W4- WSSm^ wm Hans comprehended, bitter cup! That they were down below ; The waiting angels bore them up Th rough fifty feet of snow. "random shots." 39 Instant relief! Hans climbed the steep. The mother she was dead ; The younger child was sleeping sweet, Wrapped snugly in his bed. His little heart did nearly break, He told a wondrous dream — When half asleep and half awake, Loved angels he had seen. A CYCLONE. A LAY OK THE TELEPHONE WHEN THE WIRES ARE XJIXED. Will Bloomington friends take warning, And be careful what they say ; I heard a cyclone this morning In a most peculiar way. The telephone bell was ringing At LeRoy an hour or so, And between the acts was singing, But by whom I do not know. The wires had been on a frolic, By crossing each other's way ; And at Espey's it was colic, And the Bloomington Mill to pay. 40 ''random shots." Hungarian "Boss" came stealing, The mill is going to repair ; And at Krum's a joyous feeling Was vibrating in the air. Rob Fell was surely in the game ; He cried out for miles away That butter and eggs are still the same. And "I have enough to-day." I called for Evans Brothers, Thought all Bloomington was high. As I heard from many others, But their faces could not spy. T have heard the geese, in weather When the clouds rode on the blast, The confusion altogether Will compare with what is past. I surely was stampeded, As I fled the fearful sound ; And shall write for what is needed, Or go up and look around. 41 PERPETUAL WORKS. Sixty-eight thousand miles each hour, through space The earth is moving in its yearly round ; Twenty-five thousand miles each day, with night, Producing years, centuries, and ages. Springs, Summers, Autumns, Winters, Births, deaths, sunshine, darkness, joy, and sorrow. Matter animate and inanimate. In the train ever changing, are the same, Except the spirits as they come and go. Spring approaches; the days lengthen out, When far in the south the days are shortened. In the Arctics' perpetual fields of ice, And in the Torrid zone's continual heat, Climbing up the mount, from steady weather, All seeds, shrubs, plants, and flowers do mature. Continual sunshine and brilliant night, On verdant valleys, through mighty forests, Clouded here and there as the ocean grand, The lakes, rivers, brooklets, and even tears Mingle together in the moving clouds ; With the impure air absorbed by lightning, As the pure rain drops fall from the sound Of roaring nature, to glad hearts below. 42 "random shots." Nature's laws a perpetual mystery. Humanity now is merely a remnant Of what has been ; go to the Mother Earth, Where sightless eyes with frames returned to dust. Mingle, with forests, cities long destroyed, The fiercest beasts, the mildest creatures known. Innocent children, with wrecks of manhood. The vilest sinner with the just. The burning mountain threw its vivid light On terror-stricken souls in vales below, Buried their cities in burning lava, Kissing the ocean waves from foreign shores, Quickly rising in vapor toward the sky, Fanned by northern winds to tropical climes, .Raising up forests where man never trod. Where fragrant flowers perpetual grow, Yast wilds where beasts and birds are almost tame. 43 ALPHABET RHYMES. A wonderful treasure. By letters in measure. Contained in these columns. Demanded for volumes. Enlarged or receded. For writing as needed. Great issues expounding. High intellects sounding. Ink often is fickle. Jay Gould's mighty sickle. Keeping mum at wholesale. Linking chains at retail. Mankind is maturing. Negations enduring. On land and on ocean. Preparing commotion. Quick sighted endeavors. Revolving the levers. Strange mysteries pending. To thinkers unending. Unweary adorers. Vain seeking explorers. With courage untiring. 44 Xerxes admiring. Years spent for the goals Zones frozen at poles. FORTY-EIGHT HOURS IN 1881 FROM BLOOMINQTON, ILL., TO MOBILE, ALA. The girls and boys were out sleighing On the night of which I write ; And their prancing steeds were neighing, And the owners' hearts were light, And I heard their joyous singing, Passing near the hotel door, Mingled with the sleighbells ringing, And I thought of days of yore. On my couch I tried to slumber, But my thoughts were like a scroll; Like the ocean waves to number, Or the pulse that holds the soul. At an early hour of waking Took a train, was going south. Where the darkies love are making — Near the Mississippi's mouth. 45 The roaring river soon was crossed — At St. Louis changing train — Near Iron Mountain we were lost In a night of sleet and rain. Out of the storm we were lucky, To a land between extremes; At Columbus, in Kentucky, — A n< I we passed to better scenes. In Tennessee the blue birds cheered, In the swamps the game was swimming; The summer heat we hourly neared, And spring work was beginning. Near broad plantations busy bees On beech trees were caressing; And various birds were in the breeze, Their joyous notes expressing. And numerous negroes, at their ease. Were singing songs together. To foreign airs, our ears to please. In Mississippi weather. On Central Mississippi farms Were cotton pickers working; And others dressed with glittering charms. More happy were in shirking. 48 The harness used upon the farms — Chain traces and shuck collars — Rope lines were strung across their arms — The outfit worth six dollars. The modest mules did watch us pass, Their masters shield, in toiling; Near Corinth sheep were mowing grass, — The hogs a vale subsoiling. Two days had passed; on Mobile bay The oyster shells were breaking; The ocean steamer, on its way, For foreign countries making. Upon the banks I thought of sounds When cruel war was stealing; Through blinding tears I saw the mounds, For others woe was feeling. 'random SHOTS.' * ±7 MOTION. The planets roll unending space, Belong to God's own pleasure; The growth and life of Adam's race We vainly try to measure. By currents strong the ocean tides Are ever changing on the coast; Like human thoughts, in lofty strides, Eeturn to levels, though they boast. The iron steed, controlled by brains, High on the mount is on its way; Low in the valley other trains Are waiting, as the break of day. Where Southern birds are building nests, In helds where grain is growing ; The winter blast is seeking rest, From Northern ice is blowing. 4s FAULT-FINDING. The world, some say, is going back, — Perhaps they're honest in their views, — It may be wisdom that they lack. And slow have been to read the news. Complain they do; complain they must, Obscure from view of those more kind; Have selfish grown, and none can trust. Their narrow thoughts have made them blind, The iron rale of long ago Made independent people mean; To bless the multitudes below More charity to-day is seen. Within my breast the ebb and liow Of mortal life is beating time; To better seenes than here below, To spheres for making better rhyme. FACTS. To think each second two bodies are dead — The immortal parts as quickly have fled — Or in one hour, from a world of strife, Seventy-two hundred have passed this life. 4:9 GROWTH. God spoke, the earth revolved in space, All living creatures made full-grown; But man alone, first of the race, In Eden learned he was alone. Then growth began from Adam's side, A rib was taken, and its growth A woman formed, a living bride, And walking miracles were both. A growth of sin on earth began, And jealous Cain took Abel's life; All down the centnries it ran To the present time, through tears and strife. And righteousness spread out to grow Like arrows, from a quiver bent; From genius souls we do not know, Immortal sparks that heaven sent. The growth of knowledge is sublime, From nature and experience old, Its age is not confined to time- Eternity will it unfold. "random shots. The growth of shrubs, with sweet perfume. That florists guard with tender care; Or notes in music made to tune To midnight dream of maiden fair. Where freedom grew were might y groans, — The brave there died where vultures dwell. Their monuments are bleaching bones, And hooting owls their funeral knell. CALCULATIONS. Span the earth around with a telegraph, Date the message sent on its journey round; Wait minutes five, seconds twelve and one-half. And the message take as you catch the sound. 51 IMITATIONS. A boy came walking up the street. He had such wondrous ways; A model girl I seemed to meet, I oft had watched his plays. A question Hashed into my head, Why he so strange appeared; A ready answer, silent said, By sisters he was reared. I passed along, a girl I met, Her age was only ten; She seemed to be all in a fret — Appeared like many men. Her education, from a child, Had only been with boys; The mystery why girls are wild, And make such awful noise. Two neighbor girls, together raised, Are oft the talk in town; The handsome one is often praised, The homely scarce a noun. 52 Her ugly face the frowning lad Passed by with scarce a glance ; To her companion, seeming glad. If he could get a chance. The prettiest face in all the place, The homely creature made ; And in reply, a homely face, The pretty maid had paid. A jolly artist thought it wise To sketch what he had seen ; With valentines did both surprise. And proved that both were green. YOUTH. 53 YOUTH. Between the lofty hills near Buffalo, Is soil I first beheld that gave me birth ; A land where speckled trout in brooklets grow, The brightest spot to me upon tlie earth. 'Twas in the early spring, the hemlocks grew, Far up the hill were the beech trees shade, 'Twas there the pigeons came; they truly knew The woods to rear their young; there the eggs were laid. And the mill below purest flour made, And the living wind mingled in the sound, And the shouting boys in the mill race played, .Near the water-wheel slowly rolling round. 'Twas there I drove the cattle by the week, Two cents each day as recompense was paid ; Through summer time barefooted were my feet, The scars remain the cruel stone-bruise made. An orchard owned by Deacon Clark, His melon patch the neighbors thought the best; The better ones were found, the night was dark, Jd&y Clark forgive, we did not break his rest. 54 Through six long months the school-house fires were made, For Guiteau's lawyer, known as Charles H. Reed ; Three dollars for my winter work he paid — The ashes went for pins ; I was in need. Far up the hill a group of children went With hand-sleds painted blue, and white, and red ; Returning like a cyclone had been sent, Before the saints in town their prayers had said. And down below, upon the ice at night, Were rosy lips and faces smooth as glass, And their eyes were clear as the stars were bright, And I loved them all as I saw them pass. CHRISTMAS CHEER. 55 CHRISTMAS CHEER. The roses red, the grasses green, Are growing south, to-day are seen ; The birds of flight, that give us cheer, To other souls are just as dear. The Esquimaux in fur is dressed, In hut of ice enjoys his rest ; The winter blast through forests fly And here old nature's pipe is high. The winter wind is drifting snow, Indoors are stockings in a row ; The ember glow, the children shout, Old Santa Claus is surely out. Twenty-four hours of Christmas morn, Another day on earth is born ; Twenty-four hours of Christmas night, The u Shepherd's Star " reflects its light. 56 "random shots. A THRILLING ADVENTURE. Long years ago, down East, transpired, A circumstance I now relate ; My father had a stage-coach hired, To navigate across the State. The rain had poured for many an hour, On Pennsylvania's crooked face ; At noon they met a lively shower, The frail old bridge had left its place. Far up the bank a bridge was found, Four feet of water o'er it went ; The driver brave, his whip did sound, And horses four were on it sent. Five years before, I came to earth, The whip on the bridge did sound ; I think a circumstance of worth For me, perhaps, had father drowned. When half across, to their surprise, The bridge was gone, for many feet ; Their thoughts were called beyond the skies, Expecting soon their God to meet. 57 For half a mile the horses swam To a curve the river made ; The leaders' hoofs struck on the land, When their anxious prayers were paid. The driver's courage then was known, When for thanks, he curses gave ; He greater wisdom would have shown Giving thanks that he was saved. A MIDNIGHT SCENE. The dearest poem I have ever known Came to my vision the other night — It was from a friend, when I was alone, Its cheerful bearings I will try to write. The inspiration of a midnight dream In golden letters w Although in age my heart is light, In wisdom, truly, I have grown, Though friends of youth have passed from sight. He often trembled when he walked, And much relied upon his cane ; And cheered his children when he talked, "Just think, beyond, I'm young again." "My 'specks' and staif I leave below, In vain you'll try to see my face; You older, probably, will grow, And need them on the old home place." That night the messenger was sent To relieve the old man's pain ; He did not die, but only went An eternal youth to gain. "random shots." 61 Upon his farm, high on a mound, A thousand monuments are seen ; Where in his youth his axe did sound. But now above him grass is green. THE LIGHTHOUSE. A silent friend's electric eye, To a light-house for the world; High on a rock where eagles fly, With the stars and stripes unfurled. A sailor stood one stormy night, At the pilot wheel in fear; For on the cliff he saw the light That to him was very dear. For twelve long hours, a thousand hearts On the ship had been distressed, At the thunder's roar and lightning darts. That pierced the ocean's breast. Full forty feet the waves piled up, And it seemed the ship, did fly; Returning down into the cup, And it seemed they all must die. 62 The miser sat with checks for gold, Stowed away at his command ; The fighting man was not as bold As a coward on the land. The gambler ceased his game that night, And the drunkard cried for ale ; A maiden nearly died from fright, And the sailors old grew pale. A mother fainted down below, And the captain held her child; The midnight wind did stronger blow, And the little infant smiled. " Great God is here," the captain said, And a thousand hearts were wild, That just before were almost dead, And they kissed the smiling child. The clouds rode by, the stars shone down, And the ocean waves obeyed; A thousand souls were in the town, That the storm had long delayed. RANDOM SHOTS. ** 63 VARIETIES. Perpetual day, perpetual birth, Perpetual night on the face of the earth; Perpetual waking as well as sleep, ISTot only on land but upon the deep. Yolcanic action in the earth is pent, From the mountain peak does its fury vent; Like a giant strong, in sleep like a child, When active and roused his strength is wild. On memories wall, from those that are dead, Achievements we gain from kind words they said; Or leaving their names in histories old, Bear stronger on earth than vaults filled with gold. 5 Tis pleasure to know, on a starlight night, Our friends far away behold the same sight; That shepherds beheld from Bethlehem's height, That millions since born have viewed with delight. The water we drink, bounding through each heart, In the midnight storm soon will take a part; And the water now, in the fish and eel, At some future time in our pulse can feel. 64 Of all the colors of races on earth. The laws of nature produce them from birth; While all the languages, all the world 'round, Produce the same thoughts, but not the same sound. Beneath the keyboards of instruments grand Is silent music, unknown in this land ; But active thinking will be heard at last, From the master minds, as in days of past. Emblems of purity, snowflakes falling, The children young to their windows calling ; In tropical climes, up mountains steep, The beautiful flowers and snowflakes meet. As birds from the south return with new song, The millions of earth should journey along ; To join in chorus all souls to surprise, As from the planet all nations arise. To music sweeter than all worlds combined, Where the deaf can hear, and where none are blind ; Where races and sex can never be known, Where the old are young, and the young are grown. "random shots." 65 EDUCATION. Two children, I remember, Their pedigree the same; The eldest in December Received his given name. And Mary, two years later, Appeared upon the earth; She proved to be the greater, Substantial from her birth. Their parents oft reflected O'er paths the children went; And neither one neglected The task that Heaven sent. The father told the mother Of battles he had fought, From school-days to a lover, — The loss and gain they brought. His choice for life, a blessing, Her modest ways and looks; A monument in dressing, To ornament his books. 66 "Now ornament the children, As you have polished me, And you will be a pilgrim, That older ones will see. "For children in the cradles In time will take our place; And gold, as well as ladles, Will ornament the race." With courage of a lion, As harmless as a dove, She traveled on to Zion, Their home was filled with love. For years a home of pleasure, At last a cloud arose, 'Twas on a day of leisure, A thorn to kill a rose. A naughty little fellow, Whose mother early died, Was educated mellow, Had to her William lied* And to her little treasure A yellow book he gave, It was his daily pleasure To educate a knave. 67 4 ' Circumstantial evidence, ' ' The mother calmly said, u Will not gain a pound or pence, Or feed a beggar dead." Diamonds placed upon a crown, Oft are lost in using ; Paths to wealth and much renown, Lost by heedless choosing. In the prisons can be found Rigid faces, blighted; That their education's bound-, Who their chances slighted. Capable in younger days, To break the lion's jaw ; Tan his hide and mend his ways, And make him gee or haw. Bill and Mary now are grown, Integrity and truth; And their fame is widely known, Decided from their youth. 68 OBSERVATIONS, In observations take a stroll, To figure out our daily need; For many parts are in a whole, And strange are ways of men, indeed. The little fishes in the deep, Are soon forgotten in their home; When resting on their oars in sleep, Are swallowed by the larger grown. Self-interest is a righteous law, How far from truth so many swerve; In others good, they pick a flaw, In trade or politics, observe. "A thief to catch a thief," 'tis said, Tradition handed down to us; For years the speaker has been dead, But does the saying make it just? Proclaiming long in lofty strains, That "none are honest on the earth;" A sorry time for men of brains, Responsible for greater worth. 69 Because another person steals, And scienced is in telling lies; Is that a proof lie better feels That honest men he should despise? Adulterations bring to grief The honest men o'er all the land; By filling pockets of the thief, That few do fully understand. To boldly step upon the round Of any ladder, solid made, And worry not about the ground, But prop it toward the upper grade. Shoemakers watch the passing feet, The merchant buys to please his trade; The debtors pass across the street, Because the old bills are not paid. The sharper watches for a trade, Upon the track misfortune went; And where the doctor visits paid, The undertaker's thoughts were bent. In board of trade how many swear, Because they lost all their wealth; In age are left in deep despair, From loss of earnings, in their health. 70 A tombstone man I met to-day, Inquiring of the rich that died; And of my health he much did say, I think he thought I soon would ride. I had a notion then and there, To call for samples in his books; And save a contract, and a prayer, His sympathy and purchased looks. I've watched my schoolmates all along, And those I love more than the rest; Have cheerful been, and full of song, And always tried to do their best. You might as well attempt to hold, The ocean current in your hand ; As try to prison up the soul, Of any independent man. The women, as a rule, are kind, — That is, as far as I have heard, — Although they talk their husbands blind, Victorious, by the last word. I oft have thought that those succeed Who have the grit to hold their own; And if to fight there is a need, The muscles used are stronger grown. 71 The foolish man to the lobby hires ; The solid man his actions spurn ; The barking dog does sooner tire; The seasoned wood does quicker burn. Each man, 'tis said, "he has his price," Pray tell me how such knowledge known Such persons are too over-nice, Their better light has dimmer grown. Locality has much to mould, With thoughts and actions here below, For murderers have often told That crimes, like goodness, had to grow. We make decisions often blind, One-half the proof was only heard ; Is that the plan, the Master kind, Decisions made, from out his word? The fleetest horse upon the track, Is often beaten in the race, His driver did the wisdom lack And science took the winning place. Of education we must write If politics decide our fate ; The independent vote is right Of all the votes, small or great. 72 To force the scholars in our schools In politics to please our mind, Is proof the parents all are fools— Oar constitution is unkind. If reformations only thrive, As multitudes are wiser grown, And politics are kept alive By seed unto the masses sown, Then let us quickly understand, That lofty themes should be our aim, Upon the sea or on the land, And peace and harmony obtain. Indelible should be our ink. Decision as we go along ; If benefits we cannot think, Depend upon some honest song. But, if you wish to test a friend, Be broken up a year or so ; In wealth you cannot sure depend, But in adversity will know. At twenty years we oft are wise, At thirty, just beginning to learn, At forty, folly does surprise, At death, for knowledge mostly yearn, 73 FRUITLESS ATTEMPT TO ANALYZE SPACE. What is that subtile element, that we Call magnetism, yet have never seen or Heard? and so far as we can tell, pervades All space? Can it be that space itself is Held together by its bond ? Is not the Air invisible composed of parts ? And Are they not material ? And when in Mass sufficient gathered, by some force not In themselves, successfully attack the Strongest fabrics man has built upon the earth. Did not Newtonian skill unravel Light's soft skein, when any man before would Just as soon have thought that space was made of Parts as Light? Can anything without its Parts exist, of which the whole is more than some ? Is not eternity itself made Up of moments that will never cease to Follow each? And if they did, then where would Be eternity, if moments there were Not enough to fill it out, and make it last? 74 And if extension not, then space would Die, for want of continuity at Once. But now it lives, and certainly must Have a soul — essential being of some kind. And may Not magnetism be That soul, and keep the universe alive By furnishing it space in which to be ? Give me a cup to hold the drops that make The sea, and I will then annihilate The ocean vast, and empty out her trough. Infinites crowd on us here ; but this Mends not the case: No chain without its links. And where would be infinity, if parts were not? If not one day can be without Its parts, much less infinity ; for much Is more than little. It matters not how Small a thing may be, it's still a part, of Which the half is less than all. Now let's stop. 75 THE COMET'S REPLY TO THE ATHEIST. IN SEARCH FOR A PLACE WHERE THERE IS NO GOD. Beyond the glittering worlds of light, For ages past, I've been employed; And in my vast and rapid flight, Have found no place of God devoid. I've soared around the burning sun, And gazed where mortals never dare; And in the journey I have run, Have always found that God was there. With piercing vision I have gazed Among the scattered worlds afar, And where their brilliant splendors blazed, Have ever found that God was there. I've plowed the fields of liquid space, And scanned the ocean, earth and air; But never found the smallest place, But what Almighty God was there. Creation's grandeur I've surveyed, And seen its riches stored abroad, But far beyond where thought has strayed, The ample space was filled with God. In all that vast unmeasured round, Through which my piercing view I dart, No place without a God I've found, Except the atheist's wretched heart. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS "".'. ''.•:- : :v' v *.'