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 COPYRIGHT DEPOSITS 
 
Poems of Inspiration 
 
 By 
 
 Charles Finney Copeland 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2011 with funding from 
 The Library of Congress 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/poemsofinspirati01cope 
 
So, shouting loud "The die is oast," 
 Struck out across the river. 
 
 THE ET3BIC0H 
 
 Page 17 
 

 LIBHARY of CONGRESS 
 Two Copies Received 
 
 NOV 25 1903 
 
 Cspyntrtt Entry 
 
 CUSS Op. KXc, Mo. I 
 
 COPY 3, 
 
 ,^ Copyritrtt Entry ^ 
 
 COPYRIGHT 1908 BY 
 CHARLES FINNEY COPELAND 
 
 Dl LDXE EDITION. 
 
DEDICATED 
 
 jMb^O those of the young and rising 
 &i generation who are strugghng for 
 ^■"'^ success; to all who are interested 
 in their own temporal and eternal wel- 
 fare ; to those who feel themselves bound 
 down by cruel chains of circumstance 
 and shut in by walls of adversity ; to 
 those who aspire to lay hold of some of 
 life's prizes, protected as they are, from 
 the idle and trifling throng, by difficulties, 
 these lines are humbly and respectfully 
 dedicated by 
 
 The Author 
 
CJLcL^ly&^r-^ 
 
 ^' 
 
AUTHOR'S PREFACE 
 
 Most of the poems in this little volume are addressed 
 to the rising young man. 
 
 In our eagerness to find doors of opportimity and 
 avenues of success we naturally wish for all sorts of 
 advantages, such as wealth, education, wit, beauty, 
 affability, prepossessing manners, etc., all of which ought 
 to be factors of success if used — if used, if used aright. 
 But how often we find such endowments are only so 
 many gratifications of laziness, or breed that spirit of 
 pride which "goeth before destruction." In such a 
 case, each one is an absolute curse and a lack of any of 
 these is a blessing, when it shows us that our only depen- 
 dence is upon our own exertion. 
 
 Thomas A. Edison paraphrases the remark that "All 
 good comes to him who waits," by saying "All good 
 comes to him who hustles while he waits." Being asked 
 if Genius is not a sort of natural inspiration, he replied 
 "No, Sir! ! ! Genius is PERspiration." 
 
 Out of tens of thousands of experiments, mishaps and 
 failures he has drawn a few wonderful inventions, and 
 people call him a great success. 
 
 Isaac Newton solved a problem after he had studied 
 upon it for nineteen years, and people called him a wonder. 
 
 Stanley dug his way through Africa when, for months 
 at a time he could go less than a quarter of a mile a 
 week, and people called him great. 
 
 No man is a success on account of nor in proportion 
 to the advantages that fall to his lot, but in the pro- 
 portion that he uses those advantages to make some 
 part of this world a lighter and brighter and better place 
 because he is here. It is the use and not the possession, 
 that coimts. The miser dies of privation and starva- 
 tion over his possessions because he will not use them, 
 and the man who was bom as a great prince and amounts 
 to only a little king, is feeding a starving soul upon the 
 
AUTHOR'S PREFACE 
 
 huskiS of creation and will be known, as long as he is 
 known at all, as one of the most monumental fizzles of 
 all history, though he may have lived in luxury during 
 a long life. 
 
 The author has an intense desire to be a factor in 
 proving to the young man of moderate ability and few 
 advantages — the one who knows how to make blunders 
 and learn by them, how to fail and not give up, how to 
 travel a quarter of a mile a week and stick to it, how 
 to use his brain for at least nineteen seconds — proving 
 to such a one that he can amount to something; he can 
 lead a useful life; he can overcome obstacles; he can 
 accomplish results; he can do things; he can, he can. 
 And if any obstacle arises in his upward and onward 
 path, the writer hopes that something herein may im- 
 plant or strengthen a determination to kick it out of 
 his way; or cut his way through it; or climb over it; 
 or crawl under it; or go around it; or do any honorable 
 thing except to subside and stop. 
 
 The following poems are not presented with any claim 
 to perfection. Perhaps none are beyond criticism. They 
 have been prepared in the hope that they may be a 
 help and encouragement to noble living; a factor in 
 proving the sure triumph of the right and the sure smash 
 and wreck of the wrong, and an elevating influence to 
 young readers. 
 
 Charles Finney Copeland, 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Rubicon 15 
 
 The Bee and the Buzzabd 20 
 
 Roosevelt 25 
 
 The Lesson peom a Battle 29 
 
 That Stae foe Toue Ceown 32 
 
 Take It foe What It Is Woeth 36 
 
 Encoueagement 39 
 
 The Boy Who is Good to His Mothee 40 
 
 Hustle While You Wait 43 
 
 My Mothee's Lap 45 
 
 The Path to Geeatness 48 
 
 The Spue op the Moment 50 
 
 Theee's Maeket Enough for the Best 54 
 
 Tell the Teuth 57 
 
 Who Wants a Shaee 61 
 
 The Handle and the Blade 65 
 
 The Sloughy Postmastee .70 
 
 Loaded foe Beae 73 
 
 Selection and Moeal 75 
 
 The Peesceiption 76 
 
 Weeck of the Fast Mail 78 
 
 San Francisco 82 
 
 Knowledge vs. Wisdom; oe the Powee of Thought . 86 
 
 The Gun and the Game 90 
 
 The Heavy End 91 
 
 Tommy's Little Drum 93 
 
 Oh! Who Could Be Lonesome Alone 94 
 
 The Character Factory 97 
 
 Biddy 0' Flaherty's Recommendation 100 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Frontispiece 4 
 
 Portrait of Author 8 
 
 " The Bee and the Buzzard" 
 
 "But Gather Honey from Blossoms Aronnd " .... 21 
 
 "That Star for Your Crown" 
 
 "WmitbeaBrUliantJewel?" 33 
 
 " The Boy Who is Good to His Mother" 
 
 " And Nature Gives More than We Sow " 41 
 
 "There's Market Enough for the Best" 
 
 " For Product of Garden or Dairy " 55 
 
 "Who Wants a Share?" 
 
 "Soliciting Subscriptions of Specified Amounts " ... 63 
 
 "The Sloughy Postmaster" 
 
 "And Speeding Through Space on the Burlington 
 Flyer" 71 
 
 "Wreck op the Fast Mail" 
 
 " Swept Down from Off a Mountam " 81 
 
 "Oh! Who Could be Lonesome Alone" 
 
 " In Mountams and Jungles and Plains " 95 
 
THE RUBICON 
 
 TX7HEN Caesar turned his footsteps 
 * * home 
 
 From far and hostile regions, 
 Where he had borne the arms of Rome 
 
 And led victorious legions. 
 The Roman Senators had tried 
 
 His glories to diminish. 
 They'd called him back, but he replied 
 
 By fighting to a finish. 
 
 He knew they did not comprehend 
 
 At all, the situation. 
 He sought to win, and then extend 
 
 A later explanation. 
 And so he came while victory 
 
 Was perching on his banners. 
 Amid the pomp of heraldry 
 
 And veterans' hozannas. 
 
 15 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 But jealous senators inflamed 
 
 Had made a declaration 
 That Julius Caesar be proclaimed 
 
 A foe of all the nation. 
 And when he reached the Rubicon, 
 
 He learned their detestation. 
 And how their hearts were set upon 
 
 His death and degradation. 
 
 Now should he be a vagabond. 
 
 With exiled traitors hiding .^ 
 Or fight, and let his braves respond. 
 
 While in his cause confiding.^ 
 Before, success or else defeat 
 
 Would greet decided action. 
 Behind was cowardly retreat 
 
 And naught of satisfaction. 
 
 At every turn, some friend would state 
 
 Exactly what was needed, 
 Advance," "Retreat," "Make haste," 
 or "Wait," 
 
 Vehemently they pleaded. 
 But since advice would make his acts 
 
 A mass of contradiction, 
 He vowed to guide them by the facts. 
 
 Through praise or malediction. 
 
 16 
 
POEMS OP INSPIRATION 
 
 His force was light, compared with those 
 
 Who held the reins of power. 
 Defeat and Death, like spectres rose. 
 
 The hero soul to cower. 
 But he had scorned, through all the past, 
 
 In cowardice to quiver. 
 So, shouting loud, "The die is cast," 
 
 Struck out across the river. 
 
 His courage proved him born to rule, 
 
 And live with bards and sages, 
 And now his works we read in school 
 
 Adorn historic pages. 
 And so when you would enter on 
 
 Some field of high endeavor. 
 That seems to cross a "Rubicon," 
 
 To toil or strife forever. 
 
 Your many friends will all advise 
 
 Of your mistaken calling, 
 And hope some mighty man will 'rise 
 
 For such a task, appalling; 
 Your lack of talent, lack of means. 
 
 Your lack of education. 
 Each obstacle that intervenes. 
 
 They say is full negation. 
 
 17 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Your enemies will hoot and sneer 
 
 In merciless derision. 
 And all will tell how much they fear 
 
 The worth of your decision. 
 For countless men, the poet sings. 
 
 Are like "Dumb-driven cattle," 
 And slow to turn from grov'ling things. 
 
 When Truth and Error battle. 
 
 What seems to you a "burning bush," 
 
 Intense, with call emphatic. 
 May let your friend of equal push. 
 
 Appear the while phlegmatic. 
 But, vow you'll strike the iron, hot. 
 
 Yea, make it hot by striking, 
 And sound your message, be it not 
 
 To other peoples' liking. 
 
 You'll never any prestige earn. 
 
 Without the advertising 
 That comes from opposition stern 
 
 Intent on your capsizing. 
 As values rise, when grain is ground 
 
 And threshed from straw and stubble, 
 So all our finer traits are found 
 
 In mills of seeming trouble. 
 
 18 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 They're not the cruel hands of Chance, 
 
 But of a kind Creator, 
 Who uses them for our advance. 
 
 To make us good or greater. 
 Your foes may think they're stumbling- 
 blocks. 
 
 Invented by their ire. 
 But you can turn impeding rocks. 
 
 To steps for climbing higher. 
 
 So all is best, — let's heed the thought. 
 
 That Justice can't forget us. 
 Let's think of duty as we ought. 
 
 Without RESULTS to fret us. 
 Our duty is to bear much fruit. 
 
 Instead of comprehend it. 
 Nor can delays its worth dispute. 
 
 Nor seeming failures end it. 
 
 And though rewards appear delayed 
 
 Beyond your mortal vision, 
 The noble efforts you have made 
 
 Will shine on fields, Elysian; 
 And if you've done your level best. 
 
 Each call of duty heeded. 
 Some future day will well attest 
 
 That grandly you succeeded. 
 
 19 
 
THE BEE AND THE BUZZARD 
 
 The last two lines are copied by permission bom 
 Baldwin's First Reader. 
 
 \ BEE and a buzzard were flying one 
 
 day, 
 Where roses did bloom, and some carrion 
 
 lay; 
 The bee never noticed the filth of the 
 
 place 
 Nor thousands of briers and thorns, in 
 
 her face. 
 But gathered the honey from blossoms 
 
 around. 
 And left them in beauty, as when they 
 
 were found. 
 
 Though many the causes of trouble and 
 
 grief, 
 She gathered but sweetness from petal 
 
 and leaf, 
 
 20 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 " Bat gathered the honey from blossoms around. 
 
 ■ And left them in beauty as when they were found." 
 
 21 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Then sped on her journey while hum- 
 ming a tune. 
 
 Rejoicing in wealth for next winter, a 
 boon, 
 
 And leaving the buzzard, nine points in 
 the law, 
 
 On filth and corruption to fill up his 
 craw. 
 
 Each one is a likeness of some of man- 
 kind; 
 
 The buzzards depraved, to all beauty are 
 blind ; 
 
 They're out of a job; they're bereft of 
 all joy. 
 
 Until they're permitted, in spite, to deploy 
 
 On some faulty neighbor who's fallen 
 from grace. 
 
 Mistaken his calling, or lags in the race. 
 
 And then they announce to a multitude 
 
 vast. 
 Of how there awaits a delicious repast, 
 A feast of fault-finding, — a banquet of 
 
 blab. 
 Rehash of all tattle and gossip and gab; 
 
 22 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 And garbage, that all should consign unto 
 
 death. 
 Is peddled about on pestiferous breath. 
 
 Surrounded by beauty and sweetness 
 
 enough 
 To make life a joy, they are sullen or 
 
 gruff; 
 On graces of others, by shutting their 
 
 eyes; 
 By seeking for something they might 
 
 criticise ; 
 By boasting plain speech and a lack of 
 
 deceit. 
 Make everyone flinch, but no foemen 
 
 retreat. 
 
 Oh! buzzards and vultures, just learn of 
 the bee. 
 
 And gather life's honey so plenty and free ; 
 
 There's honey in thistles; there's good in 
 each one. 
 
 Though often mistaken and sadly un- 
 done; 
 
 Aware of each weakness like thorns in 
 the flesh. 
 
 Sarcasm and ridicule wound them afresh; 
 
 23 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 And awkwardness grows 'neath the finger 
 
 of Scorn, 
 And friendship is banished, and enmity, 
 
 born; 
 But Earth is a Garden of Eden, the while. 
 When love and affection and charity 
 
 smile ; 
 Kind hearts are like gardens; kind tho'ts 
 
 are the roots; 
 Kind smiles are the blossoms; kind deeds 
 
 are the fruits. 
 
 24 
 
ROOSEVELT 
 
 T LOVE the man of mettle. 
 With vertebra his own. 
 Who dares to stand for justice 
 
 As if unflinching stone; 
 Who knows a crooked pillar 
 
 Can hold but little weight. 
 And who is bold and fearless. 
 
 And strong for being straight. 
 
 Whose hands have not been hampered 
 
 Nor bound by handicaps. 
 Like those whose machinations 
 
 Have always been their traps. 
 Who will not be a cipher 
 
 When Right and Wrong combat» 
 But shows opposing forces 
 
 Exactly where he's "at." 
 
 25 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 One who can chase a thousand — 
 
 Ten-thousand put to flight. 
 Reliant in the honor 
 
 That clothes a man with might. 
 Who dares to turn to duty 
 
 A face of adamant. 
 Yet dares to own an error 
 
 And readily recant. 
 
 The man who dares to blunder. 
 
 And dares to make it right. 
 Then dares to face his critics. 
 
 And dares "turn on the light." 
 Who dares to bring the grafter 
 
 To justice and to grief; 
 The influential robber 
 
 As any other thief. 
 
 Who fears reverse or panic 
 
 With less of dread and awe. 
 Than proof that big transgressors 
 
 Are greater than the law; 
 Who knows this ancient pathos 
 
 About the public weal 
 Comes less from toiling masses 
 
 Than guilty ones who steal. 
 
 26 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 And that these evil-doers — 
 
 This panic-stricken drove — 
 Behold the scales of Justice 
 
 As thunderbolts of Jove. 
 Whose thought is put in action 
 
 With snobbery defied, 
 That fain would keep him quiet 
 
 To call him dignified. 
 
 Who shocks the politician, 
 
 Shut up in party wall, 
 And shows himself a statesman 
 
 As broad as one and all. 
 Who never could be guided 
 
 As all the weaklings would 
 By popular opinion 
 
 Instead of public good. 
 
 Who scorns the fickle changes 
 
 That mark the passing day. 
 And through them reads the verdict 
 
 That stands, and stands for aye; 
 The man who will not fiddle 
 
 For temporary cheers. 
 But covets those resounding 
 
 Through long, eternal years. 
 
 27 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 When selfish plans have perished, 
 
 And Prejudice has died, 
 And Right and Truth have triumphed. 
 
 And Time has testified; 
 You know the man's initials, 
 
 And how his name is spelt; 
 He needs no introduction, 
 
 His name is Roosevelt. 
 
 28 
 
THE LESSON FROM A BATTLE 
 
 nPHEY say that in a battle 
 -^ It takes a ton of lead 
 To do the work of carnage 
 
 That lays each hero dead; 
 As millions of the bullets 
 
 Seem void of all effect, 
 So thousands of our efforts 
 
 Will seem, we may expect. 
 
 The ones who aim at nothing 
 
 So seldom miss the mark, 
 They seem the most successful 
 
 And happy as the lark; 
 The man without a purpose 
 
 Is much more free from care, 
 Than one who struggles upward 
 
 With zeal to do and dare. 
 
 29 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 We live in disappointment 
 
 While striving to achieve, 
 Fall short of our ambition 
 
 And often sadly grieve; 
 We fail of that perfection 
 
 We struggle to possess. 
 Nor see our partial failure. 
 
 Perhaps is grand success. 
 
 That no one is defeated 
 
 While battling for the right. 
 Defeat is not in failure. 
 
 But, giving up the fight; 
 Success is not in scaling 
 
 Yon pinnacle of fame. 
 But doing needful duty 
 
 Regardless of acclaim. 
 
 The man of weak endeavor 
 
 In fear that he may fail. 
 Will never win the laurels 
 
 Of worthies who prevail; 
 And they who sing of valor. 
 
 In onslaught or defense. 
 Have never found their heroes 
 
 Astride of any fence. 
 
 30 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Then, who would aim at nothing. 
 
 Or drift along the tide, 
 On lines of least resistance, 
 
 Where lazy laggards ride? 
 Let's heed the Latin proverb, 
 "Ad astra" to the stars, 
 'Per aspera" through thousands 
 
 Of Difficulty's bars. 
 
 And let's be up and doing. 
 
 Let's battle with our might; 
 Though Justice, ever tardy. 
 
 In time doth weigh aright; 
 And then the final triumph 
 
 Will hide our past mistakes, 
 And spread a balm of healing 
 
 Upon the heart that aches. 
 
 31 
 
THAT STAR FOR YOUR CROWN 
 
 T^HEN you plant that star of glory 
 
 " ' In your everlasting crown. 
 That will shine thro' endless ages, 
 
 Or, for time, with fair renown. 
 Have you thought of its appearance, 
 
 When you take it as your choice ? 
 Will it be a thing of beauty. 
 
 And your heart, at once, rejoice? 
 
 Will it be a brilliant jewel ? 
 
 Will it be a broad estate? 
 Will it be a lordly title, 
 
 Or an ofiSce, grand and great? 
 Oh! I see a hand extended. 
 
 From the battlements above, 
 That is filled with wealth and honor. 
 
 And with everything we love. 
 
 They are ours for the choosing; 
 
 But! ! ! they're diamonds in the rough, 
 
 32 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 'Will it be a brilliant jewel, 
 Will it be a broad estate." 
 
 33 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Seeming hard to grind and polish. 
 And with signs of grief enough. 
 
 There is pinching, hard privation. 
 With no recompense in sight. 
 
 There is aid to give the needy 
 All unable to requite. 
 
 There's the task of doing battle, 
 
 For what seems a hopeless cause; 
 There's the loss of that election. 
 
 And of popular applause; 
 There's the burning fiery furnace. 
 
 And the frightful lion's den; 
 There's reproach of haughty monarchs, 
 
 And contempt of humbler men. 
 
 But they're opportune occasions. 
 
 For the true and faithful soul; 
 These are stepping-stones of duty. 
 
 Leading toward the grandest goal; 
 To the hero, they are blessings. 
 
 Yea, they're blessings in disguise. 
 For they advertise his mettle. 
 
 Test his calibre and size. 
 
 Could you hope to be a hero, 
 
 Widely known and long renowned; 
 
 34 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 If your sternest field of battle 
 Were a park or picnic ground? 
 
 Could you hope by selfish hoarding, 
 Of your wealth beyond your needs. 
 
 You could make such filthy lucre, 
 Shine as self-denying deeds? 
 
 Could Omnipotence Almighty, 
 
 Make a coward's record shine? 
 Make a star of brightest lustre. 
 
 Out of greed or ease supine? 
 Would you change these proffered bless- 
 ings 
 
 Into scars, like brands of Cain, 
 That proclaim your faithless weakness 
 
 And your truancy so plain? 
 
 Can't you see a loving Father 
 
 Useth these to test the just 
 And is holding boundless treasure 
 
 For the stewards He can trust? 
 Oh! my friend, tho' all around you 
 
 Scenes annoy and sounds discord. 
 Do not shun the path of duty, 
 
 'Tis the road to thy reward. 
 
 35 
 
TAKE IT FOR WHAT 
 IT IS WORTH 
 
 ^npWILL help you in many a way, boys, 
 In business, or mere social mirth. 
 To take everything at its worth, boys, 
 
 So take it for what it is worth. 
 
 A molehill's a mountain to none, boys, 
 
 But creeping things, low on the earth. 
 
 Don't sink to their level yourselves, boys. 
 
 But pass them for what they are worth. 
 
 Does some proud associate slight, boys ? 
 
 Are any around you unkind.'^ 
 Two wrongs never equalled a right, boys. 
 
 Be manly and say "never mind." 
 You'd show, to "get even" with them, 
 boys, 
 
 A soul, microscopic in girth. 
 Take slights for just what they are worth, 
 boys. 
 
 Yes, take them for what they are worth, 
 
 36 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Are rowdy companions about, boys? 
 
 Who shoot off orations of slang, 
 And say you are poky or dull, boys. 
 
 And make you feel many a pang ? 
 March on, with a calm, steady tread, 
 boys, 
 
 "The meek shall inherit the earth;" 
 Take jeers for just what they are worth, 
 boys. 
 
 Yes, take them for what they are worth. 
 
 "Ex nihilo nihil fit," boys, 
 
 " Sure nothing, from nothing can come," 
 Just think, "Mighty cheap is the sneer," 
 boys, 
 *'That comes from the rowdy or bum." 
 Your merit will find its reward, boys, 
 
 Whatever your station or birth, 
 Take sneers for just what they are worth, 
 boys. 
 Yes, take them for what they are 
 worth. 
 
 You'll meet with the fop and the dude, 
 boys. 
 
 In style at his father's expense. 
 Disdaining as "pikers and plugs," boys, 
 
 Each one with a spoonful of sense; 
 
 37 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Compare his opinion with theirs, boys, 
 Who've climbed to some good business 
 berth. 
 
 And take it for what it is worth, boys. 
 Yes, take it for what it is worth. 
 
 Your mother oft gave you advice, boys. 
 
 Be honest, and upright and true. 
 And do unto friend or to foe, boys, 
 
 As you would have done unto you. 
 Don't barter her golden advice, boys. 
 
 For foppery boding a dearth. 
 But take it for what it is worth, boys, 
 
 Yes, take it for what it is worth. 
 
 Oh, yes, it is priceless as pearls, boys. 
 
 It sprung from a heart, ever true, 
 "The way of transgressors is hard," boys, 
 
 And short their prosperity, too. 
 'Twill help you in thousands of ways, 
 boys. 
 
 So heed it in business or mirth. 
 And take it for all it is worth, boys. 
 
 Yes, take it for all it is worth. 
 
 38 
 
ENCOURAGEMENT 
 
 TF we can never rise as high 
 
 Nor be as great as some. 
 Success is better measured by 
 The obstacles o'ercome. 
 
 We think of some as great and grand 
 
 And masters of their race, 
 Whom Fate had destined to command 
 
 And hold exalted place. 
 
 But then, 
 '^ Once they were wanderers here below. 
 
 And "poured out cries and tears; 
 They struggled hard as we do now. 
 
 With cares and doubts and fears J' ^ 
 
 39 
 
THE BOY WHO IS GOOD TO HIS 
 MOTHER 
 
 I 
 
 ET others discuss my religion, 
 ^ Or sanctification or creeds; — 
 
 Prospective reward is a motive, 
 
 Quite good for all manner of deeds; 
 
 I'll herald no loftier gospel 
 
 Thus blazing a guide-post of life, 
 
 " The boy wuo is good to his mother. 
 Will also be good to his wife." 
 
 Whatever of hardship or burden. 
 
 We ought to, with joy, welcome them; 
 They're gems in the rough, we may polish 
 
 To brighten our own diadem. 
 They're sure to adorn or to blemish 
 
 The glory of temporal strife. 
 And records of meanness to mother, 
 
 Would blast those of goodness to wife. 
 
 40 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 "And natnre gives more than we sow.' 
 
 41 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 But harvests are like what was planted. 
 
 And Nature gives more than we sow; 
 As actions, for seed will yield habits. 
 
 So habits, to character grow; 
 And impudence, shown to a mother, 
 
 Is sure to produce its own fruit. 
 And after the honeymoon's over. 
 
 The wife will discover a brute. 
 
 The record of daily behavior. 
 
 Will hinder or help in the race 
 To capture the heart of a fair one. 
 
 To cheer up a home by her grace; 
 But girls should make good observation. 
 
 By scanning their every-day life. 
 For the boy who was mean to his mother. 
 
 Makes sorrow enough for a wife. 
 
 42 
 
HUSTLE WHILE YOU WAIT 
 
 " A LL good doth come to them," 'tis 
 ^^ said, 
 
 "Who wait and murmur not." 
 But energy, in them is dead, 
 
 Contented with their lot. 
 'Tis usefulness, much more you need 
 
 Than gold or real estate. 
 For these will come, if this you heed. 
 
 And, Hustle While You Wait. 
 
 Instead of stopping to complain 
 
 About the greater share 
 Of fame and fortune others gain. 
 
 Who can't with you compare;— 
 If recognition is the prize 
 
 You seek for talents, great. 
 Develop some to recognize, 
 
 And, Hustle While You Wait. 
 
 43 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 If you would hope Success to hail. 
 
 Or wear the victor's wreath. 
 Or peaks of difficulty scale 
 
 With clouds of care beneath. 
 Then you should strike the idler dumb 
 
 In early hours and late, 
 For good to only them will come 
 
 Who Hustle While They Wait. 
 
 The obstacles of life that mock 
 
 Are only stepping-stones 
 O'er which the energetic walk 
 
 To broader fields and zones; 
 Each mounts, majestic, o'er reverse, 
 
 As if a potentate 
 O'er forces of the universe. 
 
 Who Hustle While They Wait. 
 
 For Genius is no native gift 
 
 Of Inspiration grand. 
 On which the idle ones may drift 
 
 To reach the promised land; 
 'Tis elbow grease; 'tis mental toil; 
 
 'Tis perspiration, great; 
 'Tis naught but perseverance oil 
 
 And HUSTLE — whlley-walt. 
 
 44 
 
MY MOTHER'S LAP 
 
 TXAHEN I'm tired, worn and weary, 
 ^^ When I'm weighted down with 
 care. 
 Feeling that I need assistance 
 
 With the load I have to bear. 
 Then my mind reverts to childhood 
 
 When I took my wonted nap. 
 Or when seeking consolation 
 Always found in Mother's lap. 
 
 There was rest for every muscle. 
 
 Solace when my mates would tease; 
 Comfort in my childhood troubles. 
 
 And a cure for each disease. 
 There she brought some healing lotion 
 
 When my hands would chafe and chap. 
 And my wounded toes and fingers 
 
 Soon were well in Mother's lap. 
 
 45 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 I confided every venture 
 
 Of my feeble efforts made. 
 Though I dared to show no other 
 
 Being timid and afraid; 
 Each achievements every blunder, 
 
 Making kite or drawing map. 
 Gave me hope and inspiration 
 
 When enshrined in Mother's lap. 
 
 There was counsel and instruction, 
 
 Moral truth and common sense, 
 I was taught that not a single 
 
 Evil deed could pay expense. 
 And her proof was quite a blessing 
 
 Though expounded with a strap, 
 Making vivid the impressions 
 
 I received in Mother's lap. 
 
 And, the urchin in the alleys 
 
 Who in maudlin accent sings 
 That he's never tied nor tethered 
 
 To his mother's apron strings. 
 He will find in store before him 
 
 Many a hard and cruel rap 
 That he might have well avoided 
 
 If he'd learned in Mother's lap. 
 
 46 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 And I've got a faith that's mighty — 
 
 *Tis a confidence complete — 
 That Success will crown the efforts 
 
 And to honor guide the feet 
 Of the youth who never lingers 
 
 Where the tempter would entrap. 
 But who heeds the lessons taught him 
 
 In a noble mother's lap. 
 
 47 
 
THE PATH TO GREATNESS 
 
 T'VE wished I had the riches, 
 "■- In stocks or bonds or gold, 
 Like John D. Rockefeller's, 
 
 Or Croesus' wealth of old; 
 I'd like the wealth of beauty. 
 
 Divine in form and face, 
 Like that blessed Diana, 
 
 The goddess of the chase. 
 
 I'd like to sing like Gabriel, 
 
 I'd like to preach like Paul, 
 I'd like to have great kingdoms 
 
 Submissive to my call; 
 For we should be as great men 
 
 As God of us would make. 
 We ought to fill a station 
 
 As high as we can take, 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Is there some path to greatness; 
 
 Some way to sure success. 
 That I might handle planets 
 
 As paltry men of chess ? 
 Ah! He who solved the problem 
 
 To whom archangels fall, 
 The greatest in His kingdom 
 
 Is servant of them all. 
 
 'Tis but by humble service 
 We rise to high estate; 
 
 'Tis but the meek and lowly 
 Alone who can be great; 
 
 With pride, doth go destruction. 
 With haughtiness, a fall. 
 
 But greatest of all great ones. 
 
 Is SERVANT OF THEM ALL. 
 
 49 
 
THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT 
 
 E hear of the spur of the moment. 
 Of deeds that are noble and grand. 
 Of heroes who match an occasion. 
 
 Applauded on every hand; 
 And then of the spur of the moment. 
 
 When apathy needs an excuse. 
 We're told that with no preparation 
 Their efforts had been of no use. 
 
 I'm boasting no spur of the moment 
 
 That gave me a popular name, 
 I've doubtless missed hundreds of chances 
 
 To cover me over with fame; 
 But then on the spur of the moment 
 
 We do as we well might expect. 
 For actions on spurs of the moment 
 
 Are simply from cause to effect. 
 
 50 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Just think that the man is a genius 
 
 Who barters all honor for pelf, 
 Is blind to the future and neighbors 
 
 And sees but the present and self; 
 Just go with the herd that is brutish. 
 
 Just go with the back-biting throng. 
 Who always paint all men as spotted. 
 
 Interpreting motives all wrong; 
 
 Just deem it's the mark of a hero 
 
 To shoot off a piece of your mind. 
 Regardless of any discretion 
 
 And scornful of Charity's kind; 
 Just think of revenge when in trouble, 
 
 Believe by a magical trick, 
 It's good as a cure or preventive, 
 
 If plastered on plenty and thick; 
 
 Just muse that on certain occasions 
 
 It's valor to stab and to shoot. 
 Ignore the man, mental and moral. 
 
 And cultivate only the brute; 
 Just lose the respect of your neighbors. 
 
 Of self, of your kindred and kith, 
 Just think of this life as ignoble. 
 
 And that one hereafter, a myth; 
 
 51 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Just trample the rights of another 
 
 And vow you will ruin or rule, 
 You'll prove on some spur of the moment 
 
 The silliest kind of a fool. 
 You'll speak and say little or nothing 
 
 Of what you had really meant, 
 You'll act on the spur of the moment, 
 
 And have all your life to repent. 
 
 But take the advice of the proverb. 
 
 To go with the wise and be wise; 
 Disdain any fraud or deception 
 
 For Time will strip off the disguise. 
 Just think of the value of honor 
 
 And how it will come to your aid, 
 A currency, better than riches 
 
 To bank on in commerce and trade. 
 
 Just vow you will build upon merit, 
 
 A name of unlimited worth; 
 And carefully lay the foundation 
 
 Way down in the depths of the earth: 
 Remember, the higher your structure, 
 
 The more it's to shine in the light. 
 The more you must delve for the bedrock 
 
 And patiently toil out of sight. 
 
 52 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 And when, by long effort you've builded 
 
 A name that is better than gold. 
 Think you, that some spur of the moment 
 
 Will find yourself easily sold? 
 Your record's a shield from the tempter 
 
 And those who lead others astray, 
 You'll value right highly your honor 
 
 Nor barter nor give it away. 
 
 You'll find on the spur of the moment 
 
 You've courage to do and to dare. 
 You've mental and moral equipment 
 
 Like guns that are loaded for bear. 
 Your purpose, your habits, are cables 
 
 To hold to the course that is true. 
 And hope and achievement and others 
 
 Will lead you triumphantly through. 
 
 53 
 
THERE'S MARKET ENOUGH 
 FOR THE BEST 
 
 OUPPLY and Demand, in the temples 
 ^ Of commerce are making their quest ; 
 Refusing the poor and the common, 
 
 But bidding well up for the best; 
 In factory, farm, field and foundry. 
 
 They're seeking and free to invest; 
 For product of garden or dairy, 
 
 There's market enough for the 
 
 BEST. 
 
 There's room at the top for the skillful 
 
 On whom everyone can rely. 
 There's honor and place for the spirit 
 
 That's born with a zeal from on high; 
 Demand is in quest of the noble, 
 
 With worthiest purpose possessed; 
 For diligent ones of all ages. 
 
 There's market enough for the best. 
 
 54 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 
 
 
 For product of garden or dairy, 
 There's market enough for the best." 
 
 55 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 The fop, with saloon education, 
 
 The gamblers, hoboes and hoodoos; 
 The hoodlums, with slang conversation. 
 
 Refined as Apaches and Sioux; 
 The lazy, dishonest and shiftless. 
 
 With naught of ambition or zest. 
 While these are a drug on the market. 
 
 There's Market Enough for the 
 Best, 
 
 56 
 
TELL THE TRUTH 
 
 T'D sing of Grover Cleveland, 
 -■- Who won a brilliant score, 
 (Although against my ballot,) 
 
 In Eighteen eighty four; 
 'Twas after the conventions, 
 
 A week or two had gone. 
 The issues had been stated 
 
 And party lines were drawn. 
 
 They'd raked the fields of gossip. 
 
 And with the old and new 
 Was one, a horrid story. 
 
 And worst of all 'twas true. 
 The daily press portrayed him 
 
 For honors all unfit. 
 As black as if bedraggled 
 
 In yon infernal pit. 
 
 57 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 An author, who was writing 
 
 The common campaign book. 
 Perused the newsy papers 
 
 And wore a worried look; 
 He sat in sober silence 
 
 While sped the hours away. 
 Then telegraphed his chieftain, 
 
 To ask what he might say. 
 
 Three notes in bold staccato, 
 
 Unterrified and strong, 
 Flashed back across the wires. 
 
 The title of my song. 
 As food, by starving mortals, 
 
 Is rolled on tongue and tooth. 
 His friends rehearsed the mandate 
 
 That bade them "Tell the Truth." 
 
 'Twas sent throughout the nation, 
 
 'Twas published far and wide, 
 'Twas sounded here and yonder 
 And turned the battle's tide. 
 The Democratic circles 
 
 Exploded with applause. 
 While foes in dumb amazement 
 Stood by with gaping jaws. 
 
 68 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 They thought they knew the tactics 
 
 Of politicians' games. 
 They thought he'd make excuses 
 
 And take to calling names; 
 They'd hear some great orations 
 
 Of blackguard epithets. 
 He'd talk of suits for libel 
 
 And make blood-curdling threats. 
 
 He'd rant and rave and bluster. 
 
 To prove whom he might scare. 
 They waited for the circus 
 
 To see him paw the air. 
 But when he made no effort 
 
 To paint the others black, 
 Nor boasted any virtues 
 
 Of which he had a lack; 
 
 And when his tongue he bridled. 
 
 Though pictured all uncouth. 
 Admitting his transgression. 
 
 And dared them "Tell The Truth," 
 Their gibes were worse than worthless, 
 
 Their powder turned to punk. 
 Their shot and shell were bubbles 
 
 Their cannon, worthless junk; 
 
 59 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Against that bolt of thunder, 
 
 Their weapons were but straws, 
 Their forts were towers of vapor. 
 
 Their battlements were gauze. 
 It crashed through all defenses. 
 
 It routed horse and foot, 
 That in confusing panic 
 
 So suddenly were put. 
 
 And so my lad, remember. 
 
 To build an honored name. 
 You'll need foundation other 
 
 Than some one else's shame. 
 You'll fight a losing battle 
 
 Whenever YOU have erred, 
 To tell how THEY have blundered. 
 
 Or sinned in deed or word. 
 
 But you can take position 
 
 Five hundred times as strong 
 As anyone who tattles 
 
 About your doing wrong. 
 You needn't preach a sermon. 
 
 Nor make an hour's prayer. 
 You needn't use ten thousand 
 
 Gas-metersful of air; 
 
 60 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 But when you say you're sorry. 
 
 And try to make amends, 
 You've captured their munitions, 
 
 And there the battle ends. 
 Content yourself with knowing 
 
 That they who guy and gawk. 
 Monopolize the trouble 
 
 With their boomerang of talk. 
 
 Though each of all your rivals 
 
 Might shout to split a lung. 
 Keep cool and hold your temper, 
 
 Do right and hold your tongue. 
 For every word you utter 
 
 In gravity or mirth. 
 Will surely be discounted 
 
 Exactly at its worth. 
 
 No haughty boast should publish 
 
 The weakness of your plight; 
 But trust with full composure 
 
 The omnipotence of Right. 
 And in this mighty fortress. 
 
 Beside their flimsy booth. 
 Just "bide a wee" in patience 
 
 And dare them "Tell The Truth." 
 
 61 
 
WHO WANTS A SHARE? 
 
 SOLICITING subscriptions 
 ^ Of specified amounts, 
 To pay some church expenses 
 
 And settle up accounts, 
 I asked a worthy member 
 
 To help a good affair, 
 Who said without a question, 
 
 "Well, I'll subscribe a share." 
 
 And with response so willing, 
 
 A thought to me occurred, 
 A theme for meditation 
 
 With each inspiring word; 
 All shares of sin and folly 
 
 Yield dividends of pain, 
 And there's no share of duty 
 
 Without a share of gain. 
 
 62 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 'Soliciting BabsciiEtions of specified amoantsi 
 To pay some chnicli expenses." 
 
 63 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 So Moses' share of hardship, 
 
 For which he left a crown, 
 Concealed a share of glory. 
 
 And shares of blest renown; 
 And Daniel's share of honor 
 
 Had been for other men, 
 If he had quailed at sharing 
 
 The frightful lions' den. 
 
 Oh! that great share of duty 
 
 That seems to weight you down. 
 Is God's great share of jewels. 
 
 Intended for your crown. 
 Ah! friend, your share of burden. 
 
 Your share of sacrifice. 
 Will bless your share of heaven. 
 
 Your share of Paradise. 
 
 64 
 
THE HANDLE AND THE BLADE 
 
 A H! well I remember some lessons of 
 ■^^ wisdom 
 
 My father and mother impressed on 
 my mind. 
 Among the old adages, proverbs and 
 sayings 
 The wisdom of this, I right often can 
 find: 
 In handling all tools that have any sharp 
 edges, 
 A knife or a razor, a scythe or a spade. 
 Or axes, or hatchets, or chisels, or wedges, 
 " Take hold of the handle, instead 
 OF the blade." 
 
 And think, when you're dealing with 
 rough human nature. 
 There's good in the worst, and there's 
 bad in the best. 
 
 65 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Don't think your own style is the only 
 correct one, 
 Nor look for perfection in all of the 
 rest. 
 There's much human nature around and 
 about us 
 With angular points and sharp edges 
 arrayed. 
 But in them you'll find some redeeming 
 attraction, 
 "Take hold of the handle instead of 
 the blade." 
 
 You've people about you with all sorts 
 of failings 
 Unless much more lucky than most 
 that I know. 
 Don't waste precious time in backbitings 
 and wailings 
 And publish your folly and ignorance 
 so. 
 You strain at a gnat and then swallow 
 a camel 
 In gossip of neighbors, their faults to 
 parade. 
 For great among faults, is the fault of 
 fault-finding, 
 "Take hold of the handle instead of 
 the blade." 
 
 66 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 We've neighbors in plenty with manner- 
 less children, 
 Dogs, cats, pigs and chickens — a bother- 
 some train. 
 But how could we better our present con- 
 dition 
 By adding their hatred, contempt and 
 disdain ? 
 And since we can't have everything to 
 our fancy, 
 And we, among others, some errors 
 have made. 
 Let's note what is pleasant, ignoring the 
 balance, 
 "Take hold of the handle instead of 
 the blade." 
 
 Some people would bluster at you in their 
 fury 
 And make of great use The Imperative 
 Mode, 
 You'd seem, should you only pursue right 
 and reason, 
 A cowardly underling, ruled by their 
 goad. 
 Yet why should such actions disturb our 
 composure ? 
 They've sorrows enough with the foes 
 they have made, 
 
 67 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Why should our ill temper sink us to 
 their level ? 
 Fly off of the handle — a dangerous 
 blade. 
 
 But some, having intellects, six-for-a- 
 nickel, 
 Are constantly tramping on neighbor- 
 hood corns. 
 When plucking a rosebud of ravishing 
 beauty. 
 They seem to see nothing except ugly 
 thorns. 
 If trouble you're seeking in patches and 
 acres. 
 You surely can jfind it and not be 
 delayed ; 
 Don't mind your own business, but faults 
 of your neighbors, 
 Grab loose of the handle, and hold of 
 the blade. 
 
 And yet. Holy Writ teaches this beyond 
 doubting. 
 That I am a keeper of brothers around. 
 And brotherly kindness can point out 
 their errors. 
 In words clear and plain if by charity 
 bound, 
 
 68 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Appeal to their manhood, their honor 
 and reason; 
 Let love and respect every sentence 
 pervade. 
 Nine times out of ten they will make 
 strong endeavor 
 To hide in the handle, the edge of the 
 blade. 
 
THE SLOUCHY POSTMASTER 
 
 (Note — The author is a Railway Postal Cleik.) 
 
 TTOW dear to my heart is that worthy 
 "^ official. 
 
 Who mixes the mail, as if mush, with 
 a stick; 
 If I were his mother, he'd need artificial 
 Half soles to his trousers, an inch or 
 two thick. 
 
 On getting his batch of "New York" 
 and "Durango," 
 Then foreign mail, local mail, mixed 
 up with States, 
 You'd think I was dancing the Spanish 
 fandango 
 Or dodging about the first time upon 
 skates. 
 
 70 
 
POEMS OP INSPIRATION 
 
 "And speeding thro' space on the Burlington Flyer 
 To meet waiting trains at the end of the run." 
 
 71 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 One day, as he listened to kindly sugges- 
 tions 
 To label the "local," I titled my tune 
 ''Millennial Bliss," but don't ask any 
 questions. 
 It faded to this the next change of 
 the moon. 
 
 And speeding thro' space on The Bur- 
 lington flyer 
 To meet waiting trains at the end of 
 the run, 
 I'd blow him as high, or a little bit 
 higher. 
 Than Gilderoy's kite out o' sight in 
 the sun. 
 
 72 
 
LOADED FOR BEAR 
 
 TX^E'RE stalking life's fen, field or 
 ~ * forest. 
 
 And searching for various game, 
 It may be for pleasure or profit; 
 
 Perhaps it is fortune or fame. 
 Despise not the small game about you, 
 
 Like squirrel or Belgian hare. 
 But mind ! i^" There is bigger game 
 
 FOR YOU, 
 
 So always be loaded for bear. 
 
 Some hunt with the worst of equipment, 
 
 As ignorance, envy or hate; 
 Return from the chase, disappointed. 
 
 And grumble because of their fate. 
 Revenge is a blunderbuss, bu'sted, 
 
 Beyond any means of repair. 
 And tho' it wrecks any behind it. 
 
 It's "powerful weak" for a bear. 
 
 73 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Should man, made in God's mighty 
 image. 
 
 Thus dwindle to less than a mouse. 
 And try to "get even" with vermin 
 
 By sinking as low as a parasite? 
 Oh! tower above slight or insult, 
 
 Or barking, or bellow, or blare; 
 For Spite simply gives your opponent, 
 
 The gun you had loaded for bear. 
 
 With cartridge-belt full of politeness, 
 And shells, that are loaded with pluck; 
 
 With coat of respect, to which libel 
 Is simply like rain on a duck. 
 
 Go forth with the strong shield of honor, 
 Despise ammunition, unfair. 
 
 Load up with some noble ambition 
 
 And HUNT TILL YOU CAPTURE A BEAR. 
 
 74 
 
SELECTION AND MORAL 
 
 A T 8:00 P.M. while Pa and Ma 
 ■^-^ Helped entertain with Sis, 
 Both John and May in distant seats 
 
 Were far apart 
 
 like this. 
 
 At 9:00 P.M. when Pa withdrew. 
 And sought his room upstairs. 
 
 Those lovers found some photographs 
 And nearer brought their chairs. 
 
 At 10:00 o'clock Mamma decamped. 
 
 And then my sakes! what bliss! 
 Those lovers sat till after one. 
 
 About as close as this. 
 
 And I would draw this lesson from 
 The suit that John did press. 
 
 About the kind of youth who wins 
 The damsel called Success. 
 
 Devotion to allotted work 
 
 Will drive all else away, 
 'Twill bring him early, keep him late 
 
 And close, as John to May. 
 
 75 
 
THE PRESCRIPTION 
 
 A YOUNG and most worthy physician, 
 ■^-^ Whose name was McDonald Sin- 
 
 clare, 
 Had numbered as one of his patients, 
 
 Miss Josephine Isabel Ware. 
 Her form was like that of Diana, 
 
 The Goddess who rules o'er the chase. 
 And lilies and roses were blended 
 On features of magical grace. 
 
 He asked of her health and her ailments. 
 
 One evening, when out at a ball; 
 She said that another prescription. 
 
 No doubt, it would cure one and all. 
 He thought he would change the pre- 
 scription, 
 
 And said as he pencilled with care, 
 "Now this is just what you must take, 
 ma'am," 
 
 'Twas "Doctor McDonald Sinclare." 
 
 76 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 She gasped, as she opened the paper. 
 
 That it was a bad, bitter pill, 
 Yet blushes, through long, drooping 
 lashes. 
 
 Proclaimed to the Doctor "I will.'* 
 'Mid singing and music and laughter. 
 
 And ringing of summertime bells. 
 She chose that ideal prescription. 
 
 As this little melody tells. 
 
 77 
 
WRECK OF THE FAST MAIL 
 
 Sketch — The following poem clearly nar- 
 rates the wreck at Danville, Va., September 
 23, 1903. It being a mail train, no passengers 
 were aboard. 01 the sixteen men on dut^ in 
 various parts of the train, eleven lost their lives. 
 
 TTTE'LL boast of Grant at Shiloh, 
 
 ^ * And sing of Sherman's trail, 
 Yet vie with bards to honor 
 The Man of Railway Mail. 
 When trains are late, 
 A hell-bound gait 
 Bodes death on every rail, 
 I fear the fate 
 When trains are late 
 Of him who works the mail. 
 
 So nigh the steed of iron. 
 
 Fatalities prevail. 
 But he can't grasp the throttle 
 Nor scan the treach'rous rail; 
 His mind must bend 
 To mail we send, 
 
 78 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 To time-cards, maps and schemes. 
 The thousand trains 
 That cross the plains. 
 
 Weave riddles, passing dreams. 
 
 And when his run is over. 
 
 Beside his humble fire. 
 His books must be corrected 
 From orders "by the quire;'* 
 They come each week 
 In stacks and speak 
 To rack his aching brain. 
 To learn by heart. 
 In whole, in part, 
 New office, stage and train. 
 
 The greatest Kings of Commerce 
 
 Trust his unerring ken. 
 He brings to us the treasures 
 Of friendship, press and pen. 
 
 Delay might bring 
 
 The fatal sting. 
 The dread of one and all. 
 
 One careless toss 
 
 Turn gain to loss 
 On barter, great or small. 
 
 79 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 A mail train — ^heavy freighted 
 
 While all, impatient wait. 
 Swept down from off a mountain. 
 One fatal hour late. 
 With mighty tread. 
 It onward sped, 
 Where curving trestles quake; 
 Then left its beat. 
 Two hundred feet, 
 'Mid rocks and cane and brake. 
 
 That crash 'woke sleeping echoes 
 
 On far-off mountain peaks, 
 Like peal on peal of thunder 
 When God's artil'ry speaks; 
 
 The creaking beam, 
 
 The hissing steam. 
 Made one great funeral wail. 
 
 But not a word, 
 
 Nor moan, was heard 
 From all who worked the mail. 
 
 At mutilated corpses. 
 
 All people stood aghast. 
 As arms and limbs asunder 
 
 Were from the wreckage passed. 
 'Mid burning sacks 
 And iron racks, 
 
 80 
 
POEMS OP INSPIRATION 
 
 "Swept down from off a mouatain.' 
 
 81 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Those mangled bodies lay, 
 And flesh and blood 
 With mire and mud 
 
 Bestrewed the mountain way. 
 
 Ah, thus, on train or engine, 
 
 To die where duties call, 
 (Unheralded in battle 
 Or legislative hall,) 
 
 Should weave for them 
 
 A diadem 
 Of poets' richest lore. 
 
 Till Gabriel's blast 
 
 Proclaims the last 
 Of wreck and ruin o'er. 
 
 We trust they were promoted 
 
 To more exalted lines, 
 From tenements so humble 
 
 To homes where splendor shines. 
 This word of cheer 
 To kindred dear, 
 "They died at Duty's Post," 
 And may we meet 
 The crew complete. 
 In yon celestial host. 
 
 82 
 
SAN FRANCISCO 
 
 i^H! San Francisco, regal, 
 
 ^-^ Where gleams The Golden Gate, 
 
 Though stricken by affliction. 
 
 And well nigh crushed by fate; 
 The thought of thy misfortune 
 
 Hath touched the human heart, 
 We mourn thy desolation. 
 
 And beg to bear a part. 
 
 Thy sons — our kith and kindred — 
 
 Have made a desert bright, 
 And built a spot like Eden 
 
 'Mid Barbarism's blight. 
 And though earth still is quaking 
 
 And embers yet are hot. 
 We see thy homes rebuilding — 
 
 The mansion and the cot. 
 
 83 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 We breathe an inspiration 
 
 From such unbounded pluck. 
 Which says that true endeavor 
 
 Is all there is of luck, 
 And though the wheels of commerce 
 
 Are still, in mill and shop, 
 'Tis but, in plucky 'Frisco, 
 
 A momentary stop. 
 
 For there's no paltry effort 
 
 In fear that you may fail. 
 But strokes, both strong and sturdy. 
 
 From those who will prevail. 
 It sounds the Latin proverb, 
 "Ad astra" to the stars 
 '*Per aspera" through thousands 
 Of Difficulty's bars. 
 
 And, stewards of The Giver 
 
 Of every earthly good. 
 We now unlock His treasure 
 
 Of gold, of clothes and food. 
 We'd help re-light thy fires; 
 
 We'd help re-build thy walls; 
 We'd help erect thy spires 
 
 And fill thy new-built halls. 
 
 84 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 And when the wrecks are mended 
 
 And Fortune's on our side, 
 And others, just as worthy. 
 
 Have wants to be supplied; 
 On opportune occasions 
 
 To help our fellow man. 
 We'll say "Get up an' hustle; 
 
 We'll beat you if we can." 
 
 85 
 
KNOWLEDGE VS. WISDOM 
 
 OR 
 
 THE POWER OF THOUGHT 
 
 Notes — Knowledge is power, and many a man a power-fal fool, bat Wis- 
 dom is the right ase of Knowledge. Tonr education is valaable, not in 
 proportion to what you know, but in proportion to your ability to find out 
 what you may need to know, as the needs arise. 
 
 The ancient philosopher, Archimedes, seeing the great power of a lever, 
 exclaimed, "If I had a lever long enough, and some place for a fulcrum, I 
 could move the world." 
 
 "XrOU can lead a horse to water. 
 
 But you cannot make him drink;*' 
 You can send a dunce to college, 
 
 But you cannot make him think; 
 And the best of things are worthless 
 
 Till we use them as we ought, 
 So our knowledge turns to wisdom 
 Only by the hardest thought. 
 
 He who hopes to be a figure 
 
 Of commanding magnitude. 
 Seeks the great supply of wisdom. 
 
 Earnest thought in solitude. 
 And, hilarity despising. 
 
 All but gay and festive times. 
 Is but mental paregoric 
 
 Such as Mother Goose's Rhymes. 
 
 86 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Do not think your native talent 
 
 Bids your energies recede, 
 'Tis its USE, and not possession, 
 
 That can make a man succeed; 
 Better chances in the struggle, 
 
 With endowments, multiply. 
 But your talent is not given 
 
 Laziness to gratify. 
 
 'Twill not keep for state occasions. 
 
 In a band-box laid away; 
 Worse than useless for exhibit. 
 
 In a show-case for display; 
 'Tis an implement for service 
 
 That, IN USE, can help you rise. 
 But without your own exertion. 
 
 You can win no worthy prize. 
 
 E'en a wing that is not mated. 
 
 Isn't worth a broken crutch. 
 But the pair called Toil and Talent, 
 
 They can help, and help you much. 
 And the youth who thinks diplomas 
 
 Can support a man and wife; 
 That abundant education 
 
 Does away with toil and strife; 
 
 87 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Or the dude who hails from coUege-^ — 
 
 An aristocratic snob — 
 Who is seeking a position. 
 
 But who doesn't want a job; 
 Who can see no degradation 
 
 Being rated as a shirk, 
 Who imparts the information 
 
 He's too dignified to work; 
 
 Though his head be stuffed with Latin, 
 
 Figures, facts and etiquette. 
 Still, without their application. 
 
 He's an ignoramus yet. 
 And to gormandize the classics 
 
 Or the theorems of school. 
 Just to boast their acquisition. 
 
 Makes the educated fool. 
 
 Education is not learning. 
 
 It's ability to THINK, 
 And your undigested knowledge 
 
 Is a mess of printers' ink. 
 For the need is application. 
 
 Calculation, day and night; 
 Study, thought and meditation. 
 
 Till your problems blaze with light. 
 
 88 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Thought is potent; Thought has power; 
 
 Thought doth move the world with 
 ease ; 
 Thought is that great, mighty lever, 
 
 Dreamed of by Archimedes. 
 From the power-house of learning. 
 
 Not the slightest force is brought. 
 But on lines of meditation, 
 
 From the dynamos of thought. 
 
 89 
 
THE GUN AND THE GAME 
 
 T'D never disperse the mosquitoes 
 
 Bombarding with monstrous gun, 
 And hurl from the mouth of a cannon 
 
 A shot that weighs over a ton; 
 And wordy and insolent battles 
 
 With breeds from the bogs of ill-fame. 
 Will never defray the expenses, 
 
 The gun is too big for the game. 
 
 When any one tries to annoy you 
 
 With manners more rude than polite; 
 When enemies try to attack you 
 
 With pop-guns of malice or spite; 
 Revenge simply shows you are wounded. 
 
 And tattles of how you're undone; 
 Just show by an even demeanor. 
 
 You're game that's too big for the gun. 
 
 90 
 
THE HEAVY END 
 
 A H! lad, you want to be successful, 
 "^^ And draw good pay in cash, of 
 
 course ; 
 You want to hold some post of honor. 
 
 And grow to be a man of force; 
 Now listen to this bit of wisdom 
 
 To help you gain what you intend, 
 "When you and others bear a burden, 
 Be sure to choose the heavy end." 
 
 For men abhor a lazy laggard. 
 
 They all abominate a shirk, 
 Who wants the light end, soft and snappy, 
 
 While others have the heavy work. 
 The youth who scorns to climb the ladder. 
 
 And tries at first the topmost round. 
 Depends on wings imaginary. 
 
 And falls and sprawls upon the ground. 
 
 91 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 Of course you want to draw your wages. 
 
 But if you would avoid regret. 
 Be vastly surer you are earning, 
 
 A great deal more than what you get; 
 For you are headed up and onward 
 
 When those about you comprehend 
 You've made your work exceed your 
 wages, 
 
 And always want the heavy end. 
 
 And though you cannot reap the harvest, 
 
 Upon the very day you sow. 
 The lacking pay for what you're doing. 
 
 Will grow and pay for what you know; 
 And in the world's hard heart of granite 
 
 You'll find a place to recommend. 
 You'll find a welcome, warm and cordial. 
 
 For those who take the heavy end. 
 
 92 
 
TOMMY'S LITTLE DRUM 
 
 'pOMMY had a little drum, 
 
 Its tone was loud and shrill. 
 And everywhere that Tommy went 
 Was music fit to kill. 
 
 He told his ma, he couldn't see 
 What made her headache ache; 
 
 She said that she was much afraid. 
 His Christmas drum would break. 
 
 But Pa declared, while Tommy played 
 
 His energetic stunt, 
 "I'm not afraid the thing will bu'st. 
 
 But I'm afraid it won't." 
 
 93 
 
O, WHO COULD BE LONESOME 
 ALONE? 
 
 /^H! who could be lonesome or lonely ? 
 ^^ For Time fairly quakes as he flings 
 And scatters new proof of the proverb, 
 
 "The diligent, stand before kings." 
 When Truth might be built up and 
 strengthened, 
 
 And Error might be overthrown. 
 And Mind made a storehouse of wisdom, 
 
 O, who could be lonesome alone? 
 
 The Amazon gathers its greatness 
 
 From hundreds of thousands of veins 
 And seeps that are hidden forever. 
 
 In mountains, and jungles, and plains; 
 So he, when Emergency summoned. 
 
 Who answered in clarion tone. 
 Had gathered equipment each moment, 
 
 And never was lonesome alone. 
 
 94 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 
 'lamonntains and jangles and plains.' 
 
 95 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 We pine for a friend sympathetic 
 
 When Fate has decreed we must part; 
 Neglect, or a lack of affection 
 
 Strikes grief to the core of the heart. 
 But he who abhors meditation 
 
 In dread of a dull monotone. 
 Is flabby and weak in the struggle. 
 
 Like all who are lonesome alone. 
 
 The man who succeeds in his business. 
 
 Must make it his daily delight; 
 Must make it his chief recreation. 
 
 And pleasure by day and by night. 
 The Giants, the Kings of our commerce. 
 
 And all who for wisdom are known. 
 Had valued as priceless each moment. 
 
 And never were lonesome alone. 
 
 The baby that cries for his rattle, 
 
 The fop, without purpose or bent. 
 The idle who loaf in the shadow 
 
 About Mediocrity's tent, 
 The pleasure-bound leeches of fashion 
 
 Whose coveted bread is a stone, 
 And all who are aiming at nothing. 
 
 Are some, who are lonesome alone. 
 
 96 
 
A CHARACTER FACTORY 
 
 (Note — A bulletin board in Los Angeles 
 states: The Young Men's Christian Asso- 
 ciation will build a $200,000.00 Character 
 Factory on these lots soon.) 
 
 TXTE'RE needing a Character Factory 
 * ~ started, 
 To work up material Satan would 
 choose. 
 The brightest of youth and the brainiest 
 manhood 
 Are such as his mills would be ruined 
 to lose. 
 
 Materials priceless — of worth beyond 
 measure — 
 Are there manufactured a menace and 
 curse. 
 And turned out as burdens to self and 
 to others — 
 The product, when finished, could 
 hardly be worse. 
 
 97 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 With character ruined — with faculties 
 blighted — 
 No market is left where their talents 
 will sell, 
 They drift to some dump of Society's 
 garbage — 
 A jail, an asylum — the gallows as well. 
 
 They're needed to edify places of honor. 
 Adorn every post they are chosen to 
 hold, 
 Explore every region of science and 
 knowledge, 
 And bring forth their treasures, more 
 precious than gold. 
 
 They're needed to shine in Society's 
 circles. 
 Dispensing the light of true wisdom 
 and mirth; 
 They're needed to battle with Truth 
 against Error, 
 And prove what is truly "the salt of 
 the earth." 
 
 98 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 They're needed to strengthen the weak 
 who are striving 
 With many temptations that lead them 
 astray ; 
 So welcome the Factory — welcome the 
 product — 
 And all with the trade-mark of 
 Y. M. C. A. 
 
BIDDY O'FLAHERTY'S RECOM- 
 MENDATION 
 
 A MISS O'FLA'RTY came from Cork, 
 ■^^ A winsome lass of beauty. 
 To act as waitress in New York, 
 
 Or do domestic duty; 
 Among her treasures and effects, 
 
 A written commendation 
 Showed character, in all respects 
 
 Quite worthy estimation. 
 
 This document was shown one day 
 
 To Michael McCurdy, 
 Who let the wind tear much away 
 
 While telling Patrick Murphy; 
 And what to do was hard to tell, 
 
 'Twas badly mutilated. 
 Perhaps Pat Murphy, just as well. 
 
 Might certify as stated; 
 
 100 
 
POEMS OF INSPIRATION 
 
 And so he wrote as best he could, 
 "I know Miss Biddy's nature. 
 Her athrributes are jist ez good 
 
 Ez anny livin' crr^acher, 
 Her characther was what ye'd like; 
 
 But on that trip romantic, 
 'Twas ruined by that measley Mike, 
 
 A crossing the Atlantic." 
 
 And so Miss Biddy came from Cork, 
 
 A winsome lass of beauty, 
 To act as waitress in New York, 
 
 Or do domestic duty; 
 With other ills, she soon forgot 
 
 Those days so dark and murky. 
 When living in a cosy cot. 
 
 As Mrs. Patrick Murphy. 
 
 101 
 
DV 35 l^^ 
 
II 
 
 018 604 939^