1 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW CHARLES C. LEE mW; 1 ■' 1 i li iB Class I ,,, CopyrigMlN^- COFH^ICHT DEPOSm SONGS OF THE AMBRAW AND OTHER VERSES By CHARLES C. LEE CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS ?^ 5 5^^ Copyright, 1922 \^ By Charles C. Lee 0,6 Illustrations by Paul T. Sargent Charleston, 111. i^UG 2b 1922 ©)CI,A6S3267 To My wife, Katherine C. Lee CONTENTS Page The Ambraw 13 Chieftain and Bride 18 Whippooi'will 24 Our Native Land 26 The Ice King 29 The Jungles 35 Poets Say 38 On To The South 41 Sunshine and Snow 43 Childhood and Age 45 The Lost Cup 47 Ingratitude 49 The Muse 51 Wives 53 Husbands 56 Forest and Glen 59 The Big Wind 63 The Race 67 Come Over 70 Flowers 71 The Fugitive 73 Littleness 75 No One Ready 77 CONTENTS Page The Dreamer 79 My Sweetheart 80 The Prude 82 Reveille 85 The Juror 87 The Joiner 92 The Reception 94 Music 97 Made Over 99 The U. S. A. In 1917 ...... 102 The Bumble Bee 104 The Gossips 109 In the Back Seat Ill The Corn Belt 113 Shucking Time 115 Playing Lady 119 The Reply , . 120 The Fairy 122 The Old Bell Cow ' 124 The Old Cook Stove 128 Little Caper . 129 Charles Edward 132 The Fiddler 135 Three Little Girls 137 w HY travel abroad in style and state To stand in line at a foreign gate, In search of a place where beauty abides, Where the silver waves of the rivers glide O'er sands of gold, to the ocean tide? HERE, God has painted the hly as fair. As those that unfold in the foreign air. The grass grows green as South Sea isles, The waters sparkle and the rivers smile — Distant Lands should not beguile. SONGS OF THE AMBKAW THE AMBRAW HPHE bold voyageur with his magical oar On the streams of the west which he came to explore, If living, would grieve for the forests he knew, Flash of the paddles and glide of canoe. His spirit, as the voice of one long at rest. On the wind whispers back from the mys- tical past. And tells of a christening, in darkness and night: "Ambraw! the swift water, is out in its might." SONGS OF T HE AMBIIAW THE AMBRAW (Continued) This river comes forth from a lonely abode, The pools and lagoons of a long vanished lake, Adorned and bedecked in Nature's bright robe, With flowers whose tints no other can make. They grace and enrich, by her touch and caress, The beauty she gave to her own first love, Where the bright purple flag and the blue stem grass, Nod in the winds to the clouds far above. 14 AND OTHER VERSES THE AMBRAW (Continued) In greatness and grandeur its hills stand in pride, In serrated order, as the Cossack may ride; Their portals are open, the valley full wide. For the rush of wild waters — a turbulent tide. Behind this dark border of battlements high Through sunshine and storm still patiently lie, At the foot of the hills, the marl and the clay, Broken and scarred, as the years pass away. 15 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE AMBRAW (Continued) Down through the valley, as flows the Blue Nile, It races and runs like a wild horse at play. Or lingers and loiters, as a maid to beguile, And wanders abroad in bayou and bay. It lies silver and bright beneath the full moon, Hears the call of wild geese, the cry of the loon. The echoing hoot of the owl in his tree, As it passes the hills flowing on to the sea. 16 AND OTHER VERSES THE AMBRAW (Continued) The soil in its borders is rich as red wine, Where once roved the bison, the panther and deer; 'Tis the realm of the corn, the fields of the kine, As Egypt of old when famine drew near. While it carries the waters of snows and of rain, Its lands will provide for the dwellers therein. From the fruits of the farm and the bounti- ful grain Of the rolling green hills and the wide fer- tile plain. 17 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW CHIEFTAIN AND BRIDE TN the days when the Indians lived -^ down On the banks of the creek in the good hunting ground, The Kickapoo came from the western land To mingle its waters with the Ambraw, so grand, When in flood she comes down with loud muddy tide, All over the valley her waters spread wide. As if the whole world in her anger she'd hide. Rolling on ! Ever on ! Not a moment she stays. The driftwood she carries rocks up on the waves, Passing on! Ever on! Like unwilling slaves ; No galley they row, they handle no oar, As if chained to their task, come not ashore. 18 AND OTHER VERSES CHIEFTAIN AND BRIDE (Continued) Running Horse came to this fast ris- ing tide, He came from the east and brought his young bride; They stood on a bluff of this wild muddy stream, The sun was fast sinking, wild waters between Them and the home he had promised his queen. The clouds were banked high, in red and dark blue, As kissed by the sun in its final adieu. The night wind first whispered a sweet gentle sigh In the top of the timber, was flying quite high ; Then whistled and moaned, in angry roar Beat up the waves on sand-bar and shore. 19 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW CHIEFTAIN AND BRIDE (Continued) He was the young Chief of his fast fail- ing tribe, Strong in his manhood and filled with his pride; As he stood on the bluff by the side of his bride, His eyes roved the water — a fast rising tide. The storm beat upon them — winter's cold blast, No shelter was there, where they could find rest, The wind growing louder, at black night's behest. They had traveled too far to retreat in the cold — She gazed up in wonder, his look was so bold. Yet, no plan he offered, did no method unfold. To cross this wide river to the camp- fire of old, Of which he had told her— The Wild Turtle Dove. 20 AND OTHER VERS ES CHIEFTAIN AND BRIDE (Continued) Quickly he sensed her wonder and faith, Folded her to him, looked on her dark face, Resolved in his heart whatever might come He would ferry her over to the camp-fire of home. Remembering the canoe hid up in the bend, He looked at his bride, then the waters again ; Told her of his love, how in great pride, His people were waiting on the far Western side To welcome them home — the Chief and his Bride. Asked, if she had courage to ride the swift tide, If he paddled the canoe to the land of his tribe? She remembered her people, her lineage too ; Murmured she gladly would ride the canoe. 21 SONGS OF THE A MBRAW CHIEFTAIN AND BRIDE (Continued) They soon were afloat on the treacherous stream, Night had come down ; the light ning did gleam, Casting weird shadows, like a ghastly- screen ; Mingling with drift, with timber and brush, Baffling his sight, as the paddle he thrust. To steer this frail craft through darkness and night. Stem the wild current in its madness and flight. Trees of the forest on the water did ride, Like phantoms and witches, a lost soul be- stride ; Could this rolling canoe, from the log of a tree, Live out this wild ride, the shore would it see? 22 A^ND OTHER V ERSES CHIEFTAIN AND BRIDE (Continued) With the courage and sinew of a warrior's race, This battle for life, he this danger did face. He bent all the skill of a water-man's pride, The canoe to hold straight, this dugout to guide. He is winning the goal, by inches and feet. As a thoroughbred wins when another he meets — Has reached still waters where willows grow tall, Where the pawpaw turns yellow in early fall. Across the backwater in safety they glide. To the light of the fire, the home of the tribe. Who dance a wild greeting to Chieftain and Bride. 23 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW Y WHIPPOORWILL OU can hear the Whippoorwill From the lowly place he's sought, As he whistles in the evening The call he has been taught By that Teacher, of all teachers, Who knows our every thought. And tells us by His creatures When the seasons change about. They are wise from Nature's schooling, By their instinct they can sense When the lovely Spring is coming With flowers and sweet incense ; How she will in great profusion Clothe the hills and vales, In a radiance of beauty With verdure and with vines. 24 AND OTHE R V ERSES WHIPPOORWILL (Continued) And .sprinkle in among them The flowerlets divine. With blue grass for a canvas A landscape will unfold That is equaled by no artist Though he dip his brush in gold, And mingle in his painting All the colors that he knows. He cannot paint a hillside, A waterfall or rill, He cannot do a sunset, A palace on a hill, That will hold you for a moment Like the picture Nature spills, All in her loving kindness Along the Ambraw hills. 25 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW OUR NATIVE LAND "Lives there a man, with soul so dead. Who never to himself hath said — This is my own. my native land I" Sir Walter Scott. ET us tr>' to tell you ' In a farmer kind of way, The story that she tells us As we see her day by day; The beauty of her upland, The rugged hills and shore, About the fertile com lands, Of trees and moss galore. 26 AND OTHER VERSES OUR NATIVE LAND i Continued) The little nooks in woodland Where the ferns and harebells grow. The daisies and buttercups In the blue grass setting low ; Sweet Williams and the golden rod. And so many friends we know. Like the redbud and the dogwood. The crab tree when in blow. This is a land of beauty Like an Eastern fairy tale. It is second unto Eden And excels fair Cashmere's Vale. But we know you can not see it. That our words do not avail. You will have to come and live it And get it in your blood. Then, you'll love lier in the summer And in the winter's flood. SONGS OF THE AMB RAW OUR NATIVE LAND (Continued) When you drink the waters, Its gravel and its grit Will hold you to these borders And this land you'll never quit; Until Time shall call you higher, When the hour glass and sand With their slow and certain measure Shall have measured out your span. And it's written on your monument, "Gone to a better land." Then some Native reading The words thus said of you, Will firmly take his stand And state unto his neighbor "There is no better land, Than the land along the river, It is made of silt and sand, We always have a harvest Our crops are always grand." 28 AND OTHER VERSES THE ICE KING nPHE Ice King sat on his crystal throne -*• At the top of his highest berg And called his captains to hear his word Of command — to man his Icy Fleet For a sail to the south and a warmer clime, Free from the frost and sleet Of their Northern home, that chilled the bone, The heart in its pulse and beat. They shivered and shook their icicle beards And answered, "Aye Sire! We will set the sail For the bitter gale and the driving hail ; Bid the region we have known so long. Its blizzard blast with mournful song. The dreary dark and endless nights A lasting, final, full farewell. And with thee sail where'er you will." 29 SONGS OF THE AMB RAW THE ICE KING (Continued) On the highest peak the King on his seat Gazed forth for thousands of miles, His eyes, that could see as far as the light. Were cold as his lofty spires ; His searching sight from left to right Explored the land he would take, While his mighty ships with stone and drift Were filling the rivers and lakes. With ceaseless force on his crushing course « He came to an unknown land. Where primitive man had never been And the wild beast had his lair; The skies above like seas of love — No mountain or hill was near — The face of the land an Elysian dream To the crew of the snow, and their King. 30 AND OTHER VERSES THE ICE KING (Continued) He anchored his flashing fleet of bergs On the edge of this level plain, Turned on his throne and cursed The north, its frost and frozen rain ; Swore by his fear of Northern gods By the ice that filled his mane, So long as he lived he would never return To the land from whence he came. But, the sun came north from Capricorn, The life and light of every zone. Turned on this King and his crystal throne. On his glittering glacial spires The heat of a million fires ; 'Till the waters they held in icy bond Ran like a river on mountain found, As they race to a foreign shore. 31 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE ICE KING (Continued) These waters o'erflowed this pleasant plain, Tore and gashed its peaceful form, Dug through its fertile virgin soil The way for a river deep and wide ; Built the hills its course to guide, Through them cut the dells and vales, With mighty sweep as ocean tide Terraced the ridges and smoothed each side. After thousands of years, the Redman roamed The forest and valleys, this river his home, No spirit of its waters, or sprite of its trees, A name for this river and country could give; When it was mentioned in reverence or prayer. No name came forth its beauty could bear. It was described, by the hand in the air, A Signal of Plenty, a Country so Fair. 82 OTHER VERSES AND O T H ER VERSES I THE JUNGLES HAVE gone through The Jungle at midnight, When the beasts came forth for their prey; In droves, and in pairs, and in singles, They were out to devour and to slay. Those who traveled alone had the courage, Were fearless and bold in the night. For themselves and their offspring could forage ; While the pairs would double their might. The drove were a pack of black cowards. The number, their courage behed ; To pursue, they must press close together, Feel a presence and touch at the side. I could feel all the stealth and the creeping, The approach, that whispers of death; The snap of the twigs in their breaking, A struggle, a gasp, for a breath. 35 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE JUNGLES (Continued) Then borne on the winds from the distance Came a clatter of hoof beats in fear, A shadow flits by through the darkness And gone is the fleet footed deer. There is noise and sound of the night hfe, The growl of the brute in his lair; Cries, that cut, and that stab, like a knife, 'Tis the blood thirst, — death and despair. I have gone through the city at midnight. Have seen the bright lights from afar; The glare, that allures and delights. Those who linger in pleasure when there. It glows and reflects in the sky. As a cloud from a cauldron of fire; As if anger and vengeance drew nigh, To smite, as a god in his ire. 36 AND OTHER VERSES THE JUNGLES (Continued) In the muck, the damp and the blackness, Where the streets are stained with crime The light turns red in the darkness, Because, of the evil designed. It's the drove and the pack, as in Jungle, Who gang through the Streets in the night ; The crafty and sly, who commingle. And prey upon thrift in the light. I turned from The Jungle and City, To the homes, the fields and the woods; Where He who looks down in His pity. Is known, and His word understood. Where the sunlight falls on the door step And the children play in the grass; Where the moon comes over the tree top. And flowers, in their season troop past. 87 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW POETS SAY >OETS have told in their matchless way The endless things they have to say; The beauties of earth, the clouds and sky, The flowers they saw in passing by, Of lakes and streams they were grow- ing nigh. They have portrayed the shady dell, The soft blue grass where shadows fell, The shade of the maple and elm tree, 'Neath which they lay and looked a- bove At the blue of the sky with joy and love. 38 AND OTHER VERSES POETS SAY (Continued) They tell of the rivers, they tell of the streams With their gauze of light and radiant sheen ; They describe the forest in its beautiful green, The orchards they crown like an ancient queen With garlands so rare and seldom seen. I have followed the streams Where they flowed away, Safely hid in their banks so gay. Where the cottonwood and sycamore sway And the willow thickets come to stay. 39 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW POETS SAY (Continued) Many a bank I did find With water-moccasins sleeping fine. Basking there in the bright sunshine, Ready to sHde with noiseless glide Into the waiting silver tide. The poet who sees but beautiful fields Covered o'er with endless green, Views of gorgeous hue and elegant scene, Rivers and lakes in silver sheen, The nooks and corners, has never seen. The poet is right, his conduct grand, The prose of life no muse can stand ; It is left for us who have no wings, On the ground must stay. Can not soar and sing. 40 AMD OTHER VERSES ON TO THE SOUTH THE winds of the north cut like a knife, Their voice a cry and weird moan, As they twist and turn in their strife And whine hke a ball from rifle gun ; Snap and snarl in the traveler's face. Bare their teeth as onward they race Into the South to spend their force — On to a final resting place. Fly by the side of the lighted train Fan the fire of the engine flame, As into the night it flees on its way Pursued by this wrath of northern day ; Fast to the South, a twinkling light, As soul pursued, in its bitter night, On to the South in endless flight. 41 SONGS OF THE AM BRAW ON TO THE SOUTH (Continued) It makes complaint of the burden it bears With creak and groan of rattling cars To the frosty steel, o'er and o'er, Who answer back, clickety clack! clickety clack! On to the South with its human freight For a haven of rest before too late — As we to Peter, beside the gate. Its fire with sulphuric smell Coaled and stoked tended well, To boil the witches, from waters dank Held in the maw of its iron tank, Who press its sides -like infernal fiends — Gigantic force of imprisoned steam That lash this monster on its way, South from the North Winds cruel play. 42 AND OTHER VERSES SUNSHINE AND SNOW A CITY whose parks in the sunshine ■^^ Are gems in her teeming life, Whose buildings greet the skyline And the cloudlets floating by, Crowns the hills of a mighty river, On whose ever restless tide Rolls the sternwheel of the packet, And the stately steamers ride. The sweep of the tawny waters From mountain lake and stream, The curve and bend of the river — A grand and majestic scene! They have done their solemn duty To the harvest in its yield. Watered the trees of the forest, The fruits of garden and field. 43 SONGS OF THE AM BRAW SUNSHINE AND SNOW (Continued) This in the Fair Southland, Where orange and magnoha grow. And only once in a life time The blast of the North Winds go. That lays on the Southern Lands A beautiful blanket of snow. Not the bitter frigid drift, That is spread on the frozen north. But eider down, a friendly frown. To gentle and soften the blow. A touch, to show the beautiful glow. When the sun comes out on the silent hills To mingle its rays in the river's mist ; Paint the world in delicate tints. Caress the top of temple and spire, Fill the street with flash of fire, — A radiant light o'er Southern Land Beautiful beams from the Master's hand ! 44 AND O T HER VERSES CHILDHOOD AND AGE , THE Childhood days of Long Ago That now we see in the after-glow, In the evening of many a pleasant year, We think of the past and almost hear The voice of those who have gone before; Its caressing cadence would feel once more, As a musical note of the wind in May, When it sighs and dies, passes away, Coming no more, refusing to stay; Though we listen and listen the livelong day. The vision is rare that brings to life Thoughts and hopes of childhood days, Revels again in joys and doubts. In fancy free, in childish shouts, Quickly gone from the childlike mind, Soaring away on the wings of time Buoyant with hope, in confidence rare, O, that Age, could in Childhood share! 45 SONGS OF T HE AMBRAW CHILDHOOD AND AGE (Continued) Could we have our wish or desire It would not be to win by toil that tires, The wealth and gain for which men contend, Nor the applause of men sought in the end. Let us laugh with the joy and glee That in Childhood came to you and me, Came without money, came without price, Thrilled us with gladness, gone in a trice. Coming again, unbidden and free, To mellow our days, as life should be. 46 AND OTHER VERSES I THE LOST CUP CAN see as in a vision In the twilight or the dawn, A farm, and a lonely cabin, The well, with a curb around ; Its sweep, a ghostly goblin, As it travels up and down. I see the gourd on the well curb, Where it hung and swung in the breeze Inviting all, who passed along To come, and rest at ease, And be refreshed with Adam's ale In the shade of the maple trees. 47 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE LOST CUP (Continued) We now, have the new fangled notions, The contraptions so nice and complete. The plumbing, enameled and open With fixtures all nickeled and neat; —Away, with the glistening goblet, In the hand of a maid, so petite. Could I only go back to my boyhood. The log house, the well with its sweep, And lie in the sun in the open. Dwell in the days that were fleet, Drink from a gourd when I'm thirsty, The servants, their crystal might keep. Gone are the cabin and well curb. Along with the sweep and the gourd. The comforts of life press upon me, When I long and thirst for a drink. O, how the children forget me ! They have taken my Cup from the sink. 48 AND OTHER VERSES INGRATITUDE "LTE slaved for others without hope of A -■- gain ; As mother for child will sacrifice, Or she wolf for whelp will make de- vice. Denied himself, for their happiness and gain. By faithful service sought to over- come Promotion's slow delay, and smooth for them, Their daily walk and way. His reward was conscious duty done. No return in kind did he expect. Hoping only for such gratitude, or re- spect. As might be given to a faithful beast of burden, Chafed by harness coarse and sodden. With sweat and dirt of toil well done In many days of heat and sun. 49 SONG S OF THE AMBRAW INGRATITUDE (Continued) 'Tvvas well the philosophy of his mind so ran, Those who received the kindness of his heart and hand, As they advanced in station, wealth and strength, Or outward grace and beauty, come at length His commonplace and homely presence to resent. With bitter words and conduct rude Turned, to rend him through and through, As the jungle beast its prey will do; His good intent and wishes flout, To show on them did no obligation rest. They would scar, as with tooth and claw His spirit, as if it were flesh, to be made bleeding raw; To grow, if it would again, with whitened seams, Mute evidence of his destroyed dreams. 50 AND OTHE R V ERSES INGRATITUDE (Continued) Flesh will grow and knit again, But a kindly spirit torn and rent, By Ingratitude scorched and burnt Ne'er heals; but glows red With the heat of shame and dread: Humiliated, struggles to forget The stabs and thrusts inflicted without regret, By recipients of former kindness — to pay the debt. And if he prays, will ask for strength, Will say, "They know not what they do, Some error I must have made To be tortured, shamed and treated so." 51 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW I THE MUSE F I were only a poet And knew I could prove it, With words I'd abuse The sullen old Muse. She is a fickle old jade Who will balk in the shade ; Her favor withhold P'rom the young or the old. She will brush off her pants, Sit down for a rest And there she may stay, Though I beg her my best. 52 AND OTHER VERSES T WIVES iHE Wives of men are the salt of the earth, To help and encourage in sorrow or mirth, They work and toil in youth or age. In wisdom excel the ancient sage. They are fairer than lilies, better by far. For they toil and spin, are busy each hour; To please they give their endless care And fill your life, as an incense rare. They steady the gait of the runaway And keep him at work instead of play ; Flatter and fool, cajole him along, Make him feel big and think he is strong. 53 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW WIVES (Continued) When he's down and out, his ego all gone, When he knows he is weak, is seeking the strong, He turns to his Wife, in penitence rare, For her love and help, her kindly care. She tells him how big and strong he is, That all of the courage in life is his ; To go back in the game and fight it through, If he can not win, it's a great howdy-do ! She knows he's a child and treats him so. Often is tired of his brag and blow ; But to manage and drive, direct him on, Is her lot in life — the job she is on. 54 AND OTHER VE RSES WIVES (Continued) She must keep him up for appearance sake, Or people will know she made a mistake ; There are others, with husbands, too, So, she must the while, keep bragging on you. If she should tell and the neighbors find out The meanness you do when no one's about, You would be ruined, your standing gone; So, when you go out you must take her along And be the poor tune, of her wonderful song. 55 SONGS OF THE AMBRAVV HUSBANDS nnHE poor old husband a burden must ■^ bear, His days are filled with endless care, He labors and toils that others may fare In fashion and style, — fine clothes may wear; To show them off is pulled here and there, To parties and functions every where. Like a dog of the boy, — a collar must wear, With rope tied fast to haul and tear ; His neck is stretched, his toes hold fast When he balks and slides on walk or grass. He mourns the days that are gone and past. When in freedom he roamed, — in the night went fast. .56 AND OTHER VER SES HUSBANDS (Continued) As the dog to the boy, so husband to wife, To "sic' on the others, her foil through life. He the collar must wear, she the lily will be; Neither toil nor spin, but happy and free. Like goods on the shelf he is shoved about. That madam may pose, — her clothes try out. There are days when the dog he would gladly be. Would break from the boy, run wild and free, Or hide away in the break of the cane Safe from the tyrant, from collar and chain ; Would seek his own fun in his own good way, Free from the boss with the endless say. 57 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW HUSBANDS (Continued) When F'ourth of July comes drift- ing 'round, With crackers and noise of end- less sound, He sighs for the days he used to know, — Was then his own boss, could come and go, Wander away in this land of the free, Happy and glad as a man should be. When he rebels and curses his fate, The conventions of life say O, It's too late ! You are bound and tied as Mazeppa of old; Not on a horse frantic and wild. But fast to the apron string, as a child. 58 AND OTHER VERSES FOREST AND GLEN A LONG with the elves of the Goblin Lands, "^^ Where the elms wave and the walnut stands, There lingered a lad, who the trees be- guiled. To the timber's edge and the forest aisles, That curve and bend, winding away — Enchanting views to a boy at play! He roamed the tangled weedy glen, Where wild flowers grow and briers are found, With paths that show where creatures have been. That travel by night, in the woods abound; And the silent ridges, where moss grows green 'Neath the ancient oak, with its gnarled crown. 59 SONGS OF THE AM BRAW FOREST AND GLEN (Continued) He heard the whispering timber sprites, Like a voice of the wind in a summer night ; The noise of creatures unsight, unseen, Weaved in and out Hke fancy's dream, And charmed this child of Forest and Glen More, than later, could the voice of men. He learned the ways of forest life, How they fought and quarreled, of their endless strife; How the weak must flee, when the strong came nigh, If caught, must perish and die. 60 AND OTHE R VERSES FOREST AND GLEN (Continued) Later in life in city and town, Where people both flatter and frown, This boy from Forest and Glen Knew the minds of various men, From the resemblance in them, To many an early wildwood friend. He found the lessons he learned so well, As he watched the denizens of forest and dell, Might well apply, as rules of the game, Where men contend in honor or shame, For place and pelf and great renown. Where the strong ones win, the weak beat down. 61 SONGS OF T HE AMBRAW FOREST AND GLEN (Continued) On the other hand, when we look around, For acts of kindness, for love profound, P'or self-denial, by duty bound, Things of the wild, birds in the trees, Would put us to shame, for what one sees Where people starve and children freeze. Yet, from whispering winds in tangled vines, From nodding flowers of shades divine, From all the hfe of Forest and Glen, The love and hope, the strife of men, A lesson we learn, as we travel along; Is the Battle of Life for only the strong? 62 AND OTHER VERSES THE BIG WIND 'HIS is the day of socialism wide flung, The nations of the earth they must be gone, Like mothers, to be deserted by their young Who, seek false gods, when told they are strong. Sing of internationalism, the siren song, — Filled with ingratitude, forgetful of the past, Lost to what will make our freedom last ; So eager to comply with the passing fashion of the day, W^e would our liberty and freedom cast away. 63 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE BIG WIND (Continued) Who are these men of trump and drum, Whence and from where does their knowl- edge come, About which they prate, talk and tell, Of their love for mankind, their noise to swell? Who is mankind, for whom we should strive. Be taxed and toil, of our substance give? Is it our own, or for others to live; Is it our Country of freedom and fame We should keep and protect, "The land of the free?" Shall we throw it away, if we hear The Big Wind From Paris or London, or even Berlin ? 64 AND OTHER VERSES THE BIG WIND (Continued) What we are asking and wanting to know, What for so long has been troubling us so, Is, why this big noise about Europe and all Its big nations, and nations so small? Why should we take them like orphans to raise, Brag on ourselves, and furnish the praise, When they were of age, with whiskers full wide, Before Columbus came to this side? 65 SONGSOF THE AMBRAW THE BIG WIND (Continued) These people we are advised to adopt and protect, Have customs and habits they love and respect. Their language, their literature, their free- dom and rights, They have sought to preserve from endless attacks ; Are proud of their customs, of country and fame, Have they asked us to be guardians, to rule over them? Before we assume we are wanted by others so old, Why be forward, immodest and bold , Because The Big Wind, a Sirocco of Sound, And the mob with its yelling, our judgment has drowned? 66 AND OTHER VERSES THE RACE TN the morning of life our spirit ■*• is bold, Sails high in the sky with courage untold ; Surrounded by friends, the loved ones we know, Ambition goes forth the world to o'er throw. Through youth and young manhood, to middle of life, We are restless and eager, long for the strife. 67 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE RACE (Continued) When the sun goes Westward and the shadows reverse, We are tired of the going, tired of the course ; Like a horse when in training will turn from the track. The struggle give up and refuse to come back. Our friends are all gone, our kin- dred all dead; The spirit is humble and effort we dread. The Race is all over, the Winners have won. The quitters all quit when the quarter was run, You stayed in the race and fought to the end, With muscle and nerve for the wire did contend. The finish was fast, from the flag it was close, Like a furious drive for driver and horse. 08 AND OTHER VERSES THE RACE (Continued) In The Race of life from begin- ning to end, How true you may run, how well you contend, Those who decide may see you the last. Though you go it alone, in the fin- ish come fast; Come from behind, with speed in re- serve. Or travel ahead, and come on your nerve. The fun of the game, the sport of the play, Is playing it square, what'er they may say. If you win, do not brag, as no gen- tleman will ; If you lose take your loss — be a gentleman still. He who brags and boasts, if he hap- pens to win Will welch and whine, when the gaff is for him. 69 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW I COME OVER HAVE writ Another little skit, If you'll Come Over I'll let you look at it. I know it's nothing fine Just some foolish sort of rhyme Made up in my mind, Only to pass the time. When time hangs on And the day seems long, As I can't fiddle, or blow a horn, I sometimes try to write a song. Of course, I can't sing, And yet a better thing, I know I can't, Which some folks don't, Who make a noise in their throat. 70 AND OTHER VERSES I FLOWERS LOVE the delicate tint of the rose In the early morn With the dew on her crown, Her head held high to the breeze that comes, To which she nods, up and down, Like the queen she is of the Flowers around. She blooms and blushes in stately grace ; Her breath perfumes the garden place, Invites us to call and linger a while To see her beauty, her tender smile, Enjoy her fragrance sweet and rare Forget our troubles and every care. 71 SONGS OF THE AM BRAW FLOWERS (Continued) While standing there I looked about; The blue Verbenas in modest doubt, Old-fashioned Zinnias straight and tall Touch-me-nots along the wall, The Gladiolus of majestic mien, With other friends I had often seen. Along the border, like stripes in the flag, Red with life and flaming light Of Northern Fire when it leaps in the night. Stood the Geraniums a challenge to all; Scarlet crests on emerald green, A streak of flame, in a floral dream ! 72 AND OTHER VERSES I THE FUGITIVE N fear for his life, in the midnight hush, He saddled and bridled beneath the stars, A horse of endurance, speed and brush, Whose eyes were bright as the light from Mars. Rags on his hoofs to deaden the sound. Hand on his nose to stifle a neigh ; The turf is reached on frozen ground, The rider is up, off and away. Ridden far out over neck and mane, A horse runs free in his own good way; Going a gait he will long maintain, Fast through the dark, as coming day. 73 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE FUGITIVE (Continued) On through the night, as the plain sped by, Hitting the sod with touch and go; Was the goal he sought drawing nigh, As rider and horse rock to and fro? A guilty thought is a brave man's foe. And the guilty flee when none pursue ; Wrong that is done is grief and woe — Ride with Duty, when the dawn is new. Travel as far as the distant star, Flee as swift as a ray of light. The thought in the mind is always there ; And Wrong pursues by day and night. 74 AND OTHER VERSES I LITTLENESS N the glory of the morning With the sun so bright and glad, When the church had been attended, The prayers had all been said. And the hearts of all the people Should rejoice and be glad; There were those who dwelt among us 'Tis regretful to relate, Who were out of sorts with Nature And by some decree of fate, In a bad perverse condition That suggested thoughts of hate. It was not that they were bitter At their present state of life, Were fearful in the struggle Or, had weakened in the strife ; They seemed to be so little And their eyes so dim of sight. They failed to see the grandeur Of a world so good and bright. It may be they had prospered From a worldly point of view. And their hearts had slowly hardened With their gear so nice and new. 75 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW LITTLENESS (Continued) Such people need some treatment Of a harsh and violent kind, To cure them of their meanness, And loosen up their minds To the beauties all around them. And the rights of all mankind. They may meet with some disaster That will teach them out of hand, The beauties of Dame Nature And the glory of the land, Are all a gracious favor Of Him, Who doth command. All the lovely mornings Days both dark and drear, All the brilliant flowers, The ugly weeds and tares ; The cool and shady bowers And noonday's steady glare, Are the gifts of a Higher Power In this life we have to share. And in common with each other We should love and learn to bear. 76 AND OTHER VERSES I NO ONE READY HEAR them sing of the Pearly Gates, Of the Gates that stand ajar. I ask my neighbor what he thought, As he stood and looked afar? He said he lived in Texas a year And then to Kansas went, Moved around from timber to town 'Till his money all was spent; In Illinois would now be found, Unless they raised the rent. I hear them sing of the Jasper Walls, Of the streets that are paved with gold, I ask the traveler where he was bound If he could enter the Fold? He said he'd lived in Arctic cold, Had chills in Southern land. Found this world hard and rough. Had braved the desert sand ; While Illinois was bad enough, The climate he could stand. SONGS OF THE AM BRAW NO ONE READY (Continued) I hear them sing of the Golden Harp. The harp of a thousand strings. I ask the ancient old and lame, As he tottered along on his crooked cane, What he thought of this heavenly strain? He said he oft' could hear a sweet refrain And feel the touch of an angel's wing, But had lived so long in the world we know, For so many years gone to and fro, While he had no fear, was loth to go. It looks to me, from what I see. And what I hear them say. While we all can agree That Pearly Gates and Jasper Walls, The Streets all Paved with Gold And the harp of a thousand strings. Will be beautiful things, Nice and fine in that Better Clime, And we love to think of it so, Yet no one seems at the present time. To be up and ready to go. 78 AND OTHER VERSES THE DREAMER ET me dream, in the shade of a white oak, * As I did in the Long Ago ; Of a road, that leads to the Westward, To a place we do not know. Let me sit in the fading sunlight. Filled with hope and a firm desire, To adventure and travel onward, And meet what may transpire. I have traveled far, in a boy's dream, In the time of my fleeting years ; On the Sunset side, in fading light. The end of the road appears. As I come to the journey's end May I dream of a future day, When The Dreamer may rest forever At the end of his Westward way. 7d SONGS OF THE AMBRAW Y MY SWEETHEART OU say she is looking old ? That is never so to me, When I gaze upon her The only look I see Is the one she wore so sweetly When she went to church with me. She is always young and cheerful. Gay and happy all the while, As the day when I was fearful When together down the aisle We stepped along so slowly, And neither wore a smile. 80 AND OTHER VERSES MY SWEETHEART (Continued) It may be I am aging, That I can't deny, you know, My hair I find is graying, And my step is rather slow; But with her this cannot be. Because she is my Sweetheart, As any one can see. Age is neither here nor there, We have gone along together Traveled that way everywhere; It makes no difference to us, The color of our hair, So long as we're together >^ '- ' each knows the other's there. 81 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE PRUDE 'HE artist may strive With his talent and brush, The poet may sing With the voice of a thrush, But if nature steps forth On the canvas in view, Or the words tell a story That plainly is true, The Prude will be shocked And the air she turns blue; The scowl on her face Will be yellow in hue. 82 AND OTHER VERSES THE PRUDE (Continued) When darkness deposes the light She can think her thoughts And not take fright; When the day is gone And she sits in the night, What her prudery feared, May indeed look right. When a star comes out With its diamond ray. Beside the modest Milky Way, And the beams of the moon Are having their play, Then life that lives Can not stop or stay. 83 SONGS OF T HE AMBRAW THE PRUDE (Continued) Like the sands of the dune That move in the night, When the winds come down From the Northern Light, — Then is no time for a pru- dish frown, For the day has gone And the night is down. 84 AND OTHER VERSES REVEILLE 'T'HE legions of night are stealing away, ■*" From the east where the red banners flare In the sky to signal the birth of a day, And blend with the purple and blue of the air, As the darkness fades out and away. Over hills, where the forest crowns them with green, Where the rivers come down on their way to the sea. Flash the guns of the morn, — a Grand Re- veille — A sign, that recalls to the children of men, Creation's first dawn, when Time first began. 85 SONGS OF THE AM BRAW REVEILLE (Continued) The robin, whose heart has tinted his breast, His cry, a thanksgiving for safety and rest, The thrush, whose notes by the angels were blessed. The red-bird, whose song is a lyrical lay. Sing with delight at the coming of day. Arise from your slumber, and bow to this Queen, Her splendor it calls and beckons to you ; Look forth to the sky and old Mother earth. The coming of day is a glorious birth Of beauty and fortune for you. 86 AND THER VERSES THE JUROR TF Nature's power is calm and still, As we sit in peace to drink our fill Of ease and rest in the Fall of the year, What man has done may interfere. Laws he has passed or failed to make, Things he has done, would undertake, To cheat his neighbor, the peace to break. Disturb our dream, and we're wide awake. Circuit Court comes in the fall. Judge and jury, lawyers and all, At the court house, in the shire town, Our turn on the jury has come around. I look for the gown, the wool sack, too — The Judge's coat is a navy blue, His desk and chair a shiny brown, And wear the name of a Michigan town. 87 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE JUROR (Continued) The judge in the kindest sort of way Asked each and all what they had to say As a reason why they should not stay. One man said, he was all alone, He had no wife, of kindred none, But a great big farm that must be run. Another said he had children ten And the stork was flying around again. The cases were called for trial ; The first one named was Mutt vs. Wile. A little lawyer with a whittled off voice Said, Mutt was his client, as of choice. Another, who looked wise like an owl, His tone, a doleful hollow growl. Announced, he was ready to begin Soon as the jury were called in. 88 N~^ OTHER V E R^ E S THE JUROR (Continued) An other case was called by the court ; A bustling barrister began to cavort, Said he was busy in every way — An important trial for each day, Was sought and needed everywhere, In Chicago, Cairo, here and there; But if the Court would set it down He thought in the end he'd get around. A sohcitor with fearful frown Who was not to be out done. Stated his cases he would try Only his vacation was drawing nigh. He had suits at law, in equity too. In foreign states both old and new With clients jumping into view In every town that he passed through. 89 SONGS OF T HE AMBRAW THE JUROR (Continued) The time arrived to motions make, To move the court, to orders take ; One a continuance must have His client's health and cause to save. One with meek retreating chin Besought the court, with sickly grin To an order made and let him in — His client was poor and out of tin. So the work went on and 'round The quips were passed on friendly- ground, As each stood, or sat, as he thought best. Told his tale with solemn mien or ready jest. The Goddess is blind! happy day! Better be deaf, some would say. While lawyers strive, with words contend, Justice for all, is sought in the end. 90 AND OTHER VERSES THE JUROR (Continued) Then through this vaulted room Where Justice held full sway, There passed the shades of those Who here held forth in former day ; Recalled the name, the spectral form, Of many known to earth and fame, Who by their grace and courtly charm Received much praise and just acclaim. They seem to halt and for a moment stand Before the court, as if at his command, In silent reverence bow unto the law; We look again, in doubt of wiiat we saw. Was it a dream of the Used-to-be, Or what we think it may have been, Or the magical spell of the spirit of men, Of those who have lived and gained renown ? 91 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE JOINER /COOPERATE, combine and conspire, ^ Is the cry in the street and the press ; To procure your wish and desire, Stand still and depend on the rest. For your life, do not do for your- self, It would be a disgrace and a shame. Would you act boldly and strive for relief, Instead of dependent and lame? Join all the isms and schisms, cir- cles and clubs, To be used as crutches and canes ; Do as directed by all of the dubs, But never be bossed by your brains. 92 AND OTHER VE RSES THE JOINER rContinued) It is against the rules of good manners To go off and sit down all alone ; You must be up and follow the banners, With a bow and a scrape to the throne. He who sits alone, in fancy may brood, His thoughts drift away in infinite love; His imagery picture the birds in the wood The beauties of earth and the heavens above. Of course he is queer — the others all know, Should be taken and carted away From the gabfest, where each gets to blow, And tell a whole mess of I-say. 93 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW I THE RECEPTION N came the Blondine Lady With her lovely golden hair, Her step as soft as velvet Or the tiger's in his lair; Her smile upon the company Was so exquisite and rare, The gentlemen arose, and made Obeisance, her beauty to declare, Her ways were so bewitching So magnificent and grand. The gentlemen of this company Could nothing do but stand; Bend themselves o'er forward Then straighten up again. And grin, as any yokel, when, His courage lost its sand. 94 AND OTHER VE RSES THE RECEPTION (Continued) Thej^ had read of Cleopatra And the beauties of the past, Had seen the Fickle Follies Who 'tis said were rather fast ; But in all their various reading And experience of their lives They had never known a lady The sight of who could drive, The breath from out their bodies By the dazzle of her eyes. When this rare and radiant vision Came blooming to the light. As if the cereus of a century Were in a glorious flight, I must say, it was no hero, Relieved them from their plight, Nor the coming of the day As it chases out the night. 95 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE RECEPTION (Continued) But in the introductions, In the bowing up and down, Or in the, "Pleased to meet ye," As this vision swung around, Some one did contrive, Behind her hand to whisper, "If she's a day. She's Forty five!" 96 AND OTHER VERSES MUSIC T CANNOT sing the tunes •■■ That in the books are found. The only Music that I know Are Nature's perfect sounds, Heard in the summer's glow As the balmy eve' comes down. Those sounds that gently come From, no one knows where; We think they are here, And then they are there, Those soft uncertain tones That drive away all care. 97 SON GS OF THE AMBRAW MUSIC (Continued) In the lazy hazy days Of weather soft and fine, You hear the song birds lay Along with the cow bells chime, And dream of many a fay Who dance to a fairy rhyme. And then again in winter time When the storm king rides alone, A fearless fiend of the frozen north On the wing of the snow's white foam. 'Tis then we hear the martial sound Of the wild winds as they roam. Or, he sends his legions charging down In the dark and frozen night, As if the cavalry of all past time Were leading in the fight. 'Tis then you hear the bugle call, Of Nature in her might. 98 AND OTHER VERSES I MADE OVER S there no escape, from the self-appointed Pharisees, Who seek to measure off the rules to govern you and me? Who say to others, we this to do have no desire. Hence duty commands us, — great disciples of humanity — To put you under our restraint and care, To do as we, or suffer pains and penalty. 'Tis true, our forbears, the Pioneers Built this Commonwealth, that all might Dwell herein in peace and liberty; Enjoy the rights of man by nature given, That men might be free, and not by others driven ; Need not conform in every way, by others ridden. 99 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW MADE OVER (Continued) This, the doctrine of the early days, Taught by a free and vigorous race, Each taught the facts of life to face, Knowing he must answer for his mistake ; That he could not follow in another's wake, On his own conduct must rely; Not hide behind the conformer's cry. And say, " I only followed on, And did what others had come to say Was right and just in every way." 100 AND OTHER VERSES MADE OVER (Continued) But those days are of another age, Now we are as parrots in a cage; To be, as pebbles polished by a lathe, Turned and rolled — to think as any slave — Made to do and be, as others are, In their ignorance and mediocrity must share. And if perchance, in creation's early dawn, Or by some freak of nature, when you were born, A glittering spark, a ray of light, did find A place or lodge within your mind, It must be dimmed and driven out, To match the minds of others ranged about. 101 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE U. S. A. IN 1917 HERE Liberty reigns enthroned in the heart, Will weather the gale, will never depart, So long as we know what Liberty means ; Remember that license and sloth from within, Like a cancerous growth, like a thief in the night, Can take while we sleep, our Freedom and Might. O, have we the heart, the Fathers knew, The spirit and courage of the Mothers, too, Who sat at the loom and the cloth beat out, Toiled in the field with hearts that were stout, When their husbands and sons answered the call, With pick and shovel, with musket and ball? 102 AND OTHER VERSES THE U. S. A. IN 1917 (Continued) Breathe into our bodies the spirit and pride, Into our souls the courage that did guide, Those Fathers and Mothers by the At- lantic side; Who suffered and toiled, their sons gave up, Rather than drink from the bitter cup Held to their lips by a kingly group. Such was the blood of those Mothers of old, For their sons and daughters more pre- cious than gold. But for the unconquerable spirit and soul That the heroes of earth possessed in the past, We would now bear the yoke, in slavery held fast. Awake, my Country-men ! Awake from your Trance ! For Liberty ! On to the Trenches in France ! 103 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE BUMBLE BEE 'HE buzzing of the Bumble Bee Is no idle dream, His lazy aimless innocence Is not what it may seem, While at his daily labor Of sipping off the cream From blossoms and from flowers, As he passes to and fro O'er the field and upland Where the fragrant clovers grow. You can hear him droning A low and tuneless song, The key he never changes, As he loafs and sips along; Unless some alien interferes With the business he's engaged. Then, if his droning quickens, You may know he's in a rage ; That its time to hunt for cover And prepare to stand a siege. 104 AND OTHER VERSES THE BUMBLE BEE (Continued) His resplendent uniform Of yellow on his back, Stands out in brilliant luster Against his dress of black. Like vain and pompous people, Who dress in splendid clothes, He is burdened with his elTort To live the part he shows ; Hence, his regal dignity, His languor and repose. While to you, he may appear, A coxcomb and a dude, He has the spirit of a cavalier, You can not treat him rude; Not even with a pleasantry. He's never in a merry mood, Is for his native country, And protects his home and brood. 105 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE BUMBLE BEE (Continued) He is not too proud to fight, And, if you kill his people. Will strike with all his might. He will rally out his soldiers, A black and yellow band, Will attack you without warning. To drive you from his land ; Will fight you in the open And charge you wild and grand. If you meet him in the stubble With your face toward the sun. He will sting you on the forehead, And put you on the run. Your eyes he'll glue together. And make you lose your sight, Will take you under cover Where your clothing fits you tight, Will soak your epidermis And make you look a fright. 106 AND OTHER VE RSES THE BUMBLE BEE (Continued) You will think the Chinese have you The stink pots you will smell ; — You'd like to call a dentist To gas you for a spell — For of all the liquid fire, Of which you ever read, He will soon convince you The half has not been said. The strong and virile nations Of the Eastern Hemisphere, May trample on the Chinaman, His land may rend and tear; The shifty treacherous Mexican May shoot your Uncle Sam, May steal and murder freely, All along the Rio Grande. 107 SONGS OF THE AMB RAW THE BUMBLE BEE (Continued) But if you slap a Bumble Bee Or trample on his nest, You need not write a letter For he will do the rest ; He is no spineless pacifist If he has a yellow vest. His name it may be humble But he will do his best To protect his people, His sovereignty and nest. 108 AND OTHER VERSES THE GOSSIPS 'T'WO lazy girls on the bed spread out, Like farm hands resting at noon ; With hair tied up in gewgaw knots To make false ringlets bloom. They are all dolled up in kimonos loud, Made of calico, cotton or silk, That are spotted and mottled like many a cloud, As it floats in a sky of milk. They lay and talk of gossip and song And plan new clothes to wear ; The tales they tell are so loud and long, They're enough to make you swear. 109 SONGS OF T HE AM BRAW THE GOSSIPS (Continued) Yet still they lay and roll around And hope for the curl of their hair; I am sleepy and ready to go to bed, If only they'd hike somewhere. The sand man comes and nods to me, I blink and look about; Suppose in the end I'll have to get up, And bodily throw them out. no AND OTHER VERSES IN THE BACK SEAT 'T'HEY took me out and rode me 'round In their car so nice and new. They bounced me o'er the pavement, Like a bounding gazebo; I hit the cushion soundly Was up and down again, It was an imitation of "Life on the bounding main." They fed her with the throttle, They fed her with a spoon, They gave her gas in bottle And sparked her by the moon. Her gears they changed about And made her groan and cough, Like Dobbin with the heaves From clover in his trough. Ill SONGS OF THE AMBRAW IN THE BACK SEAT (Continued) They said, "She is not doing right" To this I could agree, Her manners were the very worst 'Twas plain enough to see. The assault she made upon my frame The way she made me mix. In any court would prove her wrong And badly out of fix. 112 AND OTHER VE/R S E S THE CORN BELT 'HE Corn Belt lies in winding length, Across the North of the Central West, Fertile and black in its teeming strength, The Horn of Plenty its crown and crest. The plants in Hne, by twos and fours, Peeping forth from their bed of earth — Heat waves dance in the noon day hours. Guardian spirits, that gave them birth. They are toughened by sun, beaten by rain. Combed by the harrow of deadly deeds. As the toiling farmer shouts in vain, To urge the team, in his war on weeds. While this war goes on, they gain by strides, From the friendly touch of the fertile soil Rolled to their feet when the plowboy rides. Like a king on his throne, the plows to guide. 113 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE CORN BELT (Continued) Kissed by dews in their infant state, Nursed by this soil 'neath golden suns, Tilled and coaxed early and late. With hoe and plow, as the weather comes. Refreshed by humid winds of night, Winged across these fruitful lands, Which put the spirit of dreams to flight And sweat the face, as God commands. They greet the morn be-gemmed with dew, Their banners drooping toward the earth O'er horse and plowman passing through. And sing to him — Eolian Harps. The flaunting Tassel high in air Nods and bends in rhythmic time, Plume of knights and ladies fair. Proud, as a Royal Oriflamme. 114 AND OTHER VE/RSES SHUCKING TIME XJEAR the rattle of the wagons at the rising of the sun, O'er the hard and frozen ground when the shucking has begun — Sound of infantry in action with rifle and with bomb. Golden ears of Sunshine, the fruit of Sum- mer's heat, Are garnered by this harvester in the wagon long and deep, And glow in brilliant luster, a rounded yellow heap. 116 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW SHUCKING TIME (Continued) Grain of the age primeval! When the Red- man roamed the land, His female tilled the maize, showing the skill of her hand, Pointing the way to a harvest; Food of the Western Land! Famine will pass by night, the land where Corn is King; His yellow glow is life and light, will a joyful living bring: A blessing to all — from the Indian's hand — America's favor, and gift to man. 116 TO THE CHILDREN AND OTHER VERSES PLAYING LADY SEE the lady all dressed in style Who watched her chance for the longest while To climb high up in the top of the house, Soft and still as a timid mouse, To the place where she had often seen Hung on nails in rafter and beam. Flashing garments all red and green — Hats of gold and silverine. She fastened them on with pin and string ; But of all she found, the finest thing Was the old moth-eaten breakfast shawl, That makes her so big, so fine and tall. She has been out in the public street Surprising those she happened to meet. With the grandest hat there is in town : Don't the people all stop and look around ? 119 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW Y THE REPLY OU wrote me in your letter That the others and yourself Were making plans and plotting Like childish little elves, With secrecy and cunning A surprise: upon yourselves? Of course you plainly told me In your letter just at hand, That the pleasure you were having In the work so nicely planned. Was a tribute to the Mother Of your happy little band. But when I caught your meaning, Could see you were in doubt, I, also, kept on thinking "The Mother may find out;" And how often all our planning Ends, the other way about. 120 AND OTHER V ERSES THE REPLY (Continued) For, as you journey onward And learn the ways of life, You will find what's here intended As a lesson to your wits To make you guess the riddle Of, whose surprise is this? It is doing good for others For those you love so well. That's the secret of your pleasure And the riddle I would tell; Like the secret of this festal That you wrote me, "don't you tell." 121 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE FAIRY 'HE secret is out and the truth I will tell. This timid sprite, who came at night, And cast her winning spell, Is one of the faries, you see. Her eyes are blue as a summer sky. They twinkle as bright and free, As the glint on the water that lies in a pool. In the shade of a forest tree. The rays of the sun have kissed her hair, Its curls and curlecues. Given it a tinge of the harvest times, The yellow and golden hues. 122 AND OTHER VERSES THE FAIRY (Continued) She cheers, with laughter and a baby's song, If the tune strays off, or the time goes wrong, Like a good little soldier she carries on, And never knows when she skips a note, Or one sticks fast in her dear little throat. She rules as a Fairy Queen, Who convenes her court in the early morn, Before the sun is seen; And adjourns, by the nod of her head. When she has to be caught and put to bed ; Shipped to the Land of Dreams ! 123 SONGS OF THEAMBRAW M THE OLD BELL COW OTHER says, the time has come To be up an' away, — the cows bring home. No difference how fine the game may be, No difference if I am just "in free," When Mother says the time has come, That's the end of present fun. That Old Bell Cow with the strap on 'er neck Is smarter than most of the folks on the crick; She knows how to hide in the heel of the day. As the sun goes down at the end of my play. 124 AND OTHER VERSES THE OLD COW BELL (Continued) The time is short an' the cows must be found, An' driven in or the dark will come down, The crickets will cheep, the owls will hoot, The noise of night will scare you to boot. So I fix the rag on my old sore toe An' take through the woods to the valley below ; I go hippity-hop, but not very slow, Thinkin' the while how big I'll grow And how I'll chase that Old Bell Cow. 125 SONGS OF THE AMB RAW THE OLD COW BELL (Continued) I see a snake in the grass slide past, An' jump so high my breath sticks fast; A toad hops out, in the httle old path, An' I think I'm bit by that snake at last. Then I get back to the work on hand, To find the slickest old cow in the land, I guess where she is an' guess agin ; Is she down by the crick in the horse weeds tall, With the others 'round her just like a wall, Or over the hill where the timber is small? 126 AND OTHER VE RSES THE OLD COW BELL (Continued) The big cow fly an' green-heads so mean, The skeeters an' gnats an' any old thing. May bite an' eat 'er, an' mak'er bleed — She'll stand like a stone while the others feed! I hark an' listen, an' try my best, To hear the bell, or eny uv the rest ; I run an' race 'till out of breath — The darned old cows are still as death ! That Old Bell Cow, I know her well, She'd sooner die an' go to Hell Than jingle for once that old cow bell. I know it's bad to think that way An's one of the things I musn't say; But the sun is down an' the dark has come, An' I can't find the cows to take them home! 127 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE OLD COOK STOVE 0, THAT Old Cook Stove, with the hump on its back, That stood in the corner o'er many a crack In the floor of the kitchen, — all rusty and black. 0, that Old Cook Stove with its heat and glow, When Winter's cold winds would sigh and blow, As Mother cooked the evening meal, The comfort and pleasure I then could feel. As I sat on the wood piled high and dry. No king on his throne, so happy as I, With Mother there to tell me the why Of all I might ask, just she and I. 128 AND OTHER VERSES W LITTLE CAPER HEN I was a little boy A pesky little tot, I got a little dog All covered o'er with spots; A little speckled dog, A regular polka-dot. He liked a little boy Was glad to run and play, So I called him Little Caper, He was kindy built that way, And was always ready To bark so loud and gay. He always went with me At any time of day, And follered close behind When I would run away. And hide among the hazel, Or in the timber stray. 129 SONGS OF T HE AMBRAW LITTLE CAPER (Continued) They would hustle through the forest, Through the bushes dark and low, Peering for my tracks, If it happened there was snow. Sometimes he'd run around And caper in the path, Then they'd foller him and find me; I could almost hear him laugh! Some big men were mean to me. And treated Caper bad; Said they's goin' to kill him, Just to make me mad, To get me in a tantrum, 'Cause then I talked so bad. 130 ■~^''%'^^. AND OTHER V ERSES LITTLE CAPER (Continued) Poor little Caper, like all others We used to know and love, A sickness, it just got him, For av/hile he sorter strove; But he could not last forever. Same as loved ones, that we know. One day when I had aiger So bad I couldn't move. He died, out in the medder, Where the men were making hay. And when I asked about him They said he'd gone away. I went out behind the cabin Where so often we did play, And the tears they kept a comin' 'Cause Little Caper'd gone away. And even now at fifty When my hair is thin and gray, The tears they keep a comin' 'Cause, so many's gone away. 131 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW H CHARLES EDWARD E was a Texas Ranger A mighty man of fame; He came from San Jacinto, Charles Edward was his name. He roamed along the border O'er prairie break and hill, Across the sandy desert, Through miles of chaparral. Braved the torrid region Along the Rio Grande, And faced the freezing Norther, As well as desert sand. 132 AND OTH ER VERSES CHARLES EDWARD (Continued) He knew the Big Bend country With the Greaser sneaking through, As sailors know the ocean Or the farmer knows the dew. Like the heroes of the Alamo He sought for conquest new ; Was wild for any venture, His courage brave and true. Was never known to weaken In the State of the Lonely Star; Never failed or faltered, 'Till he came up north too far. When first we came to know him He had quit that tragic land, Where the wind is always windy And the air is filled with sand. 133 SONGS OF THE AM BRAW CHARLES EDWARD (Continued) Was then in Illinois, The Prairie State of fame, To visit his old Auntie And her husband blind and lame. He could stand against the Greaser, Meet the north wind's coldest blast; When it came to Auntie's cooking His stomach bucked and "passed." It is very sad to see, A thing we hate to tell. But this gallant Texas Ranger Is not feeling very well. The pie crust and the peaches. The frosting on the cake, Paralyze his courage — Are keeping him awake. 134 AND OTHER VERSES A THE FIDDLER WAY from us, off to school, Where so much is taught by rule, Our little girl went her way. Finally returned today. What do you suppose she did. Minding all her teacher said? Did she learn to cook and bake, iVLix the bread and stir the cake, How to mend, to wash and sweep, How a house to clean and keep? Not with such things did she meddle. She was learning how to fiddle. She's a fiddler out of sight! Her bow goes so smooth and light. As it glides across the strings How her fingers make them sing. As she moves them up and down, While the bow goes round and round. 135 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE FIDDLER (Continued) O, Grand Opera it must go! Come and hear "Old Arkansaw," When our girl she takes the bow ; "The Devil's Dream" — tunes you know From her fiddle sweetly flow And the wiggle gets your toe. While she has learned to fiddle, The strings to touch and play, The bow to swing and handle With a most artistic sway. Her foot, the time don't keep In the good old-fashioned way. So we'll send her back to school. Some more lessons she must take, She must be a classic fiddler, If she never learns to bake ; It's artistic stuff we're after. That is how to take the cake ! 136 AND T H E R VERSES THREE LITTLE GIRLS ""HERE were Three Little Girls, The best in the land, We thought they were pearls And each very grand. The two who were smaller Were about my own size. Loved to whoop and to holler And thought me quite wise. They would squeal and cry out In a very high key. As each one climbed up And sat on a knee. Would ride shanks hoss And yell with delight, Then cry for a toss To give them a fright. 137 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THREE LITTLE GIRLS (Continued) When they came to our house Down the old beaten track, They would not go home Except pick a pack. So we toted them 'round One at a time, Loved them to death, And thought they were fine. We humored their whims, Their every caprice. And hope when we're old They will bring us much peace. If they forget us And wander away, We will always remember They once brightened our day. 138 AND OTHER V E R S~E THE TRANSGRESSORS w E found the finest place to swim Way off from home beneath The water-elm, and the sycamore limb ; In waters dark and deeply blue, With spots where sunshine trickled through — The ripples gurgling down below. W^illiam could not walk Nor, could we leave him home For he would tell, and talk Of pleasures we had ventured on ; Then parental wrath would fall As retribution on us all. We took the trundle wagon That was solid in every part Right into, and made a cart — A chariot to haul him on, So he could ride and drive As any Jehu then alive. 139 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW THE TRANSGRESSORS (Continued) Two boys made the team, to haul This conveyance to the stream. They pranced, they turned and twisted 'round, In great pretense they pawed the ground, With feet ail brown and bare — Except a toe or ankle here and there Where a rag was tied around. Every feller held his breath 'Till the forest had been made. Across the clearing we did "skin," That was where we had to win ; If we made the woods alright We were safely out of sight. Each day we made the run, Had scads and heaps of fun. It was the only thing we ever done And not be caught, to judgment brought. How it happened, I don't know. Unless, we were frightened so. 140 AND O T.H ER VERSES TAG 'T'HE game of Tag is a wonderful play, Is played by the blossoms in early May, When birds hold forth and Spring has sway, Tagging each other from day to day. The children follow each other around, In gambol and frolic are always found, No one knows where e'er they're bound, Tagging each other, 'round and 'round. 141 SONGS OF THE AMBRAW TAG (Continued) The youths and maids are just the same, To seek each other, the greatest game, To love and play is more than fame; Tagging along at the same old game. They will go to church in a little while Walking together in double file, So fearful neither will dare to smile. And Tag each other at the end of the aisle. 142