P S 3531 A8312 A17 1922 MAIN NRLF 7QA GIFT OF ffigffiSSg&SSg POEMS By JUSTIN E. PATTERSON After you have read these little poems, I shall be pleased if you will write to me and let me know your favorites. Justin E. Patterson, Pomona, California.. r 0\,~<L- POEMS By JUSTIN E. PATTERSON CJ I do not write thinking perfection in these few lines to show, so let me ask you e re you quiz it for better words to know; Til ask you then to spare the chastening which other- wish you d give and let the rod of harsh correction leave me a chance to live. <I Pomona, California, De cember, Nineteen and Twenty-two L Al-7 CONTENTS Asleep in Church ........................................... ...................................... . 7 Why Pat Shaved Outside ............................................................... 7 Beauty of Faith and Hope ............... ................................................ .. 7 The Beauty of Money ........................................................................ 8 Why Not Smile .................................................................................. 8 Reflection .............................................. ................................................ 9 The World s Best Tonic .................................................................. 9 A Workman and His Chips .............................................................. 10 Keep What You Borrowed .................................. . ................. ......... 10 Our Mission ..................................................................................... 11 No Hard Times .......... ...11 The Rain Drops. " ................................................................................. 12 Mother s Love Does Not Die ......................................................... 12 The Rain At Night ............................ ............ 13 Honesty ........................................................................................... ....... 13 The Autumn Time .............................................................................. 14 Power Which Governs ...................................................................... 14 The Postman ........................................................................................ 15 Monuments .......................................................................................... 15 Look Where You Go .......................................................................... 16 The Little Shoe .................................................................................. 16 The Good of Friends .............................. . ........................................... 17 In Memory of Mother ........................................................................ 17 An Old Timer ....... . ............................................................................. 18 Courage ................................................................................................. 18 Cheer ..................................................................................................... 19 Evening Time ............................................... .................... ................... 19 Kindliness .................................................... . ....................................... 19 Home ................................................................................... .................. 20 Apples On The Farm ......................................................................... 21 Ma s New Dress ........................................... Knowing You ........................................................................................ 23 October .................................................................................................. 24 The Old Time Fireside ................... -25 The Rainbow .................................................................................. The Snow Storm ............................................................................. W r hen The Cows Come Home at Night .................................... The Preacher s Soliloquy ................................................................. 29 What is It to Me? .......... " ..................................................................... 30 Have A Friendly Sort of Wav... ....... 31 ASLEEP IN CHURCH -, , . - ;. : I see the congregation sitting in the hard wood pews, Some are looking happily at the full dressed choir in view , One man is soon so sleepy that his head begins to nod, And now he snores so loudly, that we know he s on the job. The preacher talks earnestly and gives out the message plain, The choir have sung the Anthem, "Giving Glory to His Name," But this thing makes me weary as I look all faces o er, To see one man sound sleeping, we should put him out the door. If sleeping place is needed and you need it very bad, You should have kept your pillow while that needed sleep you had This church is not giv n over for a place to come and snore We do not advertise Hotel, and sleepers we deplore. WHY PAT SHAVED OUTSIDE It was on a Sunday morning, and shaving time had come, And Pat went out upon the porch, that he might have more room ; The sun was shining very bright, the neighbors all were out, And Mike came gently walking by, to see what Pat s about. "Good morning," Mike says unto Pat, "the weather sure is fine, But what makes you thus always shave, outside here by the vine? "And faith indeed," was Pat s reply, "I m not fur lined you know, So when I shave, I shave outside, that s where my whiskers grow. BEAUTY OF FAITH AND HOPE There s beauty in the dew drop hanging from leaf and flower, Reflecting of the glory of the new born morning hour, Though great may be this glory, clear as crystals which appear, Sun shine will vanish dew drops, when the noon hour draweth near A certain hope abiding, living deep within the heart, Never fades with coming sun, but a greater faith imparts; While dews of morning vanish, with the rising of the day. Faith brings to us fulfillment, while the hours pass swift away. Give me the glow of morning, with every brightening ray. Producing added beauty, which appears with new born day ; To calm my troubled spirit, giving peace to reign within. Fulfill in me the beauty, which true faith and hope will bring. THE BEAUTY OF MONEY Some one I know is worried and life s a heavy load, His path is not all roses he s pressed as by a goad, ! le s lacking; for some money, and so no friends abound And that s the way you suffer, if money is not found. Tis fine to talk of friendship of help and giving cheer, The best of friend is money, none other half so dear. Fill up the puree with money, with Uncle Sam s own date, T will pull you out of trouble, what e re may be your fate. They say you must not worship this treasure mint from gold. That you should try to shun it twill harm you once to hold. That money soon will perish, can t take it when you go, I don t believe the story for money cuts a show. A path strewn full of roses by friends is a delight. Would be to know an honor and source of great delight, But to be sure of roses that will not wilt away, Pile up a little money some place where it will stay. Good friends when you have money, come knocking at your door, They are always glad to help and friendship they implore, So friends, my one petition when down in deepest dumps, Is to have a bank account, that will remove the bumps. WHY NOT SMILE A smile will drive the gloom away, Will turn that darkness into day, Will help the pilgrim on life s steep, And dry the tears of those who weep. A smile that bubbles full of love, Comes with a mission from above, With blessings which no tongue can tell, So he that smileth, doeth well. Some things there are that breed contempt, Some deeds performed that we resent But when a smill makes glad a heart. Why not just smile and love impart. Some things there are of value told, Some things so good we call them gold, But greater than earth s richest claim, Would be one smile of love to gain. 8 REFLECTION I m sitting alone for an hour or two, by my fire, in the room tonight And the rays that shine out into the gloom, give forth a cheerful light. I m thinking my boy as the moments fly, while I m sitting here all alone, How I would love to have you by my side and claim you as my own. I m remembering well when you were young and my strength had not given way, I was looking ahead for time to come, to bring a happy day. With never a dream of a cruel war, to take us, my boy far apart, But that is why I am sitting alone, bearing a heavy heart. The world demands and duty calls, I would not have you stay, I would not chide, I would not hold, I would not have my way. Yet while you are gone things seem so dark, I ll watch and wait and pray, That soon will dawn a happy morn and you come home to stay. I ve watched o er you in childhoods hour, I ve sang you many a lay, Our country now demands your strength, this call you must obey; Oh, could it be that dreams come true, heart longings would be met. With eyes undimmed we d see anew and live without regret. Then hopes which rise within the heart, would bask in fullness known And love should reap the sweet of life and never loose her own ; I m sure that day will never come until you re by my side, And when the drums of war shall cease and peace for all abides. THE WORLD S BEST TONIC Grit will help you when without it you would surely die ; Don t forget to get the tonic, take it on a try. You will find that things run smoother if you push to win, Take a does of grit my Brother, with full force push in. Be a zealous booster Brother, wear a smiling face. Then you help some other fellow running in life s race; That s the way to win the battles, try to make the run ; Do your best to win my Brother, then you make things hum. Never let your courage shrivel, don t be small, but big ; Grit s the Tonic that will help you, just get in and dig; ^ Soon your troubles you ve surmounted, then you slip to "high, Then go rolling on your journey easy if you try. 9 A WORKMAN AND HIS CHIPS "A workman is known by his chips," an adage you can not deny Whoever would win in life s race must accomplish and make things fly. Don t wait and be longing for work, while duty is calling close by Which needs some strong arm to grapple, t odo with a vim, or to die. Tis easy to watch some other who gets in and turns up the sod ; Tis easy to find fault in him, or to sit on the fence and nod, But why not be up and doing the things that will help you to win? Roll up your sleeves and go at it, and tackle the job with a grin. Mistakes we know are so common, to everyone under the sun, But that is no reason why you should never get anything done ; Have courage, have pluck, ambition, your work you must never lay by, Get in like a first class workman, then see how you make the chips fly. KEEP WHAT YOU BORROWED Better not return the trouble that you borrowed here one day, We are doing fine without it, found that trouble does not pay ; You are welcome to the burden and you have our glad consent To appropriate the trouble that your neighbor to you lent. Just remember, e er you borrow trouble, that is apt to stay, There is plenty can be gotten and t will come some other way ; Cease from troubling o er your troubles that you think some day may come Just go on enjoy your living, let this borrowing alone. Constant worry, constant fretting gives you trouble and not joy, Crossing bridges e re you reach them, you could better mind employ. Better try forget the trouble which you borrow all the time, Living once without that trouble you will find that life is fine. If the burden should be pressing of the load you now deplore, Why not get in and settle things, so your trouble will be o er, In mind and in your purse you ll find you are. better off today, When you cease to borrow trouble and throw gladness on life s way. 10 OUR MISSION If we knew full well our mission while on things of earth intent, If your hands to help a brother could in gladness oft be lent, Then the pathway would be brighter which each day we slowly tread, And our eyes would catch a glimmer of the heaven overhead. Seems to me there comes a vision of a happiness complete, When all men hail as brothers every one they chance to meet, How the weary and hard working would then have a gift alone, Just to hear the voice of welcome from some friend they long have known. Must this life be so far severed that no interest can appear Which would be to menomoment if outside my own loved sphere? Why can not my vision linger, giving longing for success, That in every good endeavor I might work with earnestness. Let enlargement crown my vision and let love engage my though 1 Reaching out to all as brothers, then my life for good is wrought. And beholding from the fullness of a heart that beats with love, I will make my mission better, and this earth like heaven above. NO HARD TIMES There are no hard times coming boys you think so in your head Why not cheer up about the thing and go to work instead, There s plenty money in the Bank and more that s to be made If you will just get in and push all hard times will be staid. I ve heard this cry bout long enough that hard times now are here It seems to me we richer grow and do it every year. I think today we re better off, work less and get more pay There are no hard times coming boys, I don t care what you say. Some folks in clover want to live, no work, all rest, all pay, And failing in this fabled wish, hard times you hear them say. I think that God who made this world and peopled it throughout Came nearer knowing bout the thing than some who would Him doubt. Six days for labor was command and this the precept given We fail to heed within our land from labor we are driven. So when you cry hard times and say throw up your hands and quit. I say you re off your base my boy, devoid of honest grit. There are no hard times coming boys, just take another think You can pull all things together if grit and labor link, A little push will help you through, you ll have no cause to doubt. The hardest times you ever saw are times to help you out. 11 THE RAIN DROPS I love to hear the rain drops as they patter gently down, Falling now upon the roof and moistening sod and ground ; Beneath the old Barn s shelter sleeping on the new mown hay, I love to hear the rain drops while the hours pass swift away. There is beauty in the rain as it moistens leaf and flower Making all the glory grow to produce the Summer bower, I know content of spirit as the rain brings sweet repose, When I lie in quiet sleep, neath the roof with eyelids closed. Who knows what rain might tell us if in words the showers could speak Like crystals cut from diamonds, all the rain drops are unique ; Like tears which stand on eyelids while some plantive maiden cries, The rain drops will not perish that come down from ether skies. They speak a language to us of beauty more than thought, They possess a glimpse of glory beyond earth s turmoil wrought, For as pure as grow the lillies, or as fair as buds the rose, The language speaks of Heaven where purity does repose. To give me of life s beauty, taking from me things of woe, Just keep the rain drops falling, with whisperings soft and low, Life then possesses music, which my soul oft longs to hear, It is the pattering rain, when the storm clouds hover near. So while I lie in slumber as the Swallows twitter round, On my bed of new mown hay, beneath the barn roof brown, I listen for the music, on the long long looked for day, When the patter of the rain, will drive all my care away. MOTHERS LOVE DOES NOT DIE Footprints which are made in sand may perish in a day. Lashed by waves high mounting up the tracks are washed away ; Leaves which on the trees come forth in warmth of early Spring, Fall in golden Autumn time no longer will they cling. Roses bloom with fragrance sweet and beauty to our sight, Drop the leaves of color rare and beauty s lost in blight ; Where we saw such glory shone from opening of the flowers, Autumn days have made their mark upon the leafy bowers. Mothers love will never fade, tis born within her heart, She will always do her best and bear the hardest part ; Though there perish from our thought, some things we love today Mothers love will not forget, but in our lives hold sway. 12 THE RAIN AT NIGHT I hear the gentle patter, like sweet music sounds the rain, T is falling, gently falling, from the sky on window pane, I see the stars are hidden, by the clouds they re overcast, But rain drops have a rythm, hour by hour as moments pass. The pond in yonder meadow is made larger at the brink, The water runs in rivlets, down to where the cattle drink ; The path is flooded over leading out to yonder barn, While the rain drops gentle patter, send relief from droughts that harm. The hours drag on while weeping copious tears the skies still shed, And nature feels the rain drops from the heavens overhead ; Unlike the tears of sadness often shed in some lament, These are tears with gladness, that from heaven to earth are sent. A hand provides us bounty springing from the glorious rain. Which aids to life and comfort and to fields give waving grain, Clouds over head with moisture send us the pattering rain, To make the world much richer, as the fields shall yield their gain. Then rest in Sleep and comfort, when the day with work is o er, For music of the rain drops has good things for us in store, And when appears the morning, with the clouds all rolled away, We ne er will be despondent, if there contes a rainy day. HONESTY To make pretentious without heart, deceiving those we may, Would rob ourselves, from which to part, should fill us with dismay; With honesty of purpose dwell and ponder these things o er. That he who lives an honest life has good things laid in store. I cannot press a claim to land extending far and wide, I cannot dream that I shall be a millionaire with pride ; Possessions worth far more to know than gold with earthly pride, Are richness which to know within, no heart should be denied. Count not that gain when from some one a loss must be subscribed, Perhaps that from the joy you share, some heart is thus denied ; Could not you better happy be with noble deeds when done, By helping Brothers when in need, with this your life has won. 13 THE AUTUMN TIME. When Autumn frosts have turned the leaves from green to golden brown, And forests thick with foliage sear drop leaves of beauty down ; With a glory which appeareth at the closing of the day, I love these hours of twilight when the shadows melt away. The corn now yellow grown with age, stands ready to be shocked, The pumpkin vines which grew so green have now their broad leaves dropped ; The birds- which rested high in shade of yonder maple tree, Seem now to restless fly about, some warmer clime to see. The grain so nicely bound and stacked, awaits the day to come, When thrashers will with zeal turn in and make the gold stream run ; With straw piled high and bins filled full, when thrashing day is o er, The farmer s life, though work is hard, has some good things in store. The plow boy goes with cheery song and turns the stubble in, And hour by hour from morn till night you hear him merry sing; The fields which once were green with grass, which sprang from moistened sod Have faded, while the great warm sun, has made the daisies nod. The golden rod beside the way, now lifts her beauteous head Proclaiming, as she gently bows, her life is not yet dead ; And while we watch some blue smoke curling from yonder patch of wood, The dog days of the Autumn time help fill the years with good. I m glad when winter sends her snow, which softly settles down, And fills the path which we must tread and covers fields so brown ; I m glad when spring with sun uplift invites all things to grow, But give to me the Autumn time when Summer s sun sinks low. POWER WHICH GOVERNS Power and intellect and wealth, what blessings we command, With these to use why should we choose to idlers be and stand ; Would that some motive pierce the soul so tranquil without thought And help us each that we might be -to others, what we ought. Possessions come not with a gift of value such as gold, For this is that which perisheth, her value we can t hold ; But truest riches to possess and what we most should prize, Is that which gleams when wealth which seems, is fading from our eyes. There s something richer greater known, than treasure we call gold, There s something which abides within, yet which the heart can t hold ; There s something time cannot efface, where all her havocs wrought, And that is love which reigns within and governs all our thought. 14 THE POSTMAN Clad in grey with pack upon him the postman goes each day, Sometimes in rain, sometimes in sun he comes but does not stay. The road he treads is ever on, his thought is given o er To some place next he s going to it may be to your door. While sitting by my window here I see him coming near, He s looking at the letters all, as if he held them dear. Thus faithful on his journey goes this postman day by day, All eyes are watching for the mail ; the postman does not stay. I wish that Uncle Sam could see the postman as he plods, He does not stop to count the time nor reckon up the rods, But step by step he marches on by workshop, house and store Until relieved of all the pack his faithful shoulders bore. A welcome man this postman is to schoolmaid, housemaid, shop ; He sometimes has a letter good, he sometimes has it not, So always we are watching him this postman to appear This man in grey of Uncle Sam s to bring our hearts good cheer. MONUMENTS We sometimes place great monuments with beauty rich and rare, With polished sides and chiseled face until the beauty there Will sure attract, by all who see, that honor has been done, To what is represented here, by this wrought out from stone. Great honor then we give to hands which efforts to us bring, A thing so lifelike out of stone a deadened hardened thing; But greater far should be the gift of honor to bestow, On him who works upon a heart and impulses make grow. Which will to every fellow man an influence be for good, And more and more, as time goes on, than work on stone or wood. And while I praise the handicraft of artists with design, Who thus have wrought an image good to last through all of time. I praise still more the man who brings good incentives to life, That will endure through all of time, encouraging in the strife. Though good the efforts which be wrought until they are unique, Upon the statue as we look and call the work complete. I d rather far my hands employ, than work on wood or stone, In doing for my fellowman that good to them be shown ; Then when the day of reckoning shall count the deeds all wrought, I will be cheered to hear the word, my work was not for naught. 15 LOOK WHERE YOU GO When driving on the great highway some car you chance to meet Which is going somewhat faster than it should upon the street If you strike against the fender, break the windshield in, Better smile and meet the trouble, be gracious with a grin. Remember that the other chap mistook your motive so Do not get in and bawl him out and make a foolish show, The matter better settled be in peaceful quiet way. We all drive auto s now you know be careful what you say. Remember that the track we use is not made out of steel We do not run on schedule time, his purpose you should yield. With no intent upon his part would he despoil your joy Although it may seem plain enough, no care he did employ. I thing that all who drive today much caution better use It will save us much of trouble prohibit many a bruise. Observe the rules use safety first, drive slowly all the time. Then motoring on the great highway will be something sublime. The mad speed bugs let all despise, no right or thought give they To others who must going be along the same highway, Soon time will bring all men to think, that speed cuts little show, So when you drive upon the street, please go a little slow. THE LITTLE SHOE A treasure which I value, I am keeping all alone Although it has no merit, as a merchandise to own, But I fondly love to hold what brings back the happy past, And helps in memory, once again these pleasant scenes to grasp. It has some velvet buttons which are twisted all askew, It has a string, but broken, it looks rusty and not new, Though time to years is numbered, since I packed this shoe away, Sometimes my heart just wonders, bout how long a love will stay There were some little fingers once clutched tightly hold on mine And drew out warmest friendship, which is banished not, by time. Although the shoe is broken and the seam half given way, I ll keep it as a token, in sweet memory I ll say. I wonder if we eveT will forget true love we knew : If life with all her babble would make some stout heart, untrue ; It may be so but pardon, if its weakness I possess. Let me keep the well worn shoe for my heart has tenderness. 16 THE GOOD OF FRIENDS Oh, the world is really brighter And my heart I know is lighter, And my faith has stronger vision When I have my friends in view ; Life without them what a muddle There would be a constant bubble, I would roam the world in trouble, If there were no friend I knew. What s the use of being sordid And possessed of all that s morbid Withdrawing like an ugly clam In the confines of your shell, Gain a broader vision Brother And your good deeds never smother, Be warm hearted with each other, Living thus you re living well. For each day will prove a pleasure And your joy will have no measure, And all service you will treasure For you re living good to do, With excelsior as your motto Brighter beam the stars above you And you live in lighter azure, When you keep the friends you knew. IN MEMORY OF MOTHER Mother s gone yet memory lingers And I see her face the while, As it beams from Heavens window With a glad eternal smile, Many things in life once valued, Now by time have slipped away, But the memory of Mother, In my heart will always stay. 17 AN OLD TIMER It < many years since first I left the good old state back East; I love to tell about the time when pleasure never ceased- The farm, the church, the mill, the road, wherever we might go, Are living fresh in memory, their places well we know. I heard em tell of gold out West, of prizes to be won, Twas hid in California, land of the setting sun, I called the household, packed the goods and hastened to obey This message coming from the wilds in land so far away. Then travelling was not as now, with every comfort blessed, But hardships great we faithful bore seeking the golden West, Who ere could think to live today and not review the past When thinking of the changes wrought and pleasures which will last? We landed in a humble town Pomona known by name, And here we ve lived and here we ve strived and gathered wealth and fame : Which comes to faithful toiling men who dig or till the soil, Where winter holds no ice-bound chains our comforts to despoil. By irrigation now our groves of oranges look fine, Where once grew up the cactus tall we have the tree and vine, Wild sage and rocks have now made way, for progress is the word, We ve started something doing now and all the world has heard. Yes, tis with pride we look today upon achievements done, We ve found the gold was hid out West to give to every son. Three cheers for him who raised the spade the railroad track to lay ! Three cheers for men who helped us make Pomona Valley pay ! COURAGE You need not look on me distressed or think that I am down For I am ever climbing on and going round by round ; The top is still much higher up, I m coming with a will Don t cast on me the water cold or make my efforts chill. I know that deep within my heart, there is a ceaseless voice, The speaking I can always hear and give these words my choice, It is that I should onward go and upward to attain, And with true courage prompting me I ll make these things my aim. 18 CHEER. The day is long without good cheer The hours would drag and seem a year; But when you can good cheer impart, Then joy abounds in every heart. With cheer within, there s cheer without You show your mirth without a doubt: And when there s fun put into life, It helps relieve a little strife. Do not pronounce the cheerful face To be devoid entire of grace But if the good the heart could know, The face would then be set aglow. A little cheer just now and then Will help to gladden hearts of men We are not different and so wise That we should always cheer despise. EVENING TIME Evening time and fires are lighted and the house is all aglow, And the joys of earth made brighter by the friends we love to know ; How we strive to gain some station, working hard for greater fame, But what makes the heart beat lighter than the friends we love to name? Right to have some great ambition honored is a purpose true, But to have the joy of living, don t despise some friends you knew ; True if all men be as Brothers, we should then to each become, What the Master taught in living, doing good we ne er should shun. Love the truth and like a girdle hang it o er your beating heart, And to those you come in contact, you will noble thought impart ; Truest life is more than gaining Wealth or Fame or things of Art, Truest life is when we re living, so in all, we have a part. Then when sinks life s day of labor and the shadows gently fall, There will be a glad good morning greet the Angels when they call ; And as light which lit the household when the day of work was done. Brighter rays will beam from Heaven with a welcome for each one. KINDLINESS No words of power by tongue or pen can of themselves express The comfort which from kindliness goes out from breast to breast Beyond our heart with longing or by sorrow when oppressed. We love to feel the kindliness which makes of friends the best. 19 HOME If tossed upon the Ocean deep Where waters o er me seem to creep, When I behold things near and far Or watch the beauty of a star, O er land or sea or Heaven s dome All arched with beauty as we own ; There s not in these that meet the quest, My soul desires when seeking rest. As to He down in home at night While stars above are twinkling bright. Then let the waves toss high their foam And beat upon the rocks and stone, Or let the stars refuse to shine Because of clouds to hide behind, At home my slumber is complete. If pillowed where I love to sleep To be to love how sweet to know A place awaits for us to go, Where welcome reaches out a hand And words say come we understand. Oh, home you make our life complete > When full of joy our own we meet, A place to rest without a care O, such a home I wish to share. HOME. Just to go home when the day s work is over, Just to lie down in sweet slumber at night, Just to look up to stars in yon Heaven, Just to know this, that my faith is all right. When I m so tired that I long for sweet slumber, When upon duty with long hours I stay, Give me the known rest which comes when I m sleeping, In the old homestead just over the way. When on the ocean my boat is high tossing, When I am sick of the foam and the spray, Looking beyond the great billows which rock me, I see the old home just over the way. Pilot safe guide, while with Angel watch keeping, Give me assurance while storms round me play, I know that when comes the end of the journey, I will be at home just over the way. 20 APPLES ON THE FARM A farm may grow all kinds of fruit; Pears, Apples, Peaches, Plums; The harvest that is best to know, is when the apples come, I love all the growing berries and the cherries round and red, But morning frosts which linger long, turn brown the leaves o erhead And then you get the flavor rich, from Russets, which still cling Just waiting for some friend to come and taste the juicy thing. When down into your basket deep you put the Russets brown, You re placing in a wholesome stock to eat when snow is down. Not only are there Winesaps good, but other apples grown ; Jonathans and Delicious too, and Greenings we have known ; When you have filled the cellar full with apples in their turn Your troubles then you can forget, and not for summer yearn. There s many nights when faggots burn and air is cold and crisp That you ll enjoy those apples ripe, they make a splendid dish ; Give me the apples from the farm and bake em well and brown And then I never can resist, but eat the good things down. Sometimes I long for childhood days ; they never can return ; I often love to sing the lays that we as children learned ; The nearest I can ever gain to grasping childhood s time Is watching big ripe apples fall there s nothing half so fine. The pumpkins green to yellow turn out there upon the hill ; The corn is shocked and ready stands the farmers barn to fill ; The pigs in clover sweet may feed and cattle pastures roam, But give to me the apples ripe, to make me feel at home. The Goldenrod beside the road made glad the way we trod, The spring that always bubbled up was near where Daisies nod ; But in the pasture or by the brook no place could e er compare With that old orchard by the barn, with fruit which was so rare. I always loved the good old farm, if things did not go right ; Although the frost potatoes killed and grain was struck by blight, But if the blossoms well were set or Apples nicely filled, I knew there would be something good, come from the farm we tilled. 21 MA S NEW DRESS The house is some upset today, devoid of usual quiet, I come, but do not want to stay disturbance would be by it. For Ma is making a new dress, all other work is dormant While stitching seems to be in line upon the latest garment. The cat must keep from out the way, her presence is not wanted, The chairs and tables have a look as though the place was haunted. What means this stir about the house which usually is quiet? It means that Ma will have a dress, she had the cash to buy it. She s studied books and looked at styles until she thinks adorning The one which now is being made so early in the morning. So duties bout the house today will have to take an outing I think this dress an airy thing: she dons it without doubting. "Oh mercy me !" I do implore, it s stitch and talk and clatter, For Ma is working on a dress, what else could be the matter? I s pose that we will have some class when this new dress she s wearing, And so I will restrain myself and not do any swearing. A man is not supposed to know when dresses are becoming But bout his work should faithful go and at that work be humming. It is not often, I declare, that Ma e er has an outing, But when completed this new dress, she ll wear it with some flouting. I m glad that styles change now and then, for beauty is unbounded, And if Wife hits a pretty thing my heart will not be wounded. I love to see her all dressed-up, and when the primping s over I ll pay the bill without a fuss if Wife thinks she s in clover. Now here s the way, my dear young men, to make a happy living Just buy the goods and get the things and do not mind the giving, And when you see the cloth cut out with workmanship so splendid The dress well-made has more than paid for all the fuss now ended. 22 KNOWING YOU. Could there be one choice to mention as my mercies I repeat, Could there be one joy I cherish all the others to defeat; Knowing you would have first mention as I set my blessings down, Knowing you has lifted trouble and removed from life it s frown. You to me have been a brightness cheering like the rays of light Which shine out of inky darkness, making glad the deepest night. By your council I ve been strengthened, by your presence I ve been glad, Now to me, since you, I m knowing, nothing makes my heart seem sad. Knowing you lends more attraction to the things I share in heart, Knowing you gives added beauty as to life you form a part ; Knowing you has lifted shadows which around my path would stay, Knowing you has caused the sunbeams to break forth upon the way. Could the gifts which lend enchantment to my joy and to my life. Come like showers and give refreshing, take away my anxious strife ; All of these with richest giving could not fully satisfy, If for me with all the bounty, they from me, would you deny. Knowing you has added sweetness to the bitter and the strife, Makes the sunlight seem to glitter on the gloomy side of life ; Knowing you has made life brighter, than it seemed the day before. Just by knowing what a difference, in the friends whom we adore. Knowing you has given greatness to my best esteem of right. Knowing you I am determined to fight harder a good fight, That to win, indeed a victor, I for good will daily stand. When supported by the knowledge you are watching by my hand. Knowing you what change confronts me in my purposes in life, Some have vanished like the rainbow, others will endure the strife, For they have been planted deeply, so permanently remain, That I hope to see fulfillment of the good when once attained. Do the Angels ever whisper, can their voices ever tell Is there any way of knowing whether they do with us dwell? If you listen to the music which their words to you could send, This might be the thought they d mention, knowing you I know a friend. 23 OCTOBER I was born in old October, glorious month of all the year When the things once green about me. then were sadly burnt and sear. For the frosts had bit the forests and the leaves turned golden brown, \Vhcn the stillness with foreboding, whispers of cold Winters down. Covering up the weed grown pathway, we so joyously may tread, During all the days of Summer when the sun is overhead. But unmindful of the cold frost which has made the leaves all brown, I remember old October and my dear old birthright town. Who knows all the care besetting, as on life we start our way? Who knows but the day before use may bring forward some dismay? But as I behold the glory of the golden tinted West, I am proud that in October, I was born her name to bless. Then the things of early childhood filled my soul with happy zest, When in clover fields I wandered, sought butterflies in my quest. Now the years have grown in number until childhood days are done, But I love the old October, when my life was first begun. Count the blessings, name the trials facing dangers to befall. Life is filled with fact and fancy and her shadows over all ; In the battle, in the conflict, in your duty never fall, If you re born in old October, you ll outreach the trials small. For then sunset melts in glory, and the purple fades to gray. When the Autumn day is closing and the harvest s stacked away. Then I lay my head in slumber dreaming sweetly through the night, And recall in old October, I first saw the morning light. If a wish I now could mention, which to me would seem complete. It would be for happy childhood when I learned with tottering feet. Just to start upon a journey, one which now seems so unique. And to see the sun of Autumn rising o er yon wooded peak. Give me back my happy childhood, is a song of long ago, But to have again my childhood is a thing I ne er shall know : Save as when I m young in spirit, doing gladly all I may. Helping others who may follow, born in some October day. 24 THE OLD TIME FIRESIDE I loved the old time fireside where oft we met at night When shadows cast upon the wall would seem to give a fright ; With glow of coals upon the hearth, when all was drear without, Would lend such rays of warmth within, no comfort could I doubt. The snow might pile upon the sill the moon be hid by fog, The air without be cold and chill, pile on another log, And watching shadows which would steal out from the rising flame, The memory which the fireside brings, bears now an honored name. In attic just beneath the roof, the seed corn hung in rows, We d picked the best and hung with jest, twas not in reach of crows; That when the planting time would come, with corn we might appear, Surpassing all the common seed, we d tended every ear. Tn cellar there was cider good and apples russet brown, When baked they made a relish dish, that would our hunger down. When Mother spun the yarn from reel, the spindle had a hum, That gave a music soft and sweet as new made yarn was run. I regret with all our progress the passing of those days, So simple wrought the duty taught, to help us in life s ways ; Hut while I pause in reverence in thinking these things o er, I m glad that I, when but a boy, played on that oaken floor. When bed time came and tucked up tight, on ticks of straw we slept, It seemed to me the Angels came, almost they re watching yet ; And though so far I ve had to roam from this old home of youth, I learned while there the lesson good, to keep in life the truth. To childhood young and sweet, goodbye, memory still lingers, Flowers which grew I plainly see, we plucked with childish fingers, While their fragrance was so rich with dew of morning glory, Thinking of the olden time I love to tell the story. 25 THE RAINBOW Do not say when storm is over that the rainbow s gone away, Failing once to see the glimmer that the sun put on display, But remember, ere you languish for the colors rich and bright The rainbow will appear again all clothed in Heaven s own light ; With the glory of the purple all the shades of light and gray Will again make glad our vision when through clouds the sun shines gay- Just as certain as the morning, just as sure as comes the day, We shall see the rainbow glimmer when the storms have cleared away. I am glad of all the glory, colors radiant and bright, I am glad that yonder heavens can be arched with colors light Touched beyond the brush of painter, giving beauty to our sight, What a wonder is the rainbow with its heaven ly hues so bright ! Let the storm appear with blackness and the rain make dark the day, Well I know when storm is over we may see the rainbow gay ; So I watch from yonder window with my soul filled full of hope. For I love to see the rainbow when the fiercest storm has broke. Come ye clouds, ye Heaven s blessings, bringing freshness to our sod As ye pour your streams of mercy in the raindrops from our God, And reminding of His promise that no flood shall ere hold sway God has given us the rainbow and His promise can but stay. 26 THE SNOW STORM Tis quiet now, the damp mist hangs along the wooded river, The most of Autumn leaves have gone from trees where they did quiver ; I look aloft, the sun is hid, the day seems most departed, While down before me seems to drift, a snow flake, one just started. The moments pass while one by one these light wings seem to gather, And soon all Heaven s dome is filled with snow flakes coming hither; I cheer them as with velvet touch they light upon my finger, Yet somehow though I cheered aloud, the snow flakes would not linger. I did not mind how thick they came, it seemed somewhat refreshing, The snow flakes, simply clean and white, as if with Heaven s dressing; Yet thicker, thicker, as they fall, I cannot hear them dropping, Yet looking up, I see the way, how fast the snow is blocking. An hour has passed, the path once trod with snow is covered over, Those winged wings, like things of light, have hid the field of clover ; And where I saw the brown dry grass, which looked so sear and somber, Those places now wear whitened robes and seem to be in slumber. The steeple from old yonder church, looks like a whitened arrow While round the window near the peak, there flies the Winter sparrow, All roof s are loaded down with weight, the trees are bent to breaking And still the heaven s, hiding light, continue snow flakes making. The traveler goes with head bowed down his footsteps have no sounding And as he homeward nears his way his heart with joy is bounding. How strange now seems old mother earth with green all turned to whiteness As hid beneath this Winter s coat she blinds our eyes with brightness. Goodbye to Summer birds which sang in air their sweetest token, Old Winter bids you cease your song and has your sweet strain broken. And in your place with joyful sound we hear the sleigh bells ringing, So even though the snow flakes fall, our hearts will keep on singing. 27 WHEN THE COWS COME HOME AT NIGHT Shadows lengthen in the meadow and the dew begins to fall And we hear a long drawn whistle which to us is supper call When the work in field is over and the bees wing home from flight Then the cows come eating homeward for it s milking time at night. Every name is so familiar as we call the cows to come, There is Bess and Roan and Brindle and the pretty spotted one ; Now I seem to see their faces with a wisdom beaming bright. They must all possess some timepiece knowing when to come at night. The great world is madly rushing with excitement to and fro, I am wrought into a worry lest the garden fail to grow, But when I behold the cattle working homeward with delight, Then it fills my heart with gladness to drop down the bars at night. By the stream they gently saunter, then in well known path they come. While they follow their old leaders, they are moving one by one, And though hard may be our labor, e re the shadows close the day. Cheery sounds the bells sweet tinkle when the cows come home to stay I love hours of early morning, bringing sweetness to the day, When the shadows and the darkness, by the light is chased away, When I feel a new refreshment by a night of quiet rest, I ut the twilight hours of evening, when the cows come home are best. 28 THE PREACHERS SOLILOQUY When the moving time has come and the big Van swings around, Upon which to put our goods and to take us from the town, When the neighbors kindly call to bid us a fond farewell, Someway there comes a feeling that is mighty hard to tell. I am glad to be going when my labors have been done. When some other field calls me, for new victories to be won, But leaving old home faces and the people, brings a lack It almost makes me shudder, but this moving is a fact. Life has changes we must bear, lifting burdens as we know, Sowing seed in every place, we go trusting good will grow, Trusting for the harvest great, as the years swift come and go, But this moving brings me pain, yet the Van has come and so ; We ll pack the boxes bundles, in the smallest space we know, Get our clothes all in wrinkles and our faces in a glow, And when the work accomplished, brings a triumph in her track, With books and boxes loaded as the strong man strained his back, Tis a pleasure thus to move, when all things are in and packed. The Van is overloaded while the bindings squeak and crack, I ll grant as ever onward while the wheels turn swiftly round, We ll find congenial people in the new and coming town. 29 WHAT IS IT TO ME? Is it nothing to me if my Brother fall Is it nothing to me whatever at all? Is there nothing to care if souls bleed and die If only I m mounting on wings to the sky? We are bound to mankind with chains strong and great, To break them would from me the joy of life take : For one of life s prizes beneath the blue skies, Is an act which throws light to my Brothers eyes. I would never deprive but would to him lend, A word or a handshake would gladly extend ; If such friendly giving would help him to rise, And behold new beauty in viewing yon skies. Go forth sweetest spirit with usefullness sing, Bedecked with some mission to help earth to ring, Full of thoughts bringing cheer let your work be done, Twill help in uplifting sustaining some one. And o er the rough places where bleed wounded feet, Thus help some from falling in pitfalls so deep ; Then glad is your promise from bright yonder sky, On earth you helped others as moments passed by. 30 HAVE A FRIENDLY SORT OF WAY When a hand is on your shoulder and a voice gives words of cheer Then you have a solid comfort knowing that some friend is near ; And you feel your cares are lifted and your step is made more gay, Just because a Brother met you in a friendly sort of way. What to me is all the friendship which the world might well impart, If the people never showed it and had coldness down at heart? Give to me the life of friendship and companions that will say, "Here s my hand, I ll help you Brother," in a friendly sort of way. Deeds like this you will find helpful, hearts before you thought were stone Now find in you companionship and a friend they proudly own, You will never know a worry that will pull you down for keeps, If you exercise good friendship when you meet upon the street. God who made us must have known us, known the human heart s dismay; To uplift the poor downtrodden seemed His mission day by day, Think you not a useful lesson by the Master thus was wrought, Teaching that we live for others, doing as He daily taught; There is beauty in the morning when the Sunrise breaks our rest, There is beauty in the evening with the shadow tinted West, There is beauty on the hill side from the daisies which appear, There is beauty in a handshake and the words which bring good cheer. Why not then just say good morning, give a welcome when you may, Thus let all men know you re social, have a friendly sort of way, It will help remove your trouble, something sure to win the day, When you boost to cheer a Brother, it will cheer yourself I say. Now you ve seen my whole collection Pause a moment for reflection. And if within these leaves be found Some treasure for your mind profound Digest the truth, despise not worth, Though humble he who gave it birth ; And let the motive which was good, Develop what in you it should. 31 Gaylord Bros. Makers Syracuse, N. Y PAT. JAN. 21, 1908 U. C. BERKELEY LIBRARIES 494202 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY