learned for the first time of your whereabouts. Pardon this brief epistle, if it gives offence, but return, for my sake, to the village. Leave war and its horrors ; my hand, which trem- bles much at the thought of your danger, again desires to join with yours in friendship and in love. " ' Sincerely yours, " ' EUZABETH LaTROBE. " 'P.S. — My father has lately deceased, so I am left in this cold, unsympathetic world alone.' "Harvey Hale," continued the Colonel, when he had finished the reading of the letter, "your experience of life, I judge from this, has been a very bitter one, and but for me, who happened a short time ago to discover a distant relationship, might have been far worse. Here, however, it appears is one, a young lady, who cherishes for a distant friend a still warm attachment and sincere regard. Can you now say, as I have heard you frequently maintain of late, with so much stubbornness, that selfishness is in all mankind supreme, and applied Christianity, in most cases, a failure ? " 13 " No ! " said Harvey, feebly ; " frankly, I can- not ! This one letter from my truest and best valued earthly friend has indeed converted me anew ! This sermon on love proves me most sel- fish ! Write to her, please, and inform her of my state. Tell her I'm sorry that we shall meet no more on earth, but that I die a whole-souled and not an indifferent Christian, hoping to meet her above ! And now. Colonel, I thank you for your kindness in befriending me. Your kindness, your friendship and this letter have wrought the change. May the Gospel of I^ove be made more practical ! The Surgeon comes ! Good-night ! " **OUR CORPORATION.' We had met together, at least some of our circle had, to form a Society which should have, with various beneficial features, a fund (either large or small) to be loaned at interest to needy members on good or fair security. Not that we had, before this, resolved to become needy in order that we might take advantage of others' bounty (as tramps do), but, then, when it was understood all round that " Barkis," that is to say, '' Uncle Jimmy," the man of means in the estimation of our little village community, "was willin'," of course everybody felt like joining, except, perhaps, the croakers. who are never found joining anything that they cannot immediately see through, and who, canny folk that they are, know nothing presumably of adversity at all. Let me see ! There was Hodge, to be sure, who had just married, and fancying himself somebody, not realizing his own utter insignificance and inca- pacity, was after the secretaryship ; that is, if Simpkins, the real estate broker, whose indefatiga- ble industry and perseverance in selling lots, war- ranted to prove gold mines, had made Scrub-town a " place," would only permit it. There was Snobs, the banker, whom everybody felt should be the treasurer, because, while he owed nobody anything, everybody owed him some- thing — if not money, at least the outward homage and respect which any society, however savage, always pays to * ' brass and sand ' ' when well mixed. Then, there was another, a young duck or cove — Sam Slinger by name — who had become by some " hocus pocus " a barrister or solicitor, and who, by reason of his proclivities for those ' ' dark mys- teries " known as statutes and decisions of law, it was broadly hinted, was a man who could readily give us a name, a charter and a legal existence. This, indeed, he did do, and then charged a fee later, which almost deprived us of existence, before we saved the treasury, by compromising with him at fifty cents on the dollar and costs, and so, meta- phorically speaking, saved " Rome," that is to say, *' Our Corporation." 15 However, the meeting was soon called to order, and " Uncle Jimmy," whose knowledge of any subject was extremely limited, was in due course elected president, that he might make the fine speeches which were to boom things and benefit ourselves ; and that he might be induced to regard it as a sort of family affair, ** Little Billie," as we called him — a chap who was entirely under the thumb of the aforesaid president — was elected sec- retary, with this unforeseen result, alas ! that at a subsequent meeting he must needs propose, as a co-worker or assistant, old Hodge, who, knowing on which side his bread was buttered, by his recent marriage had allied himself, in some way or other, with "Uncle Jimmy's" family with a view, no doubt, to future possibilities and to the achievement of his pet ambition — to become secretary of some- thing. And so we organized, with a board of managers or directors, which included almost every- one, rational or irrational, whom we had brought into the project. Perhaps it would interest you, good people, who peruse this, to know how our society progressed. As I was a member but for one year, and at its close had learned so much about association methods, corporate profits, etc., that I fully believed myself competent to write a text-book on the sub- ject, it may now well be doubted whether I am competent to write even this little epistle, as there are "others " in the concern yet, who, with addi- tional years to their credit, should have a wider experience and be, therefore, wiser than myself. i6 To proceed, nevertheless, the first incident of any importance which took place occurred soon aften\'ards, at the next regular meeting, when Sam Slinger (the solicitor) arose to say, '* that he had just handed a little bill to the secretary for some service rendered." Immediately the fun com- menced. It was moved that the bill be not paid ; " that no bills be paid, but that they be laid upon the table. ' ' Here Sam interposed to inquire whether the document, which he had drawn up and for which payment was desired, would be wanted that evening, as he had almost concluded to return it to his pocket, seeing how his little bill had fared. I need not add that this poser opportunely settled the matter in his favor, and in favor of that higher education which is now entering so much into our daily comprehen- sion, and which by some is denominated shrewd cunning, and by others sound common sense. Well, "Be not wise above what is written," for verily the day of reckoning came suddenly upon Sam Slinger. He had, it is true, done much to advance the interests of Our Corporation and to make it a success from the start, although he had not, unfortunately, succeeded in ingratiating himself into the favor of Hodge, whose favorite motion to lay on the table he had so signally defeated. So that when " Uncle Jimmy," the president, set out for Europe, to be gone six months or more, we had a premonition, or rather guessed, there would be much in store for us, and we were not disappointed. Hodge, now a mortal enemy of Slinger 's, insisted 17 that he had now become president, though by what means he was delegated to act as such none knew, or could give a reason. Slinger warned him — it was no use. Little Billie argued with him — to no purpose. He either would not or could not be con- vinced that he was not president. Of course, I sided with the majority, for I love peace, if it is to be had at any price, and it was moreover a numerous party who followed * * Uncle Jimmy ' ' and had now come to look upon Hodge as his prime minister. One thing is certain — that at that time, with the aid of little Billie (who had resigned as secretary), he was decidedly the ruling spirit. And here we come to the grand finale — Slinger resigned. He said ' * he knew law, ' ' where- upon Hodge replied that he knew something better — ** his fists ;" and so the little affair ended. When * ' Uncle Jimmy ' ' returned, he was put into possession of all the facts of the usurpation at once, but with a good grace declared good- humoredly that Hodge was the president, as much so as he was his son-in-law ; that he would see that he was regarded as such, and that a solicitor was always in the way and was therefore unnecessary. Whether this was so or not I will not pretend to say. I can only add that being somewhat staggered at the manner by which this knotty point was set- tled, I withdrew from the Corporation, with a net gain of ten cents upon my investment for the year. I do not know whether the treasurer has left as yet for Canada, but I do know that some of the members are fearful lest with so many who have departed for other scenes, he, too, may vanish from view. As I have been informed since that there is not now anything remaining in the treasury, most of the funds having been expended upon expensive law suits, there is nothing to make away with, and I will still pin my faith to Snobs, the banker, who never had but one share in the concern , and whose only fault, if any, was that he with myself attended the first meeting, and with me became a charter member. WHICH CHOS:i5 THB BEST ? As published in the Presbyterian Journal, June 5th, 1890, The rich man proudly made his boast. More gold shall yet my coffers fill ; The grain, which now my storehouse bursts, Must be. confined more closely still. My slaves shall build me greater barns, I'll tempt them, while I try their skill, And for my soul which restless is, Shall all things be, just as I will. The poor man murmured at the gate : I'm pick, heart-broken, soon mvist die, The dogs have pity, give me bread ! The crumbs ! the crumbs I Don't pass me by. The rich man noticed, turned away With angry look and hardened heart ; His servant threw the offal out, With hidden look and hasty start. 19 That night, a mob of desperate men With rage assailed the rich mau's door, The fainting beggar crushed to death ; Cared they for nothing human more, Two souls, beyond the grave are met, One by redeemed hosts made glad. The other in a fiery lyake, By anguish tortured, almost mad. What need to say, which chose the best, Which won the diadem, the crown ! The rich man's wealth was fickle, false, Into the abyss, cast him down. Where now, the glory, once his own ! Where now, the heedless, haughty boast ! The one has fled, the other waits The condemnation uttermost. th:]^ sabbath. As published in the Presbyterian Journal, July loth, 1890. Sweet Sabbath, God's own holy day Yet wisely made for man ; How oft descends the heavenly ray. To cheer life's weary span. How often, when by ill distressed. Doth aid and succor come Upon the day that God hath blessed — One out of seven's sum. Let us observe it then, with care As doth the Lord command. Of idleness, of sin beware. Let labor none demand. Take heed and study Nature's law. The wondrous love divine. Be taught of tlim, who bids us pause, To light the inner shrine. 20 TRU^ SOURCE OF CONTENTMENT. Published in The Daily News of Philadelphia, January 9th. 1886. (Somewhat revised.) 'Tis not the wealth of millions, That bringeth peace of niiud, The rich at times, with cares perplexed, No happiness can find. Some strive, on field of battle. To win e'erlasting fame ; But, when at last the goal is reached, 'Tis found an empty name. Even the king upon his throne, While low his subjects kneel, With cares of state, sore overwhelmed, No joy of heart can feel. Happy the man, whose lot is cast. Where he may useful be, Whose character is such that love Doth blend with piety. THE FEDERAI^IST'S REWARD. As published in The Philadelphia Inquirer^ July 16, 1888. You ask me why I feel so sad. This pleasant summer day ; While waving bough and nodding flower Rejoice so blithe and gay. While all in Nature is so glad, Why am I musing here. I grieve to think Rebellion's stain, Should once have cost so dear. 21 To think, what men of note and worth, The brave, the good, the true, We have been forced to sacrifice, Without the credit due. The foes that once confronted us, Have now become our friends. And hint that nothing must be said, For they have made amends. Our trophies of the triumphs won. They'd gladly set at naught, For each of these reminds them now Upon which side they fought. Should we obey presumptuous zeal^ To bring about accord ? No ! Let not now oblivion be The Federalist's reward. PATHS THAT I,:^AD AWAY. As published in Church Chimes of Philadelphia. Trudging along a country road one day, Between rich fields that for the reaper waiting lay, By many a clover patch and daisy gay, I came upon a point, from which did other paths lead far away. Dwelling in fondness on the sweet past fled, I lingered here awhile, e'er on niy wa}^ I sped, By Mem'ry 's minion being captive led, to scenes of long ago ; Thus musing, Life is like a dream I said. 22 We start, and all seems new, and bright, and gay ; Our friends in company, we haste along the way ; Chasing the shadows off that round us play. We heed not care the while, why should we know that paths do lead away. Till suddenly, and then we part for aye. And one goes this fair road, and one goes that some day, And each, almost alone, pursues his way, still plodding on, From where those other paths led friends away. But, though our journey now is oft times slow. Let's brighter make each path, as to the goal we go. Rejoicing, let us always good seed sow, that others after us may see What beauties we have left for them to know. MOTHl^R MIN^. To my mother, Mary A. Hanna, who passed peacefully away Decem- ber 3, 1895. (As published in the Presbyterian Journal ,) Gone from contact with Earth's sorrows : Gone from suff 'ring human ills : Pain and heartache, no To-morrow Brings to thee — so Heaven wills. Though I cannot now recall thee. Soars thy Soul in safe retreat ; May I hope that yon thy presence Watches by His mercy-seat. Waits to welcome, when His purpose Is to call Earth's wanderer Home, And the Mediator's pleadings Finds me shelter, ne'er to roam. 23 May my thoughts e'er travel upward, Visions of true glory see : As I tread this vale of darkness Missing most thy sympathy. May the God, whom we both worshiped, Keep me safely in his care : Till with thee, before Him serving, We meet midst joys beyond compare. Mother mine, the worst is over, Earth has parted from thy sight ; Rest thee in the Land of Beauty, Rest thee in His Love — His Light. MONOPOI/Y VS. TRUTH. The time had come for battle, with a ruthless, scornful foe. That threatened to devour Her, if she abroad should go ; Would Truth's banner be uplifted? Yes! All hail the glor- ious sight ! See ! It dawns upon the vision ! See ! It waves among the Right ! For a monster Corporation, with it's franchises ill-gained. Held at naught a great, free people, its own promises dis- dained ; Would have taxed all Earth's creation to the extremest bound, So that its hated magnates might grow rich and sleek and round. And, one of them, a tyrant was, a bitter, faithless man ; No renegade, no rascal, more traitor in the van ; Whose only aim and purpose was to make his coffers swell Till oppressions of the people should his banishment compel. 24 But Truth has donned her armor, her sword is bright and keen. She will make the false foe quiver, though e'er so base and mean. She will o'erthrow the mighty, she will cast the robbers out, She will end the turmoil quickly, hear the people vict'ry shout. Let Monopoly no longer gain sway or prospect here, Let the City own its railways, its water works, its piers ; Let the City be a City, not a ramble, shamble town, Owned by vicious speculators, unshamed by Virtue's frown. MUNICIPAI, RieFORM FROM AN ^DUCA- TIONAI< STANDPOINT. If there is any principle through which Municipal Reform can be accomplished, that principle, I am of opinion, will eventually be recognized to be educational in character. Given a permanent or- ganization of the right sort, with this as its work- ing basis, and results cannot but inevitably follow. Nearly all recent Municipal Reform movements in the city of Philadelphia have apparently over- looked the fact that the citizen must be properly educated up to the full measure of his civic respon- sibility before he can vote intelligently and from an adequate comprehension of what municipal issues involve. As the average citizen is usually but little swayed in his opinions by the stentorian oratory which proceeds from the public platform, owing to the fact that he must necessarily, in times like these, 25 question the motives of those who seek in this manner to influence his vote, some other means must now be found to influence his mind aright in behalf of safe and economical public measures, wise and expedient legislation or sound views of public policy. The public press, at one time relied on to give unbiased information and advice, has of late sig- nally failed to fulfill its mission in this respect, although it invariably throws much light upon the given subject. The Church holds itself aloof from politics from fear of contamination, although com- menting most severely upon existing tendencies and conditions. The universities and colleges teach sound doctrine to their students, it is true ; but there they stop. There is really no institution for educating the citizen and voter, as such, in connec- tion with any existing political party, nor am I at all certain that he would attend if there was one. As the unbiased views of those neighbors, with whose circumstances and prospects in life he is well acquainted, and with whose motives he can find no question, seldom fail to move a non-partisan tax- payer or citizen to cast his ballot aright, may we not take it for granted that associations of neigh- bors for political purposes upon an educational basis would be a good thing for the community at large. The University Extension idea is to carry education to the very doors of the people, who can ill afford to spare the time to go any distance to 26 obtain it. This idea of educating the people in their own neighborhoods could be tried with happy success in the field of politics. The question arises, however, would not the poli- ticians at once offer themselves as fit teachers and instructors, and thus no benefits be obtained ? This is true, and it must be forthwith admitted that some measure should be immediately adopted to keep this class, always rightly suspected, out of the movement. The suggestion is made, in order to show by illustration how all these ends can best be accomplished, that in each and every Election Division of the city of Philadelphia, if possible, true reform clubs, composed of the independent and non-partisan element, embracing men of all political parties, be formed, and that the following ten officers not place-holders or politicians in office be elected in connection therewith : a grand sachem and two sachems (constituting the chairman and committee upon political matters, one of whom shall preside during the debates, lectures, etc., in the club on such subjects as Local Option, Pro- hibition, High License, Single Tax, Referendum, Municipal Ownership, etc.), president, vice-presi- dent, treasurer, secretary, assistant secretary, debater (who shall select the subject for debate and open the subject by appointing affirmative and negative sides), and a grand sentinel (who shall act as door-keeper and as judge in conducting elections.) The meetings to be private or public, as previously determined upon, and where in any division there 27 . is not a sufficient number of men from all parties of independent views upon municipal questions, two or three or more Election Divisions to combine in originating and maintaining the club for the same. Not only could clubs founded upon this plan do a great deal towards disseminating useful knowl- edge, but they might also, should they see fit, influence the result for division officers at the primaries and polls in favor of some one or other of their members. And, to carry the plan further, suppose that each club in a ward sent a representa- tive, serving on its political committee, to a ward convention to consider candidates of political parties for office, with strict reference to reputation, record and fitness, would not some definite results be achieved, that will never be accomplished under existing conditions or by temporary, spasmodic effi^rts in behalf of individuals. By the moral influence which this balance of power organization would develop and exert, the existing political parties would be virtually compelled to select and nominate proper candidates. Again, each ward convention of club representatives might send a delegate from its number to a higher or municipal convention, or a municipal league, with a view of having the organization, as such, decide in favor of some one or other of the political candidates for office, or, if need be, in favor of an independent movement, thus facilitating the signing of nomina- tion papers, etc. 28 To prevent any club from being captured by the adherents of a political party dominated by some boss, on the eve of an election, it would be well to provide that the club increase by tens, and that not until more than half that number are on the wait- ing list shall the vote in reference thereto be taken. To insure that only those of good character join, applications for membership should go over until the next meeting. Thus, it seems to me, that if you effect a per- manent organization of this sort, having in mind the educational principle, you pave the way assur- edly for Reform Municipal, and for the presentation, from time to time, of what is really of value, by the respective upholders of Local Option, Pro- hibition, High License, Single Tax, Referendum, Municipal Ownership, etc. Instead of adherents of these doctrines discussing as segregated coteries their pet hobbies without result, the fashion very often in ecclesiastical matters ; they will then be in a position to exchange views with one another, and, if possible, make like converts and enthusiasts, while working with others for common results political. Education and permanent organization, of the right kind, must ever go hand in hand in bringing about needed reform. 29 WOMAN'S RIGHTS.— (Sic Semper Tyranus.) Once in the lapse of ages past there lived a man whose name was Adam, and singular though it may seem, there was not a woman on the face of the globe, nor ever had been. Finding that by a spe- cial act of Providence he had been created and that he was alone upon the earth, in accordance with the Divine will, he took the title of sovereign over the inferior creatures, nor was this at all sin- gular since they readily and willingly submitted to him. For quite a time he ruled wisely and well, possessing and exercising the executive, legislative and judicial powers without dispute. But finally, becoming discontented with his lonesome lot (as we sturmise) a woman was sent to him. Now did his troubles commence, for although he retained the ac- tual government as before, yet the woman being in- sinuatingly artful by reason of her beauty, often ob- tained her own objects and aims. Unhappily, on one such occasion, having obeyed her instructions and set the Divine authority at defiance, it cost him almost the absolute annihilation of his power and dominion, reducing him to poverty and wretched- ness and releasing creation from obedience to him, though not completely. Can we wonder that woman through the long ages that ensued lost many of her natural and civil rights. However, in the last quarter of the Nine- teenth Century, we are again called to promote the woman above the man, for that is practicallj^ what 30 this talk about the elevation of woman amounts to. Let us endeavor by facts to show that such is the case. What is now demanded ? Woman's Rights. Now let us consider the nature of these rights. It is, of course, to be presumed that they do not desire to lose any of the rights, common or special, which they have acquired or do now enjoy. Let us look, for instance, at the employments which woman's labor controls, teaching, sewing, dressmaking, mil- linery, fancy work, etc. It must not for one instant be supposed that by Woman's Rights is meant the opening up or surrender of these avenues of employ- ment to men. The agitators on this subject may say so, but you will find that women as a class think and act differently. Let us look again at some of the civil rights to which women under the law are entitled. For instance, there is the right of alimony, by and through which she may compel her husband to contribute to her support. The right of owning and controlling property, with spe- cial exemptions in her favor. By Woman's Rights is not meant the yielding of these rights, that all may enjoy life in common ; no, far from it. What then are the powers which they desire ? Briefly enumerated they are these : The right to enter into those employments and professions from which hitherto they have been debarred, and in which men have labored ; to become lawyers, doctors, minis- ters, masons and in all likelihood bricklayers and carpenters, just as their inclinations direct ; the right to representation in the government and to 31 participation in its control without being obliged to perform all the duties of citizenship, that is, they would control the Government while the men up- hold it. Many other principles that they insist upon might be mentioned here, but as these are mostly subordi- nate, it will not be necessary to mention them at present. Let us now consider, in conclusion, whether there is anything dishonorable about woman's present condition and whether circumstances are such as to warrant such a radical change in the course of human affairs as is desired. Are the employments open to woman so crowded that they must neces- sarily enter those of men ? I have never heard it stated that such is the case. Again, supposing that women were admitted into the vocations pursued by men, does it follow as a general consequence that they would all be benefited thereby ? I am inclined to doubt such an assertion. Granted that women be allowed to enter those departments from which they have been shut out, what must necessarily fol- low as a result of an over abundant labor supply ? A decrease of wages. Of one thing we may be tol- erably certain in such a case, and that is, that women, being able to live cheaper, having generally no families to support, will eventually control the labor market. Nor will men only feel the hardship of this. Married women will then, too late, see the error that has been made. And now as to the fit- 32 ness of women for legislators, history, that science of the past, furnishes us with no clear precedent. Man has always been considered as the one born to rule. He has in all ages and from all time been the legislator and the defender, being called on at times even to shed his blood for the government ; and should he not have the principal share in its direc- tion ? Woman has a sphere of her own in which to gain glory and renown. Let her devote herself to those fields in which she is indispensable. Let her make the world happier, and better, and brighter ; let her begin at home. A WONDKRFUI, DISCOVERY. (Abstract of an article in the Glasgow Herald.) At a place called Whiteinch, near Partick, at the confluence of the Clyde and the Kelvin, in Lanark County, Scotland, a wonderful discovery has recently been made. There, relieved of the mould of many centuries, a great fossil grove has been revealed, and now lies in all its parts exposed to the eye. The leading scientists of Glasgow city and the neighborhood have seen these trees, and have un- hesitatingly pronounced them the finest collection in Europe. The following are the circumferences at the thickest part of each stem : I -II feet, 4 inches. I — 8 feet, 10% inches. I — 8 feet, 7 inches. I — 8 feet, 6 inches. 33 1 — 8 feet, I inch. I — 6 feet, 8 inches. I — 6 feet, 6 inches. I — 6 feet, 4 inches. I — 5 feet, 3 inches. These trees vary in height, from the root upward, from one to three feet, all having been broken off where the schist ends and where the sandstone begins. One fallen tree, lying at an oblique angle to the erect trees measures, what is seen of it, i8 feet, lo inches ; while another huge one, only partially uncovered as yet, lies longitudinally and is some- what like 4 feet in diameter. The floor on which these wonderful fossils stand measures 64 by 25 feet. Geologists (experts) experience considerable diffi- culty as to the generic identification of these trees, their conclusions differing widely from one another. Mr. John Young, who, in conjunction with Mr. D. C. Glenn, prepared a paper on the subject for the Geological Society of Glasgow, is of opinion that these trees are of immense age — older than the human race, to which they have just been revealed ; older, indeed, than animal life of any kind, with the exception, perhaps, of a kind of leech or earth- worm, traces of which have been met with in the surrounding strata. He regards the strata they now stand in as a portion of the fossil coal and ironstone series, and believes that these trees have been covered with 3,000 feet of strata, which after being deposited has again been reduced to a few feet by denudation. 34 ON THB Sl^I/iECTION OF A VOCATION. 'Tis done ! After much thought and careful consideration the choice of a vocation has been made. Nor is this a matter to be spoken of lightly. In it great interests are at stake ; upon it does the individual's subsequent success or failure depend. The old Roman maxim says that * ' all roads lead to Rome. " But we are compelled to admit that the same is not true of prosperity. Hence it must be an occasion of solemn moment to him who, upon the brink of manhood, stands prepared to throw off entirely the lightheartedness and frivolity of child- hood and to plunge into a sea of unknown depth, whose parts are unexplored. Happy should be he whose inclination so positively asserts itself that he may unhesitatingly venture, and without deep re- flection, launch out upon the sea of life. Unhappily, the number of persons who can thus proceed is exceedingly limited. The vast majority, laying what stress they can on signs and omens of uncertain import, ready to clutch at straws, must proceed slowly and painfully onward, feeling their way into their proper spheres. Life, however, is short, and quickly rolls on the flight ot time, so that many, becoming rock-bound, never reach the haven of their hopes. The few that do, congratulate themselves and wonder, when in retrospective mood, however it came to pass. Many are the disappointments to be borne, and life would be a blank, a dreary solitude, did not an unquenchable, undying hope, the outcome of re- ligion, step in and with mild and healing sympathy bid us look above. 35 POI/ITICAI^ FREEDOM IN AMERICA. (An Essay.) It might seem almost incredible that in free America, a country claiming to have the most enlightened constitutional government on the face of the globe, a condition of affairs exists almost too deplorable to mention. What has produced this sad situation may be easily surmised when we remember the causes which hastened the overthrow of the ancient republics of Greece and Rome, whose great cities to-day lie crumbling in decay. Experi- ence, indeed, seems to confirm the hypothesis, that in proportion as a government is free and liberal, so do the rapacious, the unscrupulous, the ambitious, have an opportunity to triumph over the free spirit of its institutions. In this progressive age ** Tem- pus res mutat ' ' and the laws of the past give way to the enlightened opinions of the present. A con- stitution that will not submit to modification may be an instrument capable alike of doing as much harm as it does good, since the interpretation put upon it to-day may give to fraud just the support it requires. The virtue of a law, it is apprehended, lies not in the rule itself, but in its spirit ; and as J. Fenimore Cooper, the American novelist, has said : ' * How can a nation be truly said to be inde- pendent that imports its thoughts, as it imports its wares, from abroad, and has not even the spirit to invent its own prejudices ? " 36 In America life, liberty and the pursuit of happi- ness is exemplified in a way quite startling. Indi- vidual selfishness, unrestrained, tramples upon principle, and with the aid of wealth, power and influence institutes and maintains a system of slavery unrivalled by the ancients. Bribery and corruption flourish, and bossism rejoices. Nothing seems to reflect this tendency more than an American election. The nominees for office are often men of questionable integrity, of loose morals and dissipated character. Representing not the American people, but an iniquitous combine or ring, these men are usually elected in the face of all legitimate opposition. Corporations know their tools, and the average American soon realizes, in despair, what it means to cope single-handed with monopoly. The desire to hold political office at any cost, too often at the sacrifice of friendship, principle, honor and sin- cerity, is deplorable, and is far more reaching in its influence than is commonly supposed. It has established a standard of morality which, unfor- tunately, permeates social and mercantile life to a truly alarming degree. Since it is generally conceded that patriotism vanishes when individual greed is allowed to defeat principle, who can wonder that anarchy progresses ? Given a Robespierre, and who shall not say, with Justice Kent, that " When the spirit of liberty has fled, and truth and justice are disregarded, private rights may easily be sacrificed under the forms of law . 37 A GRilSAT PROBI^EM. We live in an age of uncertainty ; that which was the sentiment and purpose of to-day often ceases to be that of the morrow. Customs, man- ners, opinions and habits, whether political, social or religious, are changing with a rapidity that is truly surprising. Great questions requiring imme- diate settlement are constantly coming to the sur- face, only to be in every way evaded or indecisively answered. lyCgislation, religion, politics and science are all being daily confronted with issues that never appeared before, and as the mariner's compass, when a magnet is brought near it, trembles and quivers and turns aside for awhile, the people, with each new issue, vainly try to turn aside, to go around, but not toward. Often do we find them ready to accomplish that to-day which they will repent of to-morrow ; raging and turbulent a moment ago, but mild and obedient now. Among the many questions that at the present day combine to unsettle the public mind, undoubt- edly that of races is one of the greatest. Passing over the Indian Question, which is beyond doubt a great issue, but one which an honest and intelligent legislature can settle ; setting aside all questions of religion, science, etc., it is my purpose to treat only of the position of the government as regards the question, "How shall we legislate as regards the races, African and Mongolian ? " * ' All mankind, ' ' says the Constitution, *' were created free and 38 equal ; ' ' and yet this general doctrine has been held not to apply to the African and Mongolian races. Possibly the difference of color was over- looked at the time of its adoption ; at any rate, these people now insist upon enjoying equal rights with ourselves, and it is hard to see, as everything now stands, how these rights can be denied them. One thing is certain, curious complications will result whether they are recognized or denied. The African race, since the abolition of slavery, has acquired nearly all the rights of citizenship, and what few barriers remain are fast giving way to persistent effort. That they should be allowed to enjoy the most of these rights for which they have contended so long is, to my mind, just and proper ; but when we are called to throw down everything, to reduce everything to a dead level , I think we well may differ. We are asked to admit them to the public schools in spite of race, propriety, manners, morals, preju- dice and a host of other natural reasons ; to level everything that savors of distinction, or prevents social intercourse or even marriage ; to admit them into our institutions, charitable and otherwise, and also to forget that there is an average difference in intelligence between whites and blacks. They com- plain, too, of the discriminations made against them, not considering that the prohibitions are imposed not only upon the one race but upon the other also. Surely that policy is best, even if deprivatory in its character, if it is the best for the public good ; if it 39 promotes the general welfare and a healthful, moral, social, intellectual growth. The colored race should not ask or expect to receive anything in common with the white race. Each should maintain itself distinct. What they ought to demand should be equal privileges for each ; that is, equal school facilities of as high a grade as is maintained for the white children. As to the right of suffrage and their other political rights it is with- out question necessary and just that they should enjoy these. And now let us look at that part of our subject which is so absorbingly interesting on the Pacific slope, the Chinese question. The principal objec- tions raised against the Chinese are that they are morally and socially a degraded race ; that they will live cheaper and without the comforts that even the commonest laborer requires, thus being able to work for a lower rate of wages, or when in business to undersell their neighbors, and lastly, that they are heathen and cannot be Americanized. As to the first of these objections I would simply say that the degraded condition of the race is owing entirely or chiefly to outside influences. Can we blame the Chi- nese for the opium habit ? Did not civilized Europe and our own country force it upon them ? What with whisky, opium, gun powder and cannon, is it so surprising that the Chinese code of morals is so low. The objection that the Chinese are a heathen people who cannot be Americanized is of small moment, 40 and in regard to this point I am also constrained to say that we should not too hastily censure them. Have any of the European powers or have we acted openly or justly, honestly or graciously towards this people ? Can we wonder that with the treatment they have received and still continue to receive that they should entertain no lofty opinion either of Americans or Christianity ? We cannot blame the Chinese race for what we ourselves have made it. Our argument against the introduction of the Chi- nese loses force when we do this. No, it is only on the ground of expediency that their introduction can be opposed. This other and best objection seems to me to be the only one on which we can rely. We must look at our own people. If they are to suffer either in trade, morals or social intercourse, then will it be proper for us to close the gates against Chinese emigration. And that the introduction of Chinese will in every way be disastrous to the people there can be no question. We have in a measure ruined this people, we must now beware lest they ruin us. Having reduced them to the lowest depths, we must not allow the influence to counteract upon ourselves. Only by acknowledging our policy and conduct in the past to have been wrong and by declaring our- selves firm and resolute now can we successfully meet this Great Problem. 41 THB DOOMED SHIP. Still denser grows the murky gloom, The moaning waves wash by, As if in dread of hidden shoal, The good ship oft doth shy. The captain stands upon the bridge, The trumpet in his hand, And waits with weary, anxious look To sight the hidden land. So frequently the whistle blows, With screams loud, clear and shrill, That all who hear its warning cry Feel fast their blood grow chill. Hark, what is that, that o'er the deep Doth signal with hoarse throat ? Another monster steaming in Must pass their creeping boat. Must soon decide midst vap'rous clouds, Which way to steer and how ; But, hold ! Avast there ! What is this? It is a vessel's prow. Alas, alas, with cleaving stroke, She deals a fearful blow ; With crashing sound goes crushing through And cuts her clean in two. The captain shouts, the crew are called. The boats swing o'er the side ; But, ere her hapless people board, She sinks beneath the tide. 42 To ye who wait on yonder shore, Who fondly wait in vain, What sorrow will the message bring, " Collided on the Main." The fog that now shuts out from view All objects on the sea. Will lift, but never lifts the veil That cloaks eternity. TH1$ OI