AFTER NIGHT, A SUMMER-PLACE TALK, OTHER POEMS. BY AELLA GREENE, AUTHO* OF "'RHYMES OP YANKEE LAND," AND " HAPPY DAYS AT HAMPTON. BOSTON : LEE & SHEPARD. NEW YORK: LEE, SHEPARD & DILLINGHAM. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by AELLA GREENE, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. CLARK W. BRYAN * COMPANY, SLECTROTYPERS, PRINTERS AND BINDERS, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. TO JjJenrtj IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIS INSPIRING AND SINCERE WORDS OF KINDNESS, "AFTER NIGHT." CONTENTS. AFTER NIGHT: PACE. "WHERE WE HAVE COME TO SUMMER," ... n "You WROTE ME FROM THE CITY," .... 15 "WHERE You FIRST SAW THE LIGHT," . . . . 18 " As WE BELIEVE HIM," 23 "WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER'S CRYSTAL TIDE," . . 33 THE ACHIEVEMENT, 43 ANOTHER EXPERIENCE, 47 VI CONTENTS. \ PAGE. GOING TO GOTHAM, 50 Two PLACES 52 MISCELLANEOUS: ON CANTERBURY GREEN, 61 " BRIGHT IN A PEACEFUL VALLEY," 68 CLARK AND THE TWENTY-FIRST, 70 fr THREE FRIENDS, 73 ON A TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY, 76 "Too MANY HEARTS ARE SAD TO-NIGHT" ... 78 "FROM SUCH AS THESE, GOOD LORD," 80 A SUNDAY AT BUFFALO, 84 CONTENTS. Vll PAGB. WORDS TO MY WIFE, 87 A MAN OF PROVIDENCE, 89 THE RIVER ROAD, 91 THE ALLOPATHS, 92 AFTER NIGHT. I WHERE WE HAVE COME TO SUMMER." \\ 7 HERE we have come to summer Refreshing' breezes blow, The meads are decked with flowers, The streamlets murmur low. The mountains are around us, Their tops against the sky, The mountains bold, majestic, That give us notions high. Although we think of heaven, These scenes have greatest worth, In that they make us happy In dwelling on the earth ; And willing, while we tarry, WHERE WE HAVE COME TO SUMMER. To labor for mankind, And careful climb life's ladder, Our final good to find. The village is a model Of neatness and of thrift, And everything within it Is on the upward drift. The cottages are painted In trim, becoming style ; We have choice, cosy quarters, We better stop awhile. In search for health and comfort, I think we've planned it well, To sojourn at the "Mansion," Pas'comuck's good hotel, "WHERE WE HAVE COME TO SUMMER." 13 Where pleasant people tarry, Away from " Saratogue," And all the rounds of fashion Among "the ton" in vogue. The ladies are conversing As their bright minds incline, Those two delightful women, Your wife, dear James, and mine. They're happy in the parlor, And hark! a song they sing, A grand old anthem, bravely, To tune of royal ring. And here ensconced together, We'll cast our vision back The path we traveled hither, 14 "WHERE WE HAVE COME TO SUMMER." And trace the devious track; And see through all our journey Day coming after night ; If thorns, yet still the roses, And all things working right. I readily remember Yours was a sadder sky ; The angel me protecting Appeared to pass you by. And still you had some blessings, Resembling choicest gold ; Some days with joys were crowded, As full as days could hold. "YOU WROTE ME FROM THE CITY." "X/'OU wrote me from the city That you were sad at heart, And thought that I might reckon That grieving is your art. But, James, have done with sorrow ; There's reason to be glad, Besides the many reasons That ceaseless sorrow's bad. 'Tis good, friend James, to see you, And take your hearty hand, And see, in spite of sorrow, You 're looking glad and bland. That you may have the courage 1 6 "YOU WROTE ME FROM THE CITY." To fight life's battle through, You should be still more joyful, And there's more joy for you. And I will entertain you, If you will give me leave, That through this happy morning You have no time to grieve ; Will speak of your good blessings, Predicting you some more, Your brightest days repeated In future o'er and o'er. We'll bid good-by to business, Our business be to rest ; And that, like other callings, We'll follow with good zest. "YOU WROTE ME FROM THE CITY.' I/ When rest is well accomplished Ours be some other work ; And so, throughout our life-time, There be no grain of shirk. WHERE YOU FIRST SAW THE LIGHT." hence we'll make excursions To Berkshire's breezy hills, And listen to the music Arising from the rills ; We'll gaze on Greylock's grandeur, And Housatonic's vale, For scenes of choicest beauty, Was never known to fail ; While memories of giants, Like Hopkins, Briggs and Dawes, Shall teach to work and suffer In every noble cause ; And, rambling 'round the mountains, " WHERE YOU FIRST SAW THE LIGHT." 19 Perhaps we'll come in sight Of that delightful village Where you first saw the light; Where yours was pleasant study When August waned to fall, Which half the day was summer, Or whether autumn all; When harvest was completed, Blackberries decked the hill, And oxen shed their tackle And browsed the lot at will; When trees were bent with sweetings Around a buckwheat field, Affording fragrant promise Of an abundant yield ; 2O " WHERE YOU FIRST SAW THE LIGHT. And you believed that heaven Was through the upper blue, And thought the good departed No happier than you ! So, in our Berkshire rambles, We'll plan to come in sight Of that delightful village Where you first saw the light ; And where you passed your childhood And had your griefs and joys, In much the same proportion As did the other boys; And where, a little later, Your trouble did begin ; And you had sore departed "WHERE YOU FIRST SAW THE LIGHT. 21 To foolishness and sin, Because some people doubted Who should have given trust, And all your pleasant castles Were crumbled into dust! And so my words sound strangely That call the village blest, Though there you 'gan your being, And there your kindred rest ! And yet, you make exception About a single case, Apparently sufficient To save the wretched place. To all your words of trouble One gave a full belief; 22 "WHERE YOU FIRST SAW THE LIGHT. By faith's refreshing sunshine Dispelled your clouds of grief. He praised you for ambition, Your new made plans indorsed, And helped into his saddle Whom cruel men unhorsed. "AS WE BELIEVE HIM." / "T"*HE project you remember well, When rested with one man To lift to life, or crush to death, A dearly cherished plan ; A plan to write and bless the world, And win enough of gold, To purchase books and bread and clothes, And shelter from the cold. This enterprise appeared to some Assumption on your part ; They charged you with a foolish pride And vanity of heart. 24 "AS WE BELIEVE HIM. Some angel then directed you To dwelling of the squire, Whose kingly soul beamed from his eyes, As, at his parlor fire, He greeted you with cheerful word And half divined your plan ; And, in a world of little men, You found one noble man! He heard your story, read you through, And rose unto his feet, And spoke the words I've often heard You joyfully repeat: "You ask me here to recognize That you are fit to do "AS WE BELIEVE HIM." 25 The noble work you truly think You are adapted to. "And that I will, most heartily, And patronize you well ; How high your enterprise may run No one can fully tell. " My social sanction, hard-earned cash, And prayers that God will bless, I give you, with my sincere faith, Predicting you success. "But little in my power to do, I do it with my heart ; As you begin your long life-race, I'm proud to see you start!" 26 "AS WE BELIEVE HIM." Heart-felt adieus were interchanged, And, grateful, glad and strong, You left that Bethel of your life, Your heart uplift with song. The squire, for prudence noted far, Was queried much by some, Who thought this extra charity Had best "begin to hum." "And he should pay the minister, Or paint the old town hall, Or prop his neighbors' fences up, That were about to fall." And that to one whose very life Was given to the town ; "AS WE BELIEVE HIM." 2/ Whose quickest instinct was to lift A fellow fallen down ! One cautious neighbor, doubting, asked, "Why show such faith as this?" And quick the squire replied with force, "Therein I have my bliss. "To see this man is bound to win It needs no prophet's ken ; The gospel will be understood When men believe in men. "As we believe him he will be; If we doubt, he will fall ; And let us, while we're trusting him, Largely trust, trust him all. 28 "AS WE BELIEVE HIM." "No measured kindness should be shown, Nor artificial cheer ; Much we should trust him, always bless, And hold his interests dear. "God pity those who can't believe Unless they see the end ! According to the Scriptures, man, Where do such notions tend ? " Excuse me, sir, if thus I hint Such doubting smacks of hell ! But is not that where doubters go, As Bible teachings tell? "Fay though you are, you act the fiend! You laugh at this kind deed? "AS WE BELIEVE HIM." 2Q Why, disbelieving, selfish man, I'd help e'en you in need ! " But, by my word, you damage more, In any way, this man, Whom and whose parents you esteem But worthy social ban, " Depend on most unhappy luck In all you hope or do; And count on rugged hills and thorns Your whole hard journey through ! " This Fay, I think, soon after died, And six paid mourners wept, And two pale poplars marked the spot Wherein his ashes slept. 3O "AS WE BELIEVE HIM. The squire, perennial like the streams That sing his vale along, Is brighter with advancing years, And with his age grows strong. "WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER'S CRYSTAL TIDE." "V T THERE bright a river's crystal tide Descends a steep cascade, To drive a dozen toiling mills, Where useful goods are made, There is another village blest With men of enterprise, Whose peaceful lives, 'twixt wealth and want, And happy social skies, And lively interest in things Of church and neighborhood, And constant watchfulness for ways To do each other good, 3 34 " WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER'S CRYSTAL TIDE." Might well be envied by a king, And prompt with better ken, To sing the happiness and worth Of these great-hearted men. % And trustful there, but trembling still, You asked for blessings small ; The noble answer ne'er shall pass Beyond your memory's call ; Nor pass from mind the happy hours Beneath the pleasant shade Of quiet streets, where cosy homes An Eden picture made ! And walking there, you planned to build Your work so sure and strong, "WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER'S CRYSTAL TIDE. 35 It should remain to bless the earth, A good enduring long. Forever shall be dear to you The cordial greeting said By one whose kindness was so wise, Yet free, your heart was led To banish doubts and live by faith, By trust in royal souls ; By faith that watchful Providence, Who all the world controls, And strangely doth, at times, permit Some littleness in earth, Hath, yet, some royal contrasts made, In men whose ways and worth 36 "WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER'S CRYSTAL TIDE. Resemble characters the bards To ransomed ones have given, And which, did all possess, would make This earth completest heaven. Unto this man each useful craft Appeared a noble trade ; No honest calling, well pursued, Did in his eyes degrade. His daily business was to drive The works where plows were made ; And in his creed and daily walk Great stress on smiles was laid. His gracious presence often cheered The Hampden harvest club, "WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER*S CRYSTAL TIDE." 3? And gave right tone to General Court, Assembled at the "Hub." For years he led the Sunday-school With dignity and grace ; Nor stories told to prompt the boys To learn as on a race. Hard by his house the village church, The happy Sabbath home, Where lovers of the good old way Took great delight to come. And you and I, one Sabbath day, Chanced in that house of God ; And reverently, with peace and joy, Those pleasant aisles we trod. 38 "WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER'S CRYSTAL TIDE." We heard the pastor preach the truth Of every sham bereft; Before him earnest Christians sat, And, at the preacher's left, The sweet-voiced organ and the choir, Whose faces beamed with song, Whose notes of praise, so "glad and free," Shall linger with me long! And to the young men's class at noon The village judge discoursed, As fittingly on Scripture texts, And moral truths enforced, As he the common law explained To sinners 'gainst the law; " WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER'S CRYSTAL TIDE." 39 And from a field of wide research Did useful lessons draw. The sun was setting as we walked Along the shaded street, And through an opening in the trees Beheld a vision sweet! The pleasant river winding bright A circling ridge around, And whispering pines and graceful elms The little mountain crowned. And still beyond a verdant plain Where erst the Indians were, Before these lands were bought by whites For beads, ear-rings, and fur. 4O " WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER S CRYSTAL TIDE. And down the river, just descried, Great factories arose, Where short the river's lesser tide Within a grander flows! And farther up the silver stream The Indian Orchard place, Where mills are run and schools are taught With industry and grace. And where the Indians took the leap, In fabled days of old, Into the stream, o'er which, ere long, Shall railway trains be rolled, Connecting Pynchon's ancient town, Now smart, ambitious, wise, "WHERE BRIGHT A RIVERS CRYSTAL TIDE. 41 With towns, and lakes, and forests, where New Hampshire's mountains rise. Along this stream, above "the leap," A pleasant roadway runs, On which so happy once I walked In best of April suns. With me a toiling, sickened, man, Whose wise, refreshing talk, Gave thoughts, as though with gods and kings ! I had this pleasant walk. His patience in his constant pain, Content with humble lot ; His royal words of kindly cheer, His constant pining not, 42 "WHERE BRIGHT A RIVER'S CRYSTAL TIDE." Could but inspire me much, and drive The last mind cloud away, And radiance pour, and song call forth, And blissful make the day. How brightly danced a near cascade ; The birds sang overhead ! Joy ruled the hour ! Faith cheered me on, And Doubt, grim Doubt, was dead ! THE ACHIEVEMENT. r I ^HE book was done, in pleasant verse On Smiths and other men ; And when 'twas done you had a thought To write it through again. The critics were considerate, Right well the volume took; Rich merchants sought to grasp your hand, Wise teachers liked the book. A gunboat captain said, " Old boy, You have a prosperous gale ; You're wise enough to shun the rocks, I'm proud to see you sail ! " 44 THE ACHIEVEMENT. Heaven bless the Hadley farmer Who drove straight into town And bought two copies of the book, And laid his money down, Remarking, " I delight to read A book of home-like lays, Rehearsing scenes of common life In simple, lucid phrase ; " A volume penned by one who sees A hero in a frock, And likes to tell the praises of Each mountain, rill and rock." A book man whose most freezing words So tortured you at first, THE ACHIEVEMENT. 45 Who socially, and at his stand, Planned keen and did his worst To crush your enterprise with sneers, Seemed quite another man, When all his town had bought your book, And critics praised its plan. Such greetings kind ; such rosy smiles ! Such fawnings for your hand ; Three several notes so humbly put, And signed, "Yours to command!" An average aristocrat, Residing down at Ware, Addressed a note that he was glad Your prospects were so fair. 46 THE ACHIEVEMENT. Then you recalled how once he sneered, And now, to make amends, He sought to join the numerous group Of your fair-weather friends. Their sickly praise, so overdone, Showed hollowness of heart ; How much unlike the Squire's good words, " I'm proud to see you start.'' And 'mid this meant and unmeant praise You kept a humble mind, And sought in grander schemes and work Your joy and rest to find. ANOTHER EXPERIENCE. A BOUT the tender passion You had some luck unkind; And yet in that deep sorrow Refreshing good you find. It grieved her much to tell you, "Dear James, we now must part; But you be good and noble And show a manly heart. " I wish that I could wed you, But that may never be ; And, in the great hereafter, That I am true you'll see. 48 ANOTHER EXPERIENCE. I'm going to teach a mission For cast-off girls and boys ; Therein is my ambition, And there I'll have my joys. " I'll never wed another, And you are free to love; Choose some delightful maiden; We three will meet above ! " You chose again, dear comrade, With wisdom in your choice ; And at the happy marriage Your friends had right rejoice. The other one is busy Her mission field to keep, ANOTHER EXPERIENCE. 49 But prays each day that angels Forbid you cause to weep. Your wife is true and loving ; You walk together well ; And noble things about her You always have to tell. GOING TO GOTHAM. /^VNCE on important business You drove to Gotham down, At first all things went wrongly ; It seemed a drear old town. Each man you met was stubborn, No one could see like you ; And still you thought " in some way I'll fight this business through." You left the city thinking The omens augured well ; And felt assured when passing The rocks at New Rochelle, GOING TO GOTHAM. 51 That brighter days were dawning, And you were on the track ; With promise of good progress, And no more sliding back. Although but little headway Tha train,. at times, has made, With scarce the power to forward The coaches up the grade; You still have been advancing, Have reached the town at last, With many friends to greet you, And skies of pleasant cast ! TWO PLACES. T^ORGIVING my rejoinder- Dear friend, you paint a view Of life's wed sweet and bitter, As it appeared to you ? For that it little matters; Your healthy words of cheer Fill this auspicious morning With hopes forever dear. True, James; near yours my birthplace, Where I may never be And not desire to journey That place no more to see. As there my noble parents TWO PLACES. 53 Had want and scornful laugh ; And there life's cup of bitter My lips were forced to quaff. But still the place was lovely ; Some people were quite kind ; The others I will pardon When they may feel inclined. It is not wise nor manly To nurse our griefs too long ; Let's seek the pleasant parlor, And hear the ladies' song. We four, to-day, will journey, So as to come in sight Of that delightful village Where you first saw the light; 54 TWO PLACES. Where winding hill-side roadways, And purling, limpid streams, Cool groves, and breezy hill-tops, Excel our brightest dreams; And where, abides a tanner, A man urbane and true ; Who rose to estimation, These western counties through; The while his polished partner Ruled well the Commonwealth, Full careful of the treasures And of the public health. Although a central railway Teems with its thundering trains, The place is blest with quiet TWO PLACES. 55 As were Arcadian plains. The psalmist had sung grander ; Inditing here his psalm, And found for griefs and trouble Sufficient grace and balm. These scenes a Yankee school-girl Has painted finely grand ; The woman should have praises Throughout our Yankee land. And here may still this artist Depict the pleasant scene Of rock, cascade, and forest, And hillside dressed in green. Arrived, we'll seek the dwelling Of that kind-hearted man, 56 TWO PLACES. Who helped you to accomplish Your dearly cherished plan. With thanks for that first kindness Which ever will be new, Ours be a hearty promise To fight life's battle through. WHERE PLEASANT PEOPLE TARRY." MISCELLANEOUS. ON CANTERBURY GREEN.* ^THROUGHOUT the land, from east to west, No more inviting scene, Along the streams, and on the plains, And all the hills between, Than cheers the hearts of country folk On Canterbury Green, When summer sunset mellowness Rests kindly on the place, And tired toilers, from the fields, Their homeward journey trace ; And, at the evening meal, glad hearts Devoutly utter grace. * Canterbury, Ct. 62 ON CANTERBURY GREEN. The little smithy blazes still, The " great " elm tree is nigh, . Rock maples shade the " Blackhill " road, The Quinneboag floats by ; And citizens for factories Still unsuccessful try. The score of dwellings are the same As in the days of yore ; The school is undeserted yet, The all important " store " Holds still the post, and gossips there Still tell their stories o'er. There calico, and crockery, And picture-books are seen, And ribbons still are sold, to deck ON CANTERBURY GREEN. 63 The girls of sweet sixteen, And candy red, to please the boys Of Canterbury Green. Although the " training days " are gone, And husking bees are few, And old-time ways of dress and calls Have given place to new, And many faces known of yore Are sleeping 'neath the yew, Good people still inhabit here, And thrift and peace are seen, As when, a hundred years ago, The pioneers, I ween, Broke turf on old Westminster hill And Canterbury Green. 64 ON CANTERBURY GREEN. The people yet are well aware What ancient " meetings " mean ; The order is two sermons now, With "nooning" wedged between, Within the church that still remains On Canterbury Green. And where the neighbors worship yet On good Westminster hill, The old style gospel preaching lasts, The ancient singing still: And much we hope, in future years, This service ever will. In spite of all, there lingers still, And ever will be seen, A shade at which "all hands" were scared ON CANTERBURY GREEN. 65 And showed their foolish spleen, Famed Prudence Crandall's colored school, On Canterbury Green. Far back in eighteen thirty-three, Town meetings fierce were seen Within the galleries of the church On Canterbury Green ; And speeches, A. T. Judson made, Complete, close put, and keen, Against importing negroes there, To learn to read and spell : That were unchristian and unwise, In no case was it well ; In fact, they all, by vote, agreed, The business smacked of hell. 5 66 ON CANTERBURY GREEN. Although the school was broken up, The "cause" good progress made, And now the Canterbury folk, Of every name and grade, Desire their parents' foolish ways From memory to fade. But last it will, that colored fuss Of eighteen thirty-three ; And yet we'll think that good may still At Canterbury be ; And thank the Lord that colored folks Throughout the land are free. In other towns much foolishness And inconvenient spleen, And other pale folks to the blacks ON CANTERBURY GREEN. 6? Behaved as small and mean, As they who spoiled the colored school On Canterbury Green. While Yankee Doodle is our song, And stars and stripes are seen, May Canterbury folk have peace, And keep their record clean, And everybody speak good words Of Canterbury Green. 'BRIGHT IN A PEACEFUL VALLEY." T) RIGHT in a peaceful valley A happy village sweet,* Where homes of joy are ranged along A maple shaded street. There dwells a manly merchant Who kindly deigned to feed, And gave a cordial, friendly word To stranger man in need, When through Otsego county, Within the Empire State, * Worcester, N. Y. "BRIGHT IN A PEACEFUL VALLEY." 69 All tired, disconsolate and faint, He came one autumn late. He tells to me his story And asks that I rehearse, The deed and his felt gratitude; But I have not the verse To paint aright the village, Within the Empire State, Wherein this manly neighbor dwells Whose kindness makes him great. CLARK AND THE TWENTY-FIRST. Colonel Clark of Amherst Was major in the field, Contending in the Southland To make the rebels yield, The general said, " Brave major, You and the Twenty-first Must charge the rebels yonder, Where they will do their worst." Then prompt the major uttered The simple answer, " Yes ! " And bravely they moved forward Whom we delight to bless. CLARK AND THE TWENTY-FIRST. And there, upon famed Roanoke, Clark and the Twenty-first Discomfited the rebels, Who did their bitter worst. And in the rebel stronghold The Bay State flag was placed, And bright a starry banner The rebel fortress graced. And through much more of fighting Clark and his men were true ; They went forth strong a thousand, They came a war-worn few! The angels kept the leader Who dared the thickest fight, 72 CLARK AND THE TWENTY-FIRST. And fought to hold the colors And keep our honor bright. Then much the rebels hated, And often since have cursed, Whom we delight to honor, Clark and the Twenty-first. God bless all gallant soldiers Who battled for the flag, And aided in the conquest Of Davis, Lee, and Bragg. And, through our glorious future, A song to all who erst In bravery resembled Clark and the Twenty-first! THREE FRIENDS. *T^HESE lines to three devoted friends Whom I can not forget, In all the ups and downs of life, Till life's last sun shall set : The probate judge at Franklin's shire, A man of grace and grit, Who, by his learning and his worth Is for his station fit ; A tall, strong miller, wise, and built With sunshine in his heart, 74 THREE FRIENDS. Residing in South Hadley, near A pleasant school of art ; A Lisbon man whose greeting kind Transforms New York, to me, From busy Babel to a place Of fountain, flower and tree. The Lord have pity on the man Who scorns to have a friend ; How high his plans, at last they must In bad disaster end. Napoleonic men may fight Their battles all alone, But finally a Waterloo Their rashness will atone. THREE FRIENDS. 75 Lord grant I learn the useful fact, We are by others strong ; And they sing sweetest who have heard Another sing the song. ON A TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY. r I ^*WO decades bright with blessings since We 'gan life's road together, And each to other promised faith In every sort of weather. With gratitude and joyfulness At good with which He crowned us, We look unto the Father high, And thank the friends around us. And here with them we offer prayers That through each coming season Our friends and we abundantly Be blest with health and reason. ON A TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY. 77 And, that we have great things to say, We're minded first and chiefly, The words that speak and reach the heart Are spoken plain and briefly. "TOO MANY HEARTS ARE SAD TO-NIGHT. r I "^OO many hearts are sad to-night, I may not dance to music light. They're sad from hunger and from pain, And sad from sin's polluting stain. Low down in cellars, up the stairs, Where freely pass the winter airs ; 'Neath wretched shed, and in the street, Where pelt the piercing storms of sleet, Are pallid cheek, and sunken eyes, And forms that never more may rise. I may not dance to music light, Too many hearts are sad to-night. But some will wake, if touched aright, To noble purpose and brave deed, "TOO MANY HEARTS ARE SAD TO-NIGHT." 79 And grandly with their duty speed, Achieving full, complete success, While all the world, admiring, bless. All this, if, now, one word, aright, While you may skip to music light, I speak to cheer them for the fight. Too many hearts are sad to-night ; I may not dance to music light. "FROM SUCH AS THESE, GOOD LORD." FT ROM up-start mayors of little towns, With vanity inflated, Whose worth, by citizens and self, Is vastly overrated ; From wordy politicians, bent On making a sensation ; From new-made agents of the mills Who don't deserve the station ; From officers who went to war To dangle swords about 'em, And. eyed the enemy from far, But never tried to rout 'em ; "FROM SUCH AS THESE, GOOD LORD." 8 1 Who drew revolvers on their men, To bring complete submission, But ne'er before the foe assumed Belligerent position ; From dapper " profs " in charge of schools Demanding able teachers ; From puppet pulpiters, in place Of royal men, for preachers ; From consequential merchants, proud Of "our superior dry goods ;" From those who visit stores to look, But never go to buy goods ; From men who visit editors To teach them journalism, 6 82 "FROM SUCH AS THESE, GOOD LORD." Or pelt some rival citizen, Or air some social schism ; From men imbued with sham reforms, A howling round the cities ; From other mobilier fuss, Or mobilier committees ; From men who prove supremely small When you expect them royal ; From citizens who traitors turn, When they are expected loyal From such as these, good Lord, defend, And graciously deliver, And send us manly men instead, And we will praise thee ever. " FROM SUCH AS THESE, GOOD LORD." 83 But since at home we're highly blest And of such plagues divested, I'll say by incidents afar These verses were suggested. And, while we pray that Heaven may grant We have such curses never, We'll pity people cursed with them In places down the river ! A SUNDAY AT BUFFALO. T F ever a mortal was worn, I found myself so by the lake, The very best object on earth On which funny verses to make. Then luckily thought came of one Who gladly would show me his home, And deem me unkind not to call, And happiness find to say, come. By him I was rested and fed And treated to many good rhymes, A SUNDAV AT BUFFALO. 85 Preserved in a scrap book, to keep Remembrance of" old Yankee times. On Sunday we called at a church Where trim a sleek preacher stood up And talked his pink nothings so soft, I prayed the good Lord he would stop ! Or turn his attention to hell, Say bad men were going straight there, And every one needed to mourn, And give himself up unto prayer. Twere better than bass-wood and soap And soft sighs of sweetness so fine, Which the " ton " in their ecstacy said, Were " thplendid, and gwand, and diwine ! " 86 A SUNDAY AT BUFFALO. On Monday the " zephyrs " blew bleak And cheerfully howled from the lake, As forth in good season I drove, The 'Lantic express train to take. WORDS TO MY WIFE. wife: amid the work that comes My absence to prolong, I take this bright and sunny hour To rhyme for thee a song, And thank thee for thy earnest prayers, That God hath answered well, In health, and hope, and many joys, I have not time to tell ; In friends who cheer me at my tasks, And pray that God will bless, And earnestly and constantly Desire me good success ; 88 WORDS TO MY WIFE. In grit to work and to endure, And for success to wait ; In faith that God will keep me safe From every cruel fate ; In faith that God is always thine, And sends his angels near, To guard and guide the darling one Who holds my interests dear. Pittsfield, September, 1873. A MAN OF PROVIDENCE. TO REV. E. F. C. T N Providence a man so kind, so good, So wise, the city seemed correctly named ; A man who copied well John Wesley's life, And Christ the heavenly master followed well, And honored well an ancient order, grand With many quiet men, who much have done To banish want, and light this darkened world; A man whose heavenly business did not bar From frequent trips to glens and breezy hills ; A man whose luck with rod and line on lake And brook, far up the pleasant Pine Tree State, Was known and liked by all his happy flock. Would there were more like him to bless the world, 9O A MAN OF PROVIDENCE. And change, or crowd from foothold here below, The men who so embitter earth by self, And doubt of other men, and hate at sight Of their aspiring looks and skyward steps, That earth which should be heaven hath very hell Wherever their drear, bitter, presence bad Is permanent. THE "RIVER ROAD."* TN joyous spring or winter cold, And in the autumn sun, The trains upon our northern route With good success are run. And, bound to Methodistic camp, Or going mountainward, On picnics bent, or politics, The people with accord Declare they like the "River Road," Its managers and men ; And when they wish another ride, They'll try that route again. Connecticut River Railroad. THE ALLOPATHS. T WISH that all the allopaths Had all their sins forgiven, And were translated from the earth To highest seats in heaven ! And all their books of medicine, And all the drugs they mix Were ferried far, and finally, Beyond the river Styx ! The pleasant herbs that healthful grow On every happy hill, God has ordained to aid the sick, And calomel will kilL THE ALLOPATHS. 93 May light be given with coming years, And mild " botanies " rule ; And only history record, There was another school ! UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY Illllllllllllll Illl A 001 365 008 o