MAGGIE POGUE JOHNSON Virginia Dreams Lyrics for the Idle Hour. Tales of the Time Told in Rhyme Maggie Pogue Johnson Copyright, igio By JOHN M. LEONARD Published 1910 ©ttricateb to jWp ImsbantJ PREFACE At the solicitaion of a few friends, I have selected several of my poems, and if the perusal of them brings pleasure to you, dear reader, the object of this volume will have been accomplished. M. P. J. VIRGINIA DREAMS A Dream I had a dream one winter's night, It filled my soul with pure delight; Ne'er ran my tho'ts in strains so sweet, I'm filled with rapture to repeat. Oh could I dream that dream again, 'Twould be a song, a sweet refrain; Oh could I wake to find it true, 'Twould then my happy tho'ts renew. Dreams, sweet dreams of the past, Which o'er our lives bright shadows cast; Yet, sometimes in their course they change, And pleasure clouds they disarrange. What disappointments we do meet, In dreaming dreams, yea, dreams so sweet; Joy and happiness flow in streams, — We wake to find it but a dream. What is this mysterious way In which we think we spend a day, Awakening ourselves amid delight Finding out 'tis not day but night. 'Tis a fancy which o'er us does creep, When in that state of rest called sleep, The light of imagination which does beam And form what we always term a dream. A dream is a miniature life, Often lived in a single night; When pleasant, this tho't oft does gleam, Oh could we live just as we dream. 5 When Daddy Cums from Wuk Cum here, Mandy, what's you chewin\ Take dat bread right out yo' mouf, Do you know what you'se doin' ? You'se de worry ob dis hous\ Put dat bread right on de shef dar, Case 'tis much as we kin do To gib you bread at meal time Till hard times is fru. En Ike, you shet dat safe do'! Take dat spoon right out dem beans! 'Member well, you git no mo'! Y'all de wo'st chaps eber seen! Yo' daddy'd be distracted Ef he knowed jis how y'all eat, Case it takes mos' all his earnings Jis to keep you brats in meat. Now, 'member well, you ebery one, No br'ad between yo' meals you eat, Beans nor 'taters, no not one! Cabbage or bacon meat. En, la sakes! here cums little John, Mudder's baby boy, Wid my ham bone under arm, Lickin' it wid joy. Gib it to mudder, honey, Cum, let's wash yo' face ; Jane, you set de table, And fix t'ings all in place. Yo' daddy'll soon be in de do', He'll be hungry, too, Hurry, Jane, don't be so slow! Ike, min' dar what you do! 6 Chillun, wash yo' faces, Put on dem aprons new; Be kerful, now, don't tar dem, What eber else you do. Gib me my linsey dress, dar, Does you heah, my lad? Yo' mammy mus' be lookin' good When she meets yo' dad. Jane, take de rabbit off de stove, De hominy en 'taters, En git dat smalles' chiny dish, For de stewed tomaters. Leabe dat gravy dish alone ! Mincin' in it on a sly, La sakes! mussy me! Who eat dat punkin pie ? You boys stop dat fightin'! Sich noise I neber heahd, Put de stools up to de table, Not anodder word! All de eatins minced in ! Dat's de kind o' luck I seems to hab wid you kids When daddy cums from wuk ! I Wish I Was a Grown Up Man I wish I was a grown up man, And then I'd get a chance, To wear those great high collars, Stiff shirts, and nice long pants. I wish I was a grown up man, Not too big and fat, But just the size to look nice In a beaver hat. 7 I'd wear the nicest vest and gloves, And patent leather shoes, And all the girls would fall in love, And I'd flirt with whom I choose. I wish I was a grown up man, I'd try the girls to please, I'd wear a long jimswinger coat, Just below my knees. I'd wear eye-glasses, too, And wouldn't I look good ? I'd be the swellest dude In this neighborhood. Some day I'll be a man, And have everything I say, And give my heart to some nice girl, And then I'd go away. The V. N. and C. I. Near the City of Petersburg, As seen by the passers-by, In the neighborhood of Ettricks, Stands the V. N. and C. I. A building loved by many, Who've toiled within her walls, And tried to respond with pleasure To every beck and call. Her situation is beautiful, As loftily she stands Facing the Appomattox, So picturesque and grand. Then in the month of September, As the days glide swiftly by, Students leave their various homes, For the V. N. and C. I. 8 And ere many hours have passed They're sheltered within her walls, Their minds from pleasures cast, To answer to her calls. And for days, weeks and months Earnestly they work, On their different studies, Trying none to shirk. After the wintry days have passed The birds sweetly warble and sing, While students resume their daily tasks They're told of the coming Spring. And then on the campus green, Of V. N. and C. I. may be seen, Students who every day win fame, Playing the many outdoor games. Girls with tennis employed, Always enjoy it much, Boys with baseball o'erjoyed, As with bat they give it a touch. After a few years shall have passed, And boys and girls have finished their task, No more their faces will be seen, Or voices heard on the campus green. In various sections their lots will be cast, Fond recollections they'll have of the past, As days, months and years glide slowly by They'll ever remember V. N. and C. I. Old Maid's Soliloquy I'se been upon de karpet, Fo' lo, dese many days; De men folks seem to sneer me, In der kin' ob way. 9 But I don't min' der foolin', Case I sho' is jis as fine As any Kershaw pumpkin A hangin on de vine. I looks at dem sometimes, But hoi's my head up high, Case I is fer above dem As de moon is in de sky. Dey sho' do t'ink dey's so much, But I sho' is jis as fine As eny sweet potato Dat's growd up from de vine. Dey needn't t'ink I's liken dem, Case my match am hard to fin', En I don't want de watermillion Dat's lef' upon de vine. Case I ain't no spring chicken, Dis am solid talk, En I don't want anything Dat's foun' upon de walk. Case ef I'd wanted anything, I'd hitched up years ago, En had my sher ob trouble. But my min' tol' me no. I'd rader be a single maid, A wanderin' bout de town, Wid skercely way to earn my bread, En face all made ob frowns,— Den hitched up to some numbskull, Wid skercely sense to die, En I know I cud'n kill him, Dar'd be no use to try. So don't let ol' maids boder you, I'll fin' a match some day, Or else I'll sho' 'main single, You hear me what I say! 10 I specs to hoi' my head up high En always feel as free As any orange blossom A hangin' on de tree. Thoughts Had I the wings of a bird, I'd make it a constant duty To fly far above the earth And gaze on it's wondrous beauty. Had I the mind of a poet, I'd always try to write Poems of thrilling beauty To fill some mind with delight. I'd love to stroll in distant lands, Among the rocks and rills, And see the works of Nature's hands And gaze on the distant hills. I'd love to listen to the birds That sing their songs of praise And make some poor souls happy In their saddest days. It would be to my delight To stand at the river side And gaze on the placid water As it slowly and playfully glides. I'd love "to write of the beautiful, I'd love to write of the brave, And read the minds of others, And note their winning ways. I would not judge the beautiful By the beauty of their faces, By suppositions or the like, Or their pretended graces. 11 It brings to my mind once again The maxim that I love, And one of the sayings as of old, " Beauty is that beauty does." Krismas Dinnah We's invited down to brudder Browns, On a Krismas day, To an ol' time Krismas dinnah, So de imbertation say. De deacons en der wives was dar, De parson en his wife; En all dem folks did sho' look good, You kin bet yo' life! De wimmin folks was dressed to de'f, Wid ruffles en wid laces, En har all hangin' down in curls, Wid powder on der faces. Der dresses had sich great long trains, We stood back wid de res', As dey marched into de 'ception hall, To keep from steppin on der dress. En de men folks wasn't fer behin\ I'se here to tell, Dey was dressed, too, in der bes', Lookin' kin' o' swell. Dey wo' dese long jimswinger coats, Wid big leg pantaloons, High silk hats wid broad red bands, En 'rived dar prompt at noon. Dey wo' dem low-cut vests, Wid great broad white necktie, En each man wo' an eye glass, Stickin' on one eye. 12 01' man Edmond Jones was dar, Dressed jis like de res', It w'ud hab tickled you so much, To hab seen him look his bes\ Him en oP man Slyback, Was an hour behin', Dey was oP an walked so slow, Dey c'ud'n come in time. Still, when dinnah time did come, Dem two was in de line, Marchin' to de chune ob music, Keepin' ol' folks time. Den dey stood up at de table, Till de blessin' it was said, At de tappin ob de bell, Dey all did bow der heads. Parson Reuben Jones was called, To say de blessed wuds, En as he 'gin to cle'r his throat, His inmos' soul was stirred:— " Heabenly Fodder look down on us, En dis earfly blessin', We thanks De fer dis possum roas', All brown wid ash-cake dressin,— "We thanks De fer dis sausage, En squirrel cooked wid beans, En all dis nice fried chicken, Dese onions en dese greens;— " En as we goes to eat it, Wilt Dou be our frien', To keep us all from dyin', We ax dis, en amen." De wimmen folks was helped fus\ To all de kins ob meat, En den we men was helped, As we sot dar in our seats. 13 Den we 'menced to eatin\ Dat was a stuffin' time, Case no one said a wud To pass away de time, — Jis' 'cept to ax fer eatin's, Den in a quiet way, Dey w'ud cle'r der throats En hab a wud to say. You talk about folks eatin'! But neber in my rouns' Has I eber eat up so much grub As I did at brudder Browns. De wimmen dey was near de stove, En I tho't dat dey wud melt, But dey jis kept on a' eatin' 'Till dey had to loose dey belts. En when dem folks did git up, Dat table was cleaned up right, Possum carcass, chicken bones, Was all dat's lef in sight. The Negro Has a Chance As my mind in fancy wanders, While we figure on Life's stage, While in queries deep we ponder, O'er the past years ripe with age; While sipping slowly from Life's cup, And in tho'ts deepest trance, This question often rises up, " Has the Negro had a chance ? " 'Tis true, they lived one life, Thro'out the darkened age, When 'mid events full of strife They wrote upon life's page; 14 In darkest hours of the night, Their soul would seem entranced, Wondering if some time in life, The Negro'd have a chance. But now those days have gone, And on Life's page are blank, And sons of ages newly born, Are being placed in rank; Just as they file in line, To make a slow advance, They read in front this sign, "The Negro has a chance." The doors are open wide, That He may enter in, And time ripe to decide, Where in life he will begin; And as he slowly turns Her page He gives a quickened glance, And sees in every avenue and age, The Negro has a chance. With outstretched arms the college stands, And with inviting voice, She gives the Negro Her demands, To make befitting choice, Of the station He would choose in life, To make himself advance; Now we've cleared away the strife, And the Negro has a chance. Our race needs fitted teachers, Their knowledge to impart, And elevated preachers, With the work of God at heart; Men whose noble work Will have power to enhance, Men who dare not shirk, But bravely grasp the chance. 15 Then heed ye to this call, Which means for a race success, And what e'er may befall, Bravely stand the test; Let not fickle minds Check your brave advance, When every event shows the signs, That the Negro has a chance! The preacher needs your aid, To help save Negro souls, For the price so dearly paid, That he may reach the goal; He begs with earnest heart That you lend a helping hand, That in this work you take a part, And heed the Lord's command. The doctor gives a call That you come into his field, And as the sick and wounded fall To their weakened voice you yield; He sees your help he needs As o'er his field he gives a glance, And your steps he'll not impede, But the Negro give a chance. The lawyer opens up his book, The leaves all dim with age, And as he gives a steady look, And turns from page to page, He sees a page all blank, And calls the Negro in; Says he, " you fall in rank," In law you must begin. The skilled mechanic works his way As he performs his part, He toils away from day to day And well displays his art; 16 He loves his work with all his soul, And in it he confides, But soon before he's reached the goal, The Negro's at his side. The merchant takes his stand, With ready merchandise, He meets the world's demands, And each day sells and buys ; But soon upon the scene The Negro makes his way And in the merchant's scheme He, too, must have a play. The carpenter now stands aside To give the right of way As slowly in the Negro glides, Now he must have his day; In carpentry he'll show his skill, We may see this at a glance, His soul with ecstacy does fill, As he sees his future chance. The tailor in his shop we find, And as he cuts and sews, He has his work upon his mind, For the art in it he knows ; The Negro, too, has learned this art, And so with weary brain He toils away with earnest heart That a living he may gain. So, all these stations must be filled As we journey on thro' life, And we must struggle with a will And aim to banish strife ; And when we've reached the topmost round We'll send up notes of praise To him our happy tho'ts resound, To him these songs we'll raise. 17 And Negro, yea, of Africa's strand, Ye strong men make advance, We do of you make this demand : With vigor grasp your chance I Let not these happy moments pass, But make good of each one, And when you've reached the realms at last, And work on earth is done,— You'll soar 'mid scenes of beauty, You'll live in seas of love, When you've done your duty To reach that land above ; And, Negro, be not far behind, But on, yea, on, advance! And when you've reached that dearer clime You'll show you've had a chance. De Day Befo' Thanksgibin' Thanksgibin' day am now at han' In my imagination, I see de tuckies take a stan' Aroun' de ol' plantation. En jis befo' dis great, great day, Dey form dey selves in line, En in a sort o' serious way, While one am markin' time,— Dey marches 'roun de big hous', De gobbler front ob line, To sho' de folks dat dey aint skeered Ef 'tis Thanksgibin' time. De lady tuckies follows on, En, my! dey puts on airs, As ef dey neber min's dis worl' Wif all it's toils en cares. 18 Dey's fixin' now to sho' off, Case dis am de fus chance Since dey's had much meat on der bones Dat dey cud hab a dance. De gobbler gibes a gobble, Den all de tuckies prance, I tell you way dey wobbles, Dey knows sumpin' 'bout a dance. De folks all in de big hous' Am comin' to de do' To see what de tuckies am about Dat's causin' sich a sho\ De ol' gobbler waits Till dey git outside de do', Now he's lafin to hisse'f, Case dey gwine to hab a sho'. De ladies ob de hous' Am now out on de lawn, De tuckies gwine to run dem,— Run dem sho's you born! Quietly dey tries to strut 'Roun de ladies ob de hous', While dey stans dar a grinnin' To see what dey's about. Soon de gobbler gibes a gobble, En at de ladies start, 01' Missus, how she wobbles, I hear de beatin' ob dey hearts. Dey am makin' fer de hous', Miss Carrie front ob line, De odder ladies follow, While de tuckies clos' behin', Soon dey falls into de do' In a sort ob mos'ac style, De gobbler heads de list, Dey£a yellin' all de while. 19 Missus calls out, Dinnah! Come here; come here! quick! And kill this turkey gobbler! Come and kill him quick! En when I got dar, what a sight! De ladies in a pile, De gobbler .pickin' wif his might On Missus lubely chile. I grab de gobbler by de nake, Pull him fru de hall, Tol' him take de las' view Ob Missus lubely walls. I took him to de wood pile, Whar lay de cuttin ax, En calls out, come here! Ephraim chile! En gib dis boy a whack! Tomorrow am thanksgibin' day, En sho' as I is able, Dis tuckey in some stylish way, Will be on Missus' table. Ephriam raises up de ax, En wif all his might He gibes de fatal whack Dat takes de tuckies life. En Missus says till yit, As long as she is libin', She neber will forgit De day befo' Thanksgibin'. 20 The Story of Lovers Leap [At Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, one of the famous resorts of the South, may be seen the historic Lovers Leap, which gave the inspiration for this poem.] To the state of West Virginia, During the Summer days bright, Countless numbers are wending their way To the Old Greenbrier White. A famous resort of the South, Which for years has held her fame, And dame and sage of every age, Honor White Sulphur's name. 'Tis here many lovers meet, And stroll on her carpet green, As the eve grows old, tales of love unfold, And many just sweet sixteen. Happy moments they do spend, Yea! moments of delight, As hearts in union blend, They praise Greenbrier White. Now for the places of interest, Of one I'll venture to speak, Which seems by far most visited, Long known as Lovers Leap. Where two lovers, once upon a time, Whose love was true and tried, Both with determined minds, Ne'er to be denied,— Climbed to this very high precipice, Looked o'er the rugged steep, Decided within a few moments, To make the fatal leap. Said they, "together we'll end our lives, Rather than to part," Within their minds they did contrive To make the fatal start. 21 All was quiet and undisturbed, The hour was growing late, For awhile they uttered not a word As they tho't to meet their fate. Their's was a love so true, — Not for a day, — Love that ever seems anew, That never dies away. This love began in childhood days, As days so glided by, They felt that for each other Gladly would they die. Perhaps many minds have wondered, Why on this eve so late, This maid and lad with hearts so sad, Decided to meet their fate. But the parents of this couple brave, Firmly did object, And tho't that both the lad and maid, Their wishes should respect. For a while o'er this they did bother, Why think of the trials of life, Now comes the words of our Father, " Forsake all and cleave to thy wife." Did it not seem hard for them to live, Alone thro' the trials of life, Could he on account of others give, The dear one he wished to call wife ? No, " But together we'll strive to live Or together we'll strive to die, 'Twill be a pleasure our lives to give, And so with our wishes comply." So, 'twas fully decided, And on one evening late, To the Leap they slowly glided, The two to meet their fate. 22 On ! on! to the fatal spot, The couple made their way, To bring to an end the plot, Before another day. As they reached the craggy edge, The couple hand in hand, Carried out their fatal pledge, Their own, their last demand. Side by side the couple lay, Hearts that had beat as one, Ceased upon that final day, Their toils on earth now done. And e'er since that gloomy hour The story has not failed to keep, It seems some magnetic power Holds sway o'er the famous Leap. Ne'er shall the hist'ry be forgot By those who the story seek, But ever famous will be the spot, Well-known as Lover's Leap. Why Should the American Negro Be Proud ? Why should the American negro be proud ? This question was asked in tones clear and loud, The Negro who once was in fetters a slave Now passes in freedom from birth to his grave. Why should the Negro with eagerness yearn For wisdom which teaches men how to discern, Why should they with faithful hearts plead Or yearn for wisdom that they may succeed. Does not the same God who rules on high Instill in the hearts of all mankind to try, Is not the same God the Negro protector, Why says, " Of persons I'm no respecter." 23 Then, should persons in ignorance plead To know why the Negro wants to succeed, When Nature's law in common states— That human beings have similar traits. The Negro for wisdom puts in a petition, That intelligently he too may live ; That he may gain such recognition That intelligence might give. In ignorance they lived for years, When they had not the chance to learn; That ignorance to them bro't bitter tears, And now for wisdom they yearn. The best of this race make good their chance, This story, schools and colleges tell, Each year may be seen their steady advance As their numbers in greatness swell. Then should the American Negro be proud, When each day he makes an advance, As gradually he's moved away the cloud Which for years denied him a chance. Then, why not encourage him each day, When he tries to make most of his life, And live in a friendly feeling way, Casting aside all malice and strife. Would not life be a pleasure, If the races would manifest Such interest in each other That none would advancement detest. Would not our lives be glorious If friendship ruled the land, Making our efforts victorious, Regardless of race or clan. What will become of the Negro When friendship's ebb is low, What will make him a hero In the midst of an embittered foe. 24 The Negro must learn, if he would improve, And remove the many defects Which cause other races to term him rude, And for him to lose their respect. Among the White race he has some friends Who urge him onward each day; Gladly a helping hand they lend As he onward works his way. Yet in the distance not afar He sees a heavy cloud Moving slowly o'er the land Where Negroes are justly proud. Will the storm's effect prove serious ? To know we can only wait; For in ways almost mysterious Sometimes comes a nation's fate. Then, Negro, Oh! Negro, cease repining, 'Tis said each cloud has a silver lining; Pray to the God who rules on high, — He has the power to clear the sky. It is He who rules the universe, And guides it's affairs for better or worse; All earthly affairs are in His hands, The whole earth moves at His commands. 'Twas by His aid and thro' His power The Negro has made an advance ; He aids them thro' their trying hours That they might have a chance. Should not the American Negro be proud When he has been given a start, And tho' he discerns some heavy clouds, He should toil with an earnest heart. Yea! toil with an earnest heart And deeds of evil shun, 'Tis said that we're remembered By all that we have done. 25 Then, Negro, toil on, act well your part; Bravely stand the test; Do your duty, be earnest at heart; Believe what happens is best. And when your task on earth is done, And time for reward is at hand, When at last the victory's won, And you view yon happy land,— In happiness, in boundless love, You'll spend eternity in realms above; After having stood the test, You'll enjoy, above, the rest, sweet rest. De Leap Yeah Party Was you at de hall las' night, To de Leap Yeah Party ? I reckon dat I was, But didn't I eat hearty? I wouldn't hab missed gwine dar, Fo' sumpin purty fine; Dem folks was sholy lookin' good, En had one sumptious time. En ebery which a way you went About de day befo', Some one was standin' at yo' fence, Or knockin' at yo' do'. Axin dese here questions: Is you gwine out to-night? What color is you gwine to w'ar, Yaller, blue or white? Is you gwine to twis' yo' hwar up high, Or let it cum down low ? Is you gwine to walk dar, How's you gwine to go ? 26 En ob all de questions, I neber heahed befo\ As dey met me wif upon de street, En eben at my do'. Till I jis took to thinkin' As I walked aroun' Dat dis would be de grandes' t'ing, Dat eber cum to town. Case ol' an young was fixin' En primpin' up to date, Leaben all de wuk undone Fo' fear dat dey'd be late. En when I got into dat hall, Goodness! what a sight, De same as pictures on de wall De folks did look dat night. Cud'n tell ol' folks from de young, Case all was lookin' gay, Chattin' to der fellows In a stylish kin' o' way. En you better had been kerful, Dar'd been one de bigges fights Had you called eny body ol' folks On dat Leap Yeah Party night. Eben to de ol' men, Who'd always had der canes, To keep f'om fallin' in de streets, Or slippin' in de rain,— Had flung dem all away dat night, En cum in struttin' too, Wid long tail jimswingers on, En I said, Who but you? It wud hab tickled you so much, 'Til you on your knees wud fall, Could you jis hab seed dem folks A settin' in dat hall. 27 Like sardines in a box, Dem folks was sholy packed,— Hardly room to draw yo' breaf, 'Lieve me, 'tis a fact! De music it was playin', too, Like ragtime at a ball, De folks could hardly hold dey feet, But de parson viewed dem all,— En dey was skeered to move dem, Or make a silent tread, So dey kept time wid de music By de bo win' ob de head. When eatin' time did cum, Dey all was at de table, Puttin' 'way de grub, As fas' as dey was able. Gibin no tho't to dem aroun', En not a wud dey said, Stuffin' dey mouths wid chicken, Tater salid, ham en bread. De odder folks wid hungry looks, Sot waitin' fo' der turn, Hoping dar'd be sumpin' lef, As dey gazed wid faces stern. As dey finished ob der eatin', Dey moved up f'om der places, En turnin' dey did meet, A number ob smilin' faces. Now 'twas der turn to eat, Sich a scrumagin' dey had, En dem dat failed to git seats, Did turn wid faces sad. Dey soon got thro' der eatin', Case de hour was growin' ol', Dey heahd de clock a strikin', En de mornin' hour it told. 28 Dey called out fo' der coats en hats, Wid faces gay en bright, En eber dey'll remember, Dat Leap Yeah Party night. What's Mo' Temptin' to de Palate? What's mo' temptin' to de palate, When you's wuked so hard all day, En cum in home at ebentime Widout a wud to say,— En see a stewin' in de stove A possum crisp en brown, Wid great big sweet potaters, A lay in' all aroun'. What's mo' temptin' to de palate, Den a chicken bilin' hot, En plenty ob good dumplin's, A bubblin' in de pot; To set right down to eat dem, En 'pease yo' hunger dar, 'Tis nuffin' mo' enjoyin', I sho'ly do declar. What's mo' temptin' to de palate Den a dish ob good baked beans, En what is still mo' temptin' Den a pot brimfull ob greens; Jis biled down low wid bacon, Almos' 'til dey's fried, En a plate ob good ol' co'n cakes A layin' on de side. What's mo' temptin' to de palate Den on Thanksgibin' Day To hab a good ol' tuckey Fixed some kin' o' way; 29 Wid cranber'y sauce en celery, All settin' on de side, En eat jis 'til yo' appetite Is sho' full satisfied. What's mo' temptin' to de palate, Den in de Summer time, To bus' a watermillion Right from off de vine; En set right down to eat it In de coolin breeze, Wif nuffin' to moles' you, Settin' neaf de apple trees. What's mo' temptin' to de palate, Den poke chops, also lam', En what is still mo' temptin' Den good ol' col' biled ham; Veal chops dey ain't bad, Put de mutton chops in line, I tell you my ol' appetite, Fo' all dese t'ings do pine. What' mo' temptin' to de palate, When you cum from wuk at night, To set down to de fiah, A shinin' jis so bright, De ol' 'oman walks in,— Wid supper brilin' hot, En a good ol' cup ob coffee, Jis steamin' out de pot. 'Tis den I kin enjoy myse'f, En eat dar by de fiah, Case puttin' way good eatin's Is sho'ly my desire; Dar's nufiin dat's so temptin', Dat to me is a treat, Den settin' at a table Wid plenty good to eat. 30 Dat Mule ob Brudder Wright's Dar's plenty t'ings to write erbout, Bof in en out ob skool, 'Cept taken fo' a subject, En oP en stubborn mule. But de one I specs to write erbout, Ain't ob de stubborn kin'; A fus class critter out en out, Beats eny mule in line. At eny kin' ob wuk he's good, — Kin put him to de plow, Or take him out to haulm' wood, He'll wuk from hour to hour. Hitch him wid anodder mule, Or let him pull alone, Eny whar you put him Dis oP mule is at home. You see him to de buggy, In de mornin's cle'r en bright, Put him to de cart, It is his heart's delight. Eny whar you take him, He'll make hisse'f at home, Eny whar you hitch him, He'll stan' en will not roam. Will I tell you who he 'longs to? Sho, wid delight, He is de splendid property Ob brudder Henry Wright. Dar's odder mules in town, But none so gay en spry, Hitch him to de sulky En he kin sholy fly. 31 Not one lazy bone Do dis mule posess, In any kin' ob wuk He kin stan de tes\ Dar's plenty mules in town, But none so out ob sight, As dis thoro' bred Kintucky Ob brudder Henry Wright's. Dar's none wid no sich name, Dat's trabbled on his way, No, none wid no sich fame As you read ob dem each day. Dar's odder mules in town, But none kin take de flight, Or make a steady roun' Like dis ob Henry Wright's. Ef you wants to see some pacin', Jis call on dis ol' mule, When it cums to out right racin' You'd t'ink he'd been to skool. Dar's plenty mules aroun', But none no whar in sight, Not eben in dis town, Like dis ob Henry Wright's. No odder mule in town Does know de roads so well, No matter whar you take him Dis mule can always tell. He likes to wuk in sunshine, He likes to wuk in rain, At night or eben day time, He always seems de same. He neber jumps out ob de road, When de 'mobiles cum his way, Eny whar he has a load Dis mule aint 'fraid to stay. 32 Nuffin cud'n skeer him, At night or eny time, A match fo' dis ol' mule Wud be hard to find. Dar's odder mules in town, But none no whar in sight, Dat sho cou'd win de crown Like dis ob Henry Wright's. Sometimes Sometimes the days seem dark and dreary, We wonder what is life; Sometimes of work we soon grow weary, All pleasures seem but strife. Sometimes of aiming we grow tired, And finally give up all, Leaving the mind once inspired, Heedless to a call. Sometimes we give no thought to those Who in some way we might aid; Sometimes others' pains and woes Are at our mercies laid. Sometimes if we'd stop to think And count the good deeds we do To help those on Poverty's brink We'd find them to be few. Sometimes a good act we might render By saying some kind words, To those whose hearts so tender By kindness has ne'er been stirred. Sometimes 'twould help us to resolve That each day while we live, Some difficult problem we will solve, Or aid to others give. 33 And thus instead of wondering, And making all efforts strife— Instead of always pondering, To find out what is life, — By our actions, by the deeds we do, Each day while we live, Let them be many, or let them be few, We make life what it is. To See OP Booker T. Way down Souf whar de lillies grow, Is the Ian' I wants to see, En to dat Ian' I specs to go, Jis to see ol' Booker T. I specs to take my faithful mule En hitch him to de cart, En fo' dat famous cullered skool I's gwine to make a start. I'll take a box and pack my lunch En start wid my ol' mule, Case I know 'twill be a long time Fo' I reach dat Cullered Skool. I wont get tired on de way, But sing en feel so free, Jis longin' fo' de day To see ol' Booker T. I hopes dat my ol' mule Wont gib out on de way, Befor' I reach dat skool, Case I tell you dat wont pay. Case dis feeble ol' man Ain't no lad, you see, But befo' I leabes dis lan' I mus' see Booker T. 34 So I pray de Lawd to keep Bof me en my oP mule, En spar us till we git To dat Cullered Skool. En gib our eyes de light, Dat we can cle'rly see, Dat Alabama Ian' so bright, En dear oF Booker T. I wonder ef he'll be at home, Case I heahed he'd been to sea, En all de fer off lan's did roam, Dis same Booker T. Dat eben kings en queens so great Did strive to shake his han' En welcome Booker T. To der native land. Now, you know he mus' be great; Well, I's gwine dar to see, En ef I git dar soon or late, I'll ax fo' Booker T. Dey say dat is de bigges' skool De same as eny town, En neber was so many chaps Eber seen aroun'. Day teaches you all kin's ob wuk, En how to write en read, En figger in de 'rithmetic, En ebery t'ing you needs. Dey teaches you to plant de co'n, En eben how to plow; I tell you, man, as sho's you born, I'm on my way dar now. En when I near dat skool, En all dem chaps I see, Dey better had keep cool, En not make fun at me. 35 I sho' will bus' der heads, Case my only plea Is dat fo' I's dead I mils' see Booker T. Right in his office I will go, En dar I'll take a seat, En ax fo' Booker T., you know, En res' my w'ary feet. I'll tell him I has jis now 'rived, From ol' Virginny lan', En took dat long en lonesom' drive To shake his willin' han'. En dar I'll set en look at him, En he will look at me, En fo' my eyes get dim, While I kin cl'erly see. I'll take his gracious han' Widin my trimblin' grasp, En praise de Lawd I reached de lan',— I's finished up my tas'. " I's seen dis great, great cullered man, I's ready now to go; You've done a great wuk in dis lan', Is why I lubs you so." So now my eyes I clos' to res', I's happy, yea, so free; I's took de journey, stood de tes' En seen ol' Booker T. Dedicated to Dr. W. H. Sheppard [The returned missionary, who spent twenty years in Africa.] On, on to the darkest continent, As the Adriatic sailed, In Eighteen Hundred and Ninety, Many sad good-byes were wailed. 8