i^ Class. Hdok J^ J} 6 N ,0 '^/y^ cofm?k;ht deposit. A Book of Short Poems DR. A/LMilLLON w ALBUQUERQUE ALBRIGHT & ANDERSON PUBLISHERS ■r- ^4 J- 1 > S'f it i i THE ANSWER. What shall I do?" ''What shall I say?" A voice within her said, I must not let him get away The first beau I have had. ' ' She wrote the Weekly Query Page, And said, ''Please answer Flo — In your department, Madam Sage — My fond heart yearns to know — 'Age thirty-nine; should I allow My first and only beau, To kiss me gently on the brow, Say, just a time or so?" The paper came ; her heart stood still, The answer said, "Dear Flo, Yes ; let him kiss you, if he will ? I'm glad I'm not your beau." SS A CHANGE OF MIND. 51% IS here nigga gal ain 't crazy 2t* 'Bout marryin 'any way, Kase mos nigga 's air so lazy, I'd jes be thro win' mysef away. I makes a libin now for no one, 'Cept jes mysef, 'cept me alone, G ' way yo ' husbands, I don ' wan ' none. Lord, I'se got a h'art ob stone. Me git married ? Hush yo ' talkin ' Dere'll be no weddin' bells fo me. You don't ketch dis here nigga walkin' In no trap like dat 'ud be. Lawsy me, de foam am ringin' Wonder who 'n de worl' could be. Shet up you nigga, stop dat singin ' Some one wants to talk to me. Yes sar, dis is Miss Lucile, Yes sar, yes sar, dis is me, Youse gwine to buy er new mobeel — And I 'se yo ' lil honey bee ! S7 A CHANGE OF MIND. - Yo' Uncle died in Alabamy, And lef you all his money! You got no sister nor no mammy — Will 1 be yo ' lil hnoey ? You wants me to set de date — When we'll be jined in wedded bliss In jes one ower — now don' be late, But tell me, honey, who am dis? S^ 11 MY VALENTINE. HO is the dearest one to me? Whose love would I enshrine ? It is the love that comes from thee- From Thee, My Valentine. S9 'But reason says 'stay where you are.' BEYOND THE BAB. 3UST over there, it don't seem far And yet, I dare not cross the bar, And though an angel waits for me I can not, dare not, cross the lea. Yet while I linger shadows fall. The darkness deepens, fears appall. And while my fain heart bids me go, My better judgment tells me ''no. i i ^^ " Just over there it don't seem far But reason says ''stay where you are, And sing your love to yon bright star. Destruction waits beyond the bar. ) > 4^ FAIR WARNING. '^JIJER mother let the secret out, 3^4- T'was plain as plain could be. She put it in her note, no doubt, So I would plainly see. I wonder why she told me that — What made her hint so plain? To ascertain if I'd stand pat Or ^'beat it" in disdain? She said she didn't have a dime, That she could call her own. I'm glad she told me that in time, I might have never known. But I know better, she is rich. As rich as rich can be — A millionaire in virtue, which Is wealth enough for me. ^* MATCH MAKING. ^I" JRAY can you tell me where they're made? ^^ If you can tell, please do. I've searced until I am dismayed So I am asking you. I thought perhaps that you might know, Alas, you shake your head. Is it above, or here below? "What was it that you said? 'What question do I wish to know — What task have I assayed?" In heaven above, or here below. Just where are matches made? The preacher says, ''whom God doth join Let no man put asunder," But all the same he takes the coin. Who makes the match, I wonder? Some matches glow with brilliant light, I sometimes think 'tis true, That what the preacher says is right, I wish I knew, don't you? 43 MATCH MAKING. I've looked and looked upon the box And nowhere does it tell, Although it don't sound orthodox, I'll bet they're made in — a match factory. But after all, though, I don't care. It makes no ''Dif" to me. What do I care for matches? I've electricity. 44 THE DAWN. y^l^ACH morning I wake at early dawn >WAnd look from out my window to the east, There where the sky and earth blend into one I see the cold gray light come creeping on, With here and there a fleecy floating cloud Melting in the ever brightening light, Soon disappearing with the fading night. Then suddenly glows a dazzling light, Brighter! Brighter! 'tis the glorious sun, Fades the cold gray night in golden sunshine. The world made brighter by the golden rays, My soul is enraptured by the sight, That I almost forget the cold, cold night — Anticipating noontide's fervent glow. But brighter far than morning's rosy light With all its hope and promise for the day. More reassuring than the noontide glow, Which floods the world with brilliance everywhere. Yes, more divine than sunset at the close Of the most perfect day the world has known — My dream of life with thee, my Love, my Own. 45 'I long- to watch the sparkling fire." THE PARTING. SLONG to watch the sparkling fire- Its bright and ruddy glow, In Autumn days, my heart's desire As sadly home I go — Is just to sit and idle there. To gaze into the light And wonder if she's still as fair. As on that summer night. 'Twas then I saw her sweetly smile. As she looked up to me, And told me ''Dearest, after while. When I have crossed the sea — There in the mansions of the blest I'll wait and long for thee" — But she was gone and all the rest. She might have said to me. And so I sit and dream tonight, Before the ruddy glow, I wonder if those eyes so bright Would still beguile me so. I wonder if those lips so red. Those cheeks of rosy hue, The golden curls upon her head Are still as fresh and new. 47 TEE PARTING. It's all a joke, she never died, "We met down by the sea. When I asked her to be my bride She only laughed at me. Then told me all of that blamed stuff, And as she ran away, She curtly said, ''I've had enough Proposals for one day." 4S A HAY RUBE'S SOLILOQUY. AIN'T Belle cute behind the counter? You orter see her standin' there, Sparklin' eyes and smilin' face; A purty flower in her hair. An* all the other clerks assistin' — But they'r no count, compared to her, For she just keeps right on insistin' Till you pay her so much per. My, but that Gal, she's a winner. If I hed money like a king, I'd stop as I went home to dinner. And buy a fine engagement ring. And when she handed me the ring — And I confess it would seem strange — I'd jest say, says I, *'By jing, Little Gal, jes keep the change. And put that ring right on your finger, And wear it till Eternity, Meanwhile promise that you'll linger 'Bout the house and cook for me." 49 A HAY RUBE'S SOLIOQUY. But I'm too bashful, durn it all, I wish I had a little sand Now days it takes a heap of gaul To ask a maiden for her hand. But leap year's comin'; it's almost here. An' then the way will all be cleared, Pshaw, I ain't got a bit a fear , For Belle's a gal that don't get skeered. so A WILLING WIDOW. ^TJIJRS. IKA BLOOMBEE cummed to our house to- /m!V\ day, said "she jest dropped in a bit and hadn't long to stay." And Ma she said, when she set down — "Law, hain't you heard the news, about the Widder Davis, wearin' out her shoes jest trottin' round the neighborhood a gossipin' like sin 'bout the new young preacher thet jest dropped in. The one thet's been to Chiny, a mishunairy there, thet tells sech awful stories, thet raises up yer hair, 'bout the Boxers risin' and killin' scores and scores uf Methodists an' Baptists what's perachin' on them shores. Thet Widder 's actin' mighty queer, — it's purty plain ter me. I wouldn't put it past her — ^knowin' what she be, to hear the news most eny day — an' course she's agged it on — thet her and thet there preacher, hev done eloped and gone." An' 'bout thet time the door bell rings an' Ma she goes to see, and in walks Mrs. Davis with the mishunairy, and says, "This is my oldest brother, thet's been off to Chiny." I never saw a woman squeshed like my Ma seemed to be. She sorter fell back in her chair, jes like she's over come, and when she got her breath agin she said, "You favor some — I hope yer brother likes the place, an' will decide to stay, you know we've hed no meetin' since our preacher went away. I'm jest a lone- some widder — my home's without a man and if you'd choose to marry me, why yes, — of course, you can. 5' y J MY SURRENDER. ^1^ ES, I have heard him chant and sing j2 He ruined my arrangements. The rogue, he spoiled most everything — Caused quarrels and estrangements. I had my ideals pictured out, All preconceived in splendor. Just then he put my plans to rout — Demanded my surrender. But I was loathe to loose the fight, I just stood still and waited. I knew the while, that he was right But still I hesitated. Then all at once with steady hand With true and trusty eye, "With steady nerve at his command. He let the weapon fly. Right then and there I cried, ''I yield, I know that I must fall, You 've pierced my armour, plate and shield So I surrender all." And still you can't guess who it is — Oh my ! Oh my ! how stupid. You surely ought to guess, Gee Whiz! The rascals name is Cupid. 5^ DISTANCE DON'T COUNT WEEN YOU'VE GOT A MOBEEL. >|t^IT IN, Bill Brown, and hev a lift, ^& I know jest how y' feel Come on, git in, now don't be miffed 'Cause I 've a new mobeel. I hev been lucky, thet's the truth; I 've made some easy dough — I told my wife, Suzanna Ruth, "We'll get a way to go. This thing uv hitchin' up ole Dunn And joggin' down ter town, Is jest too slow few eny one — It runs my spirits down. ' ' And so, you see, I bought a car ; It seemed the thing to do — No, Bill, it's not so very far — A hundred mile or two. I'm jest a goin' down to Zeke's To roast them country folks. See, Bill, them fences look like streaks — My, how the engine smokes. S3 DISTANCE DON'T COUNT WHEN YOU'VE GOT A MOBELL. But thet's a sign she's runnin' fine — Some class to this mobeel ; I tell y' Bill. I'm glad she's mine, Y'know jest how I feel. Hey, Bill ! Jump out ! She 's gon ' a bust ! Good Gosh, she's all afire! Lord ! Things is cummin ' to the wurst. Whatever made me buy 'er. A thousand bones, gone up in smoke, A mortgage on my place — Don't sniker. Bill, this ain't no joke — I '11 punch you in the face. Thet pesky agent said ter me- ' Sy, think how rich you '11 feel. ' ' ''Why, distance, it don't count," says he, ' ' A ridin ' in a mobeel. ' ' But I've my doubts concerning that, I swallered thet whole speel. Home, — leven miles from where we 're at— You know. Bill, how I feel. S4 FAITH. JIJfHERE is no trial, sent by God \fJ^ But can be borne, The paths you tread, the Master trod, So do not mourn. Although your future path seems dark, Be not afraid. With faith in God and Self, embark— Be undismayed. Then follow on the unseen hand That points the way — And find at last the Blessed Land Of Endless Day. SS "He didn't need no glasses on. When lookin' fer a pea." SI TEE DEACON. f^ HE day was cold and cloudy, iSi^ And frost was in the air. But Deacon Jones hitched up his horse And started to the Fair. He did not take his Wife and Kids Because, as he erlowed, *' They'd be so many people there He'd lose 'em in the crowd." So while they stayed at home that day And scrubbed and swept and sewed. The Deacon took in all the sights — ''The wine jest overflowed." At last he saw a swell dressed guy "With three shells and a pea A telling everybody ''Why Just step right up and see, How easy 'tis for any man, Though he were blind, to tell — When he had bet some money — Which was the winning shell. ' ' 57 THE DEACON. The Deacon 'lowed ''as how his eyes Were purty good ter see — He didn't need no glasses on When lookin ' f er a pea. ' ' He bet his money, ev'ry cent — He picked the winning shell, But when he looked beneath the thing — My ! how the crowd did yell. Mirandy said, when he got home, ' ' Now Deacon, where 's yer dough ? Where is yer roll er green backs ? Thet's what I'd like ter know." 'Mirandy, hush, — the question ain't Where did thet money go — But what becum of thet durned pea ? Thet's what I'd like ter know." SS EI8 PARTING GIFT, (To a Telephone Girl) YT HATES it cause youse goin' Poil. AL My ole heart aches in me. My doined old coco's in a whoil Dese old glims, dey can 't see. Kase tears air streamin' down me cheeks, I jest can't keep 'em back. For you'll be gone for weeks and weeks, I'm sorry dat's a fac. Say, kiddo, when youse over dere A pushin ' plugs like sin. Do you suppose dat you will care For home folks where youse been? Dis is me latest fotygraf, I had it took for you. De artist sed, "now, smile and laugh," But dat, I couldn't do. Some day, when you ain 't f eelin ' fine Jes' all mixed up and blue, Youse look at dis ole fiz of mine And see what it will do. S9 THE ONE MAN'S TOWN. 'JjLJ IS mien is arrogant, — austere 3^4- And on his face a frown He fills your very soul with, fear Because he owns the town. From day to day, he's want to say ' ' I salted my coin down. I saved up for the rainy day And now I own the town. ' ' Nobody else has any say The old man wears the crown. He rules as only despot may Because he owns the town. An oil boom came, one warm spring day And hit the ''One Man's Town, It grew so fast from day to day. The old man lost his crown. ) t. 60 THE NEW AND THE OLD. CHRISTMAS time has come once more, The New Year stretches on before, The Old Year lingers on the shore Of that vast ocean, Nevermore. Old Year, should I be glad to see The New Year come and set you free ? In all your days of sun and rain Have all my labors been in vain ? No noble deed, no action true By which I may remember you ? No worthy treasure that may be An heirloom of the past from thee ? Farewell Old Year, farewell to you, I must make haste to greet the new. New Year step in and take your place With honest eye and smiling face. And all I ask, New Friend, from thee. Is just the opportunity To glean from every day you give Some truth, that will forever live. 6i WEDDING CEREMONY. Bridegroom ALL through, the years I promise thee A love of perfect purity. A love as boundless as the sea, Through Life — through Death, Eternity. Minister More precious than the purest gold — Than rarest gems that earth doth hold, A priceless gift, a sacred vow Is offered thee ; accept it now. Bride. Not here in Earth, nor Heaven above Is there a gift so great as Love This I accept, — I ask no more And I am thine for evermore. 62 YOUTH AND MANHOOD ^IJ- ERE I stand beneath the sky SPl- The rolling ocean at my feet. Here I pause to say, Good Bye Where the land and ocean meet. Yes, good bye, with aching breast — To the land that was my home ; Slumber on in peaceful rest 'Neath your cloudless, sunlit, dome. Where my boyhood days were spent. Where my life knew naught of care. There your magic charm was lent. To inspire my youthful prayer. Lord above, lend ear once more. May the victory be complete As I journey from the shore — The shore, where Youth and Manhood meet. May my courage never falter. Guide Thou straight my wayward feet. Consecrate my youthful alter, Where the Past and Future meet. 6s AN UNFORTUNATE EDITOR. Late one night I was hurriedly called to attend the Editor of the local paper. Upon inquiry the family informed me that I had been called to attend the unfortunate patient, not because they preferred me as a physician, but because there was no other who could give relief. When I expressed astonishment and asked an explanation, I was told to step into the padded room where the victim was raving, and learn for myself. I heard the following: J5f HEY chase me here, they chase me there, \iy I flee in desperation. I'm almost driven to despair, — To dire exasperation. I see them in my busy hours, They find me in seclusion, They come in droves, they come in showers, My brain is in confusion. When will they cease to torture me ? When may I welcome peace ? Where shall I hide, where shall I flee ? When will this torment cease? Oh ! sweeter far, a prison cell. Yea, hang me 'til I'm dead. Yes, take this life I love so well, But give me peace instead. Come on you footpads, murder me — Oh, stab me, stab me, Villain, But spare me from that poetry Composed by Doctor Dillon. 64