THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF ILLINOIS 
 LIBRARY 
 
 Prom the collection of* 
 Julius Doerner, Chicago' 
 Purchased, 1918 . 
 
 606 ./ 
 
 0^45 
 
Return this book on or before the 
 Latest Date stamped below. 
 
 University of Illinois Library 
 

 w. 
 
 
SEVEN HUNDRED 
 
 ALBUM VERSES, 
 
 COMPRISING 
 
 CHOICE SELECTIONS OF POETRY 
 AND PROSE, 
 
 SUITABLE FOR WRITING IN AUTOGRAPH ALBUMS, 
 
 AND FOR 
 
 VALENTINES, BIRTHDAY, CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR 
 CARDS. 
 
 ORIGINAL AND SELECTED. 
 
 Our lives are albums written through. 
 
 With good or ill, with false or true. 
 
 And as the blessed angels turn the pages of our years, 
 God grant that they may read the good with smiles, 
 And blot the ill with tears. 
 
 Compiled by J. S. OGILVIE. 
 
 New York: 
 
 J. S. OGILVIE & COMPANY, 
 31 Rose Street. 
 
OOFY RIGHT, 1884, 
 li/ J. S. 0G1L\^ & CO- 
 

 ‘? 6 ?. 1 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Who among the readers of this pre- 
 face has not been invited to write a few 
 words of sentiment in the album of a 
 friend ? As an aid to the many thou- 
 sands who have received this invitation, 
 and have not known what to write, we 
 offer this collection of choice verse and 
 prose, as an aid to them and all others, 
 with the hope that our labor shall not 
 have been spent in vain, nor be alto- > 
 gether unappreciated. Great care has 
 been taken to procure as many original 
 pieces as possible. Many choice verses 
 suitable for Birthday, Christmas and 
 New Year celebrations, have been 
 added; which, with the collection of 
 articles embracing sentiment, affection, 
 humor, and miscellany, is offered to a 
 generous public by 
 
 The Compiler. 
 
 69239 : 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Dedication Verses, 5 
 
 Sentiment and Affection, - - 12 
 
 Miscellaneous, 54 
 
 Esteem and Confidence, - - - 109 
 
 Humorous, 114 
 
 Birthday Verses, 118 
 
 Christmas and New Year, 
 
 - 121 
 
■■^DEDIOHTieN YER^E3^ 
 
 SUITABLE FOR INSCRIPTION ON TITLE PAGES OS 
 ALBUMS. 
 
 Within this book ne’er may there steal, 
 A thought to make a fair one feel 
 A single pang of heartfelt grief, 
 
 Or slightest sorrow, e’er so brief ; 
 
 But let each line the muse inspires 
 Be filled with ardent, pure desires, 
 That every good on thee may rest, 
 
 And every blessing be possessed, 
 Whate’er we ask for those we love, 
 From earth below or heaven above. 
 May ne’er the sigh of anguish blast 
 One bright memorial of the past ; 
 
 Or wavering doubt, or anxious fear, 
 
 Be caused by aught recorded here. 
 
 Let warm affection, pure and bright. 
 Cast o’er each page its hallowed light. 
 Thus may this album ever-be 
 From vice, and pride, and passion free ; 
 From every grosser taint refined. 
 
 An emblem of the stainless mind ; 
 
 And tliough thy friends afar may be — 
 Beyond the wide, wide rolling sea — 
 
 O, think not they will e’er forget 
 The fair one whom they here have met. 
 
6 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 As you have conferred on me the 
 favor of dedicating your album, I feel 
 myself under renewed obligation to 
 present you a memento of respect and 
 esteem. 
 
 May you find many true friends who 
 will interest themselves in your behalf 
 and leave an expression of their attach' 
 ment to you in this book — a token that 
 shall endure when widely separated by 
 time and space. 
 
 Go, leafy compendium, and gather 
 sweets from every flowery pen ; plume 
 thy wings with richest gems, nor per- 
 mit thy pages to become contaminated 
 by poisonous sentiments. 
 
 This is the earnest prayer of your 
 unworthy friend. 
 
 Go forth, thou little volume 
 I leave thee to thy fate ; 
 
 To love and friendship truly 
 Thy leaves I dedicate. 
 
 Go, little book, thy destined course 
 pursue. 
 
 Collect memorials of the just and true, 
 And beg of every friend so near 
 Some token of remembrance dear. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 7 
 
 When years’ elapse, 
 
 It may, perhaps. 
 
 Delight us to review these scraps, 
 And live again ’mid scenes so gay. 
 That time’s rough hand has swept away; 
 For when the eye, bedimmed with age, 
 Shall rest upon each treasured page, 
 Those pleasant hours 
 That once were ours 
 Shall come again, like autumn 
 flowers. 
 
 To bloom and smile upon us here 
 When all things else seem sad and drear; 
 ’Twill tune our hearts and make them 
 sing. 
 
 And turn our autumn into spring ! 
 
 As life flows on from day to day. 
 And this, your book, soon fills. 
 How many may be far away 
 From treasured vales and hills? 
 But there is joy in future time 
 To turn the pages o’er, 
 
 And see within a name or rhyme 
 From one you’ll see no more. 
 
 Go forth, thou little volume. 
 
 Like Noah’s faithful dove. 
 
 And bring to darling 
 
 An olive leaf of love. 
 
8 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 My album’s open ! Come and see ! 
 What ! Won’t you waste a line on mel 
 Write but a thought, a word or two, 
 That memory may revert to you. 
 
 Go, album! range the gay parterre ; 
 From gem to gem, from flower to 
 flower. 
 
 Select with taste and cull with care. 
 And bring your offering, fresh and rare, 
 To this sweet maiden’s bower! 
 
 To My Friends: 
 
 My album is a garden spot 
 
 Where all my friends may sow. 
 Where thorns and thistles flourish not, 
 But flowers alone may grow. 
 
 With smiles for sunshine, tears for 
 showers, 
 
 ril water, watch and guard these flowers. 
 
 Life is a volume. 
 
 From youth to old age, 
 
 Each year forms a chapter. 
 
 Each day is a page. 
 
 May none be more charming, 
 
 More womanly (manly) true. 
 Than that, pure and noble. 
 Sketched yearly by you. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 9 
 
 Many kind wishes will be written here, 
 And none more sincere than ,mine. 
 
 But — 
 
 Words are lighter than the cloud-foam 
 Of the restless ocean’s spray; 
 
 Vainer than the trembling shadows 
 That the next hour steals away. 
 
 By the fall of summer raindrops 
 Is the air as deeply stirred, 
 
 And the roseleaf that we tread on 
 Will outlive a word. 
 
 We may write our names in albums, 
 We may trace them in the sand. 
 
 We may chisel them in marble, 
 
 With a firm and skillful hand; 
 
 But the pages soon are sullied, 
 
 Soon each name will fade away ; 
 
 Every monument will crumble, 
 
 Like all earthly hopes, decay. 
 
 But, dear friend, there is an album. 
 
 Full of leaves of snowy white. 
 
 Where no name is ever tarnished, 
 
 But forever pure and bright. 
 
 In that Book of Life, God’s Album, 
 May your name be penned with care; 
 
 And may all who do here write. 
 
 Have their names forever there. 
 
lO 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Go little volume, like the bee, 
 
 The fertile fields of mind explore, 
 Cull from each mental shrub and tree 
 Some grateful sweets to swell thy 
 store. 
 
 Go, and in friendship’s hallowed name, 
 Where’ere thy wanderings may be, 
 
 A tribute fond from feeling claim, 
 
 A few brief lines for Memory. 
 
 Go, little book. Bring, the best 
 wishes of happiness to the /air owner 
 of this memorial of friendship ; .and 
 gather the brightest gems of Virtue, 
 Esteem and Love from the fairy fields 
 of a bright future. 
 
 Fly, little volume, to the mount where 
 Hope’s bright star ever glitters above 
 the horizon and colors those flowers of 
 friendship that fade not ; but, ever 
 filled with the dews of affection, scat- 
 ters its sweet influence around the path- 
 way of our dear friend when the lower- 
 inof clouds and storms of affliction hover 
 o’er her dwelling to make her discon- 
 solate, and her home a place of sorrow. 
 Then wilt thou, as a soul cheering 
 spirit, console the fair owner of this 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 II 
 
 Album, who will greet thee with smiles, 
 and shake thy dewy plumes of esteem, 
 and spread before her those many 
 gems that thou hast gathered from the 
 fields of Adiettx. May she not feel 
 deserted and alone ; but, surrounded by 
 many friends, that will ever wish her 
 happiness and a pathway flower strewn. 
 
 CAST ON THE WORLD. 
 
 On friendship’s realm thou art 
 
 Spotless, till now unsullied yet in part. 
 
 Go, little book, and on each page receive 
 
 The various offerings which true friends 
 may give. 
 
 Ask not the crowd, but seek refinement’s 
 pen. 
 
 Wielded by virtue, that unerring gem. 
 
 Of parting friends some kind memorial 
 keep, 
 
 Of those who part, perhaps no more to 
 meet. 
 

 Peace be around thee, wherever thou 
 rovest ; 
 
 May life be for thee one summer’s day; 
 And all that thou wish, and all that thou 
 lovest, 
 
 Come smilingaround thy summer way. 
 If sorrow e’er this calm should break. 
 
 May even thy tears pass off so lightly, 
 Like spring showers, they will only make 
 
 The smiles that follow shine more 
 brightly. 
 
 May the chain of friendship formed 
 by the links which are dropped here, 
 serve to unite you more closely in spirit 
 with the friends who have worked it. 
 
 May each link be brought to a white 
 heat in the fires of Love; and, forged on 
 the anvils of Truth, may they be strong 
 as iron, yet light as air, keeping you 
 bravely to the duties of Life. And 
 when the chain of human bondage shall 
 be broken, may they become flowers of 
 eternal brightness in the gardens from 
 whence cometh exceeding peace. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 13 
 
 Our lives are albums written through 
 With good or ill — with false or true — 
 And, as the blessed angels turn 
 The pages of our years, 
 
 God grant they read the good with 
 smiles. 
 
 And blot the bad with tears. 
 
 Be a good girl and you will be a true 
 woman. 
 
 May thy darkest hours in life be well 
 lighted with the sunshine of content- 
 ment. 
 
 Yours sincerely — although merely — 
 
 How long we live, not years, but actions 
 tell ; 
 
 That man lives twice who lives the first 
 life well. 
 
 Make then, while yet ye may, your 
 God, your friend. 
 
 Whom Christiafns worship, yet not 
 comprehend. 
 
 The trust that’s given, guard; and to 
 yourself be just; 
 
 For, live we how we can, yet die we 
 must. 
 
14 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 When the golden sun is setting, 
 
 And your heart from care is free, 
 
 When o’er a thousand things you’rq 
 thinking. 
 
 Will you sometimes think of me? 
 
 Live well; how long or short, permit to 
 heaven ; 
 
 They who forgive most, shall be most 
 forgiven. 
 
 Soar not too high to fall,but stoop to rise; 
 
 We masters grow of all that we despise. 
 
 Your fate is but the common fate of all; 
 
 Unmingled joys here to no man befall. 
 
 Though many flowers have faded from 
 my life. 
 
 And clouds obscure the brightness of 
 its sky; 
 
 This have I learned: we can do much 
 to make 
 
 Our lives a blessing and our words a 
 power. 
 
 If what we find to do, for Christ’s dear 
 sake. 
 
 We do with faithfulness, from hour to 
 hour. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 IS 
 
 It may occur in after life 
 That you, I trust, a happy wife, 
 
 Will former happy hours retrace. 
 
 Recall each well-remembered face. 
 
 At such a moment I but ask — 
 
 I hope ’twill be a pleasant task — 
 
 * That you’ll remember as a friend 
 One who’ll prove true e’en to the end. 
 
 I saw two clouds at morning. 
 
 Tinged by the morning sun, 
 
 And in the dawn they floated on 
 And mingled into one; 
 
 I thought that morning cloud was blest, 
 It moved so sweetly to the west. 
 
 Such be your gentle motion. 
 
 Till life’s last pulse shall beat. 
 
 And you float on in joy to meet 
 A calmer sea,where storms shall cease — ' 
 A purer sky, where all is peace. 
 
 When on this page you chance to look, 
 Just think of me and close the book. 
 
 These few lines to you are tendered. 
 By a friend sincere and true ; 
 Hoping but to be remembered 
 When I’m far away from you. 
 
i6 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Work, while yet the daylight shines, 
 With a loving heart and true, 
 
 For golden years are fleeting by. 
 
 And we are passing, too. 
 
 Wait not for to-morrow’s sun 
 To beam upon thy way. 
 
 For all that thou canst call thine own. 
 Is in this one to-day. 
 
 Then learn to make the most of life — 
 Make glad each passing day — 
 
 For time will never bring thee back 
 The chances swept away. 
 
 Leave no tender word unsaid — 
 
 Do good while life shall last ; — 
 
 You know the mill can never grind 
 With the water that is past. 
 
 Let not the hours we've spent together. 
 Go past as nothing by ; 
 
 Forget me not, e’en though you must 
 Remember with a sigh. 
 
 We are all placed here to do some- 
 thing. It is for us, and not for others, 
 to find out what that something is, and 
 then, with all the energy of which we 
 are capable, honestly and prayerfully to 
 be about our business. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 17 
 
 May the memories of your life be 
 those which hands of love shall gild 
 with pleasures of true friendship. 
 
 “ Poor is the friendless master of a 
 world. A world in purchase for a 
 friend, is gain.” 
 
 Let excellency of character, purity of 
 mind, together with generous .words and 
 noble deeds, mark conspicuously your 
 whole life, not omitting .to learn to 
 eat, in order that your physical powers 
 may be strong and healthy ; thereby 
 strengthening and elevating the mental 
 and intellectual. 
 
 I have tried for a week, and vainly I 
 seek 
 
 Words of wisdom to write to you here; 
 So, wishing you life free from sorrow 
 and strife, 
 
 N or wanting in friends and good cheer. 
 With health — perhaps wealth — 
 
 Love better than self, 
 
 And Truth, far the best, to the end; 
 Since content it maintains 
 While existence remains, 
 
 I subscribe myself. Truly, your friend. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 iS 
 
 In fair and sunny beauty, or gray ’neath 
 evening skies, 
 
 The purple hills from misty vales up- 
 ward to heaven rise : 
 
 Their rugged side vt^e scarce can see 
 o’er-decked with fern and heather. 
 That rings its scented violet bells 
 through fair and stormy weather ; 
 So may thy life be clothed with flowers, 
 and breathe a purer air. 
 
 Fresh from the “everlasting hills,” 
 knowing no grief or care, — 
 
 And if the sunny sky must pale, as pales 
 the setting sun. 
 
 May it only show the stars are near, 
 peeping out, one by one ! 
 
 I would that I could express my mind 
 To you, dear friend, in scribbling some 
 rhyme ; 
 
 But you know my failing as well as I, 
 And you better get another to try. 
 
 Oh ! think of me some day 
 When I am far away ; 
 
 I’ll pray thy days be long 
 And joyous as the song 
 Of sweet birds singing near. 
 
 Thy heart with love to cheer. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 19 
 
 So slight a favor ’tis you crave, 
 
 That I can scarce refuse compliance; 
 Nor shall I use the page you gave, 
 
 To set your champions .at defiance. 
 
 Dear lady, vainly awed, I praise 
 
 That dimplpd hand I pressed at 
 parting ; 
 
 Or those dark eyes, beneath whose gaze 
 A cupid lurks equipped for darting. 
 
 Nor can I hope to lightly touch 
 
 On charms so oft the theme of lovers ; 
 To add another, while so much 
 That beautiful about thee hovers. 
 
 I can but add one little pearl 
 
 To all the gems about thee scattered ; 
 And say again, sweet, artless girl. 
 
 That all thy poets have not flattered, 
 
 I would not blot this page, but I 
 would like to make a spot large enough 
 to hold you to remembrance of your 
 friend. 
 
 Thanksgiving-day again is here. 
 
 And turkey is the leading question ; 
 
 I wish, with heartiness sincere. 
 
 That you may have a good digestion. 
 
20 
 
 Ai^nUM VERSES. 
 
 May joy thy spirit fill, 
 
 All care and sorrow cease ; 
 
 Remember ’tis His will 
 
 Who hath spoken, “ Peace !” 
 
 Strength for to-day, in house and home, 
 To practice forbearance sweetly ; 
 
 To scatter kind words and loving deeds. 
 Still trusting in God completely. 
 
 A volume of this kind, it is suppos- 
 able, will be more or less frequently 
 referred to in future years, to revive 
 fading recollections and recall pleasant 
 associations ; and, therefore, though it is 
 so easy to moralize, it seems eminently 
 fitting that helpful suggestions should 
 accompany familiar autographs. 
 
 Let me say, then, that while in your 
 youth a favorable combination of circum- 
 stances permits so much of happiness, 
 the conditions of its enjoyment cannot 
 always remain as now. 
 
 As the responsibilities, at present 
 borne for you, shall come to rest on 
 your own shoulders, and the darker 
 shades of life’s history are unfolded, you 
 wdl find the peace, which floweth like a 
 river, only in the degree in which you 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 21 
 
 resolutely perform, every known duty ; 
 and, forgetting your own wants — ■ 
 whether fancied or real — devote your 
 thoughts, as well as your energies, to 
 making the society in which you move 
 happier for your being. 
 
 That you may indulge in no selfish 
 ease ; but bestow, as well as enjoy, a 
 full share of the pleasures of time, and 
 afterward receive a crown of glory, is 
 the earnest wish of your friend — 
 
 The brave man is not he who feels 
 no fear, for that were brutish and irra- 
 tional ; but he whose noble soul its fears 
 subdues, and bravely dares the danger 
 nature shrinks from. 
 
 Keep thy spirit pure from worldly taint 
 
 By the repellent strength of virtue; 
 
 Think on noble thoughts and deeds 
 ever ; 
 
 Count o’er the rosary of truth ; 
 
 And pcactice precepts which are proven 
 wise 
 
 It matters not then what thou fearest — 
 
 Walk boldly and wisely in the light 
 thou hast ; 
 
 There is a hand above will help thee on. 
 
22 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 From the rising of the sun unto the 
 going down of the same, my name shall 
 be writ among your dearest friends. 
 
 Every man stamps his value on 
 himself. The price we challenge for 
 ourselves is given us. Man is made 
 great or little by his own will. 
 
 Possessions vanish, 
 
 And opinions change. 
 
 And passion holds a fluctuating seat ; 
 But, subject neither to eclipse nor wane, 
 Duty remains. 
 
 Happy be thy lot in life. 
 
 Troubles scarcely known, 
 
 Much of joy, but little strife. 
 
 And plenty all thine own. 
 
 The older the ruin, the greener the 
 moss. 
 
 The older the friendship, the keener the' 
 loss. 
 
 That one who can work right on, 
 quietly waiting for recognition, if it 
 come : if not, yet right on, is the true 
 nobleman. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 23 
 
 Dost thou know, love, that thy smile 
 Makes the whole world bright forme 
 Just as sunrise pours a sudden 
 Purple glory on the sea. 
 
 Ah ! had I that power, ever 
 
 Should the world look bright to thee. 
 
 I know not what to write about, 
 
 So many themes are pressing ; 
 
 All good enough in very truth. 
 
 But quite unprepossessing; 
 
 Each moment of thy future life. 
 
 Live holy, whether maid or wife. 
 
 And let it be thy constant care. 
 
 Midst earthly joy and sorrow. 
 
 By watchfulness and fervent prayer, 
 Each this day and to-morrow, 
 
 To be prepared when Christ shall come, 
 H is heaven to make thy final home. 
 
 Diamond little dewdrops, glistening 
 in the sun, 
 
 We dwell upon your beauty even 
 when you’re gone; 
 
 Pure, unselfish motives, deeds of kind- 
 ness done, 
 
 Shine as bright as dewdrops glistening 
 in the sun. 
 
24 
 
 BUM VERSES. 
 
 Woman is especially honored of God. 
 The world of affections is her world, 
 not that of man’s ambition ; in that 
 stillness which most becomes a woman, 
 calm and holy, she sitteth by the fire- 
 side of the heart feeding its flames. 
 
 Oh, those eyes ! so calm, serene — 
 Sweetest eyes were ever seen. 
 
 Will the woes of coming years 
 Ever shadow them with tears ? 
 
 Shall my life the sunshine own, 
 
 That last night upon me shone. 
 
 When, beneath the summer skies. 
 Beamed on me those brown, brown eyes? 
 
 Speed slowly and gently, oh Time, in 
 thy flight. 
 
 Let thy bounties be great and thy 
 afflictions light. 
 
 Deal out full measure from thy store of 
 wealth. 
 
 Give peace and plenty, success and 
 good health. 
 
 Do your best, your very best. 
 And do it every day; 
 
 Little boys and little girls 
 That is the wisest way. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 25 
 
 As you travel ove'r life’s rough high- 
 way, with liberal hand may you scatter 
 seeds of kindness as you go, that when 
 the great reaping time comes, your har- 
 vest may he abundant and blessed. 
 
 The bud, the flower, the fruit — how 
 beautiful each in their own time. The 
 change from one to the other so quiet 
 and perfect, the last the fruition of the 
 first. 
 
 God give you many days, and may 
 your whole iife .be spotless and pure, 
 giving beauty through all the changes, 
 even when the leaf has turned brown 
 and the fruit has ripened. 
 
 If we could see ourselves as others 
 see us, how often we would have taken 
 the other road. 
 
 Loveliness needs not the aid of for- 
 eign adornment. 
 
 Do all the good you can, 
 
 To all the people you can. 
 
 In all the ways you can. 
 
 Just as long as you can. 
 
26 
 
 ALBUM VERSES, 
 
 To persevere in one’s duty and be 
 silent, is the best answer to calumny. 
 
 Get but the truth once uttered, and ’tis 
 • like 
 
 A star newtborn, that drops into its 
 place, 
 
 And which, once circling in its placid 
 sound, 
 
 Not all the tumult of the earth can 
 shake. 
 
 Thanks to the human heart by which 
 we live. 
 
 Thanks to its tenderness, its joys and 
 fears ; 
 
 To me the meanest flower that blows 
 can give 
 
 Thoughts that do often lie too deep 
 for tears. 
 
 True friends are like diamonds, 
 
 Precious but rare. 
 
 False ones like Autumn leaves, 
 
 Found everywhere. 
 
 Remember there is no spot in the 
 universe to which you can retreat from' 
 your influence upon others. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 27 
 
 Love thyself last ; cherish those hearts 
 that hate thee ; 
 
 Corruption wins not more than honesty. 
 
 Still in thy right hand carry gentle 
 peace, 
 
 To silence envious tongues. Be just, 
 and fear not. 
 
 Let all the ends thou aim’st at be thy 
 country’s, 
 
 Thy God’s, and truth’s. 
 
 Worlds may pass away and perish, 
 Every feeling die away. 
 
 But the constant love I cherish, 
 
 Never shall decay. 
 
 No. Rest is not quitting 
 This busy career; 
 
 Rest is the fitting 
 Of self to its sphere. 
 
 It is the brook’s motive 
 All clear without strife; 
 
 ’Tis fleeting to ocean. 
 
 Beyond this brief life. 
 
 ’Tis loving and serving 
 The highest and best; 
 
 ’Tis onward, unswerving, 
 
 And this is true rest. 
 
28 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Long on thy cheeks may roses bloom, 
 And all the charms which health be* 
 speak; 
 
 But longer still thy gentle breast, 
 
 Be ever Virtue’s lovely seat. 
 
 I write these simple lines for thee, 
 
 Whene’er you see them think of me. 
 
 There is a plant that never dies, 
 
 ’Tis not of eartlg but Heaven; 
 
 ’Tis tinged with pure celestial dyes. 
 
 Its odors wafted to the skies 
 By breeze a tempest driven. 
 
 ’Tis not a tender fragile thing, 
 
 It strengthens in the storm. 
 
 And midst the dreary waste 
 
 It stands, a soul inspiring form. 
 
 ’Tis thine, Friendship, thine. 
 
 No rubies on the Indian shore 
 Outshine thy noble mind; 
 
 Its radiance far exceeds them all. 
 And blesses human kind. 
 
 A heart of heavenly purity 
 Is laid within thy breast; 
 
 And ever for the weary soul, 
 
 It breathes some tone of rest. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 2g 
 
 May it be your pleasure to cultivate 
 those virtues which so gracefully adorn 
 the character of a true woman and 
 serves as a beacon light to those who 
 are beneath and weaker than you. 
 
 Life is the bright dream of youth 
 and the reality of age. 
 
 If we pnly do all the good we can, 
 Though our ways lie far asunder, 
 
 If our souls grow purer and our lives 
 more grand. 
 
 We shall surely meet up yonder. 
 
 I most sincerely wish that you 
 May have many friends, and who. 
 
 No matter what you are passing 
 through. 
 
 Will stick as 'close as good strong glue. 
 
 Life’s a jest and all things show it, 
 
 I thought so once, and now I know it 
 
 He who complies against his will 
 Is of his own opinion still. 
 
 On the battlefield of life 
 May you more than victor be. 
 
30 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 While God’s blessings are being show- 
 ered so freely upon humanity 
 May a goodly portion fall on thee. 
 
 On the last leaf I write my name, 
 
 And though the last, still may it claim 
 The tribute of a thought. 
 
 After more worthy friends receive 
 The attention you to each would give, 
 I pray forget me not. 
 
 — ^ 
 
 The spirit which you possess is from 
 above — pure, gentle, and kind. May it 
 always be watered from above and re- 
 freshed by the gentle streams which How 
 from that fountain proceeding from the 
 throne of God. 
 
 And as the waters, rivers and stream- 
 lets run into the ocean, and centre there, 
 to swell the unfathomable depths, so 
 may the fruits of thy spirit run, and 
 centre in God. 
 
 Be careful of it for it v/ill sweeten 
 life’s bitterest cup. 
 
 As you travel through life, scatter 
 kind words and gentle deeds ; in so do- 
 ing, you will enrich your souk With- 
 hold them, and it tends to poverty. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 3i 
 
 These little souvenirs possess not 
 their greatest value when first written ; 
 but as time, with scythe in hand, passes 
 along, and we are left standing, we are 
 not the same, but these lines remain. 
 Some, to cheer the saddened by awak- 
 ening slumbering memories of better 
 things ; and others serving as guide- 
 boards on the road to eternity. 
 
 May your life be like the day — more 
 beautiful in the evening; like the sum- 
 mer — aglow with promise ; and, like the 
 autumn, rich with the golden sheaves, 
 where good works and deeds have 
 ripened on the field. 
 
 Let the road be rough and dreary, 
 
 And its end far out of sight ; 
 
 Foot it bravely — strong or weary ; — 
 Trust in God, and do the right. 
 
 Life is but a day at best. 
 
 Sprung from night — in darkness lost; 
 Hope not sunshine every hour; 
 
 Fear not — clouds will always lower. 
 
 Know how sublime a thing it is 
 To suffer and be strong. 
 
32 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Will one wandering thought of thine 
 Rest its rapid flight on me? 
 
 Or to forgetfulness consign 
 
 The friend that loves to think of thee. 
 Ah ! sure thy fancy oft will, dwell 
 
 On scenes which once were dear to 
 thee, 
 
 And when these lines you chance to 
 read, 
 
 You smiling will remember me. 
 
 Press on ! our life is not a dream — 
 Though often such its mazes seem. 
 
 W e were not born to live at ease— 
 Ourselves alone to aid and please. 
 
 To each a daily task is given ; 
 
 A labor that shall fit for heaven, 
 
 When duty calls — let love^row warm. 
 Amid the sunshine or the storm. 
 
 With faith — life’s trials boldly breast, 
 Then come a conqueror to thy rest. 
 
 Meanness shun, and all its train ; 
 Goodness seek, and life is gain. 
 
 If I wake, or if I sleep,- 
 Still the memory I keep 
 Of the tender light that lies 
 In the depths of those brown eyes. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 33 
 
 Be blessings scattered o’er thy way, 
 
 My gladsome, joyous, laughing sprite; 
 Be thy whole life one summer’s day 
 Without the night. 
 
 Trust not the world: It hath a smile 
 And sunny garniture of bloom. 
 Which charms the eye a little while. 
 And bids the soul forget the tomb ; 
 The pomp and pageantry it wears 
 To lure the spirit from its God, 
 
 Are crossed by doubt and dimmed by 
 care 
 
 And scourged by stern affliction’s rod. 
 
 Oft as thine eye shall fondly trace 
 These simple lines I sketch for thee, 
 Whate’er the time, where’er the place, 
 O think of me. 
 
 When pleasure sparkles in thine eye. 
 And every scene is fair to see. 
 
 When swift away the moments fly, 
 
 O then remember me. 
 
 Whate’er may be my future lot in 
 life-— or dark orbrio-ht — sweet thoughts 
 
 o o 
 
 of thee will come as welcome guesis 
 with each revolving hour ; and as I 
 
34 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 trace on memory’s tablet the impression 
 lair of thine untiring' care, thy watch- 
 iiil love, thy kind forbearance to an- 
 other’s faults, my heart will yearn for 
 thee, and for the tried affection. 
 
 If ever love’s fondest prayer brought 
 blessings from on high, thou shalt be 
 blessed. Friend! farewell I To him 
 on whom thy cheerful hope relies, 
 whose arm sustains thee, and whose 
 promise soothes — my faith commends 
 thee — may’st thou still receive grace 
 for grace, and love for love ; and guid- 
 ance through this wilderness of tears I 
 till thou possess thy Crown of Life, 
 
 On this leaf. In memory prest. 
 
 May my name forever rest. 
 
 On this page I’ll write. 
 
 Simply to indite 
 My name as your friend. 
 
 tSut well thou play’d’st the housewife’s 
 part. 
 
 And all thy threads with magic art 
 Have wound themselves about this 
 heart. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 35 
 
 Cling to those who cling to you, 
 
 In the end there’d be but precious few 
 When they are tried and true ; 
 
 So cling' to those who cling to you. 
 
 Dear girl, I will write In thy book one 
 line, 
 
 ’Tis only to show you my friendship is 
 thine ; 
 
 As long as my heart in my bosom shall 
 beat. 
 
 The throb of pure friendship for thee 
 ’twill repeat. 
 
 Farewell; how oft that sound of sad- 
 ness. 
 
 Like thorns of sorrow pierce the heart, 
 And hush the harp tones of Its gladness, 
 And tear the bleeding chords apart. 
 
 Farewell ! and if by distance parted 
 We see each other’s face no more. 
 
 Ah ! may we with the faithful-hearted 
 Meet beyond this parting shore. 
 
 Hours are golden links, God’s token. 
 Reaching heaven but one by one. 
 Take them lest the charm be broken 
 Ere the pilgrimage be done. 
 
35 
 
 album verses. 
 
 Be content with thy lot, 
 Though it may be small, 
 Each must have their share, 
 One cannot have it all. 
 
 Industry is fortune’s right hand, 
 And frugality its companion. 
 
 And thou, too, whosoe’er thou art. 
 That readest this brief psalm. 
 
 As one by one thy hopes depart. 
 Be resolute and calm. 
 
 May your coffee and slanders against 
 you be ever the same— without grounds. 
 
 May thy life happy be. 
 
 Is my dear wish for thee. 
 
 It never pays to fret and growl 
 When fortune seems our foe, 
 
 The better bred will push ahead 
 And strike the braver blow; 
 
 For luck is work. 
 
 And those who shirk 
 Should not lament their doom. 
 
 But yield the play. 
 
 And clear the way, 
 
 That better men have room. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 37 
 
 All the paths of faith, tho’ severed wide, 
 O’er which the feet of prayerful rever- 
 ence pass, 
 
 Meet ^t the gate of Paradise at last. 
 
 Desire not to live long, but well ; 
 
 How long we live, not years, but 
 actions, tell. 
 
 A beautiful life ends not in death. 
 Friendship above all ties doth bind the 
 heart. 
 
 And faith in friendship is the noblest 
 part. 
 
 There is a bright and precious gem. 
 Lovely to behold ; 
 
 ’Tis seldom seen, and mostly when 
 We feel we are growing old. 
 
 Contentment is that little gem, 
 
 And if you have it not. 
 
 Take and cherish it, and then 
 Happy be thy lot. 
 
 As hope is the anchor of the soul 
 he is wise that is honest. 
 
 Scorn to do a mean action. 
 
38 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 The sweetest pleasures are the soon- 
 est gone. Do nothing without design. 
 
 Age and youth both have their dreams. 
 Youth looks at the possible, age at the 
 probable. 
 
 You will profit much by learning the 
 luxury of doing good. 
 
 As perfume is to the rose, so is good 
 nature to the lovely. 
 
 Oh, never can we know how dear 
 
 Each loved one is, till we have known 
 The deep regret, the bitter tear. 
 
 That comes when those loved ones 
 are gone. 
 
 Useful and steady may thy life proceed, 
 Mild every word. 
 
 Good-natured every deed. 
 
 Never with one thou lovest contend, 
 But bear a thousand frailties 
 From your friend. 
 
 Remember me is all I ask, 
 ywd, if remembrance be a task, 
 
 Forget me. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 39 
 
 Farewell! perhaps forever, 
 
 Beloved one adieu! 
 
 Wilt thou this token please to take, 
 And keep it long for friendship’s sake; 
 And when these lines you chance to see, 
 Remember, that they came from me. 
 
 Round went the autograph; hither It 
 came. 
 
 For me to write in; so here’s my 
 name. 
 
 Old friends and true friends! 
 
 Don’t talk to me of new friends; 
 
 The old are the best. 
 
 Who stand the test. 
 
 Who book their name as through 
 friends. 
 
 We meet and part — the world is wide; 
 We journey onward side by side 
 A little while, and then again 
 Our paths diverge. A little pain — 
 
 A silent yearning of the heart 
 For what has grown of life apart; 
 
 A shadow passing o’er the sun, 
 
 Then gone, and light again has come. 
 We meet and part, and then forget; 
 And life holds blessings for us yet. 
 
40 
 
 AI.15UM VERSES. 
 
 When things don't go to suit you, 
 And the world seems upside down. 
 Don’t waste your time in fretting, 
 
 But drive away the frown. 
 
 Passing through life’s field of action, 
 Lest we part before its end. 
 
 Take within your modest volume. 
 
 This memento from a friend. 
 
 It never pays to wreck the health 
 In drudging after gain; 
 
 And he is sold who thinks that gold 
 The cheapest bought with pain 
 An humble lot, 
 
 A cosey cot, 
 
 Have tempted even kings; 
 
 For station high. 
 
 That wealth will buy. 
 
 Not oft contentment brings. 
 
 The world is full of fools, 
 
 And he who would none view, 
 Must shut himself in a cave. 
 
 And break his mirror, too. 
 
 Friendship, thou gift of heavenly birth 
 
 Misused, nay more profaned on 
 
 earth. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 4t 
 
 Methinks long years have flown, 
 
 And, sitting in her old arm-chair, 
 
 has older grown. 
 
 With silver sprinkled in her hair. 
 Her album thus she holds. 
 
 And turns its many pages o’er, 
 
 And wonders if it still contains 
 The memories of yore. 
 
 As o’er these pages thus she runs, 
 
 With many a sigh and kiss. 
 
 Then suddenly she stops and says, 
 “Who could have written this ?” 
 
 , life is all before you, 
 
 Stretched out in its misty sheen. 
 
 And the future, though now hidden. 
 Holds much joy for thee, I ween. 
 Why, then, seek to know what’s coming 
 It is forming day by day. 
 
 But your heart, in blind out-reaching. 
 Makes to-morrow of to-day. 
 
 “Life is real — life is earnest; 
 
 And the heroine in the strife 
 Is the one who leaves the future — 
 Living but the present life — 
 
 Lives it truly, nobly, grandly. 
 
 Thus prepares for coming fate, 
 Strives to make her living perfect; — ■ 
 Learns to labor and to wait. 
 
42 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 The violet is for faithfulness, 
 Which in me shall abide; 
 Hoping, likewise, from your heart. 
 You will not let it slide. 
 
 This is thine album. May it be 
 A source of happiness to thee. 
 
 And may each page that’s written o’er. 
 Be better than the one before. 
 
 Perform your duties without fear, 
 
 Will make your pathway bright and 
 clear; 
 
 Falter, stop, and leave undone, 
 
 W'h make it like the clouded sun. 
 
 Some folks are constantly wishing, 
 
 I could never get much for a wish. 
 But should you ever go a fishing, 
 
 May i^our net be will filled with fish. 
 
 Happiness; a phantom all are seek- 
 ihg, few can find. 
 
 On this page of your album I scribble. 
 Now, remember, no critic must see, 
 But once in awhile peep at it yourself, 
 Then remember ’twas scribbled by 
 me. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 
 May you always have a full share, 
 
 With a surplus on the shelf, 
 
 And ever be ready to share 
 
 With those who have less than 
 yourself. 
 
 In this world of change and sorrow, 
 when shall we meet again ? 
 
 May you always have enough and 
 plenty for each day. 
 
 May you never have enough to waste 
 or throw away, 
 
 May you live long enough your debts 
 to pay, 
 
 May you never live so long as to be in 
 other people’s way. 
 
 If I should make a wish for you it 
 would be this: I wish you a large share 
 of success in your pursuit of happiness ; 
 may your efforts in the direction of 
 right bring abundant reward. I would 
 not wish your pathway to be over flow- 
 ers only ; God made the rose and thorn 
 to go together; let us not separate them, 
 but with you may the roses be many 
 and the thorns few. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 44 
 
 The little bee so silently 
 
 Gathers honey from the flower. 
 
 So may you as quietly 
 
 Find pleasure in each hour. 
 
 May your life be as bright as the stars 
 of the night, 
 
 And of the sun whose light always 
 dazzles the sight ; 
 
 May you never lose sight, sure as black 
 is not white. 
 
 Of the fact that the right will always 
 make might. 
 
 Twilight lets the curtain down. 
 
 And pins it with a star. 
 
 ’Tis beauty that doth make woman 
 proud, 
 
 ’Tis virtue that doth make her most 
 admired, 
 
 ’Tis modesty that makes her seem 
 divine. 
 
 As sunshine and rain, pleasure and 
 pain. 
 
 Each day on some must fall. 
 
 So the wise thing to do, if we only knew, 
 Is to make the best of it all. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 45 
 
 One long sweet spring be thine 
 With buds still bursting forth, 
 
 Fresh blossoms every hour, 
 
 And verdure fair and new. 
 
 Peace be thy gentle guest, 
 
 Peace, holy and divine, 
 
 God’s blessed sunlight still 
 Upon thy pathway shine. 
 
 How gay and how happy, how charm- 
 ing and fair 
 
 Are these sweet little songsters that fly 
 through the air; 
 
 With sweet rolling carols they glide 
 in their glee, 
 
 Whatever their lot, they are happy and 
 free. 
 
 May your life be as theirs, ever happy 
 and bright. 
 
 With a heart and a face to shed sun- 
 shine and light ; 
 
 When with one you shall meet — fondest 
 joy of your life. 
 
 You should love him and make him a 
 happy, good wife. 
 
 Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, 
 
 Thinks what ne’er was, nor is, nor ne’er 
 can be. 
 
46 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Shall I tell you of an evening 
 
 When the snow lay on the ground, 
 When the wintry wind was silent, 
 
 And the sky w-ith stars was crowned 1 
 When the parlor looued so pleasant, 
 And the world to me so bright. 
 
 As we sat together dreaming 
 In the flick’ring firelight? 
 
 Nay, I will not, for it may be 
 
 That your own heart longeth sore 
 For the olden time caresses 
 
 From the one who comes no more ; 
 r or, perhaps, you have your sorrow 
 Buried deep within your breast ; 
 And, perhaps, you have your moments 
 When your spirit cries for rest. 
 
 ’Tis sweet to be remembered. 
 
 In the course of our reading we should 
 lay up in our minds a store of goodly 
 thoughts in well-wrought words, which 
 shall be a living treasure of knowledge 
 always with us, and from which, at 
 various times, and am.idst all the shift- 
 ing circumstances, we might be sure of 
 drawing ^ome comfort, guidance and 
 sympathy. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 47 
 
 Joy’s opening buds, affection’s glowing 
 flowers, 
 
 Once lightly sprang within thy beam- 
 ing track. 
 
 O ! life was beautiful in those lost 
 hours ! 
 
 And yet you cannot wish to wander 
 back ; 
 
 Nay! thou may’st love in loneliness to 
 think 
 
 On pleasures past, though never more 
 to be ; 
 
 Hope links thee to the future, but the 
 link 
 
 That binds thee to the past is memory. 
 
 Sweet is the hour that brings us home. 
 
 Where all wilf spring to meet us. 
 Whose hands are striving as we come 
 
 To be the first to greet us. 
 
 When the world has spent its frowns 
 And wrath. 
 
 And cares are sorely pressing, 
 
 'Tis sweet to turn from our roving path, 
 
 And find a fireside blessing. 
 
 Keep to the right as you are passing 
 along, giving your neighbor full half 
 of the road. 
 
48 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Bright sunny hope, thy radiant beam 
 Smiles sweetly on life’s troubled dream. 
 
 May humble hope your portion be, 
 'Till launched into eternity. 
 
 Like the unsullied little dew-drop, 
 Shining brightly in the sun. 
 With heaven’s brightest colors, 
 Softly blending into one, 
 
 A pure and spotless woman 
 Man’s love has always won ; 
 The blending of her virtues 
 Is a diamond in the sun. 
 
 Dear , at thy wish I write. 
 
 And in this book some thought indite, 
 I scarce know what — a wish sincere 
 .Some lonely moment of thine to cheer, 
 May every lasting joy be thine. 
 Refulgent virtue round thee shine. 
 
 Wilt thou revere the winding road 
 Which leads beyond to a. bright abode, 
 That when thy journeys here are o’er, 
 iVill meet again on the eternal shore. 
 
 Worthy to love, fondly .o devote our- 
 selves to the happiness of another who 
 
ALBUM VtfRSES. 
 
 49 
 
 deserves our highest regard, is not 
 condemned. by religion; it is not even a 
 weakness which it permits or deplores, 
 but a virtue which it sanctions and com- 
 mends. 
 
 The heart that is deceived or be- 
 trayed need not augment its anguish 
 by self-reproach. 
 
 Love is not an innocent but a noble 
 passion. When guided by principle it 
 is the gem of all social virtues — -the 
 cement and solace of the virtuous rela- 
 tions of the human life. 
 
 When rewarded with the hallowed 
 possession of its object, it strews the 
 path of duty with flowers, but when un- 
 fortunate and ill-requited, it becomes so 
 absorbed in high and holy principles, 
 investing resignation with unwonted 
 sublimity, and extracting from earthly 
 disappointment the calmer satisfaction 
 of heavenly hope. The process by 
 which it is thus transformed may im- 
 pair the frail tenement which enshrines 
 it; and the dross of mortality, in such a 
 furnace, may melt away into its kindred 
 earth. But the unrobed spirit returns 
 to God who gave it, and at last enjoys 
 repose where it first derived existence. 
 
50 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 That every kindly wish and thought, 
 By friends expressed within these 
 pages, 
 
 Be yours, and trials common ta us all. 
 May cross your path by “easy stages,” 
 
 Remember me when far av/ay, 
 
 And only half awake; 
 
 Remember me on your wedding day, 
 And send a slice of cake. 
 
 When worth and beauty prompt the 
 line. 
 
 Perhaps a pen as poor as mine 
 May be forgiven 
 
 To try and write of things divine, 
 
 And think of heaven! 
 
 But pause, rash verse! and don’t abuse 
 A bashful maiden’s ear with news 
 Of her own beauty! 
 
 And yet no other theme I’ll choose. 
 
 Or think a duty! 
 
 So, then, for fear I might offend, 
 ril say, God bless her!—‘&XiA thus end. 
 
 is your name. 
 
 Single is your station. 
 
 Happy be the little man 
 That makes the alteration. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 51 
 
 The earth can boast no purer tie. 
 
 No brighter, richer gem, 
 
 No jewel of a lovelier dye. 
 
 Than Friendship’s diadem. 
 
 Then may this ray of light divine, 
 Ne’er from our bosoms fade; 
 But may it oa our pathway shine. 
 Till death our hearts invade. 
 
 ’Tis a terrible fate, my dear miss. 
 
 To be asked to write in a book like this; 
 For, scratch my head as hard as I may — ■ 
 Fve such a skull — 
 
 And if I try to moralize. 
 
 Or vent my thoughts in sentiment. 
 Or attempt to laud you to the skies. 
 
 Or spread myself on compliment, 
 
 Fm so awful dull. 
 
 That my efforts would prove futility; 
 For the sex of your kind, are of that 
 turn of mind. 
 
 That morals, verse and flattery. 
 
 Have to you been so oft defined. 
 
 You are full. 
 
 If rhyming I try, adorable Miss, 
 
 The first I think of, is dear little Kiss. 
 Or some such nonsense as connubial 
 bliss, 
 
53 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Or changing your title “Mrs.” from 
 “Miss;” 
 
 But that’s prosaical. 
 
 To give you advice I’d never pre- 
 sume; — 
 
 Incompetence may be the reason for 
 that; — 
 
 To wish you long life and a blest happy 
 home 
 
 Is aged and stale, exhausted and flat, 
 And excruciatingly formal. ■ 
 Now, what to do I do not know. 
 
 Or how to make my paragraph ; 
 
 So I’ll doff my hat, and make my bow 
 And send this as my autograph. 
 
 May there be just clouds enough o’er 
 your life to cause a glorious sunset. 
 
 Thy cheerful, gentle ways, I do admire; 
 Thy future to be happy I greatly 
 desire ; 
 
 Thy trusting confidence, may I require; 
 Thy firm friend to be, will I aspire. 
 
 In memory’s wreath may one bud be 
 entwined for me. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 53 
 
 Oh ! love is such a strange affair , 
 So strange to all. 
 
 It cometh from above 
 And lighteth like a dove 
 
 On some. 
 
 But some it never hits 
 Unless it gives them fits. 
 
 Oh, hum. 
 
 As a slight token of esteem, 
 Accept these lines from me ; 
 
 So plain and simple, they do seem 
 Unworthy such as thee. 
 
 But soon these traced lines will fade 
 And disappear — ’tis their doom. 
 May you, unlike them, be arrayed 
 In a perpetual bloom. 
 
54 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 MI30ELiljHNE@a^. 
 
 In times of prosperity our friends are 
 m.any, 
 
 But the time of adversity tries and 
 proves them. 
 
 Gems of price are deeply hidden, 
 ’Neath the rugged rocks concealed; 
 
 What would ne’er come forth unbidden, 
 To thy search may be revealed. 
 
 If recollections of friends brighten 
 moments of sadness. 
 
 What a fund of delight is here treas- 
 ured for thee ! 
 
 If advice and kind wishes bring good- 
 ness and gladness. 
 
 How perfect and happy thy future 
 must be. 
 
 May e’en thy failings lean to virtue’s 
 side. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 55 
 
 While the fading flowers of pleasure, 
 Spring spontaneous from the soil ; 
 Thou wilt find the harvest’s treasure 
 Yields alone to patient toil. 
 
 The tissues of the Life to be — 
 
 We weave with colors all our own, 
 And in the field of Destiny, 
 
 We reap as we have sown. 
 
 There is seldom a line of glory writ- 
 ten upon earth’s face, but a line of 
 suffering runs parallel with it ; and they 
 that read the lustrous syllables of the 
 one, and stoop not to decipher the 
 spotted and worn inscription of the 
 other, get the least half of the lesson 
 that earth has to give. 
 
 How beautiful your book, from end 
 to end. 
 
 And every page a room to lodge a 
 friend ; 
 
 Fain would I enter with a seemly grace, 
 Attired and mannered as befits the 
 place ; 
 
 But best endeavor falls below the aim 
 ,\nd rests at last, content to leave a 
 name. 
 
56 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Hours are golden links — God’s token — • 
 
 Reaching heaven but one by one; 
 
 Take them, lest the chain be broken 
 
 Ere thy pilgrimage be done. 
 
 The brave man is not he who feels no 
 fear, 
 
 For that were stupid and irrational ; 
 
 But he whose noble soul its fears 
 subdues, 
 
 And bravely dares the danger nature 
 shrinks from. 
 
 Fling wide the portals of your heart ! 
 Make it a temple set apart 
 From earthly use, for Heaven’s em- 
 ploy— _ 
 
 Adorned with prayer and love and joy ; 
 So shall your Sovereign enter in 
 And new and noble life begin. 
 
 We could count time by heart-throbs; 
 he most lives who thinks most, speaks 
 the noblest, acts the best. 
 
 We ourselves shape the joys and fears 
 Of which the life to come is made. 
 And fill our future atmosphere 
 With sunshine or with shades 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 57 
 
 When the name that I write here is 
 dim on the page, 
 
 And the leaves of your album are yellow 
 with age, 
 
 Still think of me kindly, and do not 
 forget 
 
 That, wherever I am, I remember you 
 yet. 
 
 The massive gates of circumstance 
 Are turned upon the slightest hinge, 
 
 And thus some seeming pettiest chance. 
 Oft gives the life its after tinge. 
 
 Oh, for a home in Zululand, or Arctic 
 regions cold, 
 
 A peasant’s cot or hermit’s hut, midst 
 solitude untold. 
 
 With Kaffirs or with Hottentots, in 
 Egypt or Leone — 
 
 'Twere bliss to live in any spot where 
 albums are unknown. 
 
 In the golden chain of friendship re- 
 gard me as a link. 
 
 Some write for pleasure, some write 
 for fame. 
 
 But I write simply to sign my name. 
 
58 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Meanness shun and all its train , 
 Goodness seek and life is gain. 
 
 Strive to keep the “Golden Rule,” 
 And learn your lessons well at school. 
 
 Those that want friends must show 
 themselves friendly. 
 
 If you have found the “pearl of 
 great price,” all the bliss of heaven 
 will be yours. 
 
 Remember me when “far, far off. 
 Where the woodchucks die of whooping 
 cough.” 
 
 He is a coward who will not turn back, 
 When first he discovers he’s on the 
 wrong track. 
 
 May that love which has always ex- 
 isted grow stronger. 
 
 A little body often harbors a great 
 soul. 
 
 Yours sincerely, in the bonds of friend- 
 ship. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 59 
 
 Apply thine heart unto knowledge. 
 
 What you do, do with your might. 
 
 Think much, speak little, write with 
 care. 
 
 N ot to go back is somewhat to advance. 
 
 Be good, do good, and you will be 
 happy. 
 
 A smooth sea never made a skillful 
 mariner. 
 
 Drop one pearl in memory’s casket for 
 your friend. 
 
 A good name is rather to be chosen 
 than great riches. 
 
 Bow down thine ear, and hear the 
 words of the wise. 
 
 That ye might walk worthy of the 
 Lord unto all pleasing, being beautiful 
 in every good work, and increasing in 
 the knowledge of God, is the wish of 
 your friend. 
 
6g 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 There are three lessons I would write, 
 Three words’ as with a burning pen 
 In tracings of eternal light 
 Upon the hearts of friends. 
 
 Have Hope. Though clouds environ 
 now 
 
 And gladness hides her face in scorn, 
 Put thou, the shadow from thy brow; 
 No night but hath its morn. 
 
 Have Faith. Where’er thy bark is 
 driven. 
 
 The calm’s disport, the tempest’s 
 mirth — 
 
 Know this. God rules the hosts of 
 heaven. 
 
 The inhabitants of earth. 
 
 H ave Love ; and not alone for one. 
 
 But man as man thy brother call, 
 And scatter like the circling sun, 
 
 Thy charities on all. 
 
 Thus grave these lessons on thy soul: 
 Hope, Faith and Love; and thou 
 shalt find 
 
 Strength when life’s surges cease to roll. 
 Light where thou else wert blind. 
 
 Let your life be like a snowflake, 
 which leaves a mark, but not a stain. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 6i 
 
 Within this book so pure and white, 
 Let none but friends presume to write; 
 And may each line with friendship given, 
 Direct the reader’s thoughts to heaven. 
 
 Leaf green on ground of white. 
 
 My name, I fain would write 
 That you remember still 
 In June or in December chill. 
 
 We two are friends. 
 
 Oh, wayward mortal who these books 
 invented. 
 
 Why wast thou not by some kind hand 
 prevented ? 
 
 And thereby kept from many a luckless 
 swain. 
 
 The direful knowledge that he lacked 
 a brain — 
 
 Lacked it, at least, where poetry was 
 needed. 
 
 Like the poor wight who here has not 
 succeeded. 
 
 The large are not the sweetest flowers ; 
 The long are not the happiest hours; 
 Much talk doth not much friendship 
 tell ; 
 
 Few words are best — I wish you well. 
 
62 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Through days of doubt and darkness, 
 In fear and trembling breath, 
 Through mists of sin and sorrow, 
 
 In tears and grief and death ; 
 
 Through days of light and gladness, 
 Through days of love and life, 
 Through smiles and joy and sunshine, 
 Through days with beauty rife ; 
 
 The Lord of life and glory, 
 
 The king of earth and sea. 
 
 The Lord who guarded Israel ; 
 
 Keep watch, sweet friend, o’er thee. 
 
 Truth — Freedom — Virtue — these have 
 power ; 
 
 If rightly cherished, to uphold, sustain. 
 And bless thy spirit, in its darkest hoar. 
 
 Thy own trim, modest form. 
 
 Is always neatly clad. 
 
 Thou surely will make the tidiest, wife 
 That ever husband had. 
 
 A.mong the many friends who claim 
 A kind remembrance in thy heart. 
 I too, would add my simple name, 
 Among the rest. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 63 
 
 To knit and spin was once a girl’s 
 employment ; 
 
 But now to dress and have a beau is 
 all the girl’s enjoyment. 
 
 To fear no ill, to do no wrong to all 
 men, to prove true — 
 
 1 his is the “ golden rule” of life ; let it 
 be so to you. 
 
 Is it vain in life’s wide sea. 
 
 To ask you to remember me? 
 Undoubtedly it is my lot. 
 
 Just to be known and then — forgot. 
 
 O no ' The heart, which is the seat 
 Of love like mine, can never rove ; 
 Its faithful pulse may cease to beat. 
 
 But never — never cease to love : 
 
 For love is past the earth’s control 
 And soaring as an ocean wave 
 It is eternal as the soul. 
 
 And lives and blooms beyond the 
 ' the grave. 
 
 It is a link of pleasure’s chain, 
 
 A never-ending token. 
 
 Whose lustre and whose strength re- 
 main. 
 
 When all save that are broken. 
 
64 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 May God’s mercy ever guide thee, 
 Safe o'er all thy thorny road ; 
 
 And His grace whate’er betide thee, 
 Lead thee home to His abode. 
 
 Begirt with roses of the royal June, 
 
 A resurrected day swings highest morn 
 
 In every year ; and so through life I 
 pray 
 
 May never failing changes, bring their 
 day, 
 
 And flames of love in swinging censers 
 rise 
 
 While all thy thoughts leads on toward 
 the skies. 
 
 , I’ll write a line or two 
 
 On this fair page for thee. 
 
 And though I can’t the rest outdo 
 Yet, this must do for me. 
 
 I cannot wish thee greater joys. 
 Than others here expressed. 
 But I respond with every power 
 To wish thee ever blessed. 
 
 ■In time we transact business for 
 eternity ; whatever, therefore, we do 
 now, should be done well. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 65 
 
 I’ll pull a bunch of buds and flowers, 
 And tie a ribbon round them, 
 
 If you’ll but think in your lonely hours 
 Of the little friend who bound them. 
 
 So here’s your bunch of buds and 
 flowers — 
 
 And here’s the ribbon round them. 
 And here to cheer your sadder hours 
 Is the little friend who bound them. 
 
 “Forget me not” when far away 
 Amidst a thoughtless world you stray 
 “ Forget me not ” when fools would win 
 Your footsteps to the paths of sin. 
 
 “ Forget me not” when urged to wrong 
 By fashions and temptations strong. 
 
 “ Forget me not ” when pleasure’s snare 
 Would keep you from the house of 
 prayer. 
 
 “Forget me not” in feeble age. 
 
 E’en let me then your thoughts engage. 
 “Forget me not” when death shall 
 close 
 
 These eyelids in their last repose. 
 
 And murm’ring breezes softly wave 
 Perchance the grass upon my grave. 
 Whate’er thy age and lot may be. 
 
 Long as thy life shall last remember 
 me. 
 
66 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Friend! Trust not, cling not, to the 
 hope 
 
 Of constancy below. 
 
 Earth’s fragile blossoms smile and drop, 
 Her waters ebb and flow. 
 
 Yet time to time some joys may blight, 
 Some finer feelings chill. 
 
 But may’st thou hold one hope of light 
 Unchanged, unclouded still. 
 
 The hope to v/in in realms above 
 Of bright and boundless range, 
 
 A world of constancy and love, 
 
 A world that cannot change. 
 
 Small service is true service while it 
 lasts ; 
 
 Of friends, however humble, scorn 
 not one: 
 
 The daisy, by the shadow that it casts, 
 Protects the lingering dew-drop from 
 the sun. 
 
 Every hour comes to us charged with 
 duty, and the moment it is past returns 
 to Heaven to register itself how spent. 
 
 There is a Divinity that shapes our ends. 
 Rough-hew them how we will. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 67 
 
 Make good use of time if thou lovest 
 eternity ; yesterday cannot be recalled; 
 to-morrow cannot be secured ; to-day 
 only is thine, which, if once lost, is lost 
 forever. 
 
 May each thought be pure and sincere. 
 Addressed upon these spotless pages; 
 Reflections fond, they’ll always prove. 
 Youthful friend, through many ages. 
 
 They who have light in themselves, 
 will not revolve as satellites. 
 
 Through time we’ll change, and then, 
 This little book will somewhat bind 
 us ; 
 
 You’ll take it up, and think of me. 
 
 And all the joys we’ve left behind us. 
 
 As the shadow of the sun is the 
 largest when his beams are lowest, 
 so we are always least when we make 
 ourselves the greatest. 
 
 Our eyes see all around in gloom or 
 glow. 
 
 Hues of their own, fresh borrowed from 
 the heart. 
 
6S 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Acro.ss the page of spotless white 
 Friends trail the pen, and in our sight 
 Grow precious all the lines they write. 
 
 As for some white-sailed ship at sea, 
 So, little book, my watch for thee ; 
 Return with freight of love to me. 
 
 Wh}^ of course, I will write 
 Just what my thoughts may indite. 
 
 In this, your leaves of affection; 
 
 And I hope your life without one flaw. 
 May secure a real nice mother-in-law, 
 So that you may feel no dejection. 
 
 Let Fate do her worst ; there are 
 relics of joy. 
 
 Bright dreams of the past, she cannot 
 destroy ; 
 
 They come in the night-time of sorrow 
 and care. 
 
 And bring back the features that joy 
 used to wear. 
 
 Like the vase, in which roses have once 
 been distilled, 
 
 You may break — you may shatter — the 
 vase, if you will ; 
 
 But the scent of the roses will hang 
 round it still. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 
 If you wish success in life make per- 
 severance your bosom friend, experi- 
 ence your wise counsel, caution youf 
 elder brother, and hope your guardian 
 genius. 
 
 Count that day lost whose low descend- 
 ing sun 
 
 Views from thy hand no worthy action 
 done. 
 
 ’Tis but a trifle that you ask. 
 
 But this you will admit. 
 
 That trifles, more than great'';r tasks, 
 Will sometimes strain our wit. 
 
 I wish thee health, and weal/h, and joy, 
 As others have before: 
 
 And were I in poetic mood, 
 
 I’d surely wish thee more 
 
 May you still be given 
 Strength for each day in house and 
 home 
 
 To practice forbearance sweetly. 
 
 To scatter kind words and lovinu deeds, 
 Trusting in God completely. 
 
 Your character cannot be essentially 
 injured except by your own acts. 
 
70 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Write your name by kindness, love 
 and mercy, upon the liearts of those you 
 come in contact with, and you will 
 never be forgotten. 
 
 Recollect that trifles make perfection, 
 and that perfection is no trifle. 
 
 Here’s a sigh for those who love me. 
 And a smile for those who hate. 
 
 And whatever sky’s above me, 
 
 H ere’s a heart for every fate. 
 
 In all thy humors, whether grave or 
 mellow. 
 
 Thou art such a touchy, testy, pleasant 
 fellow; 
 
 Hast so much wit, and mirth, and spleen, 
 about thee. 
 
 There is no living with thee nor with- 
 out thee. 
 
 I write here a name which I hope shall 
 be known 
 
 To all of the ages which follow my own. 
 
 “How conceited!” you say; but my 
 lines shall remain ; 
 
 ’Tis my hope, you’ll discover, not I, that 
 is vain. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 n 
 
 Our greatest glory consists not in 
 never falling, but in rising every time 
 we fall. 
 
 Though many miles apart 
 Our homes may prove to be, 
 Yet in the recess of your heart 
 Keep one kind thought of me. 
 
 Always have a willing hand 
 - Full of kind deeds. 
 
 For many needs; 
 
 Also have a loving heart most. 
 
 Great truths are portions of the soul of 
 man ; 
 
 Great souls are portions of eternity; 
 
 Each drop of blood that e’er through 
 true heart ran 
 
 With lofty message, ran for thee and 
 me ; 
 
 For God’s law, since the starry sonp 
 began. 
 
 Hath been, and still foreverniore 
 must be 
 
 That every deed which shall outlast 
 Time’s span 
 
 Must goad the soul to be erect and 
 free. 
 
72 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 True friends, like ivy and the wall, 
 Both stand together or together fall. 
 
 Hearts, like doors,, can ope’ with ease. 
 To very, very little keys; 
 
 And don’t forget that they are these: 
 
 “ I thank you sir,” and “ if you please.’’ 
 
 May you live in bliss, from sorrow 
 away, 
 
 Having plenty laid up for a rainy day; 
 And wTen you are ready to settle in 
 life. 
 
 May you find a good husband and make 
 a good wife. 
 
 Our lives are albums ; each new day’s 
 a page 
 
 As spotless as the leaf on which I 
 write. 
 
 Whene’er those books of ours shall be 
 read. 
 
 May few unwise inscriptions meet the 
 sight. 
 
 On the broad highway of action 
 Friends of worth are far and few; 
 
 But when one has proved her friendship, 
 Cling to her who clings to you. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 73 
 
 Blessings real and a brighter hope for 
 time and eternity. 
 
 Were mine the power, I’d twine for thee 
 A crown of jewels rare ; 
 
 Each gem should be a kingdom, 
 
 Each pearl an humble prayer. 
 
 There are few friends in this wide world 
 Whose love is fond and true; 
 
 But, , when you count them o’er 
 
 Place me among the few. 
 
 With a heart free from care, and my 
 home in the West, 
 
 I’ll pace the broad deck with a light 
 throbbing breast. 
 
 Yet still as 1 dream of those days that 
 are gone. 
 
 Of the gay happy hours in my own 
 native home. 
 
 Far, far o’er the wave my heart wanders 
 there 
 
 To its shrine of devotion, where youth, 
 free from care. 
 
 We spent such golden hours of inno- 
 cence and glee 
 
 With you and dear companions, so 
 pray remember me. 
 
74 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 May you always be happy, 
 
 And live at your ease ; 
 
 Get a kind husband, 
 
 And do as you please. 
 
 May thy heart beat with purest hopes 
 To pity and to bless, 
 
 And strive to make earth’s comforts 
 more. 
 
 Its pains and follies less. 
 
 Love’s but a baby that passionate 
 Cries to be mated at birth; 
 
 Time isn’t lost if it teaches you 
 What a good woman is worth. 
 
 There is a small and simple flower 
 That twines around the humblest cot, 
 And in the sad and lonely hours 
 It whispers low; “Forget me not.” 
 
 When asked in an album to write, 
 
 I feel quite inclined to refuse; 
 
 For what should I dare to indite 
 That M'^ould a young lady amuse? 
 Not wit, for I have none of that, 
 
 Nor romance — my fancy is tame; 
 And compliments sound so flat. 
 
 I’m forced to write merely my name. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 75 
 
 What if the waiting be wearisome, 
 What if the work days be drear: 
 Time, the old thief, cannot rob you 
 Of fifty-two Sundays a year. 
 
 There is many a rest on the road of 
 life. 
 
 If we only would stop to take it. 
 
 And many a tone from the better land. 
 If the querulous heart would wake it. 
 To the sunny soul that, full of hope. 
 And whose beautiful trust ne’er 
 faileth, 
 
 The grass is green and the flowers are 
 bright. 
 
 Though the wintry storm prevaileth. 
 
 Little minds are tamed and subdued 
 by misfortune, but great minds rise 
 above it. 
 
 Beauty is but a vain, a fleeting good, 
 
 A shining gloss that fadeth suddenly, 
 A flower that dies when almost in the 
 bud, 
 
 A bright, glass that breaketh sud- 
 denly ; 
 
 A fleeting good, a glass, a gloss,a flower. 
 Lost, faded, broken, dead within the 
 hour. 
 
76 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 May she for whom these lines are penned 
 By using well, make time her friend ; 
 Then whether he stands still or flies, 
 Whether the moment lives or dies, 
 
 She need not care; for time will be 
 Her friend, to all eternity. 
 
 All the blessings of this life are noth- 
 ing worth without the sunshine of hope, 
 for a bright and lasting future, My 
 wishes are these for thee. 
 
 May happiness ever be thy lot. 
 Wherever thou shalt be ; 
 
 And joy and pleasure light the spot 
 That may be home to thee. 
 
 How sweet to have a faithful friend, 
 In whom we can confide; 
 
 To bless us if we act aright. 
 
 And if we err to chide. 
 
 Hope the best, get ready for the 
 worst, and take what God sends. 
 
 Be content with the lot God has 
 marked out for you. Love, honor and 
 obey Him in all things, and your last 
 days will be peaceful and happy. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 77 
 
 The cheek is pale with thought, but not 
 from woe, 
 
 And yet so lovely that if mirth could 
 flush 
 
 Its rose of whiteness with the bright- 
 est blush. 
 
 My heart would wish away the ruddier 
 glow ; 
 
 And dazzle not thy deep blue eyes — 
 but oh ! 
 
 While gazing on them — sterner eyes 
 will gush. 
 
 And into mine my mother’s weak- 
 ness rush. 
 
 Soft as the last drops round heaven’s 
 airy bow ; 
 
 For, through thy long dark lashes low 
 depending, 
 
 The soul of melancholy Gentleness 
 
 Gleams like a Seraph from the sky 
 descending. 
 
 o 
 
 Above all pain — yet pitying all 
 distress. 
 
 At once such majesty with sweetness 
 blending, 
 
 I worship more but cannot love thee 
 less. 
 
78 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 May the morn of thy life be bright 
 and joyous, the noontide peaceful and 
 happy, and the sunset gloriously hope- 
 ful, is the wish of your friend. 
 
 Life, Death and Immortality — these 
 three — the first, the Road — the second, 
 the Gate. May you walk safely the 
 first, pass triumphantly the second, and 
 rest forever in the third. 
 
 Although I am advised not to write 
 fast, 
 
 I hope the thought I would express may 
 last. 
 
 Methinks that many years have flown 
 And in a large arm-chair, 
 
 is sitting older grown 
 
 With silver in her hair. 
 
 And thus she muses, as she wipes 
 Her glasses o’er and o’er: 
 
 I wonder if my album keeps 
 The memories of yore. 
 
 She turns the pages through and through 
 With many a sigh and kiss. 
 
 When suddenly she stops and says, 
 Who could have written this? 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 n 
 
 Three friends that never fail 
 Each mortal hath, 
 
 Himself, his God, and last 
 The Angel, Death. 
 
 Dearer than power or fame 
 Or hoarded pelf. 
 
 Nearer than brother’s love — 
 The love of self. 
 
 Truer than sun or star, 
 
 Higher than Heaven, 
 Deeper than neither space 
 God’s love is given. 
 
 More gentle than the Spring 
 Or Summer’s breath. 
 
 And as a Mother kind, 
 
 The Angel — Death. 
 
 Yes, , I will write my name 
 
 In here, as you request; 
 
 And, if to you it’s all the same. 
 
 I’ll add a line — though rather tame- 
 For Critic’s eyes, as my bequest. 
 
 My wishes and my hopes for you. 
 Find glad expression here ; 
 
 Although, indeed, it’s very true, 
 
 There is no room for all that’s due 
 To one we hold so dear. 
 
8o 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Good health — first wish of all — 
 
 Of all God’s gifts the best ; 
 
 A happy heart that loves to call 
 On Him who notes the sparrow’s fall 
 And promises sweet rest. 
 
 Although beset by worldly care, 
 
 Fix all your hopes on Heaven, 
 And view by faith the glories fair. 
 Which, in that world beyond the air, 
 To faithful ones are given. 
 
 May the Angels twine for thee 
 A wreath of immortality. 
 
 The night has a thousand eyes — 
 The day but one ; 
 
 Yet the light of the whole world dies 
 With the setting sun. 
 
 The mind has a thousand eyes — 
 
 The day but one; 
 
 Yet the light of the whole world dies 
 When love is done. 
 
 It has been beautifully said: The 
 water that flows from a spring does not 
 congeal in winter ; and those sentiments 
 which flow from the heart cannot be 
 chilled by adversity. 
 
ALBUM /ERSES. 
 
 8i 
 
 You ask for your Album a rhyme ; 
 
 With pleasure I hear and obey; 
 Refusal were folly or crime — 
 
 For who could to say “nay?’’ 
 
 There’s many a trouble 
 Would break like a bubble, 
 
 And into the waters of Lethe depart, 
 Did not we rehearse it 
 And tenderly nurse it. 
 
 And give it a permanent place in the 
 heart. 
 
 Resolve to be merry, 
 
 All worry to ferry, 
 
 Across the famed waters that bid us 
 forget. 
 
 And no longer fearful, 
 
 But happy and cheerful. 
 
 We feel life has much that’s worth 
 living for yet. 
 
 May we always remain as good 
 friends as we are neighbors. 
 
 On this spotless page my pen essays 
 to trace a record of affection ; and, as 
 I write, a wish is in my heart that, for 
 thee, every life-leaf will be written with 
 the golden pen of love. 
 
82 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Beautiful faces are those that wear 
 The light of a pleasant spirit there, 
 It matters little if dark or fair. 
 
 Long may Heaven’s protecting arm 
 Shield thee, , from all harm. 
 
 Be kind to all ; be intimate with few; 
 And may the few be well chosen. 
 
 Evils in the journey of life are like 
 the hills which alarm travelers upon 
 their road ; they both appear great in 
 the distance, but when we approach 
 them, we find them far less insurmount- 
 able than we had conceived. 
 
 Miss 1 O Miss ! 
 
 What can I write that’s new 
 Among so very many 
 Pretty compliments to you ? 
 
 In poetry, I fear I’d fail — 
 
 I’m very sure I’d stammer — 
 
 You cannot drive the ponderous nail 
 With a small ten-cent tack hammer. 
 Since, then, so high I cannot soar. 
 Nor chirp notes like the lark, 
 
 Please cancel what I’ve said before. 
 I’ll simply make my mark. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 . 83 
 
 If a body ask a body, 
 
 In her book to write; 
 
 If a body refuse a body, 
 
 Need a body fight ? 
 
 All the lassies and the laddies 
 Write sweet things herein ; 
 If a body write less sweetly, 
 Does a body sin ? 
 
 May Future, with her kindest smile. 
 Wreath laurels for thy brow ; 
 
 May loving angels guard and keep thee 
 Ever pure as thou art now. 
 
 If writing in Albums remembrance 
 insures. 
 
 With the greatest of pleasure I'll 
 scribble in yours. 
 
 In after years when you recall 
 The days of pleasures past. 
 
 And think of joyous hours and all 
 Have flown away so fast. 
 
 When some forgotten air you hear 
 Brings back past scenes to thee. 
 
 And gently claims your listening ear 
 Keep one kind thought for me. 
 
84 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 When years and months have glided 
 by, 
 
 And on this page you cast your eye, 
 Remember ’twas a friend sincere 
 That left this kind remembrance here. 
 With best wishes for your future 
 cheer. 
 
 Dear , may your life be blest 
 
 With friendship, love and happiness; 
 May all your friends prove/true. 
 
 And cheer you all the journey through. 
 
 This life is not all sunshine, 
 
 N or is it yet all showers ; 
 
 But storms and calms alternate. 
 
 As thorns among the flowers ; 
 
 And while we seek the roses. 
 
 The thorns full oft we scan. 
 
 Still let us, though they wound us, 
 Be happy as we can. 
 
 This life has heavy crosses. 
 
 As well as joys to share. 
 
 And griefs and disappointments. 
 Which you and I must bear; 
 
 And if we may not follow 
 
 The path our hearts would plan, 
 
 Let us make all around us. 
 
 As happy as we can. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 85 
 
 May the hinges of our Friendship 
 never rust. 
 
 May your days in joy be passed 
 With friends to bless and cheer. 
 And each year exceed the last 
 In all that earth holds dear. 
 
 Though many friends have signed their 
 names, 
 
 And some have left their mark, 
 
 I see a place for me remains 
 To add my small remark. 
 
 My wish for thee is: joy through life ; 
 And bliss supreme, when some one’s 
 wife. 
 
 I pray the prayer of Plato old: 
 
 God make thee beautiful within ; 
 And let thine eye the good behold 
 In everything save sin. 
 
 A few true friends to aid us and love 
 us. 
 
 And cordial hands to warmly clasp 
 our own ; 
 
 O ! surely God hath never made us 
 To live distrustingly, selfish, and 
 alone. 
 
86 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 A verse you ask this fine day: 
 
 Of course I’ll write you one. 
 The task of writing finds its pay 
 In joy that it is done. 
 
 Why ask a name ? 
 
 Small is the good it brings ; 
 Names are but breath — 
 
 Deeds — deeds alone — are things. 
 
 The truest happiness is found in 
 making others happy. 
 
 / Accept my friend these lines from me, 
 / They show that I remember thee, 
 
 \ And hope some thought they will retain 
 Vljll you and I shall meet again. 
 
 For thee, my fair and gentle friend, 
 I ask not wealth or fame, 
 
 I only ask thy path may be 
 Free from life’s toil and care. 
 
 Among the many friends that claim 
 A kind remembrance in thy breast, 
 I too would add my simple name, 
 -Among the rest. 
 
 Never grow weary doing good. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 87 
 
 May Heaven on you its choicest bless- 
 ings shower 
 
 Is the sincere wish of your friend. 
 
 Let us try to be happy, we may if we 
 will 
 
 Find some pleasure in life to o’er- 
 balance the ill. 
 
 There was never an evil, if well under- 
 stood. 
 
 But what, rightly managed, would turn 
 to a good. 
 
 If we were but as ready to look to the 
 light. 
 
 As we are to sit moping because it is 
 night. 
 
 We would own it a truth, both in word 
 and in deed 
 
 That who tries to be happy is sure to 
 succeed. 
 
 Let us only in earnestness each do our 
 best. 
 
 Before God and our conscience, and 
 trust for the rest. 
 
 Still taking the truth, both in word and 
 in deed. 
 
 That who tries to be happy is sure to 
 succeed. 
 
88 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Keep me in remembrance, 
 
 If in the darkness 
 I should stray afar, 
 
 Like some lost traveler 
 With no guiding star. 
 
 Be then still my true. 
 
 Sincere, and loving friend, 
 
 And o’er all ills and 
 Trials to my life’s end 
 
 Keep me in remembrance. 
 
 I want a warm and faithful friend, 
 
 To cheer the adverse hour; 
 
 Who ne’er to flatter will descend. 
 
 Nor bend the knee to power;' 
 
 A friend to chide me when I’m wrong; 
 My inmost soul to see ; 
 
 And that my friendship prove as strong 
 For him as his for me. 
 
 Of all the gifts which heaven bestows 
 There is one above all measure, 
 
 And that’s a friend ’midst all our woes 
 A friend, is found a treasure. 
 
 To thee I give this sacred name 
 For thou are such to me. 
 
 And ever proudly will I claim 
 To be a friend of thee. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 89 
 
 There is a flower, a lovely flower 
 Tinged deep with faith’s unchanging 
 hue, 
 
 Pure as the ether, in its hour, 
 
 Of loveliest and serenest blue ; 
 
 The streamlet’s gentle side it seeks, 
 The quiet fount, the shaded grot. 
 
 And sweetly to the heart it speaks 
 Forget me not ! forget me not ! 
 
 Then be not coy, but use your time. 
 And while ye may, go marry ; 
 
 For having lost but once your prime 
 You may forever tarry. 
 
 Be always kind-hearted. 
 
 Do good deeds without end. 
 
 But never forget. 
 
 Your affectionate friend. 
 
 No night descend on thee. 
 
 O’er thee no sorrows come ; 
 
 Safe be thy journey through. 
 
 Through this vale of cloud and gloom. 
 
 Hope’s precious pearl in sorrow’s cup 
 Unmelted at the bottom lay. 
 
 To shine again, when all drank up; 
 The bitterness should pass away. 
 
90 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain, 
 but a woman that feareth the Lord she 
 shall be praised. — Prov. xxxi, 30. 
 
 May the blessing of God be upon thee, 
 May the Sun of Glory shine ’round thy 
 bed. 
 
 May the gates of plenty, honor and 
 happiness be open to thee. 
 
 May no sorrow distress thy days. 
 
 May no griefs disturb thy nights ; 
 
 May the pillow of peace kiss thy cheek, 
 And the pleasure of realization attend 
 thy beautiful dreams. 
 
 And when length of days makes thee 
 Tired of earthly joys, and the curtain of 
 Death gently closes ’round thy last 
 sleep of human existence, 
 
 May the Angel of God attend thy bed 
 and 
 
 Take care that the expiring lamp of 
 life 
 
 Shall not receive one rude blast to 
 hasten on its extinction. 
 
 One by one thy griefs will meet thee, 
 Do not fear an armed band ; 
 
 One will fade as others greet thee. 
 Shadows passing through the land. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 91 
 
 If peace is to be your portion through 
 life (and surely why not?) the Light 
 of the World, which the scripture 
 declares is Jesus, must ever be observed 
 and obeyed. The hope of your friend 
 is that “You may be kept in perfect 
 peace by having your mind stayed on 
 Christ Jesus.” 
 
 I’m in a quandary how to compose 
 Doggerel rhymes and ditties for those 
 Albums so freely thrust under my nose. 
 Vain ’tis to strive ’gainst the Miss who 
 decrees, 
 
 “An original poem, if'you please,” 
 From your dull brain you must squeeze. 
 Fain would I fly — I care not where; 
 Lend me your wings, oh, angels fair. 
 Encounter another album I do not dare. 
 Can it be that there is no country 
 bright. 
 
 Kept securely free from albums’ blight? 
 
 So live, so act, that every hour, 
 
 May die as dies the natural flower, 
 
 A self-reviving thing of power. 
 
 That every word and every deed, 
 May bear within itself the seed 
 Of future good in future need. 
 
98 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 With hope and faith for our beacon 
 lights, _ 
 
 While virtue guides our way, 
 
 Secure we’d pass temptations by, 
 
 That would lead our hearts astray. 
 And each to the other kind and true 
 
 While earth was our spirit’s haven. 
 Would pray that we ne’er might part 
 on earth 
 
 But to meet again in heaven. 
 
 Help somebody worse off than your- 
 self, and you will find you are better off 
 than you fancied. 
 
 This book may fall asunder, 
 
 Its pages dim with age ; 
 
 The ink may lose its lustre 
 Upon each shining page, 
 
 But she who writes these verses 
 Shall ever, ever be, . 
 
 Through all the world’s reverses 
 A faithful friend to thee. 
 
 Oh ! for the power of Tennyson’s pen! 
 (By my failures to rhyme I’m de- 
 jected). 
 
 To tell all the world again and again, 
 In your album how much I’m affected 
 
ALBUM VtkSfiS. 
 
 93 
 
 May peace enfold thee in her downy 
 wing, 
 
 Pure songs around thee weave a fair)! 
 spell, 
 
 To heaven thy heart’s deep longing* 
 cling. 
 
 And happiness forever with thee 
 dwell. 
 
 They say that love had once a book 
 (The urchin likes to copy you), 
 Where all who came the pencil took. 
 And wrote — like us — a line or two. 
 
 ’Twas innocence, the maid divine. 
 
 Who kept this volume bright and fair 
 And saw that no unhallowed line 
 
 Or thought profane should enter 
 there. 
 
 And daily did the pages fill 
 
 With fond device and loving lore. 
 And every leaf she turned was still 
 More bright than that she turned 
 before. 
 
 Heart is a hope-place, and home is a 
 heart-place, and she is sadly mistaken 
 who would exchange the happiness of 
 home for anything less than heaven. 
 
94 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 May angels weave for thee a crown 
 of immortality. 
 
 Trust, my friend, no Siren's whisper, 
 Weave no web in fancy’s loom, 
 
 Build no castle for the future, 
 
 For the golden days to come. 
 
 Life has more or less besetments. 
 
 More or less of grief and woe, 
 Shadows always check our pathway. 
 Sunbeams only come and go. 
 
 Cast thy bread upon the waters. 
 
 Out upon the waves alone, 
 
 You will find it drifted to thee 
 After many days have flown. 
 
 Ever hoping and enduring, 
 
 Ever prayerful on the way, 
 
 May you reach the golden entrance 
 Opening on eternal day. 
 
 I would not enter on my list 
 Of friends the man 
 
 Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm. 
 An inadvertant step may crush the snail 
 That crawls at evening in the public 
 path ; 
 
 But he that has humanity, forewarned. 
 Will tread aside and let the reptile live. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 9S 
 
 The bright black eye, the melting blue, 
 I cannot choose between the two ; 
 But that is dearest all the while 
 
 Which means for us the sweetest 
 smile. 
 
 I ask not a life for thee, 
 
 All radiant as others have done, 
 
 But that life may have just enough 
 shadow 
 
 To temper the glare of the sun. 
 
 Thus as these lines I slowly trace 
 Across this spotless page 
 Will time all earthly things efface 
 And passing leave behind no trace 
 But the vile dusts of age ; 
 
 But truth and virtue mounting high 
 Shall heavenward wing their flight, 
 And shine forever from the sky 
 Beyond the gems of night. 
 
 As jewels incased in a casket of gold. 
 Where the richest of treasure wc 
 hide, 
 
 So our purest of thoughts lie deep and 
 untold. 
 
 Like the gems that are under the 
 tide. 
 
g6 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 See Proverbs — 4 Chap., 18, 19 Verses. 
 Then choose at once, 
 
 May the Lord guide thee. 
 
 There’s little in earth’s pomp and pride 
 To lean on or to trust ; 
 
 The wealth of earth cannot abide. 
 
 It crumbles into dust. 
 
 But there’ll remain, when other wealth 
 . Shall vanish and depart. 
 
 Far better than our sordid self — ' 
 
 The love of one true heart. 
 
 Every young man is now a sower of 
 seed on the field of life. The bright 
 days of youth are the seed-time. Every 
 thought of your intellect, every emo- 
 tion of your heart, every word of your 
 tongue, every principle you adopt, 
 every act you perform, is a seed whose 
 good or evil fruit will prove bliss or 
 bane of your after life. 
 
 Life is a leaf of paper white. 
 
 Whereon each one of us may write 
 His word or two, and then comes night. 
 Greatly begin ! Though thou have time 
 But for a line, be that sublime ; 
 
 Not failure, but low aim, is crime. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 97 
 
 The fruits of a well spent life 
 Brings contentment and peace in old 
 
 Faithful to thy trust, duties well per- 
 formed 
 
 Keep away the rust and drives back the 
 storm. 
 
 Keep thy spirit pure, promptly do thy 
 part, 
 
 God will surely bless and purify thy 
 heart. 
 
 Little deeds of kindness, done in a 
 quiet way. 
 
 Reach both deep and wide, and always 
 bring their pay. 
 
 May’st thou live in joy forever, 
 
 Naught from thee true pleasure sever; 
 From thy heart arise no sigh. 
 
 And no tear bedew thine eye: 
 
 Joys be many, cares be few, 
 
 Smoothe the path thou shalt pursue, 
 And heaven’s richest blessings shine 
 Ever on both thee and thine. 
 
 Guard well thy thoughts ; our 
 thoughts are heard in heaven. 
 
98 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 As a slight token of esteem, 
 
 Accept these lines from me ; 
 
 So plain and simple, they do seem 
 Unworthy such as thee. 
 
 But soon these traced lines will fade 
 And disappear — ’tis their doom. 
 May you, unlike them, be arrayed 
 In a perpetual bloom. 
 
 Doubt thou the stars are fire ; 
 
 Doubt that the sun doth move ; 
 Doubt Truth to be a liar ; 
 
 But never doubt I love ! 
 
 Oh ! how the passions, insolent and 
 strong. 
 
 Bear our weak minds their rapid course 
 along ; 
 
 Make us the madness of their will 
 obey ; 
 
 Then die, and leave us to our griefs a 
 prey. 
 
 There is a comfort in the strength of 
 Love ; 
 
 ’Twill make a thing endurable, which 
 else 
 
 Would overset the brain or break the 
 heart. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 99 
 
 I have heard of reasons manifold 
 Why love must needs be blind ; 
 But this the best of all I hold — 
 
 His eyes are in his mind. 
 
 What outward form and feature are 
 He guesseth but in part ; 
 
 But what within is good and fair 
 He seeeth with his heart. 
 
 Thou art beautiful, young lady — 
 
 But I need not tell you this ; 
 
 For few have borne, unconsciously 
 The spell of loveliness. 
 
 Oh fairest of creation ! last and best 
 
 Of all God’s works ! creatures in whorh 
 excelled ; 
 
 Whatever can to sight or thought be 
 form’d 
 
 Holy, divine, good, amiable or sweet ! 
 
 Love ! What a volume in a word ! an 
 ocean in a tear ! 
 
 A seventh heaven in a glance ! a whirl- 
 wind in a sigh ! 
 
 The lightning in a touch — a millenium 
 in a moment ! 
 
 What concentrated joy, or woe, in blest 
 or blighted love ! 
 
100 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Farewell, oh farewell, but whenever 
 you give 
 
 A thought to the days that are gone. 
 
 Of the bright sunny things that in 
 memory live. 
 
 Let a thought of the writer be one. 
 
 Ye flowers that droop, forsaken by the 
 spring ; 
 
 Ye birds that, forsaken by the summer, 
 cease to sing ; 
 
 Ye trees that fade when autumn heats 
 remove. 
 
 Say, is not absence death to those who 
 love ? 
 
 There are ten thousand tones and signs 
 We hear and see, but none defines — 
 Involuntary sparks of thought 
 Which strike from out the heart o’er- 
 wrought. 
 
 And form a strange intelligence 
 Alike mysterious and intense ; 
 
 Which link the burning chain that 
 binds. 
 
 Without their will, young hearts and 
 minds. 
 
 Conveying as the electric wire. 
 
 We know not how, the absorbing fire. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 
 Write your name in Love, Kindness 
 and Charity, on the hearts of the 
 people you come in contact with, and 
 you will be loved by all. 
 
 When Time was entwining the garland 
 of years. 
 
 Which to crown my beloved was 
 given. 
 
 Though some of the leaves might be 
 sullied with tears. 
 
 Yet the flowers were all gathered in 
 heaven. 
 
 And long may this garland be sweet to 
 the eye. 
 
 May its verdure forever be new! 
 Young Love shall enrich it with many 
 a sigh, 
 
 And Pity shall nurse it with dew. 
 
 Some friends may wish thee happiness, 
 Some others wish thee wealth ; 
 
 My wish for thee is better far — 
 Contentment, blest with health. 
 
 Let the road be rough and dreary, 
 And its end far out of sight ; 
 Foot it bravely — strong or weary — 
 Trust in God, and do the right. 
 
t02 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Through time we’ll change, and then 
 
 This little book will somewhat bind 
 us. 
 
 You’ll take it up, and think of me 
 
 And all the joys we’ve left behind uss 
 
 Live well ; how long or short, permit 
 to Heaven ; 
 
 They who forgive most shall be most 
 forgiven. 
 
 Our lives are albums ; each new day’s 
 a page 
 
 As spotless as the leaf on which I 
 write. 
 
 Whene’er those books of ours shall be 
 read. 
 
 May few unwise inscriptions meet 
 the sight. 
 
 Beauty is but a vain, a fleeting good, 
 
 A shining gloss that fadeth suddenly, 
 
 A flower that dies when almost in the 
 bud, 
 
 A bright glass that breaketh suddenly; 
 
 A fleeting good, a glass, a gloss, a 
 flower. 
 
 Lost, faded, broken, dead within the 
 hour. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 103 
 
 Not purple violets in the early spring 
 
 Such graceful sweets, such tender 
 beauties bring ; 
 
 The orient blush which does thy cheeks 
 adorn. 
 
 Makes coral pale — vies with the rosy 
 morn. 
 
 Accomplishments are native to her 
 mind, 
 
 Like precious pearls within a clasp^ 
 ing shell. 
 
 And winning grace her every act re- 
 fined, 
 
 Like sunshine, shedding beauty where 
 it fell. 
 
 The time is swiftly passing by 
 When we must bid adieu. 
 
 We know not when we meet again, 
 So these lines I leave with you. 
 
 There is pleasure in the pathless woods: 
 
 There is rapture on the lonely shore; 
 There is society where none intrudes. 
 By the deep sea, and music in its 
 roar ; 
 
 I love not man the less but nature 
 
 more. 
 
104 
 
 AT,nUM VERSES. 
 
 When the golden sun is sinking, 
 
 And your mind from care and 
 trouble’s free ; 
 
 When of others you are thinking, 
 Won’t you sometimes think of me? 
 
 A gentle word is never lost. 
 
 Oh ! never, then refuse one; 
 
 It cheers the heart when tempest-tossed, 
 And lulls the cares that bruise one ; 
 
 It scatters sunshine o’er our way. 
 
 And turns our thorns to roses ; 
 
 It changes weary night and day, 
 
 And hope and love discloses. 
 
 If ever a husband you should have, 
 
 And he this book should see. 
 
 Tell him of your youthful days. 
 
 And kiss him once for me. 
 
 As o’er the cold sepulchral stone 
 Some name arrests the passer-by. 
 Thus, when thou view’st this page alone, 
 May mine attract thy pensive eye ! 
 
 And when by thee that name is read. 
 Perchance in sorhe succeeding year, 
 Reflect on me as on the dead. 
 
 And think my heart is buried here. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 105 
 
 Save thy toiling’, spare thy treasure, 
 
 All I ask is friendship’s pleasure ; 
 
 Let the shining orb lie darkling, 
 
 Bring no gem in lustre sparkling. 
 
 Gifts and gold are naught to me ; 
 I •would only look on thee ! 
 
 Accept, my friend, these lines from me. 
 They show that I remember thee. 
 
 And hope some thought they will 
 retain, 
 
 Till you and I shall meet again. 
 
 May Future, with her kindest smile. 
 Wreath laurels for thy brow ; 
 
 May loving angels guard and keep thee 
 Ever pure as thou art now. 
 
 Count not the hours while their silent 
 wings 
 
 Thus waft them in fairy flight ; 
 
 For feeling, warm from her dearest 
 springs. 
 
 Shall hallow the scene to-night. 
 
 And while the music of joy is here, 
 
 And the colors of life arc gay. 
 
 Let us think on those that have loved 
 us dear — 
 
 The friends who are far away. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 io6 
 
 In the evening of life cherish the 
 remembrance of those who loved thee in 
 its morning. 
 
 This album’s a mansion which offers its 
 best, 
 
 To the friends who have written 
 their thoughts, 
 
 And the banquet is spread with festal 
 face. 
 
 Where guests mingle enjoyment with 
 rest ; 
 
 And they leave their memorials under 
 thy roof. 
 
 Sometimes in sorrow, more oft in joy 
 divine. 
 
 Nor think a single thought quite good 
 enough. 
 
 To measure its faintest pulse with 
 thine. 
 
 Though many friends have signed their 
 names. 
 
 And some have left their mark, 
 
 I see a place for me remains 
 To add my small remark. 
 
 My wish for thee is : joy through life; 
 And bliss supreme, when some one’s 
 wife. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 107 
 
 Here is one leaf reserved for me, 
 
 From all thy sweet memorials free ; 
 And here my simple song might tell 
 The feelings thou must guess so well. 
 But could I thus within my mind 
 One little vacant corner find, 
 
 Where no impression yet is seen, 
 Where no memorial yet has been ; 
 
 Oh, it should be my sweetest care 
 To write my name forever there ! 
 
 There is nothing but death 
 Our affections can sever. 
 
 And till life’s latest breath 
 Love shall bind us forever. 
 
 To write in your album, dear friend, 
 you ask. 
 
 Ah, well ! it is not such a difficult task. 
 
 All I can say is contained in one line 
 here ; 
 
 May the blessings of Heaven forever 
 be thine. 
 
 A place in thy memory, dearest. 
 
 Is all that I claim ; 
 
 To pause and look back when thou 
 hearest 
 
 The sound of my name. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Let US be kind to each other ! 
 
 The night’s coming on, 
 When friend and when brother 
 Perchance may be gone ! 
 Then, midst our dejection. 
 
 How sweet to have earned 
 The blest recollection 
 Of kindness returned. 
 
 I know not what to write about, 
 
 So many themes are pressing ; 
 
 All good enough in very truth. 
 
 But quite unprepossessing: 
 
 Each moment of thy future life, 
 
 Live holy, whether maid or wife. 
 
 Fond Memory, come and hover o’er 
 This album page of my dear friend; 
 
 Enrich her from thy precious store. 
 And happy recollection send. 
 
 If on this page she chance to gaze. 
 
 In years to come — where’er she be — 
 
 Tell her of earlier happy days, 
 
 And bring her back one thought of 
 me. 
 
E3TEEM HND 0@NPIDENCE. 
 
 Some little token of regard, 
 
 You wish from me to claim; 
 
 But as tirne is pressing hard, 
 
 I will but write my name. 
 
 Every joy that heaven can send ; 
 
 Wealth, and every kind of treasure — ■ 
 Health and love to thee, my friend. 
 And happiness without measure. 
 
 In future years should trusted friends 
 Depart like summer birds ; 
 
 And all the comfort memory lends. 
 
 Is false and honeyed words. 
 
 Turn then to me Avho fain would prove, 
 However thy lot be cast, 
 
 That naught his heart can ever move 
 From friendship of the past. 
 
 Speak of me kindly when life’s dreams 
 are o’er ; 
 
 Speak of me gently when I am no 
 more. 
 
no 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 In the evening of life cherish the 
 remembrance of one who loved thee in 
 its morning. 
 
 Safely down Life’s ebbing tide, 
 
 May our vessels smoothly glide, 
 
 And anchor side by side — in heaven 
 
 That Hope and you. 
 
 Bright days will view. 
 
 May He who hath penciled the 
 leaves with beauty, given the flowers 
 their bloom, and lent music to the lay 
 of the timid bird, graciously remember 
 thee in that day when He shall gather 
 His jewels. 
 
 To write in your Album, dear friend, 
 you ask ; 
 
 Ah, well ! it is not such a difficult task. 
 All I can say is contained here in one 
 line: 
 
 May the blessings of Heaven forever 
 be thine. 
 
 A long life, and a happy one ; 
 A tall man, and a jolly one — 
 Like — well^ — you know who! 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 May your path be strewn with roses, 
 Fair and flowery to the end ; 
 
 And when your body in death reposes, 
 May your Maker be your friend. 
 
 Well, , I surely would like to 
 
 please ; 
 
 But can’t think what to say. 
 
 All your friends have wishes bright. 
 
 To cheer your life so gay. 
 
 I will add: May all their v»^ords 
 Be symbols of love and truth ; 
 
 That when you grow weary, and seek 
 for rest. 
 
 You will rejoice in the friends of 
 your youth. 
 
 The hills are shadows, and they flow 
 From form to form, and nothing 
 stands ; 
 
 They melt like mist the solid lands. 
 Like clouds they shape themselves 
 and go. 
 
 But in my spirit will I dwell. 
 
 And dream my dream and hold it 
 true ; 
 
 For though my pen doth write adieu, 
 I cannot say for aye farewell. 
 
II2 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 God’s love and peace be with thee, 
 when 
 
 Soe’r this soft Autumnal air 
 
 Lifts the dark tresses of thy hair. 
 
 Thou lack’st not friendship’s spellword, 
 nor 
 
 The half-unconscious power to draw 
 
 All hearts to thine by Love’s sweet law. 
 
 With such a prayer, on this sweet day, 
 
 As thou may’st hear and I may say, 
 
 I greet thee, dearest, far away. 
 
 This Album’s a mansion which offers 
 its best. 
 
 To the friends who have written their 
 thoughts, 
 
 And the banquet is spread with festal 
 fare. 
 
 Where guests mingle enjoyment 
 with rest ; 
 
 And they leave their memorials under 
 thy roof. 
 
 Sometimes in sorrow, more oft in joy 
 divine. 
 
 Nor think a single thought qu*ite good 
 enough. 
 
 To measure its faintest pulse with 
 thine. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 113 
 
 From memory’s leaves, 
 
 I fondly squeeze 
 Three little words — 
 
 Forget Me Not. 
 
 Let not your friendship be like the rose, 
 to sever; 
 
 But, like the evergreen, may it last 
 forever. 
 
 He who does good to another does 
 also good to himself — not only in the 
 act, but in the consciousness of well- 
 doing is his reward. 
 
HaM@F(0a3- 
 
 I dip my pen into the ink, 
 
 An'd grasp your album tight ; 
 But for my life I cannot think 
 One single word to write. 
 
 In the storms of life, 
 
 When you need an umbrella. 
 May you have to uphold it 
 A handsome young fellow. 
 
 May beauty and truth, 
 
 Keep you in youth ; 
 
 Green tea and sage. 
 
 Preserve your old age. 
 
 Withsoever is this for why? 
 Wherefore. Ain’t it ? 
 
 Round went the book, and here it came, 
 In it for me to write my name ; 
 
 I would write better, if I could. 
 
 But nature said I never should. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 
 Some people can be very funny, 
 
 I never could be so. 
 
 So I’ll just inscribe my name ; 
 
 It’s the funniest thing I know. 
 
 Sailing down the stream of life, 
 
 In your little bark canoe, 
 
 May you have a pleasant trip, 
 
 With just room enough for two. 
 
 Dear Friend : 
 
 Do not doubt me ; 
 
 You know more about me 
 Than many whose names 
 Here appear. 
 
 But to tell them I’ll never — 
 What! never? Hardly ever — = 
 What I’d like to write to you 
 Here. 
 
 ’Tis nonsense I’ve written ; 
 You’ll think I am smitten 
 With charms that I hold 
 Very dear. 
 
 Please excuse me from writing. 
 More lines so inviting. 
 
 Your time to be spent 
 Idly here. 
 
Ii6 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 May your cheeks retain their dimples, 
 May your heart be just as gay, 
 
 Until some manly voice shall whisper, 
 “Dearest, will you name the day?” 
 
 I care not much for gold or land. 
 
 Give me a mortgage here and there. 
 Some good bank stock — some note of 
 hand. 
 
 Or trifling railroad share, 
 
 I only ask that Fortune send 
 A little more than I can spend. 
 
 Fee simple and simple fee, 
 
 And all the fees entail 
 Are nothing when compared to thee — 
 Thou best of fees — fe-male. 
 
 What ! write in your album, for critics 
 to spy. 
 
 For the learned to laugh at? — No, not 
 I! 
 
 Accept my valued friendship, 
 And roll it up in cotton. 
 And think it not illusion. 
 Because so easily gotten. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 Ill 
 
 When on this page you chance to look, 
 Think of me and close the book. 
 
 If you wish to laugh, 
 
 Glance at my autograph. 
 
 Man’s love is like Scotch snuff — 
 You take a pinch and that’s enough. 
 Profit by this sage advice, 
 
 When you fall in love, think twice. 
 
 Long may you live. 
 
 Happy may you be. 
 
 When you get married 
 Come and see me. 
 
 May you be happy. 
 
 Each day of your life. 
 
 Get a good husband 
 And make a good wife. 
 
 As sure as comes your wedding day, 
 A broom to you I’ll send ; 
 
 In sunshine, use the brushy part. 
 
 In storm, the other end. 
 
 I write in your Album? 
 
 How very absurd ! 
 
 My mind is at random — 
 
BII^THDTIY YE^^E^. 
 
 Your Birthday will always be green 
 in the memory of your friends. 
 
 May these flowers, presented on your 
 birthday, be emblematical of the purity 
 of your life. 
 
 Wake early this morning. 
 
 Nor miss the grey dawning; 
 
 Take this greeting from me 
 
 As it goes straight to thee; 
 
 May joy and gladness e’er be thine ; 
 
 And endless brightness round thee 
 shine. 
 
 Like sunbeams to the drooping fi^'>wers, 
 Good-will our lives doth bless ; 
 
 It furthers every wish of ours, 
 
 And joys in our success. 
 
 So may its rays towards you flow, 
 
 That none but friends your heart 
 may know. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 1 19 
 
 I wish thee every blessing 
 That can attend thee here ; 
 
 And may each future birthday prove 
 My wish to be sincere. 
 
 In these days of mirth and glee, 
 What shall my message be to thee? 
 What can I wish for one so blest? 
 Thou sunny bird in a sunny nest ! 
 This I wish, and this I pray: 
 
 May the joys of life never pass away, 
 But only merge in a sigh of bliss — 
 Into a life far brighter than this! 
 
 / If words could all my wishes say, 
 
 I Oh ! how my tongue would talk away. 
 \ I wish this day and many more 
 
 \ Might on dear blessings pour, 
 
 \ May health, weafth, love, and peace 
 \ W ith each succeeding year increase ; 
 xAnd oh ! the last, come when it may, 
 Be unto thee a happy day. 
 
 As beauteous flowers in garlands inter- 
 twine. 
 
 May Peace and Love to cheer thy heart 
 combine. 
 
 To give you a very happy Birthday. 
 
120 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 This is thy Birthday, may it be, 
 
 A source of happiness to thee. 
 
 And may each Birthday yet in store, 
 Be brighter than the one before. 
 
 Dear friend, on this, thy natal day, 
 
 I send to thee a little lay. 
 
 And wishes tender 
 And only ask that thou’lt repay 
 My thoughts with thine, and fondly say^ 
 “ I thank the sender,’’ 
 
 May Spring its blossoms round thee 
 strew. 
 
 And Summer, deck’d in mantle new. 
 
 Come forth to greet thee ; 
 May Autumn fruitage crown the year. 
 And Winter, with its jovial cheer. 
 
 Bring friends to meet thee. 
 
 And if I still must absent be. 
 
 Do not forget to send to me 
 
 One kind word only. 
 By home birds passing by the door. 
 Who, flying towards this distant shore, 
 May greet me lonely. 
 
HND NEW-YEHl^ 
 yef:3e^. 
 
 Joy and plenty in the cottage, 
 Peace and feasting in the hall ; 
 And the voices of the children 
 Ring out clear above it all : 
 
 A merry Christmas ! 
 
 Health and prosperity 
 Your life to cheer, 
 
 With every blessing 
 
 For the bright New Year. 
 
 Ring out, ye bells, o’er all the earth, 
 
 To tell with brazen voice. 
 
 The tidings of the Saviour’s birth 
 <_> 
 
 And bid mankind rejoice. 
 
 Hark, th® pearly air is trembling. 
 Liquid music floats along ; 
 
 Angels, in sweet joy assembling. 
 Thrill the skies with heavenly song 
 “ Peace on Earth,” is their refrain. 
 
 Oh ! be it yours this peace to gain. 
 
122 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 On this New Year’s morning 
 My wishes take their flight, 
 
 And wing to thee a greeting 
 
 That would make all things bright. 
 
 O, life is but a river 
 
 And in our childhood we, 
 
 But a fair and running streamlet 
 Adorned with flowers, see. 
 
 But as we grow more earnest. 
 
 The river grows more deep. 
 
 And where we laughed in childhood, 
 We, older, pause to v'^eep. 
 
 Each Christmas, as it passes, 
 
 Some change to us doth bring. 
 Yet to our friends the closer. 
 
 As time creeps on, we cling. 
 
 Gladly now it is my pleasure, 
 
 Joys to wish you, without measure. 
 Happiness and peace attending. 
 
 With pure heavenly blessings blending. 
 
 True love shall live thro’ sorrow’s win- 
 try storm. 
 
 And bloom afresh on this glad Christ- 
 mas morn. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 123 
 
 For friends we strive to pierce 
 The future, dense and dark, 
 
 But not a ray of light 
 
 W e see, nor faintest spark ; 
 
 But yet while we have faith to cheer, 
 We trusting wish “ A bright New Year." 
 
 May piety with wishes placed above. 
 And steady loyalty and faithful love. 
 Be thy blessings this Christmas-tide. 
 
 May health and joy, and peace be thine 
 Upon this Christmas day. 
 
 And happy faces round thee shine 
 As plenteous as the flowers in May. 
 
 Now Christmas comes with hearty 
 cheer. 
 
 May kindly thoughts go round. 
 
 And bring to you a glad New Year, 
 With peace and plenty crowned. 
 
 Christmas is coming, and what will it 
 bring ? 
 
 Many a pleasant and gladdening thing! 
 Meetings and greetings, and innocent 
 mirth: 
 
 All that is brightest and best on the 
 earth. 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 A little bird comes singing, 
 
 . Singing a song to you ; 
 
 He sings of sun-tipped flowers, 
 
 Bathed in a diamond dew. 
 
 “ The days are coming,” he warbles, 
 
 “ When the frost has flown away. 
 When the earth will be sweet with 
 flowers 
 
 And the breath of new-mown hay.” 
 
 Oh bird so softly singing 
 Your song of pleasant days. 
 
 Go sing to her I fondly love. 
 
 Through the wintry cold and bare. 
 When the heart is light, the days are 
 bright. 
 
 And the sun seems ever near ; 
 
 So sing her your lay this Christmas Day, 
 And through all the bright New Year. 
 
 Ring in, ring in the revelries. 
 
 And let the feast be one 
 Where not a single guest there is 
 But Innocence and Fun ! 
 
 Let Christmas warmth keep winter out. 
 And joy unbroken reign — - 
 From floor to rooftree send the shout 
 Till Christmas comes again! 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 125. 
 
 Christmas comes, let every heart 
 In Christmas customs bear its part: 
 
 The “old” be “young,” the sad be gay, - 
 And smiles chase every care away. 
 
 I 
 
 Our Saviour Christ was born 
 That we might have the Rose without 
 the thorn. 
 
 All through His desert life 
 He felt the thorns of human sin and 
 strife. 
 
 H is blessed feet were bare 
 To every hurting brier. He did not 
 spare 
 
 One bleeding footstep on the way 
 He came to trace for us, until the day 
 The cruel crown was pressed upon the 
 Brow 
 
 That smiles upon us from His glory 
 now. 
 
 And so He won for us 
 Sweet, thornless, everlasting flowers 
 thus. 
 
 He bids our desert way 
 Rejoice and blossom as the Rose to- 
 day. 
 
 There is no hidden thorn 
 In His good gifts of grace. He would 
 adorn 
 
126 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 The lives that now are His alone, 
 With brightness and beauty all his 
 own. 
 
 Then praise the Lord who came on 
 Christmas day 
 
 To give the Rose and take the thorns 
 away. 
 
 I cannot tell what thou wilt bring to me, 
 
 0 strange New Year, 
 
 But tho’ thick darkness shrouds thy 
 days and months, 
 
 1 will not fear. 
 
 Why should I fret my heart to know 
 before 
 
 What may befall ? 
 
 With this one thought content- -I ask 
 no more — 
 
 God knows it all. 
 
 Again the festive season’s here, 
 
 With all that can delight and cheer ; 
 Oh! may you nothing lack each day. 
 But find fresh blessings strew your way. 
 
 Take, my friend, this heartfelt greeting, 
 Happy be thy Christmas day. 
 
 Faith, and hope, and love here meeting. 
 Speed thee on thy New Year’s way! 
 
ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 127 
 
 Sure, Christmas is a happy time 
 In spite of wintry weather, 
 
 For laugh, and song, and jest go round 
 When dear friends meet together; 
 And hearts are warm, and eyes beam 
 bright 
 
 In the ruddy glow of Christmas night! 
 
 As Christmas offerings meet your eyes. 
 Still closer be sweet friendship’s ties. 
 
 Oh joyous be your Chistmas-tide, 
 And bright your New Year, too ; 
 To you may love ne’er be denied ; 
 May all your friends be true. 
 
 Oh ! may thy Christmas happy be. 
 And naught but joy appear, 
 
 Is now the wish I send to thee, 
 
 And all I love most dear. 
 
 O bright be the day 
 
 Sweet echoes resounding, 
 
 Love lighting the way 
 
 And warm hearts surrounding*. 
 May the breath of His peace 
 In thy spirit remain. 
 
 Till Christmas revisits 
 The round world again 1 
 
t28 
 
 ALBUM VERSES. 
 
 O childhood is. a golden time, 
 
 When all the world is bright, 
 
 When sunshine comes with every morn, 
 Sweet dreams with every night. 
 Were I a fairy, I would give 
 To thee a magic kiss, 
 
 That should ensure for the New Year, 
 As fair a time as this. 
 
 A BAD BOrS DIARY. 
 
 This Is the most humorous book ever issued from the Press. Th* 
 One Hundreth Fhousand h.3iS just been issued, and the demand foj 
 it is still increasing. One editor says 'of it: “It made us laugh till 
 our sides ached and the tears came.” Another says: “ It will drive 
 the blues out of a bag of indigo. It is worth a dollar, but costs only 
 ten cents.” One reader says of it: “ I received the Bad Boy’s Diary 
 you sent me, and as most of my family are killed by laughing over 
 It, you may send another copy, so I can dispose of the rest of them in 
 the same happy manner.” 
 
 It contains .^8 p.ages and is handsomely illustrated. Sent by mail 
 on receipt of Ten Cents. 
 
 DIARY OF A MINISTER’S WIFE. 
 
 “ It excels Mark Twain for genuine humor.” 
 
 This is one of the most humorous books of the present day, showing 
 in a manner pleasing to all readers the trials, tribulations, expectations, 
 and actual experiences of a “minister’s wife” in a country parisn. 
 The characters represented are true to life, and will doubtless bring 
 to the mind of the reader remembrances of events and individuals 
 within their own knowledge. It contains 64 pages, with handsome 
 engraved cover. Price Ten Cents. 
 
 “ A BUSHEL OF FUN,” 
 
 gathered from the writings of authors of “ A Bad Boy’s Diary,” 
 Josh Billings, Detroit Free Press Man, Burlington Hawkeye Man, 
 Max Adeler, and other funny men and women. 
 
 This IS, indeed, a whole bushel of funny things, well shaken down, 
 and running over with fun and good humor. It contains 64 pages, and 
 is handsomely illustrated. Price Ten Cents. 
 
 S^“The above books are for sale by Newsdealers and Booksellers. 
 Either of them will be mailed on receipt of price by the Publishers, 
 
 Address, J, S. OOII^VIE & CO., EuMisUers 
 
 31 Rose Street, New York. 
 
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