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 t * t t 
 
 rr/-v^ ,r^\ y/ J 
 
 torg in 
 
 CHILDREN, 
 
 SAX FRANCISCO: 
 
 WINTERBURN & CO., PRINTERS AND ELECTROTYPE RS, 
 
 417 Clay Street, below San^ome. 
 
 1874. 
 
 ' I 
 
AFP 
 
 FOB 
 
 CHILDREN 
 
 BY 
 
 SAN FRANCISCO: 
 
 WINTEBBUBN & CO., PB1NTEKS AND ELECTBOTYPEBS, 
 417 Clay Street, below Sansome. 
 
55 
 
 . 2- 
 
 TO 
 
 ; ;iiii!iel 
 
 inmnan. 
 
 y HIS FRIEND, 
 
98 
 .roi'c Library 
 
 tairatiott and foalizaii 
 
 Winter's night, 'twas long ago, 
 The ground was mantled deep with snow, 
 The crackling faggots shed a glow 
 
 Around an ancient hall. 
 Stout crossbows, spears and matchlocks, too, * 
 Old suits of mail; as bright as new. 
 And relics of the chase a few, 
 
 Adorned each oaken wall. 
 
 A father sat in antique chair, 
 
 His beard was long, and gray his hair ; 
 
 His three fair boys were sitting there 
 
 Beside the cheerful fire. 
 " Come, boys," said he, " I pray you say, 
 In frank and open, manly way, 
 Where, each, your thoughts and wishes lay ^ 
 
 To what your minds aspire. 
 
Then freely tell me, eldest son, 
 In what directions your thoughts run, 
 And name the way, if there is one, 
 
 That I can aid your aim. 
 The time will come when each will be 
 Dependent on himself not me; 
 The road is open wide and free, 
 
 To honor and to shame. 
 
 ' You'll find in each pursuit you choose 
 A way if you will rightly use 
 The means supplied, and naught abuse, 
 
 To gather wealth and fame. 
 Whilst all around you everywhere 
 You'll need to use the greatest care 
 To 'scape the many schemes to snare 
 
 And drag you into shame. 
 
 " Some spend their lives in idle dreams, 
 Whilst others have too many schemes ; 
 You'll mostly find between extremes 
 
 The path of safety lies. 
 Be active, useful, prudent, kind, 
 And keep a pure, well-balanced mind ; 
 Both good and evil you will find, 
 
 Each thing on earth supplies. 
 
" Though danger larks on every side f 
 Life's labyrinths are open wide, 
 And little help to aid or guide 
 
 The path that should be trod ; 
 Still with His mercy all may dare 
 Attempt the task, and even share, 
 Whose thoughts are pure and worthy there-) \ 
 
 Their joys who dwell with God." 
 
 The eldest boy sat by his side, 
 His form erect with manly pride- 
 Responsive to his sire, replied : 
 
 " Dear father, I aspire 
 To be a soldier of great fame, 
 And gain a high, ennobled name, 
 And savage nations rule and tame. 
 
 And conquests fresh acquire. 
 
 "To lead a host of daring men, 
 Have every one opposed by ten, 
 And drive the lions from their den, 
 
 In wild and fierce despair ; 
 And in its stead a fortress raise, 
 And live apart from vulgar gaze, 
 As best comports with soldier's ways, 
 
 On rich and luscious fare. 
 
Or else, in still more regal state, 
 Surrounded by the gay and great, 
 Have myriads envious of my fate, 
 
 Yet pay my tribute dues; 
 Whilst crowds of mendicants should stand 
 Around my gates with outstretched hand, 
 And sound my praises o'er the land: 
 This is the life I'd choose !" 
 
 " Not thus do I desire to do/' 
 The second cried if a calmer view 
 I take of life, and shall pursue 
 
 A trade that better pays; 
 No charms in soldiers lives I see, 
 Wild tumult would not answer me: 
 A man of wealth I mean to be, 
 
 And spend in ease my days. 
 
 " A merchant I would rather be, 
 And send my ships o'er every sea, 
 And have all climes return to me 
 
 Their treasures rich and rare: 
 I'd have large mills and fact'ries, too, 
 From which great profits I would screw, 
 And live as princely merchants do, 
 
 Who nothing need or care. 
 
 I 
 
" / don't pretend to know or care 
 How uthert feel nur how they fa r 
 
? " I don't prebend to know or care 
 How others feel, nor how they fare ; 
 Were I to give all I could spare, 
 
 'Twould not amount to much. 
 In fact I hate the very thought. 
 Which now-a-days is often taught, 
 That ' without works one's faith's worth 
 
 ' Philanthropy,' and such !" [nought, 9 [ 
 
 The youngest cried; " When I'm a man 
 I will pursue a nobler plan, 
 And strive to aid all whom I can 
 
 With all my might and power; 
 I'll raise the lowly from the ground, 
 And seek where virtue may be found; 
 On works of mercy always bound, 
 
 Til spend my every hour. 
 
 " I'll lead a pure and blameless life, 
 And seek a prudent, virtuous wife, 
 And pass my days devoid of strife, 
 
 At least that is my plan. 
 With gentle arts of love and peace, 
 I'll strive to make men's joys increase, 
 And Discord's direful reign shall cease, 
 
 And Peace shall dwell with man. 
 
In courts of law I fain would plead 
 For innocence, and be, indeed, 
 To all oppressed, a friend in need, 
 
 And ever strive my best 
 To gain that bliss which naught on earth 
 Will yield to man of equal worth: 
 He's poor, in truth, who feels a dearth 
 
 Of peace within his breast." 
 
 In finding work for idle hands, 
 
 In cultivating untilled lands, 
 
 And in cementing Friendship's bands 
 
 Betwixt mi/ land and others. 
 Had I my way I would be bound 
 To find a, common neutral ground, 
 Where peace should be forever, found, 
 
 And all men should be brothers." 
 
 , "My boys/' the father cried, ' f I see 
 You neither in your thoughts agree, 
 c And fear you all are doomed to be 
 
 Debarred your hopes to gain ; 
 - Still, life's before you take the way 
 < That each thinks best ; I trust you may 
 " At last not be compelled to say : 
 
 c Pve spent my life in vain/ 
 
"In cmirtt of Imc J fain irmiM plead 
 
 fVr innocence, and If. indrcii. 
 
 To a/I apprc**td> a friend in nftd." 
 
7 
 
 ff The soldier's is a noble art 
 Where patriot zeal inspires the heart ; 
 W hose's soul's prepared to act its party 
 
 And ne'er from duty shrink. 
 But he's debased whom lucre leads, 
 Whose soul is pleased with cruel deeds ; 
 The sword is cursed that often bleeds, 
 
 But never stops to think. 
 
 " In every age, and in all climes, 
 And even in the best of times, 
 The sword has sired many crimes 
 
 Most barbarous and base. 
 i And 'twill be many ages yet 
 
 Ere mankind so refined will get 
 ' To sheathe its gory blade, and let 
 
 Sweet Peace reign in its place. 
 
 " While commerce much that's good imparts. 
 It brings from distant foreign marts 
 The product of all skill and arts 
 
 That else were lost to man- 
 Yet 'tis a fact I grieve to tell 
 Some merchants who 'on 'change' excel 
 Will traffic with the fiends of Hell, 
 
 And scoff at Heaven's ban. 
 
Self-interest is their only thought, 
 Their ' principles ' are cheaply bought, 
 The only precept they e'er taught, 
 
 Is this, boys : ' Will it pay ? ' 
 More greedy far than hungry hogs, 
 With hearts more hard than maple logs, 
 They even covet blind men's dogs, 
 To barter them away. 
 
 " The courts of law afford great scope 
 To those who would in earnest hope 
 With tyrant Might triumphant cope, 
 
 And tardy justice wrench- 
 But those who've been in courts declare 
 An honest lawyer *s very rare ; 
 In some, the meanest culprit there 
 
 Is seen upon the bench. 
 
 " Take this advice from one who knows 
 How prone the world is to oppose 
 The progress and ascent of those 
 
 Who would in life excel ; 
 Contented be with, moderate gains, 
 Your passions keep in bridled reins, 
 Shun those whom no restraint restrains, 
 
 " They'll drag you into Hell. 
 
9 
 
 '' I find of all whom I have known, 
 Whose lives have greatest splendor shown, 
 And gained, as 'twere, a moral throne 
 
 Of everlasting Hiss, 
 They carried it where'er they went, 
 On other's hopes and aims intent ; 
 In doing good their lives were spent 
 
 An envied life is this. 
 
 "Ah, strange as it may seem to you, 
 You'll find in fact 'tis just as true, 
 They come out best who nearest do 
 
 As conscience tells them's right ; 
 Who carry joy where'er they go, 
 Who strive to share another's woe, 
 Who on the paths they tread e'er throw 
 
 A genial, joyous light. 
 
 { " Though selfish men may seem to thrive, 
 
 And gain the ends for which they strive, 
 c They'd gladly yield them all to drive 
 Away the fiend they've raised 
 
 - That, like a canker in the breast, 
 
 * Corrodes the heart, nor gives it rest; 
 
 e They've toiled for sleep/ some have confessed, 
 ? Whose thrift was highest praised. 
 
10 
 
 "Who'd learn a science or an art 
 
 Best learns who'll learn and then impart; 
 
 It will implant it in the heart. 
 
 And last while reason holds. 
 And he'll be firmest-footed found 
 Who helps his friends to firmest ground; 
 He's greatest who can most surround 
 
 Himself with grateful souls. 
 
 "Though Virtue's dumb and offers naught, 
 
 But must be long and keenly sought, 
 
 They are best learned who're by her taught, 
 
 And best obey her rules. 
 Whilst Vice runs blatant down the street, 
 And proffers all things, she's a cheat: 
 Destruction they will surely meet 
 
 V/ho are her dupes or tools. 
 
 ' 'And lastly, boys, I would conjure, 
 
 Whatever you may do, be sure 
 
 You never wrong or harm the poor : 
 
 For they are in God's care; 
 ^ In fact, I know no better plan, 
 Who'd lead a life of honor, than 
 To be a generous gentleman ; 
 
 To be such is my prayer. 
 
* t 
 I 
 
 11 
 
 ' Whoever earns that honored name 
 Stands first upon my scroll of fame. 
 I pray you make that your chief aim, 
 
 And pay but little heed 
 To vulgar greatness, pomp, or show. 
 Some of the worlds great (?) men, I know 
 In truth are petty, mean and low 
 
 A most degraded ^^^^ancrott Libninr 
 
 " Oh ! did ye know how some men climb 
 Thro' mud and mire, thro 9 slush and slime, 
 By fawning, cringing, craft aye crime, 
 
 To reach their high estate, 
 Your veneration would receive 
 A shock so great you'd scarce believe, 
 And 'stead of envying, you would grieve 
 
 For some the world calls great. 
 
 " Seek God in earnest prayer each day 
 To lead you in the righteous way, 
 And not permit your feet to stray 
 
 Where wickedness hath trod, 
 This earth for Heaven was designed, 
 And will be yet when man's inclined 
 To be like Him in form and mind, 
 
 As was designed by God. 
 
 I 
 i 
 i 
 i 
 i 
 n 
 
12 
 
 " Remember this : where'er ye be 
 Ye can't be where God's eyes can't see ; 
 Flee where ye will ye cannot flee 
 
 Beyond His watchful gaze. 
 And every act which here ye do- 
 Some day in realms of space ye' II view, 
 No photograph of earth so true 
 
 Produced by solar rays. 
 
 " Be generous, but first be just, 
 
 In God's protection place your trust ; 
 
 To gain His love and aid you must 
 
 In works of love excel. 
 Sustain a brave and manly heart, 
 And scorn all mean deceit or art, 
 And in life's play whate'er your part, 
 
 Be sure you act it well." 
 
 Two left their father's tender care 
 
 And rushed abroad, scarce mindful where, 
 
 Life's prizes and its blanks to share 
 
 .A helter-skelter race. 
 The third remained behind to cheer 
 His -parents whom he loved, so dear, 
 And whom he would be ever near- 
 He could not leave the place. 
 
And he who lately held provtl noay 
 O'er mighty hottt now lonely lay 
 A mat* of lifclett human clay, 
 
 Unmourned by child or wife. 
 
13 
 
 The eldest joined a warlike band, 
 And spread destruction round the land- 
 Both far and wide on every hand 
 
 He forced the foe to yield : 
 Until at length a mightier host, 
 With greater force than he could boast, 
 By stealth surprised and stormed his post ; 
 
 His bones bleached on. the field. 
 
 No loving heart with fervor tries 
 To cheer his spirit to the sides, 
 Or friendly hand to close his eyes, 
 
 That glared with furious strife. 
 And he who lately held proud sway 
 O'er mighty hosts now lonely lay 
 A mass of lifeless human clay, 
 
 Unmourned by child or wife. 
 
 The second grew both rich and great, 
 And gained vast wealth and huge estate, 
 c But callous grew of others' fate, 
 
 Nor cared for others' woes ; 
 L His brother man he bought and sold, 
 c His heart was selfish, sordid, cold ; 
 His sole delight was hoarding gold 
 He deemed all men his foes. 
 
14 
 
 ' Twas thus his conversation run : 
 ' ' There is a price for every one ; " 
 ff Whatever is or has been done 
 
 Is mostly due to gold." 
 And what by some is most revered, 
 * He ridiculed, contemned and jeered. 
 lt Affection ! friendship ! love ! " he sneered, 
 "Are very cheaply sold." 
 
 He lived in quite a princely style, 
 And strove his ennui to beguile ; 
 But, ah ! was seldom seen to smile ; 
 
 'Twas only now and then 
 When some grand prize his luck had caught, 
 Or legal conflict stoutly fought, 
 c To a successful end was brought 
 
 Against his brother men. 
 
 The world was ransacked far and wide 
 
 To gratify his morbid pride, 
 
 His every whim was soon supplied : 
 
 The Vatican at Rome, 
 With all its treasures rich and rare, 
 With some of his could scarce compare, 
 And yet there was but little there 
 
 Most needed in a home. 
 
15 
 
 The richest gem or rarest stone 
 
 That this grand world has ever known 
 
 Would serve but poorly to atone 
 
 For what was wanting there; 
 A crowd to serve, but none to pour 
 The heart's ovations fondly o'er, 
 Oh! how he envied some he saw, 
 
 Though very poor they were. 
 
 - And though the world is apt to be 
 Allured by glare, and crowd to see 
 Whatever for the hour may be 
 
 Rich, monstrous, strange, or rare; 
 Yet few there were who ever sought 
 His love, or even his smiles to court, 
 Who did attempt it soon were taught 
 
 No more that feat to dare. 
 
 But when the general victor came, 
 And, unrelentless, urged his claim, 
 His soul affrighted shrunk with shame; 
 
 Oh! how he longed to live; 
 "Oh! for a year, a month, an hour;" 
 He would atone with all his power 
 To those he'd wronged, with heavy dower; 
 
 But Death no " grace 
 
16 
 
 His mortal frame was borne away 
 In pompous state, a /rand array, 
 More like a pageant in a play 
 
 Than mortal " dust to dust." 
 A sermon soon in church was heard 9 
 And his salvation was inferred, 
 But of his errors not a word, 
 
 Nor final lack of trust. 
 
 A monument, supremely grand 
 As any monarch's in the land, 
 By first of artists cut and planned, 
 
 Adorned the grave he filled. 
 An epitaph, too, soon was seen, 
 "To keep his fragrant memory green!" 
 Not what he was, but should have been. 
 
 And might, had he so willed. 
 
 His wealth soon in the courts of law 
 Was clutched, like lamb in lion's paw, 
 And filled the still insatiate maw 
 
 Of human wolves, or worse ; 
 And as its owner, in his life, 
 Seemed most at home where broils were rife, 
 In death entailed unending strife, 
 
 A new Pandora's curse. 
 
I 
 
 MHHHMHMHMHM^ 
 
 17 flfo 
 
 2 
 
 The third was gentle, kind and true) 
 Who did as he'd be done unto, 
 Though void of wealth, no briers grew 
 
 Upon the path he trod; 
 He lived an active, useful life, 
 Beloved by children, friends and wife ; 
 Where he appeared he banished strife, 
 
 And died at peace with God. 
 
 And when they laid him in the ground 
 His neighbors came from miles around t 
 And not a tearless eye was found 
 
 'Mid all the hosts that came ; 
 He needed not the sculptor's art 
 To chronicle his well-played part, 
 For 'twas engraven on the heart 
 
 Of all who heard his name. 
 
 And 'twill descend from sire to son; 
 For though his earthly race is run, 
 The noble deeds that he has done 
 
 Still shed a halo round. 
 But finite moments here on earth 
 Are given man to prove his worth 
 And fit him for his heavenly birth : 
 
 Life's but a training ground. 
 
May God in mercy hear our prayer, 
 And let us all His blessings share, 
 And keep us 'neath His watchful care, 
 
 That when at last we die, 
 No misspent hours or deeds we'll rue, 
 But ever faithful, good and true, 
 Grim Death's stern portals passing through, 
 
 Our souls to heaven may fly. 
 
 Oh! what are riches! titles! power! 
 
 To those who in their dying hour 
 
 Feel conscience's sting, and shame and cower 
 
 Beneath a heavenly ban ? 
 ' Twere best to leave just as we came, 
 Devoid of all things, so we aim 
 To earn and leave this honored name : 
 
 "A good and noble man" 
 
And if 'tis borrowed by a friend 
 
 Quito welcome he shall be 
 To read, or study : NOT TO LEND, 
 
 But to RETURN to U1C. 
 
 By this no selfish thought is meant, < ^ 
 To lock up "Wisdom's store; 
 
 But Books, I find, sometimes re-lent, 5 
 Return to me NO MOIIE. 
 
I Lithomount 
 Pamphlet 
 
 Binder 
 Gaylord Bros. 
 
 Makers 
 Stockton, Calif. 
 
 PAT. JftN 21. 1908