THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 -"POEMS*- 
 
 BY 
 
 U LLI E. 
 
 [ ULLIE R, AKERBTRDM.J 
 
 CHICAGO, ILLS. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 
 1884.
 
 WM. PORTER, Printer, 149 Wab.ish Avenue, 
 
 CHICAGO, ILLS.
 
 612828 
 
 UBBAKV
 
 To 
 
 My dear Mother, 
 
 MRS, ELIZABETH W, AKERSTRDM, 
 
 This book is affectionately inscribed 
 
 by her daughter, 
 
 TJLLIE,
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884, by UI.LIE R. 
 AKBRSTROM, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
 
 DESCRIPTIVE. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 1. The MineiV Protege 9 
 
 2. Right Will E'er Prevail 1 1 
 
 3. Thoughts in a Churchyard 12 
 
 4. Never Dilly dally 13 
 
 5. Phantoms 14 
 
 6. To-morrow 15 
 
 7. Learn to Walk Alone 17 
 
 8. What do we Live For ? 18 
 
 9. Push Ahead, and Don't Despair 19 
 
 10. Life's Workers * 20 
 
 1 1. Your Fortune 21 
 
 1 2. My Wish 22 
 
 13. Rely Upon Yourself : 23 
 
 14. Ode to Night 24 
 
 15. The Storm , 25 
 
 16. Dreams 26 
 
 17. Unrest 27 
 
 18. * Memories 28 
 
 19. The Sea 29 
 
 20. The Coat Makes the man of To-day 3 
 
 21. The Four Suns 31 
 
 22. Philosophy 33 
 
 23. Passing Thoughts 33 
 
 24. The Old Dress. ., 34 
 
 HUMOROUS. 
 
 25. "Old Yaller." 3 6 
 
 26. I Want my Balloon ' 39 
 
 27. My Choice , 4 
 
 28. Wanted A Wife 4i 
 
 29. Toot Yer Horn if You Don't Sell a Clam 42 
 
 30. "I'll Bet Yer a Dollar." 44 
 
 3 1 . Deacon Gray 45 
 
 32. Big Injun 4 6 
 
 33. A Woman's Explanation 47
 
 II .0 M E 1' t) K M S . 
 
 I'AGE. 
 
 34. Somebody's Wailing for me ; 4 
 
 35. The Old Wife's Song 49 
 
 36. Going Home 
 
 37. Illinois 
 
 38. l.ove Commands All 53 
 
 39. Nobody Cares but Mother '. 55 
 
 40. Betrayed ; 5 
 
 41. To My Old Friends 57 
 
 42. If 5 
 
 43. Lines (To a Friend.') 59 
 
 44- Lines <*> 
 
 45. God's Christmas Gift Dl 
 
 46. To a Child " 6 3 
 
 47. Bridal and Funeral Flowers 64 
 
 48. Under the Willow 6 5 
 
 49. Lines. (On the Death of a Child.) 66 
 
 50. My Bird's Song * 67 
 
 5 1 . Footsteps on the Stair 68 
 
 52. Lines to an Old Friend 69 
 
 53. Only a Tress of Hair 7 
 
 SE N T I M EN T A I. . 
 
 54. The Omen 7 ' 
 
 55. Perhaps 7 2 
 
 56. Parted 73 
 
 57- Trials 74 
 
 58. Lines 75 
 
 59. Remember Me .- 76 
 
 60. Watching 77 
 
 6 1 . Discontent 78 
 
 62. A Heart Song 79 
 
 63. Drifting Apart 80 
 
 RELIGIOUS. 
 
 64. Thy Will be Done 81 
 
 65. Have Trust in God 82 
 
 66. Resignation 83 
 
 67. Submission 83 
 
 68. My Prayer 84 
 
 69. Be Thou my Guide $5
 
 ..HOI"- 
 
 Miner's FrntegE, 
 
 'AL, you see it's a queer story, Missy, 
 
 The little gal's none o' our kin; 
 But you bet when the old men go under 
 
 She's the one who will handle our " tin." 
 My pard an' me's rough minin' fellers, 
 
 We've got nary children nor wife; 
 But we love little yaller-haired Nellie, 
 An' we'll rear her up right, bet yer life. 
 
 How old ? Wai she's nigh eight I reckon, 
 
 Five years since we brought her out here; 
 An' she was the cunninest baby 
 
 We'd looked at for many a year. 
 Yer see 'twas the time the Apaches 
 
 Broke out. Blast the red imps o' sin! 
 The emigrant train crossed their trail, Miss, 
 
 An' the Injuns they scooped 'em all in. 
 
 Yes, thar lay men, children an' wimmen; 
 
 The red imps had raised all their ha'r; 
 We couldn't do nothin' to help 'em, 
 
 So my pard an' me buried them thar. 
 Thar was one likely lookin' young cretur' 
 
 Lyin' out from the rest of the heap; 
 She was dead like the rest an' poor Nellie 
 
 Was close by her side fast asleep.
 
 10 DESCRIPTIVE. 
 
 Wai, 'twas iiigh ninety miles to the settlement; 
 
 Bill an' me turned the thing in our mind, 
 An' at last we concluded to keep her 
 
 An' bring her up lovin' an kind. 
 We buried her poor dad an' mammy, 
 
 Likewise all their unlucky mates, 
 An' we named her Nell, arter a sweetheart 
 
 My pard had once, back in the States. 
 
 But the trouble we had with that young un 
 
 Was somethin' quite funny to see ; 
 Bill give her up for a mystery, 
 
 Likewise she was too much for me. 
 Her durned duds, they wouldn't go on right, 
 
 An' we cussed every button an' string; 
 But arter a spell we did better, 
 
 When we once got the hang o' the thing. 
 
 4 
 
 An' she's growin' up pert-like an bloomin'; 
 
 We take her to work every day, 
 An' while Bill an' rue's busy a minin' 
 
 She'll sit on the rock pile an' play. 
 An' she's made better men of us both, Miss, 
 
 We don't cuss now, nor go on no spree; 
 'Cause we're workin' an savin' for Nellie, 
 
 The pride of my old pard an' me.
 
 DESCRIPTIVE. 11 
 
 Right -will E'er Prevail, 
 
 this world of ours seems upside down, 
 
 And under falsehood's sway, 
 I tell you, friends, there's coming soon 
 
 A brighter, happier day. 
 There'll be a time when truth and love 
 
 Will rule o'er hill and dale, 
 For a God of justice reigns above, 
 
 And Eight will e'er prevail. 
 
 Brothers, who trod the downward road 
 
 Led on by fiendish rum, 
 But have broken loose from his fatal grasp, 
 
 And the upward path begun 
 Though shunned and doubted now by all, 
 
 Do not o'er the past bewail : 
 You will yet regain your lost estate, 
 
 For Bight will e'er prevail. 
 
 Sisters, who strayed from virtue's peal,. 
 
 But have now turned back again, 
 Press on ! for repentance, time and faith 
 
 Will blot out the past's dark stain. 
 Take heart ! Work on in your self reform, 
 
 Your efforts will sure avail; 
 For a God of Love doth watch above, 
 
 And Bight will e'er prevail. 
 
 Yea, earnest labor with heart and brain, 
 
 And the help of God will win; 
 And honesty, temperance, virtue, still 
 
 Will rise above crime and sin. 
 Then join hands in all the lands, 
 
 And encourage the weak and frail; 
 Let them turn not back to sin's dark track, 
 
 And may Truth and Bight prevail.
 
 12 DESCRIPTIVE. 
 
 Thoughts in a Church Yard, 
 
 1 ON mound by brightest flowers decked, 
 
 Tells of a love not yet forgot; 
 Of thoughts that ever backward turn 
 From busy life to this lone spot. 
 
 Like sea of living green outspread, 
 
 By waving grass o'ergrown, this mound 
 
 Reminds us of the bright fresh fields, 
 Where nature's free, rich gifts abound. 
 
 Yon sculptured marble, high and cold, 
 A token seems of power and worth. 
 
 Not so a poor, weak hope it shows, 
 To be remembered on the earth. 
 
 Like blot upon a picture bright, 
 This dark and bare unsodden spot 
 
 So drear, and from the rest apart, 
 
 Seems by tbe whole wide world forgot. 
 
 Howe'er disguised beneath each mound, 
 
 A hidden tenant ghastly lies, 
 A stark and mouldering, shrouded form 
 
 Is buried deep from human eyes. 
 
 And so in life is man to man; 
 
 We hear the jest, we see the smile, 
 Unheeding that the fair outside 
 
 Conceals a sorrow all the while. 
 
 Some men are like the mound with flowers, 
 Their lives seem full of bliss and light; 
 
 Yet, 'neath the brilliant, gay outside, 
 Is hid some thought their joy to blight.
 
 DESCRIPTIVE. 13 
 
 And others, like the marble high, 
 
 Conceal their minds 'neath pride and gold. 
 But, ah ! The rich man's haughty soul, 
 
 At times is filled with woe untold. 
 
 And like the drear, unsodden spot, 
 Is some poor, joyless human heart, 
 
 Which, filled with sad and gloomy thoughts, 
 Seems fate-ordained to live apart. 
 
 Yes, 'neath the careless look, each heart 
 Conceals some scar, some stab, some burn, 
 
 Or ruin of some cherished hope, 
 To which the thoughts forever turn. 
 
 And like the graves, the covering bright 
 Seems free from cloud as summer's sky; 
 
 yet, like the graves, deep in each heart, 
 The ashes of some image lie. 
 
 Never D illy- dally, 
 
 e'er you have to carry, friend, 
 Don't loiter by the road, 
 Nor sit and wait for some one else 
 
 To lighten up your load. 
 If you intend to climb life's hill, 
 
 Don't loiter in the valley; 
 But warning take in time, my friend, 
 And do not dilly-dally. 
 
 If you should love a lady fair 
 And wish her for your bride; 
 
 See that you speak your mind to her, 
 Whatever mav betide.
 
 DESCRIPTIVE. 
 
 Keep other suitors in the rear: 
 
 Perchance if you do tarry, 
 Some bolder heart will win her love, 
 
 So, do not dilly-dally. 
 
 If you're in debt and have the means 
 
 To pay your creditor; 
 Go while the money's in your hand, 
 
 And send Debt from your door. 
 You'll feel a richer man, my friend, 
 
 Your views with mine will tally; 
 You'll say with me, 'tis always best 
 
 To never dilly-dally. 
 
 In short, whate'er you have to do, 
 
 Do quickly and at once ; 
 The man who stands and " hems and haws,' ' 
 
 Is nothing but a dunce. 
 Life's hill is steep if you would climb 
 
 Don't loiter in the valley ; 
 The winner in life's race is he 
 
 Who does not dilly-dally. 
 
 Phantoms, 
 
 E phamtoms of the buried past, 
 
 That rise athwart my path, 
 Why come ye here your saddening gloom 
 
 Across my soul to cast? 
 Back to your haunts! I'm living now 
 
 In light of the glad to-day; 
 I weep no more o'er vanished joys; 
 
 Back ! back, ye must not stay !
 
 DESCRIPTIVE. 15 
 
 Why linger ye with shadowy hands 
 
 That point my memory back 
 To crumbled idols, lying low, 
 
 O'er the weary, trodden track; 
 I close my eyes on your gloomy forms, 
 
 And press on the upward way. 
 I'll weep no more over vanished joys; 
 
 Back ! back! Why do ye stay? 
 
 And yet, alas, with your presence, comes 
 
 A yearning, I know not why, 
 To list to your plaintive, mournful tones, 
 
 Though I pass so quickly by, 
 I fain would live in the peaceful calm, 
 
 And light of the glad to-day. 
 I will not weep over vanished joys. 
 
 Back back ye shall not stay! 
 
 Why should I grieve and mourn and sigh 
 
 Over things that once have been? 
 I cannot better my kindest act, 
 
 Nor lessen my greatest sin. 
 So back to your haunts ye goblin things, 
 
 And there in oblivion stay, 
 I weep no more over vanished joys, 
 
 I live in the glad To-day! 
 
 TD-marrnw, 
 
 JWHE trees green-leaved through which the breeze 
 -- To-day is softly blowing, 
 
 The flowers that proudly rear their heads 
 
 Beside the brooklet growing, 
 Inhale their perfume, note their grace, 
 
 Nor thought of sadness borrow; 
 Those flower's so fragrant, fresh and pure, 
 May droop and die To-morrow.
 
 16 DESCRIPTIVE. 
 
 Sweet child, beside thy mother's knee 
 
 So innocent and smiling, 
 With childish prattle, baby wiles, 
 
 Her every care beguiling. 
 O clasp him mother while you may! 
 
 Shield his young life from sorrow; 
 Thy boy, so bright and winsome now, 
 
 Chill Death may claim To-morrow. 
 
 Young wife, close by thy husband's side, 
 
 So beautiful and charming, 
 Thy pure, confiding, wifely heart 
 
 No fear of ill alarming, 
 Smile while you may love while you can, 
 
 (God turn each poisoned arrow), 
 The one you trust so fondly now, 
 
 Cold "change" may touch To-morrow. 
 
 Yea, flowers and beauty, light and joy, 
 
 Youth, talent, love and pleasure, 
 The careless heart, the lovelit eye, 
 
 Each fondly cherished treasure, 
 Enjoy to-day, another sun 
 
 May bow thy soul in sorrow, 
 And what you prize so dearly now, 
 
 May all be gone To-morrow. 
 
 And yet new forms spring up around, 
 
 With life the dead replacing; 
 The Present with its joys and cares, 
 
 All else almost erasing, 
 Keep fast thy hold on Faith and Hope, 
 
 Nor yield to needless sorrow, 
 The sky so dark with clouds to-day, 
 
 May sunlit be To-morrow.
 
 DESCRIPTIVE. 17 
 
 Learn tn Walk 
 
 world's a puzzle hard to solve, 
 
 A riddle hard to read; 
 And those, who find life's path all bright 
 
 Are precious few indeed. 
 Yet don't despair though fortune frown, 
 
 Nor murmur at your fate, 
 Your aim in life by earnest toil, 
 
 You'll sure win soon or late; 
 But walk upon your own feet, friend, 
 
 Don't trust to others strength 
 To carry or to pull you up 
 
 Life's hill of weary length. 
 If e'er you hope to "make your mark," 
 
 Or let your worth be known, 
 Take all the props from under you 
 
 And learn to walk alone. 
 
 Men, who depend on borrowed gold 
 
 To brighten up your name, 
 And plead you must make such display, 
 
 Your future wealth to gain; 
 Beware! "pay as you go" is best; 
 
 Debt is an ugly foe, 
 You cannot tell what hour the fiend 
 
 Will strike a fatal blow! 
 Sons! stand without your father's aid, 
 
 Upon yourselves rely, 
 Eich fruitage in the future lies, 
 
 You'll win it if you try. 
 Know that the "solid man" is he 
 
 (In high or humble home), 
 Who has no props to lean upon, 
 
 But walks along alone.
 
 DESCRIPTIVE. 
 
 What dn WE Live For ? 
 
 w 
 
 'HAT do we live for ? Is it to toil 
 
 And hoard up wealth we can never use ? 
 To labor on ever, day by day, 
 Till our eye and cheek their lustre lose ? 
 To turn our backs on life's joys and light, 
 And concentrate all our thoughts to gain, 
 Till our hair is gray and our step grows slow, 
 And our body is racked with declining pain? 
 
 What do we live for? Is it that we 
 May rule or conquer our fellow-men? 
 Or is it that we may pass our time 
 In study of art or use of pen? 
 And fill the dreamless hours of night 
 With longings for what we cannot attain, 
 Or to sacrifice all our youth's bright light 
 For the poor and empty bauble, fame? 
 
 What do we live for? Is it to be 
 Despondent and saddened fore'er and e'er, 
 To turn from the pleasant walks of life 
 And choose for our part the toil and care? 
 Is it for this, alas, that man 
 Lives on, and on, through Time's long hours? 
 Is it for this that He has formed 
 Us after His image by His power? 
 
 Not so ! O tired and brain-worn hordes 
 In the city's heated and pent-up walls; 
 O drop for a while your books and pens, 
 Come listen how sweetly the wild bird calls! 
 Come gaze upon Nature's features fair, 
 Let her fan your brow with her perfumed breath ; 
 Each day awhile with her scenes commune, 
 And life of its care will be half bereft.
 
 DESCRIPIIVE. 19 
 
 A little of wealth will do us all, 
 If we pay our way from day to day, 
 And poverty is not bitter, friend, 
 If we have our health and a heart that's gay. 
 Enjoy on this earth its beauties rare, 
 Death rings full soon for us all his knell; 
 And he who has gleaned the most of joy, 
 Can truly say " He has lived life well ! " 
 
 Push Alls ad and Don't Despair, 
 
 |OE3 your path look dark and gloomy? 
 
 " Do your steps lag on the way? 
 Are you weary, sad, disheartened 
 At your trials every day? 
 Lift your head and pass on boldly, 
 Fearless, face life's storms and care; 
 Every soul must bear its troubles: 
 Push ahead and don't despair. 
 
 Do you toil to win an object 
 Far away from present view? 
 Does each day seem ever bringing 
 Added care and toil to you? 
 If you do your very best, friend, 
 Through all weather, foul or fair, 
 Sure success will crown your efforts: 
 Push ahead and don't despair. 
 
 What's the use to sit repining 
 O'er the ills we cannot mend? 
 Don't give way to vain repining, 
 Useless folly 'tis, my friend ;|?[ 
 Don't stand moping in the shadow, 
 Step out where the sun shines fair, 
 Though the stumbling-blocks are many, 
 Push ahead and don't despair.
 
 20 DESCRIPTIVE. 
 
 Life's Workers , 
 
 If you've incited fellow men 
 
 To better acts and nobler deeds, 
 If you have lent a friendly hand 
 
 To help a poor man's many needs, 
 If you have Charity's silence kept, 
 
 Nor added blot to tarnished name, 
 But helped the weak one on his feet, 
 
 Be sure you have not lived in vain. 
 
 If you have shown youthful minds 
 
 The difference 'twixt right and wrong, 
 Or helped to carry some one's load 
 
 Of care Life's weary road along; 
 If through your means some fallen one 
 
 Shall turn back from her life of shame 
 And, with God's help, live honestly, 
 
 Be sure you have not lived in vain. 
 
 If you shall point the way to light 
 
 To some dark, sad, discouraged heart, 
 If e'er you strive to help the Right 
 
 As in Life's scenes you take your part- 
 Believe our God, whose searching eye 
 
 Knows all our motives, acts and pain, 
 Will not condemn His handiwork, 
 
 Nor deem that you have lived in vain. 
 

 
 DESCRIPTIVE. 21 
 
 Your Fortune. 
 
 Shall I tell your fortune ? Well, get the cards, 
 A gyP s y must have her cards, you know. 
 
 Now, sit down there with attentive mien, 
 Sit right down opposite me there so ; 
 
 I'll shuffle and cut and con the pack, 
 And all I tell will be strictly true ; 
 
 As I view the cards I will tell, my friend, 
 What the dim, far future will bring to you. 
 
 Your life will be checkered here and there 
 
 With sunshine and shadow a little rain. 
 If you use your talents and aim up high, 
 
 You'll make an honored and noble name. 
 , If you work and save as you go along, 
 
 And wrong no man (by the cards I'm told), 
 You'll live a contented and peaceful life. 
 
 And have wealth to spare when you grow old. 
 
 You will love ( I am safe in saying that, 
 
 For every one loves sometime in life). 
 If you woo her rightly you'll gain her heart, 
 
 And make her your well beloved wife. 
 If you treat her e'er as a partner dear, 
 
 And are kind and patient (the cards now say), 
 She'll be fond and tender and true to you, 
 
 And be a good, faithful wife alway. 
 
 You can gain a stand in the busy world 
 
 By earnest, faithful and ceaseless toil; 
 You can ride on the crest of Life's wild waves 
 
 Or sink unseen in the turbid moil, 
 The power's within you to drown or swim, 
 
 To win wealth, laurels, friends, or lose them. 
 The talents you have, how much you gain, 
 Depends entire on how you use them.
 
 22 DESCRIPTIVE. 
 
 Away with this folly, your " Fortune's " done, 
 
 I've told you all in the future lies, 
 As far as I can for the coming years 
 
 Are solemnly sealed from mortal eyes. 
 Your future fortune your own hands hold, 
 
 You can mold it just as you will, I say. 
 Be sure, Tomorrow' 11 take care of itself 
 
 If you do the best you can To-day. 
 
 My wish, 
 
 Let me be happy while I may, 
 
 To me Life's sky looks clear to-day. 
 
 Don't tell me if you know the sun 
 
 Will shroud in clouds, e'er the day is done. 
 
 Don't tell me, if the friends I love 
 
 You know, in time, most false will prove. 
 
 But let me dream and smile to-day, 
 
 Let me be happy while I may. 
 
 Perhaps the hands I love to clasp 
 Will smite me cruelly at last, 
 Perhaps the lips I love to kiss 
 With scorn will end my fancied bliss, 
 Perhaps the smiles that beam on me 
 Will prove to be hypocrisy, 
 Yet do not tell me if you know, 
 Don't warn me of the coming blow. 
 
 But let me dream ! Life's joys are few, 
 So let me fancy all are true. 
 Time soon for me to weep may come, 
 And bitter wrongs to me be done, 
 Yet do not cloud my dreams to-day, 
 These dreams that are so glad and gay, 
 But let me think they'll ever stay, 
 Let me be happy, while I may.
 
 DESCRIPTIVE. 23 
 
 Rely Upon Yourself. 
 
 [ S YOU go forth in busy life 
 
 ^- And join in the ceaseless strife, 
 
 To gain a little wealth, 
 This caution I would give to you: 
 True hearted friends are very few, 
 
 Trust no one but yourself. 
 
 You'll find that as a general rule, 
 The world will make of you a tool 
 
 For gain of paltry pelf. 
 So when you form a goodly plan, 
 Don't tell your thought to any man, 
 
 But " run the thing" yourself. 
 
 These so-called friends will often be 
 Far from you, if adversity 
 
 E'er robs you of your wealth. 
 The truest friends in all the lands, 
 You'll find are your hard-working hands. 
 Rely upon yourself. 
 
 So don't forget the motto, friend, 
 If you into your life would send 
 
 True cheerfulness and health; 
 Remember, he's the happiest man 
 "Who, 'mid all circumstances, can 
 
 Eely upon himself.
 
 24 DESCRIPTIVE. 
 
 Dds tn Night, 
 
 I NIGHT ! O quiet night ! 
 
 Bathed in the clear starlight, 
 Bringing to weary souls 
 Sweet rest and calm repose; 
 Casting o'er grass and flowers 
 
 Bright, sparkling, dewy showers 
 From heaven's pure cell. 
 
 Thine is the stilly hour 
 
 When those in trouble sore, 
 And those who mourn their dead 
 With sad, low bending head 
 Find for their bitter grief, 
 
 Transient, but sweet relief, 
 In sleep's calm spell. 
 
 On thy soft winds, ascend 
 
 Prayers from the saints, who bend 
 Humbly at His great throne, 
 Whose mighty power alone, 
 Can to the troubled heart 
 
 Comfort and peace impart; 
 And heaven at last. 
 
 O night, thine is the hour, 
 
 When my mind's mighty power, 
 Traces on swiftest wings 
 All my life's wanderings; 
 Bringing back unto me 
 
 Plainly, the memory 
 Of days long past.
 
 DESCRIPTIVE 25 
 
 O night ! unto my breast 
 
 Bring sweet forgetfulness ; 
 Let not my mind e'er stray 
 Back o'er youth's joyous way, 
 Or pluck from past away, 
 
 One brilliant, blissful day, 
 Or careless hour. 
 
 O night ! unto my heart 
 
 Sweet, quiet peace impart; 
 Teach my wild, roving thought 
 To deem the past as nought, 
 And lift my eyes above; 
 
 Trusting in His great love 
 And mighty power. 
 
 Ths Storm, 
 
 ff^O-NIGHT the storm-king holds o'er earth his sway, 
 -fl- The lightning flashes the thunder roars, 
 ' And from the lurid sky, so pitchy black, 
 The rain in heavy torrents ceaseless pours. 
 
 Fair Luna hides behind the heavy clouds, 
 Her beams of shining limpid, silver bright 
 
 And not a star lends to the gloomy scene 
 Its ray of brilliant and mysterious light. 
 
 Anon the dazzling lightning flash reveals 
 The hill, the plain, unto my watchful eyes, 
 
 Then vanishes the strange electric flash, 
 Again the earth in solemn blackness lies. 
 
 Rave on, O storm ! thou suitest well my mind. 
 Flash! lightning, flash! and let my longing eyes 
 
 Dream that your glittering tracks are rays of light- 
 Shed from the opening gates of Paradise.
 
 26 DESCRIPTIVE. 
 
 Dreams, 
 
 T dreamt, 
 
 * 'Twas of a garden rich with lovely flowers, 
 
 Whose gaudy hues and fragrance sweet and rare, 
 Filling the air, and o'er my senses stealing 
 Like magic wild, beguiled my every care. 
 
 I dreamt, 
 
 'Twas of a tree whose limbs wild birds were filling; 
 
 Their free, glad songs my sleeping soul enchanted, 
 Their plumage gay the while my eye delighting 
 
 As glimpse of heaven or land by fairies haunted. 
 
 I dreamt, 
 
 'Twas of a hall ; bright lights were throwing 
 
 Their lustre o'er a board with dainties spread; 
 The woods, fields, sea, the vineyards, all, 
 
 To the rich hoard their choicest treasures sped. 
 
 I dreamt, 
 
 'Twas of a scene where wealth and pomp, 
 
 In regal state their empty tokens flaunted; ' 
 I saw in all that lordly crowd not one 
 
 To whom the boon of happiness was granted. 
 
 I dreamt, 
 
 'Twas of a ball-room; nimble feet were gliding 
 
 Over the floor, to music whose sweet measure 
 Bewildered every sense, causing the heart to throb 
 
 With joy delirious, lost to all but pleasure. 
 
 I dreamt, 
 
 It was of forms, whose lightest touch 
 
 Filled me with rapture; Dream of joy! 
 Then flowers and song and gilded hall of pride, 
 
 All sunk to naught in bliss without alloy.
 
 DESCRIPTIVE. 27 
 
 I dreamt, 
 
 Their words were truth; ah, happy dream! 
 
 That fled too soon, like morning dew, 
 Like mist before the sun away it sped, 
 
 Like lightning flash or sunset's glorious hue. 
 
 I dreamt, 
 
 'Twas of an eye whose glance sought mine in love, 
 
 My spirit answering to the look 
 All else forsook; alas, the vision fled, 
 
 Dreamland was gone and starting I awoke. 
 
 I 'woke and found my garlands withered leaves; 
 
 I 'woke and found my grain was empty sheaves; 
 I 'woke and found my birds were birds of prey; 
 
 I 'woke and found the music passed away. 
 
 I wept to find of truth and love no token ; 
 
 I wept to find how lightly vows are broken ; 
 I wept to find my kind friends all had flown, 
 
 I wept to find my bright hopes all o'erthrown. 
 
 Ah dreams of beauty, song and light, 
 And friends so true; ye come no more 
 
 My soul to cheer; but through the gloom 
 I onward look to heaven's bright shore. 
 
 Unrest, 
 
 [Y mind to-night is not at rest, 
 i-My spirit heaves within my breast, 
 And almost seems to take its flight 
 To yonder heaven so pure and bright, 
 And soar beyond the stars.
 
 28 DESCRIPTIVE. 
 
 My mind's keen eye can almost see 
 The brilliant marvelous mystery, 
 That holds within yon wondrous space 
 Each whirling planet in its place, 
 
 Through all Time's fleeting hours. 
 
 My spirit seems to roam at will 
 From planet unto planet, till 
 At last the moon's clear shining beams 
 Sink low beneath the silent streams, 
 And naught of night remains. 
 
 Then doth my spirit fold its wings 
 And as the morning light begins, 
 Worn with its toilsome wanderings, 
 And restless, roving hoverings, 
 Back to the earth return. 
 
 MemnriEs 
 
 'ITH the moonbeams round me streaming, 
 In my chamber I sit dreaming, 
 
 Dreaming of bright hopes o'erthrown ; 
 And my spirit, sad and weary, 
 Clings with feeling lone and dreary 
 
 To the happy days long flown. 
 
 All the world is wrapped in sadness ; 
 Not a sound disturbs the stillness 
 
 Save the sighing of the wind, 
 Whose low and mournful sobbing 
 Softly calms my heart's wild throbbing, 
 
 Gently rests my troubled mind.
 
 DESCRIPTIVE. 29 
 
 And old mem'ries round me thronging, 
 Fill my bosom with wild longing 
 
 To live childhood's bright years o'er ; 
 To tear out Life's written pages, 
 And in scorn of wise old sages, 
 
 Be a careless child once more. 
 
 Round me visions gather thickly 
 Of the ones I loved so fondly, 
 
 Of the ones so true and dear. 
 And though their forms I see not, 
 And their voices dear I hear not, 
 
 I can feel their presence near. 
 
 Thus my spirit sadly musing, 
 All forge tfulness refusing, 
 
 Lingers fondly o'er the past, 
 Till my heart that throbs so wildly, 
 And my thoughts so drear and lonely, 
 
 Gentle slumber calms at last. 
 
 The Sea, 
 
 Y 
 
 OU may sing of the beauties of flowers and trees, 
 
 Of the fresh, green woodland's mysteries, 
 Of halls that resound with wit and mirth, 
 Of wonders hidden deep in the earth ; 
 You may sing their praises, but ah ! to me 
 There is nothing so dear as the rolling sea. 
 
 How wildly and madly the white waves play, 
 How they fling and splash their brilliant spray; 
 They come rushing in with a roaring tone, 
 And then glide back with a sob, and moan; 
 Nought of nature is half as dear to me 
 As thou, O, tossing, restless sea.
 
 30 DESCRIPTIVE. 
 
 I love to sit on thy glittering sand, 
 
 Or wander alone on thy sunny strand, 
 
 And gather the pebbles and quaint, queer shells, 
 
 Cast up from thy hidden, unknown cells. 
 
 O, would I knew all thy mystery, 
 
 O moaning, sobbing, sighing sea ! 
 
 sea, as thy waves so memories come 
 To me, of the days when gay and young, 
 
 1 mingled (O happy time to me), 
 'Mong those now severed far from me. 
 Some in strange countries took their way, 
 And others have gone to a brighter day. 
 
 Eoll on, O sea ! for far away 
 Is my roving mind and heart to-day. 
 Perhaps thy music can drive from me 
 The grief for those I no more will see. 
 So cheer my soul with tliy sturdy roar, 
 And I will think of the past no more. 
 
 The Gnat makss the man nf to day > 
 
 JIRHEEE'S many queer sayings we hear every day, 
 -*- And some are quite " stale," some are new; 
 
 But the one I will mention in this little rhyme 
 
 Is something, alas, that's "too true." 
 
 No matter how gifted or worthy you be, 
 
 As you hurry along on life's way, 
 
 If seedy your clothes, you'll be slighted andscorned; 
 
 For the coat makes the man of to-day.
 
 DESCRIPTIVE. 31 
 
 A man may be vile as the vilest can be; 
 
 If he cloaks all his sin beneath gold, 
 
 Now-a-days he is sought after, fawned on and praised, 
 
 And looked up to by both young and old. 
 
 While he legally plunders his poor fellow-men, 
 
 Grinds the hearts of the poor day by day ; 
 
 His wealth shuts the eyes of his friends to his crimes, 
 
 For the coat makes the man of to-day 
 
 Degenerate mankind, alas, cherish gold 
 
 And fine clothes, more than virtue and brains; 
 
 And the man who can spend out the most for display, 
 
 The highest position attains. 
 
 But the day will soon come when a man's honest worth 
 
 Will stamp him and people will say: 
 
 " Give us honor and truth, and not tinsel and dross," 
 
 Though the coat makes the man of to-day. 
 
 The Fanr Suns. 
 
 [E was a laughing, bright-eyed merry boy, 
 -Who romped and played with heart so light and gay, 
 With his young mates, while o'er the distant hills 
 Shone warm the fading light of summer's day. 
 Tne sunset tinted all the scene with gold, 
 Yet all unheeded passed the glad hours by, 
 Till at the homestead door his mother stands, 
 And gazes on the scene with lovelit eye, 
 And soon I hear her say, " Come home, my pet, 
 'T is time my little boy was safe in bed 
 
 The sun has set."
 
 32 DESCRIPTIVE. 
 
 The years roll by ; the boy to manhood grown, 
 With bearded cheek and form erect and strong, 
 Has singled out from loveliest womankind 
 The one to cherish most through all life long. 
 Implicit faith he places in her truth, 
 Affection gives the holiest man can pay, 
 Alas ! as time flies by he finds her false, 
 His joy -crowned future passes slow away ; 
 Heart-broken though he be, he knows not yet 
 That from his life the brightest light has gone 
 
 Love's sun has set. 
 
 Years still glide on among life's busiest throng. 
 We find him now Ambition rules his soul ; 
 He strives 'gainst poverty, hate, malice all 
 Works with a will to win the wished-for goal. 
 Alas ! his step grows slow, his eyes grow dim, 
 His idle hands hang listless by his side ; 
 Into vice, drunkenness and shame 
 He careless drifts upon life's changing tide ; 
 His guardian angel's eyes with tears are wet, 
 His warning voice is all unheeded now 
 
 Hope's sun has set. 
 
 A few more years, and then an humble hearse 
 Passes along the dusty, worn highway, 
 Bearing away to rest and peace at last 
 The poor, world-worn, spirit-broken clay. 
 No funeral knell rings out upon the air, 
 No mourners gather round the humble tomb ; 
 His friends, the few he had, are scattered far, 
 Or else are careless what may be his doom. 
 But in the great Hereafter he may yet 
 Find what he vainly sought on earth- 
 Life's sun has set.
 
 DESCRIPTIVE. 33 
 
 Philosophy i 
 
 ^OMETIMES the cross we have to bear 
 -J Seems far too heavy for our strength, 
 And often do our footsteps lag 
 
 Along life's path of weary length. 
 Yet push ahead, the way will clear, 
 
 These stumbling blocks must be withstood; 
 And oft events that seem the worst 
 Are very often for our good. 
 
 Do friends betray the love you gave, 
 
 And prove themselves of little worth ? 
 Don't let that cloud your happiness, 
 
 Nor brinish from your heart the mirth. 
 Your love was pure your truth unstained, 
 
 To them, not you, falls'all the shame. 
 You've learned a lesson, that is all ; 
 
 You know " the burnt child dreads the flame. 
 
 Live in yourself, 'tis better far; 
 
 For " friends " so often fail us now; 
 Then stand alone and meet your fate 
 
 With steady heart and fearless brow. 
 Press on your way, the road will clear, 
 
 The storms of life must be withstood; 
 You'll find events that seem the worst 
 
 Are very often for our good. 
 
 Passing thnughts 
 
 ON SEEING A HANDSOME BOUQUET. 
 
 \ FLO WEES, sweet flowers, 
 J^ So fragrant and so fair, 
 Whose perfume sweet is wafted on the air; 
 
 You charm my senses 
 
 And delight my eye ; 
 
 Why must you die ?
 
 34 DESCRIPTIVE. 
 
 Bright, laughing child, 
 Whose dancing, fairy feet 
 
 Trip by me now so merrily and neat; 
 You, in whose heart 
 Is happiness untold, 
 
 Must you grow old ? 
 
 O, maiden fair, 
 
 Of beauty's fairest mould, 
 
 Whose charms I view, so choice and manifold, 
 Tis sad to think, 
 Bewitching, lovely maid, 
 
 Your charms will fade ! 
 
 Sweet thoughts 
 
 God planted in our minds; 
 
 Whose presence lightens up our cross in life; 
 
 Remembrance of our loved," that like a sun, 
 
 Shines on our hearts through all the world's 
 Ye, while life lasts, [mad strife; 
 
 And reason holds its sway, 
 
 Pass not away. 
 
 ThE Did 
 
 'ELL, yes, it is " shabby," don't laugh at it, pray, 
 Just fold it up neatly and put it away. 
 Poor, worn-out dress! I will keep it fore'er, 
 As I would a choice picture or lock of friend's hair. 
 I will keep it and prize it through all life's strange changes, 
 The dress that I wore when I earned my first wages. 
 
 Poor " green " little girl ! I can smile now, you see, 
 As the place and the scene in thought come to me, 
 As with loud-beating heart I stood waiting my " cue," 
 And trembled lest failure attend my " debut." 
 Though greater acts now my attention engages, 
 I prize the old dress that helped earn my first wages.
 
 DESCRIPIIVE. 35 
 
 What labor it cost me you'll sure understand, 
 
 When I say every part was made by my own hand. 
 
 How I worried for fear the few charms I possessed 
 
 Should not on that night appear at their best. 
 
 Time flies. Since that night I have trod many stages, 
 
 Yet I keep the old dress that helped earn my first wages. 
 
 Poor faded old dress ! there all crumpled you lie, 
 
 Your days of " utility " all have passed by. 
 
 You seem an old friend ! "I am foolish," you say. 
 
 Perhaps so ; yet carefully put it away. 
 
 'Tis " useless," I know, but through life's busy changes, 
 
 I'll keep the old dress that helped earn my first wages.
 
 HUMOEOUS. 
 
 "Did Taller, 
 
 OR " BETTING MONEY ON THE WHONG DOG. 
 
 HIS happened way out in the " diggins," 
 
 AD' Bill run a gin-shop out thar; 
 He was sort of an onery customer, 
 
 With a squint an' a shock o' red hair. 
 He had an old dog he called " Yaller," 
 
 Bill said he was great on the fight; 
 But Lord! we thought he was lyin,' 
 
 Or talkin 1 because he was tight. 
 
 But it seems Bill, over in England, 
 
 Was a "dog fightin' man," as they say, 
 An' that this here mean-lookin' old " Yaller," 
 
 Had licked every dog in his way. 
 He was a meek lookin' old cretur', 
 
 He'd "make-up" with the men old an' young, 
 But a rale rip-tarer when started, 
 
 As you'll see when my story is done. 
 
 One day a young chap struck the "diggins," 
 
 He was travelin' on to New York 
 With a bull-purp could lick a hyena 
 
 To believe all his long-winded talk.
 
 HUMOROUS. 37 
 
 Durn my skin, but his dog was a stunner, 
 Trim an' stout, iron- jawed an' red-eyed; 
 
 An' none on us doubted the cretur 
 
 Could show rale game fight when he tried 
 
 Wai, this chap an' his dog was one mornin' 
 
 Sort o' loafin' around nigh Bill's bar, 
 When old "Yaller" came trottin' in meek-like, 
 
 (He allus was sneakin' round thar); 
 The bull purp started for " Yaller," 
 
 But the New York chap collared his pup, 
 And hollered out, " Shut up that dorg thar, 
 
 If you don't want him total chawed up." 
 
 " You see this dorg's trained for a fighter, 
 
 An' when he sees dorg, black or white, 
 He'll pitch in, if 1 ain't a watchin', 
 
 An' chaw the same dorg out of sight. 
 I'd hate like the devil to have him 
 
 Kill that good-natured old dorg o' yourn, 
 But keep him tied up while I'm here, Bill, 
 
 Or he's gone dorg sure as you're born." 
 
 Bill grinned, then he said, "why, old 'Yaller,' 
 
 He's no good all the time in the way, 
 'Spose we have a dorg-fight in the bar-room, 
 
 Come stranger, what do you say, 
 An' to make the thing sort o' excitin' 
 
 As ' Yaller's' my dorg, I'll just bet 
 One hundred, he, in ten minutes, 
 
 Will clean out yer prize-fightin' pet." 
 
 " Poor ' Yaller,' " says Bill, sort o' soft-like, 
 "Yer time has most come for to die," 
 
 An' "Yaller" looked up tail a waggin', 
 With a kind o' sly wink in his eye;
 
 38 HUMOROUS. 
 
 An' Bill hollered out, " come on in boys, 
 Come an' see this 'ere prize-fightin' pup, 
 
 ( We must have some little excitement), 
 So, he's goin' to chaw ' Taller ' up." 
 
 Wai we come in, each man held his dorg thar; 
 
 Old " Taller " was snarlin' like mad, 
 An' you bet the bull-purp was a snappin' 
 
 A lookin' most all-fired bad. 
 At the word the dorgs met in a minnit 
 
 " Taller " had the prize dorg by the throat, 
 An' he shook, an' he chawed, never givin' 
 
 The bull-purp a chance for a holt. 
 
 An' he shook till the purp " kicked the bucket," 
 
 Then he trotted quite cool like away 
 As if he'd done nothin' uncommon, 
 
 But chawed up bull-purps every day; 
 An' Bill gobbled up the bet money, 
 
 Smilin' like at the defunct bull-purp, 
 An' says he, " Who else here's got a dorg now 
 
 That wants to chaw old 'Yaller' up?" 
 
 The city chap sneaked off quite quiet, 
 
 An' left for New Tork the next day; 
 Old " Taller " is trottin' around yet, 
 
 Quite innercent-like in his way; 
 Bill's jolly as ever an' boastin' 
 
 An' braggin' about his old purp, 
 An' never %ets tired a tellin', 
 
 How the prize dorg chawed old " Taller " up.
 
 HUMOROUS*. 39 
 
 S I walked down the street one bright sunny day, 
 - A comical sight met my gaze; 
 A scene that for mixture of sorrow and fun, 
 
 Will haunt me through all of my days. 
 On the walk stood a child, who with "Injun-like" yells 
 
 Of dismay, stared up to the sky, 
 Where a tiny, red object was floating away 
 
 And fast growing dim to the eye. 
 As nearer I came he loudly bawled out, 
 
 " I don't want to lose it so soon, 
 
 please catch it quickly! O make it come back! 
 I want my nice, pretty balloon!" 
 
 t 
 " Little lad," then I said, " it will never return; 
 
 Why did you let go of the string? 
 Pray did you not know when you loosened your hold, 
 
 Your plaything would surely take wing?" 
 " Why ma'am," sobbed the child, " I thought it would stay 
 
 And float close above me, until 
 
 1 wearied of watching it bob up and down, 
 And could draw it back to me at will. 
 
 O, won't you please stop it? it's floating away! 
 
 I don't want to lose it so soon! 
 O somebody catch it! it's going so fast! 
 
 Do stop my nice, rosy balloon!" 
 
 Ah! many there be in this world's busy throng 
 Who held in their hands the frail string 
 
 That bound to themselves wealth, laurels or love, 
 Or some other valuable thing. 
 
 But alas ! like the child, they loosened their grasp, 
 Perhaps merely testing their power,
 
 40 HUMOKOUS. 
 
 But realized too late what their recklessness wrought, 
 As they watched it soar 'bove them so far; 
 
 Then frantic they strove their hold to regain, 
 But too oft 'tis humanity's doom, 
 
 To, by their own folly, lose what they prize most, 
 And then cry for their vanished balloon! 
 
 My Choice 
 
 BY A GIRL OF THE PERIOD. 
 
 1PD HAVE a lover brave and true, 
 A A fond adorer ever; 
 
 Who'll woo me with untiring zeal, 
 
 And be inconstant never; 
 Who'll boldly seek and gain 11 y hand, 
 And "bounce" each other "feller," 
 Who if a rival dared approach, 
 Would hit him on the " smeller." 
 
 I'd have him have a heart and soul 
 
 O'erflowed with truth and daring, 
 Who knew his rights and claimed them too, 
 
 Without a shade of fearing; 
 Who'd ever press his earnest suit 
 
 With honest, manly spirit ; 
 Who'd want my love, and dare to strive 
 
 Before all men to win it. 
 
 Some girls would like a handsome chap, 
 Who brings them rings and candy ; 
 
 Some like a man with lots of " tin," 
 And some could love a dandy.
 
 HUMOROUS. 41 
 
 Some like a timid chap who e'er 
 'Twixt hope and fear doth hover, 
 
 But none of these could suit my mind, 
 I want a dashing lover. 
 
 He need not be so very rich, 
 
 If he do love but me, 
 And does not flirt with other girls 
 
 When I'm not near to see; 
 If such a fellow breathes on earth 
 
 On him my heart is set, 
 And when I catch a sight of him 
 
 I'll "set my cap" you bet. 
 
 Wanted! A wife, 
 
 I 
 
 BY A BACHELOR. 
 
 >? M WHAT the cold world calls a "bach," 
 
 I'm looking for a wife, 
 Some gentle and obedient girl, 
 
 To bless my lonely life; 
 I've waited now for forty years 
 
 But never met my doom, 
 And so to-day I advertise, 
 
 In hopes to find her soon. 
 
 I have a span of splendid grays, 
 
 A "nobby" carriage too, 
 Have lots of "stamps," am 5 ft. 6 
 
 Kind, generous and true. 
 But, to all widows seeing this, 
 
 I herewith do imply, 
 That I abhor all "relics," so 
 
 No widows need apply!
 
 42 HUMOROUS . 
 
 And to old maids both tall and short, 
 
 I solemnly do state, 
 That I would sooner die, than have 
 
 A spinster for my mate; 
 Their fate waits toward the setting sun, 
 
 They'll please the men there best, 
 To spinsters, I (like Greeley) say, 
 
 "Go west," old girls, "go west." 
 
 I want a lovely, sprightly miss 
 
 Of eighteen years, or less, 
 With raven hair and eyes of jet, 
 
 And greatest taste in dress; 
 She must be learned and rich to such 
 
 A willing slave am I, 
 And here I say to one and all, 
 
 No others need apply. 
 
 ff Tant yer Horn if yan don't sell a Clam 
 
 'HILE on a trip to Baltimore, 
 That city grand on Ohesapeake's shore, 
 I met a man upon the pier, 
 ('Mong other venders standing near;) 
 With clams his cart was loaded down, 
 (A peddler he about the town.) 
 "Good man," said I, "how many hours 
 Will it take to sell that load of yours?" 
 He turned and said, "Well I don't know, 
 Whether I'll sell 'em fast or slow, 
 Life is a sort of game of 'grab,' 
 An' nothin' venture, nothin' have, 
 I'll do my best as sure as you're born, 
 I'll go around an' toot my horn 
 If I don't sell a clam!"
 
 HUMOROUS. 43 
 
 He drove away; his horn's clear(?) swell 
 
 Told far and near he'd clams to sell; 
 
 "Toot! toot! clams! c-1-a-m-s!" I heard him call, 
 
 "Here's nice fresh clams for great and small." 
 
 "Toot! clams!" he called from street to street, 
 
 To all whom he would chance to meet. 
 
 I watched him drive out of my sight, 
 
 Yet still I heard his voice of might 
 
 Yell "clams! clams! clams!" I smiled to see 
 
 The honest fellow's earnest zeal. 
 
 I sauntered on with careless tread, 
 
 And still those words rang in my head, 
 
 "I'll do my best as sure as you're born, 
 
 I'm goin' 'round to toot my horn 
 
 If I don't sell a clam!" 
 
 I learned a lesson from that man, 
 I honored his hard-working plan, 
 I pray you take it home likewise. 
 Despondent souls with heavy eyes 
 "Brace up," that's slang I know, but true, 
 And good advice for me and you. 
 Don't sit and loaf on life's curbstone, 
 While others pass you're left alone. 
 "Git up and git," don't waste your time, 
 Life's choicest prizes may be thine; 
 Good luck awaits both rich and poor, 
 Go round and hunt you'll find it sure. 
 Don't sit complaining so forlorn, 
 Go rush around and "toot your horn" 
 If you don't sell a clam.
 
 44 HUMOROUS. 
 
 "I'll Bet Yer a Cnllar, 
 
 iS strange how betting is "coming in style," 
 - All bet, both the great and the small, 
 And precious few people we meet now-a-days 
 
 "Who do no betting at all. 
 "I'll bet you a dollar" 'sthe favorite sum now, 
 
 So I'll "fall in" and "follow in line," 
 And bet with the rest as my pen scribbles off 
 
 This simple and rough little rhyme. 
 
 If you meet a man who is "seedy" and poor, 
 
 And not got a cent to his name, 
 If you reach out your hand and help him along, 
 
 Once more independence to gain, 
 When he gets a firm stand by your liberal aid, 
 
 And is well up Prosperity's hill, 
 He may vow that your kindness he'll never forget, 
 
 But, "I bet yer a dollar " he will. 
 
 A young gentleman escorts a young lady home 
 
 From a party or ball as may be, 
 And stops at the gate for a moment or so, 
 
 And longs for a kiss, do you see? 
 If he snatch one the lady may hurry away 
 
 With the look of a much injured saint, 
 And vow " she's insulted " and " terribly vexed ! " 
 
 But " I bet yer a dollar " she ain't. 
 
 An old bachelor sits in his dingy old room, 
 
 With a scowl on his crabbed old face ; 
 With no children to prattle around his hearth-stone, 
 
 And no kind wife his table to grace, 
 He may sneer at young couples, and call them "poor fools," 
 
 Laugh to scorn each proud, happy young " dad;" 
 He may swear he is pleased with his bachelor state, 
 
 But "I'll bet yer a dollar" he's sad.
 
 HUMOEOUS. 45 
 
 But I'll close now my silly and strange little verse, 
 
 And afflict the kind reader no more, 
 If indeed anybody has patience enough 
 
 To con these rude sentences o'er; 
 Don't find fault, I pray, nor ask "where' s the sense 
 
 Of this rambling poem( ?) or rant ;" 
 Don't insist that the meaning to you I make plain, 
 
 For "I bet yer a dollar" I can't. 
 
 Deacon Gray, 
 
 LD Deacon Gray was as mean a man 
 As I've seen for many a day; 
 He'd steal and lie for the sake of a dime, 
 And rob all who came in his way. 
 He'd steal the cents from a dead man's eyes, 
 Yet loud would he cant and pray. 
 " So much ahead," he'd say to himself 
 As he hoarded the pennies away. 
 
 Yet Deacon Gray was a " pious " man, 
 He was member of church and choir, 
 Though he starved his children and wife and beat 
 His poor laborers out of their hire. 
 He stole a cow from his neighbor's herd- 
 Stole wood from his neighbor's pile. 
 " So much ahead," said Deacon Gray, 
 " I'll be rich in a little while!" 
 
 Well, Deacon Gray he died one day, 
 
 Like the rest of poor human race, 
 
 And his soul went out of its case of clay, 
 
 And soared to unknown space. 
 
 The Devil met him with leer and grin, 
 
 For the Devil's heart was gay, 
 
 " I'm a soul ahead. Come on, ha ! ha ! " 
 
 Said the Devil to Deacon Gray.
 
 HUMOROUS. 
 
 "Big Injun," 
 
 [E came and sat by our camp fire 
 
 L With a savage's proud disdain. 
 He was gaudy with paint and feathers, 
 " Big Eagle " was his name. 
 I asked him to tell of his exploits, 
 Of deeds that gained him his fame, 
 And he folded his blanket about him, 
 And began in the following strain: 
 
 " Me Uncle Sam's good Injun, 
 
 Me big chief of Cheyenne ; 
 
 Me steal me cuss drink firewater, 
 
 All same like pale face men ; 
 
 Me got me squaws heap plenty, 
 
 Pappooses me got nine; 
 
 Heap much good grub and blankets, 
 
 Have heap much bully good time ; 
 
 Nine moons me go on war-path, 
 
 Kill much steal ponies heap; 
 
 By by Injun tired out fighting, 
 
 Uncle Sam send coffee bread meat 
 
 Then Injun go back to wigwam 
 
 Much cold ground all over snow. 
 
 When summer-time come, then me fight more; 
 
 Then me go to Washington* maybe so 
 
 Uncle Sam forget 'bout Injun, 
 
 No send 'nough coffee bread meat, 
 
 Then Injun him kill a-ll soldiers, 
 
 Burn ranch scalp steal much heap. 
 
 Now all time me good Injun ; 
 
 Big Eagle great chief no lie 
 
 Me got good grub and blankets 
 
 Uncle Sam bully boy glass eye." 
 
 * It s the ardentwish of most of the chiefs of the different reservations to b* 
 sent on to Washington.
 
 HUMOROUS. 47 
 
 O ravers o'er pitiful stories 
 
 Of the " poor persecuted red men," 
 
 If you want to be cured of your folly, 
 
 Come and gaze on the noble (?) Cheyenne. 
 
 K Woman's Explanation. 
 
 :ELL, yes, I did go walking 
 On yesterday with Jim, 
 But, Jack, you know, he's but a friend, 
 You needn't care for him. 
 We walked down in the woodland, 
 The bird's sweet songs to hear. 
 He squeezed my hand but but I fancied 
 He was you, my dear. 
 
 Last week we went out sailing, 
 
 A few miles down the bay ; 
 
 I went to help pass time, dear Jack, 
 
 While you were far away. 
 
 His arm got round my waist, 
 
 But how, I never can make clear; 
 
 He kissed me once but but I fancied 
 
 He was you, my dear. 
 
 There now ! he's gone ! and angry too ! 
 
 What have I said that's wrong? 
 
 He thinks when he's away, I should 
 
 Sit grieving all day long ! 
 
 " I flirt ? " "I false ! " Well, I declare, 
 
 I'll spoil his little plan ! 
 
 /// never speak to him again, 
 
 The wretched, jealous man.
 
 48 HOME POEMS. 
 
 SamBlmdy's Waiting far HIE 
 
 HEN the sunlight slowly fading, 
 
 Proclaims the dying day, 
 And across the fields and meadows 
 
 I homeward take my way, 
 Just down the turn in the pathway 
 
 'Neath the shade of that old oak tree, 
 There's somebody, mild and gentle, 
 
 Who watches and waits for me. 
 
 She stands in the waning sunshine, 
 
 With the lovelight in her eye, 
 And her wind-swung tresses floating 
 
 O'er a cheek of crimson dye. 
 With a smile of joyous welcome 
 
 To meet me she gaily trips, 
 And a tender kiss awaits me 
 
 From somebody's loving lips. 
 
 I name not her age or station, 
 If humble or proud she be, 
 
 But of all the heaven-given treasures 
 The dearest and best is she.
 
 HOME POEMS. 49 
 
 Too kind for a thought of evil, 
 E'er willing my cares to share, 
 
 The queen of my heart's deep centre 
 Is she who is waiting there. 
 
 So whatever of ill befall me, 
 
 Through the weary and tedious day, 
 As the evening shadows lengthen, 
 
 And I homeward take my way, 
 My heart and my step grow lighter 
 
 As I near that old oak tree, 
 For I know that my darling's watching 
 
 And waiting to welcome me. 
 
 The Did Wife's Snng, 
 
 W 
 
 IE'KE a jolly old couple, our hair is gray, 
 
 But never a mite care we. 
 Our lifeboat drifts on Time's tranquil tide, 
 
 And from trouble and care we're free. 
 Our steps are slow and our frames are bent, 
 
 There's a mist o'er our dim old eyes, 
 Yet cheerful we travel, hand in hand, 
 
 'Neath pleasant or stormy skies. 
 Many long years we've journeyed on, 
 
 And the end we can almost see ; 
 Bat we're ready to go when the Master calls, 
 
 My dear old man and me. 
 
 Seventy years we struggled on, 
 Our trials were not a few. 
 We raised our family best we could 
 Till each boy into manhood grew;
 
 50 HOME POEMS. 
 
 Then they turned away from the threshold worn, 
 
 Afar through the world to roam, 
 Till the last loved one had passed away 
 
 From the silent and lonesome home. 
 Three wedded the mates that their young hearts chose; 
 
 Two travel the restless sea; 
 So we live in the old house all alone, 
 
 My dear old man and me. 
 
 We chat o'er the scenes of our youthful days, 
 
 And we laugh right merrily 
 As we sit in the evening's quiet glow, 
 
 O'er our cups of fragrant tea. 
 For love dies not like the soft, dark trees, 
 
 Or the color of cheek's bright glow; 
 And our hearts are just as warm to-day 
 
 As they were long years ago. 
 Together we stand on the mystic shore 
 
 Of eternity's solemn sea, 
 And we trust we will safely cross to Him, 
 
 My dear old man and me. 
 
 G-ning HDITLE 
 
 lOING home ! How strange it sounds to me! 
 
 f I who for years have roamed o'er land and sea, 
 So long have clasped no hands save stranger's hands, 
 So long made transient " homes" in foreign lands 
 I scarce can realize all the word implies. 
 
 Going home ! for rest and peace, I say, 
 Back to the place where first I saw the day. 
 Shall I indeed my old friends' faces see? 
 "Will they indeed in true faith welcome me? 
 Or shall I find, alas ! affection dies ?
 
 HOME POEMS. 51 
 
 Going home ! I wonder if the flowers 
 Are still as fragrant as in childhood's hours. 
 I wonder if the old tree's standing yet, 
 Beneath whose shade I've watched the grand sunset 
 Gilding the rolling prairies of the west. 
 
 Going home ! I eagerly return 
 Back to the hearth where dearest home-fires burn. 
 Though friends forget or fail to recognize, 
 Upon the scene I'll gaze with loving eyes, 
 
 My home the spot on earth I love the best. 
 
 1 
 
 lUlnnis. 
 
 CAN hear the bells a-chiming, 
 
 Bells that ring so loud and gay, 
 Yet my thoughts to-day turn backward 
 
 To my home so far away. 
 Bound me flowers bud and blossom, 
 
 Softest Southern breezes blow ; 
 Though 't is Christmas' joyous morning, 
 
 Yet I see no frost or snow. 
 I can hear the Spanish lady 
 
 Chant her strange, yet lovely tune; 
 Near my window are magnolias, 
 
 And the orange's perfume, 
 Yet my northern heart is restless 
 
 Longings wild my soul annoy, 
 And I'd rather see the snow gleam 
 
 On the plains of Illinois. 
 
 I have crossed the grand old " Eockies," 
 With their snow-capped heads so high, 
 
 Gazed down in their rugged bosoms, 
 Where the miners' treasures lie ;
 
 52 HOME POEMS. 
 
 Roamed o'er Kansas Colorado, 
 
 (Beauteous "Switzerland of the West,)" 
 "Watched the turbid Eio Grande 
 
 Bushing on in wild unrest ; 
 Crossed the Gila Brazos Pecos 
 
 Gleaming rivers pure and bright ; 
 Watched the Indians as they gathered 
 
 Bound their camp-fire's cheerful light ; 
 Plucked the loveliest southern blossoms, 
 
 Perfumed sweet, without alloy, 
 Yet I'd rather have a violet 
 
 From the plains of Illinois. 
 
 Wonder not my heart turns backward 
 
 From these bright but stranger scenes; 
 That I'm longing for the prairies, 
 
 With their placid, gliding streams ; 
 That 1 choose from out her sisters 
 
 Illinois to love the best, 
 And that none like her can ever 
 
 Hold first place within my breast. 
 Mountains, valleys, caves and canyon, 
 
 Perfumed air, bewildering song, 
 Though they win me for a moment, 
 
 Do not claim my homage long. 
 I will tell you now the secret 
 
 Why I thus these scenes disown 
 As a child I roamed the prairies, 
 
 And Chicago is my home.
 
 HOME POEMS. 53 
 
 LDVE Commands All, 
 
 [HEBE came to a laughing country maid, 
 
 One beautiful summer's day, 
 A fairy who bent at her tiny feet, 
 
 And in accents sweet did say: 
 "Thy merits so please our fairy queen, 
 
 She has now commissioned me 
 To give thee the choice of four noble gifts, 
 
 Which I now will name to thee. 
 Thus spake my queen : ' Doth she wish for gold, 
 
 Or honor, or love, or fame, 
 Say I will send her of these four things 
 
 Whichever she choose to name.' 
 But ponder well ere thou choose, dear maid, 
 
 For whatever your choice shall be, 
 You must cling to it through all of life 
 
 And lose the other three." 
 
 The maiden paused and a troubled shade 
 
 Came over her features fair; 
 " 'Twould be fine," she mused, "to have the gold 
 
 With those I love to share; 
 But wealth alone could ne'er supply 
 
 The wants of this heart of mine, 
 I can not dare not lay my all 
 
 At Mammon's gorgeous shrine ; 
 ^nd fame and honor by such as I 
 
 Are held but in light esteem ; 
 We value more the woods the flowers, 
 
 And the sun's warm shining beam; 
 The pets of the world's loud praising crowds 
 
 Oft carry a heavy heart, 
 And for peace of mind and health and joy 
 
 With laurels would gladly part."
 
 54 HOME POEMS. 
 
 "And love " her cheek flushed a deeper hue, 
 
 And a soft light in her eye 
 Shone forth with a brilliant joyous flash, 
 
 That rivaled the sunlit sky. 
 "I have pondered well o'er my choice, dear Fay, 
 
 And I'll take of thy queen's gifts free, 
 The one I deem will in future years 
 
 Prove the dearest and best to me. 
 I choose that I ever may be beloved 
 
 By those whom my heart holds dear, 
 And that Love and I may never part, 
 
 Through all of my journey here." 
 Quoth the fairy, "Thy choice is the richest one 
 
 That is e'er to mortals given, 
 For a loving heart that's beloved again, 
 
 Finds the earth almost a heaven!" 
 
 Then the light-winged fairy sped away 
 
 To her home in the shady glade, 
 And told her queen of the treasure chose 
 
 By the heart of the lovely maid. 
 Quoth the queen: " 'Tis well with the guileless girl, 
 
 Ho! Fairies! I charge thee, flee! 
 And carry to her not love alone, 
 
 But also the other three!"
 
 HOME POEMS. 55 
 
 Nobody Cares "hut Mather. 
 
 many changes old Time has wrought 
 
 In my life, so strange eventful ; 
 And few I find who cheer me on, 
 
 But many I find who censiire. 
 And where'er I go, and whene'er the clouds 
 
 O'er my troubled pathway hover, 
 I find it still, as in childhood's hours, 
 
 That nobody cares but mother. 
 
 If the thorns pierce deep my way-worn feet, 
 
 And no resting-place to cheer me 
 Doth greet my eye, and my voice falls dead 
 
 On ears that refuse to hear me, 
 How quickly my strength doth seem renewed, 
 
 And light all my path doth cover ; 
 Ah ! how speedy the cross that I bear grows light 
 
 By a cheering word from mother. 
 
 Yes, friends of to-day may be kind and true, 
 
 And love me pure sincerely; 
 But no love on earth can e'er replace 
 
 This which I prize so dearly. 
 And when my journeyings all are o'er, 
 
 My sole wish is no other 
 Than that kindly Fate will take me back 
 
 To my childhood's home and mother.
 
 HOME POEMS. 
 
 Betray Ed, 
 
 [E was of proud and high descent, 
 L She was a peasant maid. 
 She loved too well, alas ! alas ! 
 
 A heavy price she paid. 
 O sob ye winds, with solemn tone; 
 
 Sun, hide thy face from sight, 
 For she, so beautiful and fair, 
 Is dying with thy light! 
 
 O, bright and sparkling was her eye, 
 
 With lips of rosy red, 
 A face as fresh as yonder flower, 
 
 And raven-curl crowned head ! 
 So wan, so feeble lies she now; 
 
 Birds ! hush thy warblings gay; 
 Her lovely eyes will close for e'er 
 
 Before another day ! 
 
 A sad-eyed mother watches o'er 
 
 Her daughter's fading life; 
 She is her first-born still, 
 
 Although a mother, but no wife. 
 She loved she trusted was deceived- 
 
 On her life fell the blight; 
 Aye, whisper low, ye sobbing winds, 
 
 For she will die to-night. 
 
 Clasp her hands o'er her bosom calm; 
 
 Brush smooth her silken hair ; 
 Place her dead baby on her breast, 
 
 And kiss her brow so fair. 
 God knoweth all He knoweth all 
 
 The wiles her love that won. 
 At peace at last ! poor hapless girl ! 
 
 Thy earthly cares are done.
 
 HONE POEMS. 57 
 
 TD My Did Friends, 
 
 TBUE old friends ! O kind old friends, 
 
 Dear friends I loved of yore, 
 Your memory dwells within my heart, 
 
 As I roam from shore to shore. 
 I've traveled far 'mid splendid scenes, 
 
 O'er mountain, hill and dell, 
 And many hands I've clasped in mine 
 
 That knew and loved me well. 
 But new found friends supplant you not, 
 
 Ah ! still where e'er I roam, 
 My heart holds fast the mem'ry of 
 
 Dear friends who are at home. 
 
 Come clasp my hands, ye honest friends, 
 
 That knew me from a child ; 
 With whom so often merrily 
 
 I weary time beguiled. 
 I love to feel the fervent press 
 
 Of your dear hands again, 
 I long to hear your voices loved 
 
 Call once again my name. 
 Time brings great changes to all lives, 
 
 But, 'till my days are o'er, 
 My heart will hold a tender spot 
 
 For my dear old friends of yore.
 
 58 HO ME POEMS. 
 
 If, 
 
 F I could only dream again 
 
 The glad, bright dreams of long ago, 
 And tear from mem'ry's full writ page 
 
 The scenes and deeds I so well know; 
 If I could only feel again 
 
 That honest trust in human kind, 
 And drive the doubt and weary pain 
 
 From out my tired, world-worn mind; 
 
 If this could be methinks whate'er 
 Unto my lot might then be sent, 
 
 I'd bear with uncomplaining heart, 
 And 'mid all trials be content. 
 
 Friends of my youth ! return, return ! 
 
 Kind friends of yore ! come clasp my hand 
 
 leave me not alone to toil 
 O'er life's wild, rugged land ! 
 
 Vain is my call. Their faces loved 
 The scenes of earth no longer know; 
 
 Deep with my youthful dreams they're hid 
 Within the grave of long ago. 
 
 1 hurry on. Few, few I meet 
 
 Can to my heart give answering tone, 
 And when 'mid gay and careless crowds 
 'Tis then I am the most alone.
 
 HOME POEMS. 59 
 
 TO A FBIEND. 
 
 I THINK of me, 
 
 Though now our barks upon life's troubled sea 
 Shall drift apart. Though it may chance to be 
 That never more as in the pleasant past 
 Our paths shall side by side again be cast. 
 Yet, whatsoe'er may be thy future lot, 
 
 Forget me not. 
 
 Remember me, 
 
 And if thou findest that the new found friends 
 Prove like a reed in every wind that bends, 
 O then bethink thee of the one afar, 
 Whose love shines o'er thee like a watching star, 
 Whose fondest thoughts are centered all on thee, 
 
 Where'er thou be. 
 
 But, dearest one, 
 
 If thou art beset by life's relentless storms, 
 If friends prove false; if thy lone spirit mourns, 
 And footsore, heartsick you would fain find rest 
 Upon a loving and a faithful breast; 
 If e'er (which God forbid) such time should be 
 
 Haste unto me.
 
 60 HOME POEMS. 
 
 LinES. 
 
 ON HEARING A GENTLEMAN SAY THE SPIRIT OF HIS DEAD WIFE SEEMED 
 ALWAYS NEAR HIM. 
 
 r HE is not dead. 
 
 ' I feel, I know that she is ever near, 
 Her loving tones still ring upon my ear, 
 And cheer my soul as in the days of yore, 
 And though on earth I ne'er shall see her more, 
 She has not fled. 
 
 Her soul lives still. 
 It lingers ever round my onward way, 
 "With its pure presence blessing every day. 
 Beloved wife ! her faith and constancy, 
 And her deep love, and confidence in me 
 Death could not kill. 
 
 Her graceful frame, 
 
 Whose presence filled with joy my happy home, 
 Is hid from view, and I am left alone. 
 But still her gentle spirit comes to me, 
 And thus, despite the grave's dark mystery, 
 She lives again. 
 
 So on in life 
 
 I journey with a cheerful, thankful heart, 
 And humbly bear of toil and care my part. 
 Soon will I clasp her cherished form once more, 
 Soon will I meet upon yon blissful shore 
 My angel wife.
 
 HOME POEMS. 61 
 
 Gad's Christmas G-ift, 
 
 1WWAS Christmas day, 
 
 -* The pure snow lay 
 Deep over the slumbering, silent earth; 
 While all around 
 "Was heard the sound 
 Of innocent, careless, heartfelt mirth. 
 
 By rushed a throng, 
 
 With laugh and song, 
 Of schoolgirls chatting of Christmas cheer; 
 
 Unheeding one 
 
 Who, pale and young, 
 And empty handed, lingered near. 
 
 As they passed away, 
 
 With hearts so gay, 
 I turned to the maiden standing near, 
 
 And gaily said, 
 
 As she raised her head, 
 " Well, what did Santa bring you, dear?" 
 
 Her dark brown eyes 
 
 Looked their surprise, 
 As she said, " O Miss, we are but poor; 
 
 We deem it wealth, 
 
 If perfect health 
 And food are plenty within our door. 
 
 " So, Miss, you see 
 
 That such as we 
 Are well content these toys to spare. 
 
 I covet not 
 
 A richer lot, 
 Of greater treasures I have a share.
 
 62 HOME POEMS. 
 
 11 For one above 
 
 In gracious love, 
 This day to me has kindly given 
 
 A pleasure rare, 
 
 A gem most fair, 
 It is the Christian's hope of Heaven. 
 
 " Last night so plain 
 This message came, 
 ' For ihee was Jesus crucified. 
 He reigns above, 
 
 trust his love, 
 
 And He will be thy refuge guide." 
 
 Her eyes were raised 
 
 To meet my gaze, 
 As she said (I still her image see), 
 
 " He died for me, 
 
 Low as I be, 
 Christ was God's Christmas gift to me." 
 
 1 bowed my head, 
 No word I said, 
 
 A lesson deep in my heart was laid. 
 
 O would that I 
 
 Could look on high, 
 With the trust and faith of that little maidf
 
 HOME POEMS. 63 
 
 Tn a Child, 
 
 IEIGHT, happy childish face, 
 * That beams with fairy grace, 
 
 Loved one so dear; 
 Thy little dancing form, 
 Kesplent with baby charm, 
 Sheds sunshine here. 
 
 That little rosy palm, 
 And snowy, dimpled arm, 
 
 And brow so fair, 
 Seems formed to bless the earth, 
 And change to happiness 
 
 The darkest care. 
 
 Thy voice so sweet and clear, 
 And tiny feet e'er near, 
 
 And loving heart; 
 Unto my troubled breast, 
 So full of wild unrest, 
 
 Sweet calm impart. 
 
 Dear child in thee I find 
 One who with constant mind, 
 
 Loves me alone; 
 Whose lisped words are truth, 
 Whose thoughts of honest youth 
 
 Are all my own.
 
 64 HOME POEMS. 
 
 Bridal and FnnEral Flowers, 
 
 JBIDAL and funeral flowers." 
 Those were the words it bore, 
 Shining in letters bright, 
 Over the florist's door. 
 
 " Bridal and funeral flowers," 
 
 Coupling thus as one 
 The bride and the cold, stiff corse, 
 
 Whose race of life is run. 
 
 One who will soon go forth 
 
 A happy trusting wife, 
 And one who in Death's calm sleep 
 
 Is safe from the cares of life. 
 
 As I read the words I think 
 
 'Tis in white they robe the bride, 
 
 When she stands in modest grace 
 By her chosen husband's side. 
 
 And in white they clothe the corse, 
 While the cold, pale hand, perchance, 
 
 Hold the mate to the bridal flower, 
 Perhaps from the self same branch. 
 
 " Bridal and funeral flowers," 
 Blooming there side by side, 
 
 To be placed in the dead's cold hand, 
 Or twined in the hair of the bride. 
 
 "Bridal and funeral flowers." 
 Happiness death and gloom, 
 
 Written thus side by side, 
 Life and the dark, cold tomb.
 
 HOME POEMS. 65 
 
 But who is the one to tell 
 Which is most truly blest? 
 
 The bride in her youthful pride, 
 Or the one who is safe at rest? 
 
 Under the Willnw, 
 
 TlNDER the willow I stand to-night, 
 ^ And the stars above shed solemn light 
 
 O'er the scene I have come to view once more, 
 Ere I leave forever my native shore. 
 
 Under the willow I stand and gaze 
 
 On the ruined home of my youthful days; 
 
 What vanished bliss my heart recalls, 
 
 As I look on the stained and crumbled walls. 
 
 Within that home I was born and bred ; 
 There sounded my sisters' and brothers' tread. 
 In that home was spent the happy years 
 Ere I faced the world with its toil and fears. 
 
 Within its walls died, one by one, 
 
 The loving parents, the children young ; 
 
 And I alone, am left to gaze 
 
 On its ruined walls, 'neath the stars calm rays. 
 
 Can all these years have passed ? It seems 
 But a day, when amid these remembered scenes ; 
 Though my eye then bright, is dimmed now, 
 And deep, dark wrinkles mark my brow. 
 
 Home, churchyard willow ! I leave you all ; 
 Those long past years I cannot recall ; 
 The pain it costs me I cannot tell, 
 To turn away with a sad farewell.
 
 66 HO ME POEMS. 
 
 Lines 
 
 ON THE DEATH OF A CHILD. 
 
 ^EAELY loved one, thou hast vanished, 
 " Thy bright baby form has perished; 
 
 Thou art now beyond the stars. 
 Never more we'll hear thee singing, 
 With thy voice so clear and ringing ; 
 Mem'ry only now is ours. 
 
 Though my heart is full of sadness, 
 And my life seems void of gladness, 
 
 Since thy childish form has fled ; 
 Still, I would not now recall thee ; 
 Better far that thou should' st calmly 
 
 Slumber with the quiet dead. 
 
 Better, e'er thy heart so blithesome, 
 Learned how sad, and drear and toilsome 
 
 Is the lot of all on earth ; 
 E'er the time when thou would'st sadly 
 Wish thy mother, (grieving fondly,) 
 
 Ne'er had given thee thy birth. 
 
 'Hound thy grave bright flowers are springing, 
 And the notes of wild birds singing, 
 
 Fill the air at eventide. 
 O'er thy headstone, coldly gleaming, 
 Summer sun so brightly streaming, 
 
 Seemeth longest to abide. 
 
 Peaceful is thy quiet slumber ; 
 Thou among the heavenly number, 
 
 Safe from care will ever be. 
 When my journey is completed, 
 May we then be re-united 
 
 In the glad Eternity.
 
 HOME POEMS. 67 
 
 My "bird ; s snng, 
 
 RIS a stormy day and the heavy clouds 
 L Hang low, with a frowning mein ; 
 The rain pours down, and no friendly ray 
 
 From old hidden Sol is seen. 
 I sit alone in my study here, 
 
 And wish that the clouds were gone, 
 While Dick, my bird, in his cage near by 
 Sings to me through the storm. 
 
 Anon the clouds of the deepest dye 
 
 Are cleft by the lightning's flash, 
 And the rain with fury fierce and wild, 
 
 'Gainst my window pane doth dash. 
 But Dick unheeds the dark outside ; 
 
 (In the South first he saw the dawn), 
 And as if he was 'mong his native hills, 
 
 Sings to me through the storm. 
 
 And I smile as I hear his merry lay, 
 
 As it rings so quaint and sweet, 
 As I watch the poise of his dainty head, 
 
 And the dance of his busy feet 
 My eye grows bright, and my weary brain 
 
 Forgets it is racked and worn, 
 And I say " sing on, my merry bird, 
 
 O sing to me through the storm." 
 
 O, would that all in this selfish world, 
 
 In the hurrying, grasping throng, 
 Could have in their souls a hidden hope, 
 
 Or a love that is deep and strong, 
 That would light their lives with a gleam of light 
 
 When time leaves them bereft and worn, 
 And ring in their hearts through the world's mad strife 
 
 Like my bird's song through the storm.
 
 68 HOME POEMS. 
 
 Footsteps nn ttie Stair 
 
 SITTING in my room at twilight, 
 In the last faint sunset's glow, 
 Watching the fast coming shadows 
 
 Flitting softly to and fro. 
 Hushed is now all busy turmoil, 
 
 Ended is the day of care, 
 And I, listening, wait the coming 
 Of a footstep on the stair. 
 
 Hark ! I hear the firm tread sounding, 
 
 Eagerly he comes to meet 
 One he knows awaits his coming, 
 
 One who waits with welcome sweet. 
 Though to others I am humble, 
 
 In his eyes I am most fair ; 
 Sweetest music to my hearing 
 
 Is his footstep on the stair. 
 
 Lo, he comes ! Ah, when Life's over, 
 
 And my days on earth are past, 
 When my heart, so strange and wayward, 
 
 Shall be silent calm at last, 
 Love dies not my soul in Heaven, 
 
 Though within that realm so fair, 
 Still will watch for you, my darling, 
 
 Coming up the golden stair.
 
 HOME POEMS. 69 
 
 Lines, 
 
 TO AX OLD FRIEND. 
 
 T MET the friend I loved when but a child, 
 
 A And as I clasped again his honest hand 
 And looked once more into his earnest eyes, 
 I was the happiest mortal 'in the land. 
 The long years sped since last I saw his face 
 Seemed but a dream a dream most strange and wild, 
 For by his side the years seemed lifted up, 
 And I again a careless, happy child. 
 Yet pause I even now to note the change 
 The stamp of manhood shows upon his face, 
 While on my brow are lines of anxious care 
 (The lot of all in Life's eventful race,) 
 
 Yet O what joy ! (and joys in life are few,) 
 It is to see your face, O friend so true ! 
 
 O cruel Time ! to thus so quickly speed, 
 And leave your traces on our hearts and brows. 
 Relentless Time ! that crushes out our youth, 
 Before whose power the mightiest mortal bows, 
 Yet, ah ! you cannot touch the sacred Past, 
 Nor turn to blank Youth's written pages fair, 
 When Love was truth and Friendship not a name, 
 And Childhood built its " castles in the air." 
 So tarry by my side, beloved friend ; 
 Take once again my hand within your own, 
 And let me sit and look upon your face, 
 And listen to your voice's kindly tone. 
 
 Friends of To-day, I do not doubt their truth, 
 But, ah ! they cannot be the friends of youth.
 
 70 HOME POEMS. 
 
 Dnly a Tress ui Hair, 
 
 a tress of soft dark hair, 
 And yet 'twill be, 
 
 Whatever fate this world may bring, 
 Most dear to me. 
 
 The head this tress adorned 
 
 Has laid in rest, 
 In true, confiding love, 
 
 Upon my breast. 
 
 The tress was severed then 
 
 That it might be, 
 A token dear from her, my friend, 
 
 Who so loved me. 
 
 Dark storms have crossed my path 
 
 Since last we met, 
 And yet her dear and loving face 
 
 I'll ne'er forget. 4 
 
 The sweet, low voice is silent now, 
 
 The head laid low, 
 And o'er her grave on yonder hill- 
 
 The flowers grow. 
 
 Time brought me many trials sore, 
 
 And heavy care, 
 And yet I fondly cherish still 
 
 Her tress of hair.
 
 SENTIMENTAL. 71 
 
 The Oman. 
 
 WO lovers sat watching one bright summer night, 
 -* Hand in hand, cheek -to cheek, the moon's beams, 
 Enjoying the present, the future unheeding, 
 
 Their hearts all aglow with their own happy dreams. 
 
 The beautiful sky, by no cloudlet bedimmed, 
 
 Strewn thickly with stars, was as blue 
 As the eye of the maiden, who dreamily pondered, 
 
 And listened to promises seemingly true. 
 
 As they looked, two large stars in the heavens above 
 Fixed their gaze. " That is mine," said the youth, 
 
 " As that star is my love ever constant and bright, 
 As that star everlasting my truth." 
 
 " The other is mine. Brilliant omen of fate ! " 
 As she spoke blushes dyed her fair cheek, 
 
 The innocent thoughts to her lips found their way, 
 And she spoke as love only can speak. 
 
 Long sat they thus gazing, all trouble forgetting 
 
 Not noting a cloud from afar, 
 Which drifting quite slowly but steadily gaming, 
 
 Soon covered his clear, shining star.
 
 72 SENTIMENTAL. 
 
 That instant her star like a meteor flashed, 
 
 It sparkled and fell to the ground, 
 Where it died leaving vacant the place it had brightened. 
 
 So now neither star could be found. 
 
 As trembling they saw the fair tokens departing, 
 
 Grief arose in each heart, and with fears 
 Crowding backward the love with gloomy forebodings, 
 
 They parted in sorrow and tears. 
 
 They met soon again but with faces averted, 
 
 The love in his heart had grown cold ; 
 His vows were untrue and soon lightly were broken, 
 
 As the cloud o'er his star had foretold. 
 
 She mingled in revelry, listened to praises, 
 
 Her thoughts all the while away far. 
 With scorn on her lip and all murmurs disdaining 
 
 She died like her beautiful star. 
 
 Perhaps i 
 
 " Since if you stood at my side to-day 
 
 Only our hands would meet, 
 What matter if half the weary world 
 
 Lies out between our feet." PHCEBE CAEY. 
 
 flower a hand has rudely pressed 
 L Will slowly droop and die, 
 A fallen star will ne'er more beam 
 
 Within yon brilliant sky. 
 The tree that stood before the gale 
 
 With proudly towering head, 
 At length the long continued storm 
 Uproots from Earth's damp bed.
 
 SENTIMENTAL. 73 
 
 E'en so the love that firmly clung, 
 
 With fervent faith and trust, 
 Unto the one whose cold neglect 
 
 Slow crushed it to the dust. 
 Like as the tree, the sore tried heart 
 
 At last will surely break, 
 And late repentance and kind words 
 
 Dead love can never wake. 
 
 I*erhaps the dog whose angry tooth 
 
 Was buried in my hand, 
 I'll beckon with a gentle tone 
 
 Again by me to stand. 
 Perhaps a little singing bird 
 
 Who hears a serpent hiss, 
 At once does fly into its coils 
 
 With joy and trustfulness. 
 
 E'en so, perhaps, in time my heart 
 
 Will learn to love again, 
 And trust once more the treach'rous soul 
 
 That bowed it low with pain. 
 Perhaps thy falseness I'll forget 
 
 As years shall slow elapse. 
 I do not say thee, yea, or nay, 
 
 I only say Perhaps. 
 
 Parted, 
 
 'HEN the twilight's dusky mantle 
 
 Turns to black the forests green, 
 When the world is calmly sleeping 
 
 'Neath the bright moon's silvery beam, 
 When the nightwinds soft are wafting 
 
 Flowers' pure incense to above, 
 All my soul is yearning toward thee, 
 
 And I think of thee, my love.
 
 74 SENTIMENTAL. 
 
 As I wander o'er Life's pathway 
 
 And iny heart grows faint and lone, 
 And I weary turn from pleasure, 
 
 Longing for thy voice and home, 
 Gentle Peace folds o'er my spirit 
 
 Her soft pinions like a dove, 
 And my road seems far less lonely 
 
 When I think of thee, my love. 
 
 Low thy graceful head is lying, 
 
 O'er thy breast the daisies blow, 
 And the anguish of my bosom 
 
 Only God and thou can know. 
 Though my bruised, rebellious spirit 
 
 Dares to question Him above, 
 Still I strive to hush my murmurs 
 
 When I think of thee, my love. 
 
 Do not enter at the portal ! 
 
 Tarry yet a while for me 
 I am hastening up the pathway, 
 
 Soon I'll stand again by thee. 
 Leave me not, beloved spirit, 
 
 Wait beside the gate above 
 Hand in hand once more together 
 
 Let us enter in, my love. 
 
 Trials, 
 
 [ANY the trials I meet in life 
 As I hurry the journey alon g, 
 
 Many the trials, many the care s 
 And many a bitter wrong. 
 
 Many companions I dearly loved 
 The Master has called away. 
 
 I know they watch and wait for me 
 In the happy Far-away.
 
 SENTIMENTAL. 75 
 
 Often my fondly cherished hopes 
 
 Are rudely dashed to earth, 
 And often friends I love the best 
 
 I find are of little worth. 
 
 I wept o'er the loss of those I loved, 
 I wept o'er my hopes' rude fall, 
 
 But the tears I shed when I found thee false 
 We~e the bitterest tears of all. 
 
 Many the trials I meet in life 
 
 They are waiting for great and small ; 
 But to find my trust in thee betrayed 
 Is the heaviest trial of all. 
 
 I 
 
 Lines , 
 
 AM sad and weary, darling, 
 
 Lonely and sick at heart, 
 For I long for your dear presence 
 
 Though we are so far apart. 
 O, to clasp your hand, my dear one, 
 
 O, your kindly voice to hear. 
 Where-so-e'er your feet may wander, 
 
 May God protect you, dear. 
 
 I shall watch for you returning, 
 
 I can never love thee less, 
 May His watchful care be with you 
 
 And your life forever bless. 
 Though long miles now stretch between us 
 
 Yet in thought I'm ever near, 
 And my heart-felt prayer is ever 
 
 That God will bless you, dear.
 
 76 SENTIMENTAL. 
 
 Ah ! be sure I'm thinking of you 
 
 Though your name I never speak, 
 And my heart is yearning toward you 
 
 With love thoughts true and deep. 
 Heaven guard my distant darling, 
 
 Be the skies above thee clear 
 From a single shade of clouding, 
 
 And may God protect you, dear. 
 
 Remember Me, 
 
 w 
 
 HEN I am far away, dear one, 
 
 Yes, miles and miles from you, my friend, 
 May blessings hover o'er thy path, 
 
 And Fortune e'er thy steps attend. 
 My changeful life will often be 
 
 As turbid as a troubled sea, 
 Yet, O what joy 'twill be to know 
 
 That sometimes you will think of me. 
 
 Your honest love I do not doubt, 
 
 I clasp your warm and friendly hand, 
 I know no other truer friend 
 
 I'll ever find in any land, 
 God's blessings on your faithful heart. 
 
 Go where you will where-e'er you be, 
 Let not time weaken Friendship's ties, 
 
 But, dearest one, remember me. 
 
 I know a future day will come, 
 
 A day when we shall meet again, 
 The joy of meeting will outweigh 
 
 By far the bitter parting pain. 
 Farewell ! your mem'ry, dear, will dwell 
 
 Within my heart on land or sea, 
 And may I never live to see 
 
 The day you have forgotten me.
 
 SENTIMENTAL. 77 
 
 Watching, 
 
 A SEA ST011Y. 
 
 stood alone on the wild sea shore, 
 
 Her lover was far away, 
 Yet she watched and waited for his return 
 
 Patiently day by day. 
 " ' Tis many a day," I heard her say, 
 
 " Since he sailed o'er the dark blue main, 
 But I'll murmur not, he has not forgot, 
 
 I know he will come again.'" 
 O'er her brow so fair 
 
 Her soft dark hair 
 Was tossed by the wind so wild, 
 
 Yet her eyes so true 
 Scanned the Ocean's blue 
 
 With the faith of a little child. 
 But no welcome mast 
 
 Her vision passed 
 Though she watched with anxious pain, 
 
 And whispered low: 
 " He will come, I know, 
 
 Yes, he surely will come again." 
 
 The year passed by, her soft dark eye 
 
 Grew dim with watching long, 
 Yet her heart's pure will was constant still, 
 
 And her maiden love as strong ; 
 Yet she faded fast, and she died at last, 
 
 Her watching all in vain. 
 From the distant strand, of a foreign land 
 
 Her lover ne'er came again. 
 O'er her brow so calm 
 
 The summer long 
 The; roses bloom so pale, 
 
 And the Kobin's trill 
 And the Whip-poor-will 
 
 Her early death bewail. 
 Yet I often dream, in the Twilight's gleam, 
 
 I can hear her whisper low: 
 " I will murmur not, he has not forgot, 
 
 He will come again, I know."
 
 SENTIMENTAL. 
 
 Discontent. 
 
 (HEY come to greet me with their outstretched hands 
 
 And bid me " welcome " in a hearty tone, 
 Yet in their midst my heart is discontent, 
 
 And 'mong them all I feel but more alone. 
 Their voices cannot win my restless soul, 
 
 Nor drive away the shades of lonely care, 
 I turn away from them unsatisfied 
 Because you are not there. 
 
 What care I if they praise the songs I sing ? 
 
 What matter if they doat upon my rhyme 
 "What matter if they crown me Pleasure's queen, 
 
 If my heart is so lonely all the time ? 
 The crowd of smiling faces are to me 
 
 As naught although they beam so genial, fair 
 I cannot meet and give them smile for smile, 
 Because you are not there. 
 
 I'd rather see one honest face I love, 
 
 And feel the touch of one beloved hand, 
 
 Whose clasp has power to thrill my icy heart 
 Unmoved by merry strains from Flattery's band. 
 
 So, though they welcome me a happy band 
 And jest with hearts so free from any care, 
 
 Among them all I feel but more alone 
 Because you are not there.
 
 SENTIMENTAL. 
 
 A Heart Sang, 
 
 IS true that we are severed far, 
 
 We ne'er may meet again, dear, 
 For I am here and you are there, 
 
 And have been many a sad year. 
 My heart yearns ever to your own 
 
 As flowers seek earliest morn's dew, 
 Yet still I never do repent 
 
 That I have met and loved you. 
 
 My path in life comes never near 
 
 The way you tread alone, dear. 
 You miss my presence by your side, 
 
 And I, too, grieve you're not near, 
 Yet mem'ry sweet remains us both 
 
 Of joys so pure we once knew, 
 My heart is better tenderer, 
 
 Since I have met and loved you. 
 
 Mine was a useless, dreary life, 
 
 Without an end or aim, dear ; 
 Wrapped up in self I drew to me 
 
 But scorn or pity doubt fear. 
 Since far from you I seek about 
 
 To find what good I may do, 
 And live for others, not myself, 
 
 Since I have met and loved you. 
 
 So, though we journey far apart 
 
 And ne'er shall meet ag'ain, dear, 
 I'll pray for you and you for me 
 
 With conscience from a blot clear. 
 And as I journey on and find 
 
 'Mong many hearts, so few true, 
 My faith in human-kind dies not 
 
 Since I have met and loved you.
 
 80 SENTIMENTAL. 
 
 God knoweth best so don't complain. 
 
 But bow unto His will, dear. 
 If meant that we should meet again 
 
 He'll show the way to us clear. 
 But come what may, the world to me 
 
 Is brighter, better, more true, 
 Than when I empty hearted roamed 
 
 Before I met and loved you. 
 
 Drifting Apart, 
 
 DIETING apart ! Drifting apart ! 
 
 ' Our barks now float on Life's turbid tide, 
 But no longer gliding side by side, 
 And I miss thy voice of kindly cheer, 
 As I watch o'er the waste of waters drear, 
 The masts of thy speeding bark. 
 
 Drifting apart ! Afar to roam, 
 And every rise of the billows' swell 
 Divides us further. Ah ! is it well ? 
 My soul says, nay but so let it be 
 I wave farewell, farewell to thee, 
 
 And journey on alone. 
 
 Drifting apart ! Perhaps ere long 
 When my bark is lost fore'er from view, 
 "When the storm clouds shroud the sky now blue, 
 When the tempest fills thy heart with fear, 
 You will long, too late, my voice to hear, 
 
 And see thy course is wrong.
 
 RELIGIOUS. 81 
 
 "Thy Will IDE Dane 
 
 will be done," O simple little words, 
 *- And yet so hard for us to truly say ; 
 To bow unquestioning before Thy will, 
 
 And meekly bear the burdens of today. 
 Pity our weakness, O most holy Son! 
 And teach our murmuring lips to say 
 " Thy will be done." 
 
 " Thy will be done." See where the widow mourns, 
 As o'er her dead companion sad tears fall, 
 
 Alone she stands her heart's dear comrade gone, 
 Nor answers to her wild despairing call. 
 
 O dry your eyes, poor mourner; think for him 
 Has risen up Eternity's glad sun. 
 
 O may He help thy stricken soul to say 
 " Thy will be done." 
 
 " Thy will be done." The mother weeping stands 
 
 Beside the coffin of her cherished one; 
 The baby, snatched from off her loving breast 
 
 Before, its little life had scarce begun. 
 Beside her, Lord, in pitying kindness stand, 
 
 And hold her hand, most gracious Holy one; 
 Thou know'st how hard for her poor lips to say 
 " Thy will be done."
 
 82 RELIGIOUS. 
 
 " Thy will be done." O how we need thy help 
 To say those words with humble, trustful heart, 
 
 To bow before Thy will in everything, 
 As in this weary world we take our part. 
 
 Thou knowest our weakness and how prone to stray, 
 Rebellious, leaving all Thy work undone; 
 
 But Lord, forgive, and help us all to say 
 " Thy will be done." 
 
 Have Trust in G-nd, 
 
 [AYE trust in God, 
 
 L When o'er thy pathway heavy shadows lie, 
 When no kind friend nor earthly help is nigh 
 To cheer thy soul; when thy frail bark is driven 
 By darkest storms of life, look unto Heaven 
 And trust in God. 
 
 Have trust in God, 
 
 He knows the lonesome way is dark and drear, 
 He knows thy heart is often filled with fear; 
 But His strong hand is at the vessel's helm, 
 And though storms rave, they ne'er shall overwhelm, 
 So trust in God. 
 
 Have trust in God; 
 
 He bendeth low to hear thy faintest call, 
 He knoweth every trial burden all 
 So when thy cares seem heaviest to bear, 
 Press on thy way with softly whispered prayer, 
 And trust in God. 
 
 Have trust in God, 
 
 And when thy bark shall breast the tide no more, 
 When life's long journey shall at last be o'er, 
 Then will thy soul, front its dark bondage free, 
 Soar to the heavenly shore and ever be 
 Safe with its God.
 
 RELIGIOUS. 83 
 
 REsignation. 
 
 r OW doth our minds e'er strive to see 
 L Into the dark futurity! 
 To pierce the gloom before our eyes, 
 The cloud that o'er the future lies, 
 And see our whole lives clear and plain, 
 How much of joy how much of pain. 
 And often do we pass away 
 In longings vain the present day, 
 While fancy paints a scene more fair, 
 With flowers rich and scented air, 
 Which, by the contrast, dims the light 
 Of blessings that are now so bright. 
 
 Ah, foolish ones ! to pass in scorn 
 The treasures of life's early morn, 
 To slight the jewels at our feet, 
 And grasp for those beyond our reach, 
 And for " What is to come " still sigh, 
 Until to-day has glided by ! 
 O let us meet the coming years, 
 With all their pleasures, cares and fears. 
 Just as God's providence has planned, 
 And humbly take from His kind hand 
 The good, the ill, the toil, the rest, 
 E'er feeling that He knoweth best. 
 
 Sub mission, 
 
 [Y heart doth not yet understand 
 
 L The workings of Thy wondrous hand. 
 
 Nor know Thy righteous way; 
 But what is now as blackest night, 
 Thy mighty love will sometime light, 
 Make plain some future day.
 
 RELIGIOUS. 
 
 Tis true the way looks lone and dark, 
 And often my faint, saddened heart 
 
 Is filled with grief and pain ; 
 But when Thy gracious words I hear, 
 ' Dear child, thy Lord is ever near," 
 
 The path seems bright again. 
 
 Then let me trust Thee more aod more, 
 And when my weary days are o'er, 
 
 And my bewildered sight 
 Shall look back over life again, 
 With all its mysteries made plain, 
 
 Til see that Thou wast right. 
 
 My Prayer, 
 
 [OLD Thou my hand, 
 
 L As o'er life's changing, stormy sea I float, 
 And storm-gusts fierce, threat oft to wreck my boat; 
 Oh ! when the billows roar and swell most high, 
 When naught I see but dark and frowning sky, 
 Lord, near me stand. 
 
 Lord, call to me 
 
 Whene'er with fancied strength I strive to guide, 
 Without Thy help, my bark across the tide ; 
 Oh, let not then Thy anger on me fall, 
 But deign the foolish wanderer to recall, 
 
 Back unto Thee. 
 
 Hold thou my hand, 
 
 And give me strength to battle boldly on ; 
 Ne'er shrinking, though the tide be swift and strong. 
 And when by yon bright shore my anchor's cast, 
 O, then with thankful soul may I at last 
 
 Before Thee stand.
 
 RELIGIOUS. 85 
 
 HE Than My 
 
 F TBEAD along life's changeful, rugged pathway, 
 *- And gather often briers sometimes flowers ; 
 Still, looking forth with hope in the to-morrow, 
 
 I pass away Time's swiftly flying hours. 
 But naught of evil will my years betide, 
 If Thou, O Lord, wilt be my shield and guide. 
 
 Oft doth my heart, with sad and weary pining, 
 Long for the coming of a brighter day, 
 
 And often to my thankless eyes discerning, 
 Is naught but dreary darkness all the way. 
 
 And oft myglips with murmurings loud complain, 
 
 Because the blessings sent are mixed with pain. 
 
 Teach me, O Lord, with humble mind to praise Thee, 
 Alike 'mid pleasure and in trouble sore ; 
 
 O, may I e'er, amidst life's stormiest billows, 
 But cling unto and trust Thee more and more. 
 
 And lift my eyes in earnest faith above, 
 
 Kelying on Thy strong, undying love. 
 
 Watch Thou o'er me through all the busy future, 
 Within my soul in gracious kindness dwell, 
 
 And may I e'er amidst life's strangest changes, 
 Still feel within myself, Thou do 1 si all well. 
 
 For naught but good can all my days betide, 
 
 If Thou, O Lord, wilt be my shield and guide.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 Form L9-42m-8.'49(B5573)444 
 
 UNIVERSIT 
 
 .LIFORNU
 
 16 
 
 2p 
 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 PS 
 
 1006 
 A832p