^-•^... o A^ ^^-n^. V \ -^^^^ l^agabontr ©er«e Pnbatelf» ^vintth VAGABOND VERSE ^ Olft OCT 26 W£ Nixon-Jones Printing Co., St. Louis, Mo. To C. W. G. '^ o --^ CONTENTS ^ The Crazy Creek Uprising— 1909 Page Nine ^ A Texas Wind Storm Page Ten Mexico— Take Warning! Page Eleven The Sergeant's Sweetheart: a True Tale Page Twelve Ciudad Jnarez Page Fifteen The National Hymn of Mexico, a Translation Page Sixteen The Golden Horn— a Memory Page Eighteen The Hostess House Page Nineteen St. Louis University Fleur-de-Lis Song— Page Twenty Delta Sigma Theta Banquet Song. . .Page Twenty-one For a Chapter Memory Book Page Twenty- two Be Industrious Page Twenty-three Lines in Despondency Page Twenty-four Death Page Twenty-five Lines on My Microscope Page Twenty-six Pleximetry Page Twenty-seven To the Girl of My Dreams Page Twenty-eight Seven THE CRAZY SNAKE UPRISING— 1909 Out in the burr land, intrenched in the sand, Raided the Crazy Creeks — old Crazy Snake's band, Indians dangerous and wild; Believing the Council and Black Drink had lied, They were unruly through error and pride, Indians reckless and riled; They defied quelling with rifle or talk • And at inducements surely would balk, Indians wrongly beguiled. Hence the intrepid Mask5kes assembled in groups Raising a racket with rifles and bloodiest whoops, Waiting 'till medicine sorcers bewitched them to kill, While in a dance to arouse a big warrior skill. After the medicine dance and carousal were done Black Drink assembled his braves for the fun Bent in attacking the band of rebellious Creeks. So the bewitched and determined set out on the trail Leading to ambush and deadly lead hail. Thus the detachments kept stealthily on, Crawling thru gullies in darkness of dawn. Following scoutsmen engaged in the work Of finding the places where Crazy Creeks lurk. When the attackers discovered old Crazy Snake's place They quickly surrounded the bramblely space. While the revolvers and rifles were barking out lead Bravely the Maskokes kept forging ahead And captured all Crazy Snakes — living or dead. Camp Pike, Arkansas, July, 1918. Nine A TEXAS WIND STORM Have you ever met a Texas storm When it quickly starts to perform A sort of diabolical reform? Well, then, stranger, listen well And I will very briefly tell How a Texas wind storm whips Instanter loose from Well, it comes across ten townships In lesser time than I can cuss, And it rips and rips and rips 'Til everything is clean a muss And youVe breathed a peck of the ranche's crust. For twenty minutes your baleing dust From throat and eyes — and lots mo' wuss 'Tis to know your shakedown's going bust, While you're buried under the sandy gust. And you axe me what to do When the 'tarnal wind is through? Well fust dig out yourself and boss. Then ride around a mile or two, Mebby you'll find some things you've los'. Camp Stewart, Texas, November, 1916. Ten MEXICO— TAKE WAENING! Yon are bloody, you are cruel, Cruel, bloody Mexico! On your towns the bandits ply. In their streets the widows cry; All your honesty ^s a lie — Mexico. You are sensual, you are rotten, Rotten, sensual Mexico! You will level all to dust, And 3^our grafting leaders must Die in sordedness and lust — Mexico. You are crumbled, you are humbled. Humbled, crumbled Mexico! Yourdictators ' laws and lies Vanish when the peons rise; For Justice lives but Falsehood dies — Mexico. You are ignorant and hauty, Hauty, ignorant Mexico, On you a nation's w^ill is set, And their arms will fell you yet — For atrocities it can't forget. Righteousness permits no tyrant's hall, Indignation leaves no gibbet wall, For they correct and conquor all — Mexico. El Paso, Texas, July, 1916. Eleven THE SERGEANT'S SWEETHEART A True Tale — Mexican Border Concentration, 1916 First I'll write of regiments well manned, Troops of thirty thriving states, And how they spread on stretch of somber sand At a troubled nation's gates, All along the winding Rio Grande, Made a mighty military hand, Stretched to save degenerates. These men from mart and meadow mustered, glad Servants of a nation's need; And readily responding, every lad Sprung to follow captain's lead, Thus honoring the parents made sad When their boys departed to curb the mad Chiefs' and bandits' guileful greed. Quartered on a common camping ground. And fellowed by a soldier's day. Countless kinds of Clay and Class were found. Leavened to a ranked array: Sacrificing merchants, doctors, bound With the careless, constant-pleasure hound, And many loosing higher pay. During the morning's hot and dragging hours. Trod the troops on trackless plains Strewn with shrub, mesquite and cactus flowers, All thirsting for torrential rains — From the fast collecting cloud that lowers Off the mountain ridge that steeply towers Into heaven's lambent lanes. Twelve In the long and languid, listless nights, Gathered groups of goodly friends. Holding meeting under starry lights. Listening to a tale that ends Merrily in rousing drinking rites. Or reveals the labor, love and sights To which inclination bends. Songs and showy stories alternate With accounts of home and heart, Or a nature-lover would relate Why the lizards lighthly dart, (For a fly or from a foe), or wait Motionlessly basking out their fate. In a rocky, arid part. One of the stories told about a maid Whom a sergeant loved in years agone And how he hid his hopes and heart, and paid For all her whims, as tlio' a pawn; Then a better situation made Him rich, but too late to give him aid For the fickle girl was gone. This narration led a lonely lad To describe a Gift of Chance, Which in recent hours had made him glad Through a sunny, fetching glance. She was charming, chaste and cause of mad Love and hope in hearts however sad: Verily she did entrance. Thirteen Sucli account attracted all intent And sent two soldiers soon to see The enchantress who had lent Godliness to gayety. First she would not meet them, but unbent, When she learned that both were recent Friends of full integrity. What? The sergeant was the welcome guest! For he found his former friend In this girl, who gave, we're told, the best Granted greeting that could mend Former sadness in a lover, blessed Again with hopes which he now confessed — Hence by now she has his socks to mend. Camp Stewart, Texas, August, 1916. Fourteen CIUDAD JUAEEZ (Cuidad del Paso del Norte) Near where a rolling range of mountains give The shallow Eio Grande a pass, There lies a village where the people live By Mexico's dry Northern pass. Its people come from ancient Spanish stock With mixture of the Indian race, And all their movements, thoughts and petty trade Are made in slow and tickle pace. The village whitens under cloudless sky, A flat and plain adobe mass ; It huddles on an arid mesa by A clump of trees and prairie grass. Its only beauty is at purple dawn. Or evenings red and gliding close — Then it seems to be by magic drawn, A mountain valley's only rose. Fort Bliss, Texas, December, 1916. Fifteen THE NATIONAL HYMN OF MEXICO A Translation Mexicans at the loud cry of war, Your swords and your steeds assemble, For the earth to its center shall tremble At the sonorous roar of the canon, And the earth to its center shall tremble. At the sonorous roar of the canon. Raise, Fatherland, thy olive bough temples: The devine archangles of peace; For in the heavens thy eternal lease By the finger of God is written. That in the heavens thy destiny's lease By the finger of God is written. But if boldly a hostile stranger. Profanes with his heel thy fair lee; Think, Fatherland, how heaven will give thee A soldier in each of thy sons, A soldier in each of thy sons. El Paso, Texas, October, 1916. Sixteen HIMNO NACIONAL DE MEXICO Mexicanos al grito de guerra, El acero aprestad y el bridon, Y retiemble en sus centres la tierra Al sonoro rugir del canon. Y retiemble en sus centres la tierra Al sonoro rugir del canon. Cina, oh patria, tus sienes de oliva, De la paz el archangel divino Que en el cielo tu eterno destino Por el dedo de Dios es escribio Que en el cielo tu eterno destino Por el dedo de Dios es escribio. Mas si osare un estrano enemigo Profanar con su planta tu suelo, Piensa, oh patria, querida que el cielo Un soldado en cada hijo te dio, Un soldado en cada hi jo te dio. Seventeen THE GOLDEN HORN— A MEMORY My mind toniglit is far afliglit Musing on a gorgeous sight; It is of Frisco's bay and gilded Horn On a sierran summer morn, When nature painted hills and sea And gave America a Cashmeran lea. Once I saw Palermo's lovely color plays, And watched the hoary Alpine peaks in all their glory ; I've sailed Vesuvian and Dalmatian bays. And had the Brunnig valley spread before me. But among enchanting vistas I have seen, I repine the one of Frisco's elfin scene. Camp Pike, Ark., July, 1918. Eighteen THE HOSTESS HOUSE Hid in a cool spot, shady and green plot Close to the barrack array, Lays the attractive, home-like and massive Bnngalow where women folk live — Charming', snug Hostess House. Giving a kind womanly home touch Dear to the hearts of the boys; and Gladly befriending the ladies and mothers Who are out visiting husbands and brothers- Cozy, bright Hostess House. Camp Pike, Ark., August, 1918. Nineteen SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY FLEUR-DE-LIS SONO The fleur-de-lis' royal blue, Has long years stood for power And grace and love and culture, Rare blessings in a sbower. And beneath the glorious splendor The blue and white doth shed She is still a challenger To those whom she hath led. So through long years of college With help at every turn Comes the charm of erudition For which we warmly yearn. That we may win life's victories And earn through our own U. The choicest blessings of this life To deck the white and blue. That we may win life's victories And earn through our own U. The choicest blessings of this life To deck the white and blue. Chorus As trials of life o'erwhelm us. Turning fast our hair to white. And cherished hopes deceive us In Fortune's beguiling plight. We'll forget our cares and sadness And let memory wander free To recall these days of gladness Crowned by the fleur-de-lis. To recall these days of gladness Crowned by the fleur-de-lis. St. Louis, Mo., July, 1911. Twenty DELTA SIGMxl THETA BANQUET SONG Come along, and sing a song Of happy days of yore When we all were college chums In search of classic lore. Gather 'round and linger 'round A good fraternal feast, Swap some tales of college pranks, A score or more, at least. Tell again, and sing again. Of care-free days now gone, Of happy hours together spent On campus, field or lawn. Joke about and laugh about Funny stunts and stags, Relating all the curious deeds Of chapter wits and wags. Chorus So then we'll drink, boys! drink! To friendship that will last; Happy whene'er we think Of our brothers of the past. And now we'll drink, boys! drink! To comrades that are here. And sing the songs that make us think Of past events so dear. St. Louis, Mo., September, 1911. Twenty-one FOR A CHAPTER MEMORY BOOK I'll burden not these tell-tale pages With records of the weary strife, For discomforts are soon forgotten If not recalled to life. Then let this hook record the days We spent in merriment, And may it ne'r recall the days Of willful devilment. For this life is what we make it — A day of pleasant thought Or a life of endless misery With sad memories frought. St. Louis, Mo., December, 1909. Twenty-two BE INDUSTRIOUS Life's troubled hours are passing fast, The days soon slip away, And man's strong arm must rest at last So let it toil today. Then let's improve our time today, In every goodly way, For which of us can hope to say Our work will not repay. If you respect the weak, and pray, And labor hard each day. Your future course will surely lay Along a happy, honored way. El Paso, Texas, November, 1916. Txoenty^tJiree LINES IN DESPONDENCY When the reverses of faihire are casting a toll On the convictions and strength of yonr sonl, Let not ambition be blighted away Or the intention to strive for that day Crowned by the tasks of the larger and nobler roll That is awarded a man in the fray. For it is proven that manliness lays in a mind That is atuned to a purpose and keeps at the grind Laughing at troubles and striving to serve Wins approbations for those who preserve Stoutness of heart and a strong inclination to find Pleasure in toiling to strengthen their nerve. Camp Dodge, Iowa, June, 1918. Twenty-four DEATH Hope sinks into silence — the story is told — The features are darkened, the heart \s blood is cold. A life is completed and closed like the day. And God who gave it, hath taken it away. Pale grows the visage, and snuifed is life's fire, Grief fades into silence as loved ones retire. Darker and darker the sad shadows fall, As death's deep sorrow lays claim over all. Mournfully, solemnly sounding its dole, The funeral bell is beginning to toll. St. Louis, Mo., January, 1910. Twenty-five LINES ON MY MICROSCOPE See that tube of burnished brass With its doors of crystal glass! Making an Aladin pass To dominions microscopic. It reveals at my command Structures of an unknown land, Giving to a mortal's hand Franchise in a world exotic. Its eye for deepest mystery, And teachings free from sophistry, Reveal the race's history. To delight the philosophic. Offspring of ingenious mind, Lifter of a pristine blind. Ever ready like its kind, Yielding services dioptric. This device with form and virtues fair, Faithful searcher of life's hidden lair. Claims tribute of praises rare. Instrument so scientific! Boston, Mass., June, 1911. Twenty-six PLEXIMETRY Hear the tapping, tapping on a flattened chest, And the rapping, rapping on a wasted breast ; How the striking over pulmonary zones And the notes and pitch in dull and shortened tones Gives a fateful revelation of pulmonary excavation When the tuneless resonation wells. With the falling, falling of an agile finger Comes the knowledge why the cough and weakness linger. For the patient *s consummation is a fatal infesta- tion. Of which the slow examination tells. Thus by deft and clever tapping We come to learn of what is sapping Strength and tissue fast away. Philadelphia General Hospital, June, 1916. Twenty-seven TO THE GIRL OF MY DREAMS With joy your virtues I exalt, Though unaware what they may be, And then each charming little fault, You may-hap have, is dear to me. Sweetheart, I sure would praise Your lovely eyes, if I but knew. From meeting once their tolerant gaze. What color forms their glorious hue. And some mention of your hair I'd like to make — its braid and curl — But then, though you're my sweetheart fair, Alas! you're still the unmet girl! I wildly yearn to tell you how I love the very thought of you, For that is all I can love now — Until you come within my view. February, 1910. Twenty-eight % ,V -^ .-^'' * ,*lo. wo"^ *l:^% ''O V'^' *-^^ * ^ ..V \ ^.^^ :i^ I. N ♦ -ir^^v ''V'^\0'>' X-.^-'-y '^o^'^-.o^ -^ .. ^°:-..=^. ..<^^^% /.:.«:.-.=:.. /'^*;;'% ■- %• .^ ..■''^• \ c » " • ♦ <^ O^ • " • %c^' f O " 9 . ^ .Or ^,i^.(^ ^.- ..>^*- ^-^. ^^-i- /A";-^'""-, .^■'''^'^i? %"^;- JUM 73 SiS^ N. MANCHE: .^: ;^ -:*^ ^m'- ""-n.