Book 4B1 ^e f^OPYRlGlir PPP081T V ♦-v^ © O ©«=;©, W. 0, £3. _,© ^! .e. ^ .Q © -© w O u O v/'f'-|| ENTICE', OI^, TiiE Y IKWieiHT. iseo IVDIAN AI'OIIS : W'/'('» Diamond Book and Job Office Print, ' 1880. ©. ?3 .O' f^ ./^.(^t^VX.^') -•■'■■■",«• V o THE PRENTICE. THE BUSY KNIGHT. (iiicL 1XDIAN,AP()I-1S : Piamond Book and Job Office Pfint. 1880. ir. Copy Right Secured, By the AUTHOR. PREFACE OF THE PRENTICE. 'I'lir mi)ti\('s iIimI jihIiiit inch l<> wriU- ;iic ;is llic I'lich.'iiitin^ :iicli('(l liiils »>r s|>l«'ii(l«M- .ill" r ilic idVcsliiiio' sliowcr — not easily iIcCiikmI, Oil Rain Uow, llioii majcslic arch, nciiralli lix'call tiiaiiUiiHl iiiiist iiiarclil One measured step of moral Woilh, ( >i' liliiiidei- lliroti!;')) a shM'ile earth. 1 II teiliiiij; I fiilh, or (laniiiii!^ rent, Kvolvini;' llioiii^hls may liiid some veiil. No areliei's how I he arrow sent, I'litil Ihe ready how washent. ir I hiive saM anylhiiii;- thai may add kivow iedoc, and <;ive soiiH" |)leasiut' lo manUiiid. it is well. A UTHOK. AL,v 21. iSSo. In(fViiKrtii>n to ih,- Pirn tit. INTljUiJUCIlON TO THE I'flFNIICE, IlisKtiy h M (IciinHHli.iK'd ili.ililii- rrcnlirr isihr iMiyid'.-id- v.'iiiriii;^ iiii|nils('s. I>iii mI)(»\<' .-ill oiImt lorrcs, is liis inliciciii iMoli\r |»(>\\rr, or his si crliiii; iiidiist ry, w liidi is I he s| lon;^ rnlcriMll nil W hit'll llic |r\r|' of ( |<- \ r |< i| » iici 1 1 :il|i| :H I \ M I !('<■ MM- 1 1 1 dors icsl. 1 1 is iiidiisliy, "Senilis, mid KhMdy, iiiiliriii;^ |);il iriicr lli.il iii.-ikrs llirm hilly iiohlc nnii affoni|il i>lM'd iiicili;iiii( >.. rii»' iinlolciif, i;i/,y, iiiiUH'lliodlr, jisllcss Uoy cv.-idrs (In- jiiivil, lor^^f, I rowrl. pliiiii, awl. Iiiiiinicr, l:il lie, Ijiiir, loom, Hl('(l;r(.^ spiiidli', " ;i;oos('," saw, s(|iiaic, di\iil<'i\ |diiiiil), lap- stone, (lyr-Uclllc, tyjK', siiokaiid pirss. II iTcpiircH a hoy <>f" si)lid worth, and siroii«;' Ioiim' o| iii.ni- liood, with iii-^piriiif^ aiidiitioii to Imtoihc a iiiaslci- tiit'chanic. liOok at ^H'at Anj^ido, ihf ini^lit\ Ifoiiiaii artist and artisan, who (I('sio;iM'd tin- cathcdial «»l' St. I'ctti's, whose fann- now is hryond any Stalcsinan, (iriinal, (n' I'vrii I'ope, that li\fd in his day. .\s an artist he h.nl hnl one peer, and that was Lj'onaro ila'X' liici. An;;('lo would flll, Ids iihistcr pircc^ oill of t he inaihlr IdocU with his ^^\\\\ hands, witJMXil a < l;iy iiiodrl, and chip th<- niar- hh' so fast that it ropiircd sonic I)iik.\ h;inil.> to carry tiicin away as last as they Icll IVoni the hlock. He w.is a h!i-;\ l»oy and iintiriii;;' woikiii;^ nnn nnlil he \\;is \cry old, then met death at W(»rl\. Il<' was no heller hoy than our .\nie'rican hoys who sire as virtnons, as sol»er, as t hot! ;^hl fill, Mild as indnsi lions .IS lie. 6 hht7oduciton tg the Prentice. The Prentice Ix'CHUie tlie ^reut muster of hi.s age, itiid suc- eeed i wg ee n t uri es . AinericH, 1ms alre-id}' given the world some of the brightest minds, who served their time as an apprentice, who grew and became the masters of the present age..- Franklin, and hun- dreds stuncomotiv^e leeps over all the past ajjes, in its dashing splendor. It eclipses all the mechanism that human genius has devel- oped under the eye of its builder, who a few years ago, was the prentice in the same shop. Freedom of mind, is unlimited development,. See the loco- motive, the modern triumph of genious, and the product of the prentice-boy, as it draws the whirling train over the craggy monnt'iins, and leeps through the valleys as the fright- ened deer, aud flies. over the plains that rvials the gohlen pin- ioned birds of the air, and sweeps through the darkness of the night over the outstretched prairie of this continent, as a comet just emitted fiom the sun. Tlie prentice must have lofty aspiration and unlimited am- bition, who propose to build an engine, or such a grand mon- ument of architectural skill and labor as the capitol of Wash- ington and Si)iing}ield. , Introduction to the Pirnthy. 7 It ('alls iutoj-tMiiusilion tlir liiii-lit-st order of tah'iil, hii.ad in (MHiccptioii, and dc('[) in roinprt'luMision. The arcliiftnt nuist niea.siire the, stren^tli of every fibre of wood and iron that carries \vei.i>;lit, and deterniine llieir CJfpaeity and tenaeity. Ill' must wi'ig-li the n)eieiiis of purity t'loni Nice. Fools plant their roses on a barren leij^e. And seek the lily 'nionii- the thorny liedg-e. Men plant their li'olden corn in fertile hills, Tlien well tilley mills. ^Vhlls^ sweat from drii)piii_-ro\\ ? Xia.^ara's How ne'er stopped to save a man \Vhilsr balanced on its fall, nor never ean. The rarest luid on injnretl twig ean';, l)Ioom — rnbroken twii;s produce the rare perfume. (2) lo Prologue to the Prentice. One blasted rye is poison to the tiovver; One second's vice destroys the h:ippy hour. How smooth the narrow wny of Jite can be, Whilst vice ;is storm makes rono-h the calmest sea* PROLOGUE. The sterile desert sands the zephyi's shift, But rushing winds in clouds to mountains shift. Those gritty sands — disintegi'ated rock, Are attorns transient as the tick o'clock. Each tick of time has crumbled off a grain — If dropped in ocean, made the barren plain. The rocks on-^ed crowned the highest mountain tops, Dissolved by frost, and changing tlakes to drops. The brightness of the sun, and dashing storm, Unite in crumbling rocks and deserts fo'm. Grand gold and silver, shafts from c-raggy height, Are hid in desert's deep eternal night. And gems that sparkle as the polar frost, The sands have buried and the mountains lost. Dim beauty written on the bi-ow of time. How often changed 'till it became sublime? Dum nature may adorn the humblest living thing With silver beak and golden penioned wing. The Prentice. Whilsr tr.-iiiftfonn:ition tills deserted seas, The clover beckons to the liiin«»ry bees. For inoments are but clucks of rushing time, And changing echo into perfect rhyme. The mountains, oceans. vall(\vs, rocks and hills, Xiagara's tlow, lakes and l)ubbling rills — And planets in theii" distant oi'bit.s changt-d, Emitting comits harmonious arranged : All demonstrate one grand and onward coiasf — One truth — that God is the eternal /?;-<-,?. FIRST STEP, THE PRENTICE'S FIRST STEP OX THE BROAD ROAD OF VICE. The solemn vvwrd, amen, had been pronounced. Anil Dilffrom b(Mided knee* had quickly bounced. Then tread a slow and noisless, sneaking step. And slily went ui> stairs to where he slept. When all the house was in u quiet doze 'J'he Prentice boy in silent stelth arose. Then through the window on the roof he creeps, But stops to hear the snoring Boss, who sleeps. Behind a purple cloud the moon then hid; That suited Dill", and down the roof he slid. 12 The Prentice. But wlioii lu' laiuhMl on the troildeii ground, Di?5inuye(l he learnetl his bfeeclies were unsound. Oil pin ! tliou ready stitcli, no .v pltiy lliy part; With full l.-ipel. he stielied in highest art. As old nocturnrd slrix. we eall the owl, The Prentiee stai-ted on his first night prowl. lie heard the old time cloek Just sti-iking ten. And ehilly pigs were squealing in their pen. The creaking gate unlat''hed and (luiekly shut, Then down the street the prowling prentice put. And soon he found a wily boy or two Who knew pi-eeisely what the thr<'e should do. Fadell suggested doltish serenade — " Prime fun to lavish on a kitchen maid." The three agreed, and. hurri^'dly they ran In boyish glee to execute their plan. The hons(» and kitchen window soon wasf,'nn,\\ 13 Some little pistol ;it the wimlow c-nicks: P('ili;ii>s ill ;i!lcy niiid they left tln'ii" ir;icks. The (iiicslioirs h\-. l'erli;i])s ;ippe;ir;iii( c indie;ited why. NVheii fortified with eoiiijiii-e, snioolldy siiid: "Our M.iltese Thom:is juniiiped upon my b<'d, '•Then boum-ed upon my fnee as if ;i rat Was runninj^down my tliioat to beat the <'at. " I o-ral)l)ed him by bis i)lume, so easy l)ent. And throuiiii th<' hoiste(l w indow 'J'homas sent." His explanation certainly deeieved. ' Twas ready wit at onee tlie l»oy rtdieved. His nature soon rejjaired the havoe made. And scrateliino for anoilier serenade. NVbeii sport's (.omminulinn" innoeeii({^ with sin, A las I how soon siiall eriiiie lu'eome its kin. 14 The Pt entice. INTERLUDE— The Preniice's remarks to the boys WHO WERE NOT WITH HIM. " A well trained cat's a weapon 1)038 should heed; A four clawed '^ww, the ritle maidens need. " Their cat-twine way of shooting down must hit, A livinii; cat-ridg-e is domestic kit. *' I never loved a cat, I should reniai-k, Nor Aoah had no cat-rida'c in his ark/' STEP SECOMi. THE PRENTICE'S SECOND STEP A LIQCIFYING BUM. Success in anything, if ilglit or wrong, Confirms tlie weak, encouraging the strong. The slightest act of vice, as thistle seed. Of rapid growth, but most obnoxious weed. All vicious innovatiitu virtue shuns — Vice, as the sands, accumulates to tons. The tender conscience guard with moral care, For deadly poison lurks in fragrant air. The fearless boy at vice distinctly winks, Uncounscious too, his reditu le now sinks. Perchance the boy's preparing for a rade, Or bacchanal tlespoillng serenade. The hall door key he pockets, but who cares? He'll venture down to-night the winding stairs. \ The rnnlice. Tlie clock w.'is strikini:; ten upon tli<* slicll". Just then lio stepped upon tli-- sti-eet liiniscH". He met :it Bourbon Arsenal fellow sports, From Muvil bench to lawyei's and the couits — And many tellow on a li(]uid bum, p]xplodini>; oalh as powder does a bondi. They di-ank of ])otion dee]) at every lound. From snaps oenteel o gentind, Judge Palm remaiked my (piailhig's gr»*en in seal." 15 1 6 The P) entice. 'J"he crowd wa.s liquified by twelve in style, And Lord's day morn tliey even did defile. Tlie Prentice boy enrhored to every call, Until he reached the altitude to I'all. At one o'clock the chief dispenser left, And then they felt themselves almost beieft. At two tlie clerk closed doors, and drove them out. Amid an incoherent deafenin,;;- shout. Some found their way to their abode alone, A few there were who had an arm to loan. JIow Dift" returned no one pretends to tell, The last they seen of him was when lie fell. Next day they found him on the stable floor, .And saturated in his venous gore. "A sicker boy" the doctor ne'er had seen, His pain excrutiating, deep, and keen. Developed inflammation of the lungs. Perchance induced hy singing vulgar songs. 'J'he strong determined youth was palid dead. But friendship guaided W( 11 the sick boy's bed. For over him a weeping father bent — To God a mother her petition sent. In silence pass the sister's ebbing sol). No other heart than hers liad such a throb. Kind neighbors came to see and symi)athize, Those mortal Pangs thouiih none could realize. The Pi-entie. \^ Whilst iiKcniiii;: t'n»in the sharp phnnitic pain. His mind was lost ami comatose his brain. 'i'he secoml day perception was regained. But reason to halhiciiiation chained. The fetters of delirium though broke. And mental force regained its throne, he spoke. His first distinct articulated word Was mother, whose soft whispering she heard. But when he realized himself again. He called his little weeping sister. Jane. And whtMi she stood beside his dying bed. He in a low and heaving whisper said: '• A Clergy I would like so much to see. You tell dear Ma to send for Mr. Cree." The man of God soon stood beside the boy, Wi^h :dl his p.iin he demonstrated joy. All joine«> in prayer, and invoking UoJ That he may now remove the chasting rod. And soon to health thn suffering bo}' restore. But still continued asking something more. THE CLERGY'S PRAYER. •Oh I Lord, those who have caused this abrupt fall, And plunged him in this sea of seething gall. Remember with Thy watchful, special care, In mercv this affliction mav thev share. 1 8 The P) entice. Remember those who sold, and with him drank; Impress what depth they have already sank. 'J'heir eyes Thou open, and unlock each heart. That they may feel befoi-e he must depart, His sting of death their sting revivified, His agony their torment multiplied. His loss, their loss, with condemnation's dart Yet penetrating deeper in their heart. They feel what he now feels before they die. They learn what he hath learned when death draws nigh. Thou touch their heart as his is touched near death. That they may know Thee in their dying breath. And let them feel a father's panting soul, Who drinks the dregs when others fill the bowl. Give them to feel a mother's tender care, When fainting by a child in det p despair. Cause them to comprehend the sting of woe, The innocent oft' reap, the vicious sow. And learn on earth redemption and its price, Deliver them from rabblement and vice." CONCLUSION, He rallied soon with impulse of relief, Renewing hope, and so dispelling grief. Desires new sprung up within his mind. Tht Pf entice. 19 III weeks of watchfulness he c'Oiivale.«se(l Amid condoling tVicnds whom Heaven blest. Through Christian faith the boy was purified, Wliose moral nature changed as verified. Mis change as positive in its reform, As sky just cleared, electrified by storm. Ilis soul expanded, and his mind grew strong, And lost the art of vice and doing wrong. He shunned all evil, and discouraged strife, And practical in every step of life. Approaching that true moral nature, man. Divinity doth mold on reasons plan. Those graces, charity and love supreme, His daily practice and his midnight dream. STEP THiRB. IN HIS THIRD STEP BECAME THE BUSY KNIGHT. Grand decade of events; what varied screens Were shifted on " life's stage" as vivid scenes. ^rime moved as rapid as a swolen stream Within a mountain gorge, where cascades teem. The Prentice proved to be a man of grit. With moral culture and some classic wit. As Sabbath School director none his peer. Profound in thought, as in his person dear. 20 The Pfrntice'. Wit!) bus3" fingers and a mind to read, His large constructive powers had to leacL As artisan a master of his nge, Demeanor equal to a Roman Sage. His toilsome hours, the seconds of delight, Who earned the title of the " Busy Knight y Hisaspinitions ever moving high, Whose fount of wit no draught did ever (h\y. But when the Blue were marching on the Grey, And winds were wafting the perfumes of May, A good old man was beating freedom's drum, And many noble men were yelling come. And drums were beating to old grandpa's fife, When tented fields were busy hives of life. And all the people wondered why is this, That bitter winds are blowing peace to kiss? The storm advanced in ominious degrees, And war songs floated on the eager breeze. Whilst hearts and pulses beat unconscious high. And thousands of the nation asking why; He dropped his apron and his stitching awl To answer to his countrj^'s urgent call, And served it well 'till triumph told the world That every banner bared in peace was furled. Undaunted soldier with his pretty bars, Undaunted hero with his shining stars. STEP FOURTH. THE PR hW TIC 'E A S PR I \ 'A TE-SOLD lER- HER O— A XD IirS BRIDE. Till' iiiirlitf.-ill canii', ileep darkiicj^s veiled the place When he returned to wed aeoonii)lished Graee. 'I'he torcli and tires lit the woodland l*aik, Kmittinir liiiht far through the (li>tant dark. Beneath triumphant areh saluting throng, Ke.souuding voiees many thousand strong — The open throats of "annons :ind of hells 'Midst greeting niu>ie and rejoieing yells — That evening's perfumed hreath the echo carried, Our Prentice, Hero, Fiiend sliall now be married. The open corrido- and parlors lighted, As though some mighty hero should be knighted. Invited guests weic waiting for the one Whose deeds a people's admiration won. The waiting bride in calmness met the chief, Who soon appeared which gave the throng relief. Amid the rustling silks of jeweled maids, An