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 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 
 
TO 
 
 PROF. JOHN I. COCHRAN 
 
 WHO 
 
 E 'en while all ivithin was gloom 
 From troubles sore, there still was room 
 Upon the surface for a smile 
 That vanquished gloomy thoughts the while. 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
THE LOST CHARM 
 
 AND 
 
 OTHER POEMS 
 
 BY FRANKLIN H. CLEVENGER 
 
 COLUMBUS, INDIANA, M DCCCC VI 
 
LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
 TwoCoDies Received 
 
 MAY 28 1906 
 
 /7, Copyrignt Entry 
 CLASS /<i^' 
 CO|5y 
 
 -P 
 
 ! "•-■' t ^ •" 
 
 Copyright, 1906, 
 By Franklin H. Clevenger 
 
t 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 Page. 
 
 A Welcome Visitor 19 
 
 At Home Again 21 
 
 About Evil Habits 37 
 
 Childhood's Charm 9 
 
 Changing Atoms 45 
 
 Every Cloud is Lined with Gold . . 32 
 
 Father's Home 51 
 
 If You Want to Live Long .... 38 
 
 Life is Made up of Mistakes ... 42 
 
 Life is What We Make It .... 44 
 
 My Carcassonne 24 
 
 My Sweetheart down the Way ... 26 
 
 New Year Reflections 47 
 
 Plea for Reconciliation . . . . 34 
 
 Our First Meeting 28 
 
 The Lost Charm i 
 
 When Memory Deserts Me .... 13 
 
THE LOST CHARM 
 
 Since I am still unmarried, no doubt you 
 
 wonder why 
 I speak of things that happened in days so 
 
 long gone by. 
 I know how natural it is to try to keep the 
 
 world 
 From knowing just how old we are, when 
 
 by three tens, we've whirled. 
 
But don't you know, I take a pride in say- 
 ing, "Forty years 
 
 I've trod this grand old earth of ours, and 
 shared its joys and tears." 
 
 So, if I speak of happenings of days in child- 
 hood's yore, 
 
 It means I'll have to call you back full thir- 
 ty years or more. 
 
 So just turn back the thirty years to days 
 more dear to me 
 
 Than all the rest of life combined, for sim- 
 ply this you see: — 
 
 My father, mother, Jim and I, lived on a 
 little farm — 
 
 Not very large but large enough — and then 
 the childhood's charm 
 
Of everything. In Summer and winter, we 
 
 had our work to do, 
 We went about it cheerfully, we knew 
 
 when it was through 
 We'd have the smiles of mother and father's 
 
 cheery laugh 
 So charming all the evening, at our childish 
 
 little chaff. 
 
 We had to milk, and saw the wood, and 
 
 feed the horse and cow, 
 Call up the hogs and give them corn, and 
 
 bed the mother sow. 
 On rainy days we always worked in the 
 
 wagon-shed at home. 
 On Sunday, we had company — the neighbor 
 
 boys would come — 
 
We coasted down the hillside, we tapped a 
 sugar tree, 
 
 We made a hickory whip, or a wild horse, 
 —that was me: 
 
 We never robbed a bird's nest, but the hor- 
 net's nest was ours — 
 
 There never one escaped us in the quiet 
 morning hours. 
 
 The branches of a cherry-tree extended o'er 
 the roof 
 Of our clapboard-covered woodhouse, and 
 this was surely proof 
 
 That in the month of June upon this roof 
 we'd be. 
 
 Or on the other hillside where grew a ser- 
 vice tree. 
 
A little later in the fall, when frosts began 
 
 to come, 
 We went a paw-paw hunting, and seldom 
 
 would get home 
 Till the evening shadows darkened, and the 
 
 stars began to shine, 
 Each conscious that we'd meet again, the 
 
 next day just at nine. 
 
 Early Monday morning, we were up before 
 
 the sun; 
 And long before the school-bell rang, ^our 
 
 morning chores were done. 
 Our books were in the sachels, our hair was 
 
 parted straight. 
 And we were on the road to school, when 
 
 the clock was striking eight. 
 
So bent were we on getting there in time 
 
 to have a play 
 Before the second bell would ring, we just 
 
 took time to say, 
 ''Look, there's a chipmonk on the fence;" 
 
 then hastened on until 
 We reached the goal so much desired, the 
 
 schoolhouse on the hill. 
 
 The dear old schoolhouse on the hill! If I 
 could only tell 
 
 The charms it always held for me, — the mu- 
 sic of its bell, 
 
 When on a frosty morning it rang out clear 
 and sweet! 
 
 Then loud as any country dance, the sound 
 of scraping feet 
 
On the doorstep, the doorsill, and half way 
 
 up the aisle! 
 The school trustee declared one day, he 
 
 heard the noise a mile. 
 Then each one was assigned his seat and 
 
 then the rules were read — 
 The school term was begun; and now much 
 
 more should not be said. 
 
 Time makes a change in e\'erything; but say, 
 
 it is a shame 
 That childhood's charm is lost so soon and 
 
 with us can't remain. 
 The thirty years I've spoken of has wrought 
 
 a change in me 
 That I would soon change back from if it 
 
 could only be. 
 
Men look at me and say, "That man Is 
 wealthy, wise and great." 
 
 Well, that may be, yet what is that? A 
 circumstance of fate. 
 
 From all the wealth and all the praise, I 
 say it to you still, 
 
 I'd part to be a child again at the school- 
 house on the hill. 
 
CHILDHOOD'S CHARM 
 
 When the evening shadows lengthen, and 
 
 the sparkling dew is on, 
 And the moon and stars begin to show their 
 
 light, 
 My memory often travels back, to days that 
 
 now are gone, 
 My childhood days, when everything was 
 
 bright. 
 
10 
 
 How it all comes back to me, just as if 
 
 'twas yesterday, 
 When we built our great big castles in 
 
 the air. 
 Can it be that they are wafted by the sands 
 
 of time away? 
 Yes; like childhood's charm they're scattered 
 
 everywhere. 
 
 What a pleasure to review them — The days 
 
 of childhood's yore; 
 But 'tis always followed closely by 
 
 regret, 
 That time has far removed us from its 
 
 charm forevermore. 
 We say forevermore, they've gone from us 
 
 and yet — 
 
II 
 
 Who knows but that a haven far beyond 
 
 the reach of man, 
 The childhood's charm awaits its soul 
 
 to greet, 
 And we'll be again like children, who knows, 
 
 or who can tell, 
 Just like them, but with wisdom — and 
 
 complete. 
 
 We are sometimes made to wonder if the 
 
 nature of a child 
 Is a part of what he was before he 
 
 came 
 To earth to gain some wisdom, but by Satan 
 
 is beguiled 
 Into thinking sure that everything is 
 
 lame; 
 
Then the charm, as tho' offended, flew back 
 
 to whence it came, 
 To remain until perhaps some happy 
 
 day. 
 With the soul will be united, when the soul 
 
 is free again, 
 From the blasting scars that made it fly 
 
 away. 
 
WHEN MEMORY DESERTS 
 
 ME 
 
 When memory deserts me, and I no longer 
 
 can recall 
 Events that happened long ago, I want no 
 
 mind at all. 
 For every occurrence that I\''e noticed here 
 
 of late 
 Seems but another link in the passing chain 
 
 of fate. 
 
14 
 
 I do not take the interest, I did when I 
 
 was young; 
 For everything is changed, and I am not 
 
 among 
 The folks that things are doing for: so I 
 
 can only praise 
 The Lord for reminiscence of my life's 
 
 early days. 
 
 I'm old and blind and feeble, and as deaf 
 as any stone; 
 
 And as far as any comp'ny goes, am prac- 
 tically alone. 
 
 The people all about me are young, and 
 have full sway; 
 
 And it's righteous that they should, for I 
 have had my day. 
 
IS 
 
 You may look at me and wonder, as I 
 
 slowly nod my head, 
 And think my life is all a blank, that I 
 
 were better dead, 
 But my life is full of pleasure, for I fondly 
 
 still recall 
 When this old house was all but Heaven, 
 
 and I but lord of all. 
 
 I do not care for favors, I ask but little 
 
 care, — 
 A warm and cozy corner for my good old 
 
 hickory chair, 
 My snuff-box, tobacco and pipe in easy 
 
 reach; 
 Then other folks about the house, can dance 
 
 or they can preach. 
 
i6 
 
 No; I am never lonesome, their attention 
 
 but annoys, 
 And that is why they say that I believe 
 
 they still are boys; 
 The fact is, I am busy entertaining 
 
 friends 
 Of long ago, so dear to me, their welcome 
 
 never ends. 
 
 Well then you say, "Who are these friends?** 
 
 You see no one about; 
 It happens that they only come when all 
 
 of you are out. 
 And there are very many groups, that I can 
 
 call at will; 
 But there is always one of two, that lingers 
 
 fondly still, 
 
When all the rest have gone on their re- 
 spective way; 
 
 One is my af^ed parents who died before 
 your day; 
 
 The other group, your mother and a merry 
 crowd of eight; — 
 
 And of the pranks they all go through, I will 
 not here relate, 
 
 For it would make you wonder that my 
 
 memory is so good 
 About what happened 'way back there, when 
 
 it is understood, 
 That things that happened yesterday, today 
 
 to me are blank, 
 And of the boys around the hearth, I can't 
 
 tell Jim from Frank. 
 
i8 
 
 I. count it as a blessing that all this is the 
 
 case, 
 Since I am old, and of no use to any 
 
 round the place; 
 But, when memory deserts me, and I no 
 
 longer can recall 
 Events that happened long ago, I want no 
 
 mind at all. 
 
19 
 
 A WELCOME VISITOR 
 
 "What'd you say your name is, stranger? 
 Right: — I know a Right, a ranger, 
 Out in California State 
 Not far from the golden gate. 
 
 Looks like you for all the world; 
 Blue eyes, hair is slightly curled, 
 'Bout the same as you in height, 
 And like you, his name is Right." 
 
 "Right's my name, I had a brother 
 Once, we looked like one another, 
 He's been gone nigh twenty years, 
 That he is dead, I have my fears." 
 
20 
 
 "See that house — there on the hill,- 
 
 See that farm, and that old mill? 
 
 All of these belong to me; 
 
 If I only knew that he 
 
 Out near Golden Gate does live, 
 
 All of them I'd freely give." 
 
 Then he cast a wistful glance 
 At the visitor, by chance 
 Saw a roguish twinkle there, 
 Old, familiar; — "I declare, 
 
 "John, it's you! In heaven's name, 
 Am I dreaming; am I sane!" 
 "Neither, much I fear," said John. 
 "Keep your coat and linen on, 
 And invite me in to dinner, 
 For I'm hungry as a sinner." 
 
21 
 
 AT HOME AGAIN 
 
 That little old weazen-faced woman there 
 Is my wife; she's the mother of all these here. 
 Her beauty has gone like the faded rose; 
 I speak of her face, for goodness knows, 
 Her soul is as sweet as her face once was fair 
 
 There was a time when for beauty and grace, 
 Her form was only excelled by her face. 
 'Twas the pride of my life in those young days, 
 For knowing but little of the world and its ways, 
 I thought that beauty held all things apace. 
 
22 
 
 When business was good, and all went well, 
 1 dressed her in silks as fine as they sell, 
 And this to her credit, I'm glad to relate, 
 She never was proud, though dressed up-to-date, 
 And always was just the same loving Nell. 
 
 As time rolled on, times changed as times do, 
 And we found that we'd have to start life anew. 
 I could not buy silks: when I told her so. 
 She said she had always preferred calico. 
 Then said I, Tve a wife that is one of a few. 
 
 And my dear, we will have to give up this cha- 
 teau, 
 
 Discharge all our help but the children and 
 you. 
 
 "Just the thing," said my wife, "I have always 
 desired; 
 
 We surely don't need any help that is hired, 
 
 While we have four children with nothing 
 to do." 
 
23 
 
 "As to keeping this house, It were all very fine 
 To keep up appearance, when we were in line; 
 But with all of its grandeur, it to me is not 
 
 home, 
 Like the dear little cottage we lived in so long, 
 I could just keep it up and make everything 
 
 shine." 
 
 Well, we're home again, and in looking around, 
 I find that a pleasanter home is not found 
 With its old-fashioned fireplace and coziest 
 
 nooks. 
 That can not be rivalled by stories in books, 
 Tho' a modest home on an acre of oround. 
 
24 
 
 MY CARCASSONNE 
 
 As the peasant yearned for Carcassonne, 
 
 I yearn for Colorado! 
 To think the goal is never won, 
 
 It makes me feel so bad, O 
 I scarce can see for blinding tears 
 That flow so freely with my fears 
 That I shall live yet many years. 
 
 Before I see a shadow 
 Of Pikes Peak's summit capped with snow. 
 And far beyond where many go 
 To see the canyon, dark as woe, 
 
 With nature sculptured dado. 
 
25 
 
 I want to breathe that famous air 
 
 So light and mirth inspiring, 
 And drink from springs of water rare, 
 
 See all my friends inquiring; 
 And Denver with her hundred schools 
 That turn out congressmen and fools; 
 The livery-stable-man that rolls 
 
 In wealth that comes from hiring 
 Wild bronchos to the eastern swells 
 Accompanied by most charming belles, 
 Who ride through mountain-glades and dells 
 
 And swamps— all without tiring. 
 
26 
 
 MY SWEETHEART DOWN 
 THE WAY 
 
 I have a sweetheart down the way: 
 I think of her both night and day. 
 These thoughts a charm do lend to me, 
 
 That makes my life worth livin'. 
 One thing, however, bothers me 
 Another feller tries to see 
 If he can be one of us three, 
 
 And no invites I'm givin'. 
 
To see how this dod-draughted cuss 
 Would try to put an end to us, 
 And try to make an ugly muss, 
 
 Most throws me in a fever. 
 If she should even speak to him. 
 Her chances'ud be pretty slim; 
 For sure as my name's Ugly Jim, 
 
 I'd go away and leav'er. 
 
 I don't belie\^e in leavin' home. 
 Because a darker day has come. 
 Nor go where they are sellin' rum, 
 
 And drink a little bit there; 
 But there is not a single doubt, 
 If that galoot should cut me out, 
 I'd go to Eelinois 'bout 
 
 As soon as I could git there. 
 
28 
 
 OUR FIRST MEETING 
 
 There was a time when life seemed dear to me, 
 'Twas when I had you ever by my side. 
 
 How fondly then I ever hoped to see 
 
 The day that I should claim you as my bride. 
 
 Dost mind the day when first we met, my dear, 
 How young and gay were we, and free from 
 care? 
 
 Your merry voice, I ever seem to hear, 
 As 'Twas that April morning over there. 
 
29 
 
 The last day of your school it was, and mine 
 Received invites to come and take a side 
 
 In spelling-match and have a dinner fine. 
 To which our teacher boastfully replied, 
 
 **Your invitation kindly we accept, and look 
 Well to your job," he said, "and make a 
 good review, 
 
 And study well McGuffey's spelling book. 
 And Webster's Dictionary too." 
 
 At length the time arrived, and on each side 
 Like warriors bold, arrayed were we. 
 
 And not more sure of winning for his side. 
 Was warrior old and tried, than you and me. 
 
 "Best spellers to the foot," then was the rule. 
 
 And thus I knew when we stood face to face 
 That you the best were in your school, 
 
 You knew full well that I held mine a-pace. 
 
30 
 
 The teacher, easy words at first pronounced. 
 
 To give each h'ttle child a chance to spell, 
 But after all the little tots were "bounced," 
 
 He then turned over many pages. Well 
 It soon was up to you and me to start; 
 
 McGuffey's book was laid upon the shelf; 
 They knew we knew McGuffey's all by heart, 
 
 So Webster's was installed with greater 
 wealth. 
 
 That threw us both on very doubtful ground; 
 
 We knew full well our time was coming next. 
 You did quite well until the seventh round, 
 
 Then seemed uncertain and perplexed. 
 
 You tried, you failed. The teacher answered, 
 "Next." 
 I knew the word. You knew what made me 
 frown, 
 And scratch my head, and stammer, and look 
 vexed. 
 Because I could not bear to turn you down. 
 
31 
 
 The time had passed when I could let you win, 
 As I had most made up my mind to try; 
 
 But I could simply put an extra letter in, 
 And thereby let you make a tie. 
 
 No other introduction needed we: 
 
 And thus it happened, after school was out. 
 
 You crossed the aisle and came forthwith to 
 me, — 
 Your smiling face put bashfulness to rout. 
 
 I ever fondly, still recall that blissful hour. 
 And ever wish that many such were mine, 
 
 For love's young dream is bliss, is power 
 The strongest, from the hand of love di- 
 vine. 
 
32 
 
 EVERY CLOUD IS LINED 
 WITH GOLD 
 
 "Every cloud is lined with gold," 
 By truthful sages we are told. 
 
 Though dark and gloomy everywhere, 
 The gold is there! The gold is there! 
 It may not be our lot to see 
 The gold as pure as gold can be, 
 
 Because we look with unclean eyes. 
 We see but trouble in the skies. 
 
33 
 
 Because the gold we cannot see, 
 We must not think that little we 
 
 Are wiser much than sages are, 
 
 Because we do not see as far. 
 When we can see as well as they, 
 The gold will show as plain as day, 
 
 And gleam and sparkle on our way; 
 
 Then we can say as well as they: 
 
 ''Every cloud is lined with gold, 
 
 And every path is strewn flowers." 
 
 Tho' trouble like an ocean rolled, 
 
 We smile and say, the world ours. 
 
 And when we find a friend in need. 
 
 It will not hurt our human greed 
 
 To bid him all his tears withold, 
 For "Ever\' cloud is lined with gold." 
 
34 
 
 PLEA FOR RECONCILIATION 
 
 I cannot think, my loxc, that you are gone; 
 
 I only know your face I cannot see 
 As once I did, with heaven's sunbeams on, 
 
 Yet, ever feel that you are near to me. 
 
 If you are near, my love, pray make it known; 
 
 Some little sign or token gi\'e, my dear, 
 That I may know your lo\'e is mine alone, 
 
 And I may onlv know that vou are here. 
 
35 
 
 Think not my careless words were aught 
 But just a little temper ill concealed. 
 
 An avalanche of sorrow they have brought, 
 Give but the word, and they will be re- 
 pealed. 
 
 Think, Love, the spring will soon bt^ here. 
 The warbling of the birds, you now can hear 
 
 While strolling by the meadow brook so clear. 
 It takes your love to set them off, my dear. 
 
 When I returned to haunt the sacred spot, 
 My love, where you so recently had been, 
 
 'Twas prosy there, because I found you not, 
 E'en grass-blades seemed to be less green. 
 
 The song-birds twittered gaily still. 
 
 And gaily flew about from tre(^ to tree. 
 
 The crystal water rippling down the hill, 
 All seemed intent on slilv mocking me. 
 
i 
 
 36 
 
 My weary steps. I slowly then retraced 
 Toward the village tavern door, 
 
 Which, when I entered, seemed to be dis- 
 graced 
 And surely less inviting than before. 
 
 And thus from place to place, I sadly roam. 
 Ne'er finding but a shadow of content. 
 
 At eve, when I review events at home, 
 Find but another weary day is spent. 
 
 1 feel that thus 'twould be for life, 
 
 Were I to live it all without your love! 
 
 So let us end this ever-lasting strife, 
 
 That gladness may return like Noah's 
 dove. 
 
37 
 
 ABOUT EVIL HABITS 
 
 Haul in, young man, you are going too near 
 The rapids; and you are in danger, I fear, 
 For rhen much older and stronger than you 
 Are naught in their pow'r more than bubbles 
 
 of dew. 
 Don't risk your young life in the monster's 
 
 grim claws 
 Just to show to your friends, you are fearless 
 
 of laws 
 That nature has, that are known to have 
 
 strength 
 To carry you down to your ruin, at length. 
 You are still sound in body your character, true; 
 Think not that these things are not precious to 
 
 you; 
 Guard them well, venture less. In the future 
 
 you'll find 
 That too forward in youth will mean later 
 
 behind. 
 If you don't be careful, you'll find that it takes 
 The most of a life to correct the mistakes. 
 
38 
 
 IF YOU WANT TO LIVE 
 LONG 
 
 If you want to live long and never grow 
 
 weary, 
 Be always contented, good natured and 
 
 cheery; 
 Eat but a light diet, sleep soundly at 
 
 night. 
 Crawl out in the morning with the first 
 
 streak of light. 
 
39 
 
 Don't stay in the house, get out in the 
 air; 
 
 Your toilet perform with the greatest of 
 care, 
 
 And keep yourself clean from your teeth to 
 your nails; — 
 
 Such treatment as this, to keep health nev- 
 er fails. 
 
 Don't go to the war, for that is too 
 
 risky; 
 Don't fall in love with a girl, who s too 
 
 frisky; 
 Don't hurry the cattle, keep away from a 
 
 mule,— 
 Or keep to his front, is a very good 
 
 rule. 
 
40 
 
 Stay home with your friends, don't trav- 
 el about, 
 
 There's danger in travel by any old 
 route. 
 
 Don't blow out the gas, don't play with 
 the fire, 
 
 Don't try to handle a live 'lectric 
 wire. 
 
 By the strictest of rules that opposes the 
 
 devil, 
 We shun the very appearance of 
 
 evil. 
 That covers most of the dangers we 
 
 meet, 
 If we chance to have business down on the 
 
 street. 
 
If to all of these *'don'ts," we pay strict 
 attention, 
 
 And meet with no accidents worthy of men- 
 tion, 
 
 If lucky enough to keep rid of dis- 
 ease , • 
 
 We can live to be just as old as we 
 please. 
 
42 
 
 LIFE IS MADE UP OF 
 MISTAKES 
 
 If life is mostly made up of mistakes, — 
 
 Which it is, 
 And the world is chock full of all kinds of 
 
 fakes,— which it is, 
 It stands us in hand to use both of our 
 
 eyes, 
 To follow the way of the truthful and wise, 
 If we make the most of our time as it flies 
 
 As it does. 
 
43 
 
 Do you know at ten, you are one sixth done? 
 
 Well, you are; 
 At thirty, one half of your race is run. 
 
 And by far 
 The best of your life has flitted away; 
 Have you put your time in in dancing and 
 
 play? 
 Or while the sun shone, have you harvested 
 
 hay every hour? 
 
 Would you leave some work that will do 
 some good, when you're gone. 
 
 Work the oars with a stroke that will stem 
 the flood, and ply on; 
 
 If you do your part well, you have no time 
 
 to lose; 
 Take hold of a chance e'en while it ac- 
 crues; 
 
 Know what the right is, and the right way 
 choose; and flv on. 
 
44 
 
 LIFE IS WHAT WE MAKE IT 
 
 Is life just what we make of it? 
 
 And does each mortal make 
 The circumstances that surround, 
 
 Temptations strong that take 
 The people up and hurl them down 
 
 To depths of grief and shame — 
 Or make them scale the mountains high 
 
 To greatness and to fame? 
 
 Yes: life is what we make of it; 
 
 Temptations will not swerve 
 The man who dares to do the right 
 
 With all his will and nerve. 
 Because some weaklings do go down, 
 
 That 's no excuse for you. 
 You 've seen their fall; you know the pit; — 
 
 You should know what to do. 
 
45 
 
 CHANGING ATOMS 
 
 We see it in the rising sun, 
 
 We see it in the twilight, 
 We see it in the stars and moon, 
 
 That light our way by night, 
 We see it in the budding rose, 
 
 The lily in the dell. 
 And all the birds with songs of glee 
 
 Do of his goodness tell. 
 
i 
 
 46 
 
 There's not a single thing he's made, 
 
 But what does witness bear 
 That he is God Almighty, 
 
 And present everywhere. 
 His laws are constanth^ at work, 
 
 Nor leaves one thing the same 
 Today as it was yesterday: 
 
 Perfection is his aim. 
 
 The stately oak, more stately still 
 
 Or a little more decayed; 
 The blade of grass is longer 
 
 Or differently arrayed; 
 The river is a little higher 
 
 Or lower still perchance; 
 And we, like all his other work, 
 
 Go backward or advance. 
 
47 
 
 NEW YEAR REFLECTIONS 
 
 Many guests are in the parlor, 
 
 And the sitting-room is full; — 
 Full of laughing merry faces, 
 
 There to have a taffy-pull. 
 And the cooks are in the kitchen; 
 
 Making cookies, pies, and cakes, 
 And a lot of rusty doughnuts 
 
 Good as anyone can make! 
 
48 
 
 When you see this jolly party, 
 
 You would surely never guess, 
 'Twas assembled there to witness 
 
 Death in all its awfulness. 
 But 'tis true; and I am minded 
 
 All their mirth to criticise, 
 For I think it would be better 
 
 To reflect and summarize. 
 
 What if 't is the year that's dying- 
 Should there not be some regret, 
 
 If while passing we have prospered, 
 That it has to leave us yet? 
 
 If the year has been a failure, 
 And we cannot point to good, 
 
 Should we not be very sorry 
 
 That it's gone? I think we should, 
 
49 
 
 There is yet one hour remaining, 
 
 It is now Eleventh hour; 
 Just the time for noble purpose; 
 
 Get to work with all your power. 
 You can make the last remaining, 
 
 Count for much you ' ve let pass by, 
 By from merriment refraining. 
 
 For the time is precious. Why? 
 
 Look and ponder on your doings 
 
 Of the year that's past and gone. 
 Noting closely every action. 
 
 That could be improved upon. 
 After this you 've done completely, 
 
 You have yet a half an hour; 
 Make a lasting resolution 
 
 That you'll try with all your power. 
 
50 
 
 Then do not foroet the climax, 
 
 Ask the aid of power divine 
 To sustain you in your efforts 
 
 And to keep you straight in line 
 Through the new year that is coming-. 
 
 Then at twelve o'clock the chimes 
 Sound to you a great deal sweeter, 
 
 Than they do at other times. 
 
 Then the chimes mean something to you, 
 
 For they start you out anew 
 With a Friend who never falters, 
 
 And is always good and true; 
 And you have a full assurance 
 
 That the year that's coming in 
 Won't be lost, but every moment 
 
 You are sure some good to win. 
 
5' 
 
 FATHER'S HOME 
 
 Forty years ago today — 
 
 That same red sun sank far away 
 
 Behind yon hill, the same as now; 
 
 Ah! I can well remember how 
 
 It seemed to be all lined with gold; 
 
 I also mind how father told 
 
 How this sunset would be his last, 
 
 And how ere dawn his spirit passed 
 
 From time and earthly home away; — 
 
 Just forty years ago today. 
 
 And forty years ago tomorrow 
 
 Our home was dark with grief and sorrow 
 
52 
 
 Never once in all these years 
 Have I a sunset seen, but bears 
 My mem'ry on that fateful night 
 That gave our happy home a blight, 
 Which time on earth could not efface; 
 But when great clouds fill up yon space. 
 And far beyond them sinks the sun, 
 The transformation is begun, 
 And cities lined with gold will show 
 The same as forty years ago. 
 
 Then I behold a city fair 
 
 And think mv father's home is there. 
 
HAY 28 lift. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS