AND OTHER POEMS 
 
 SALTER DRANE MARTIN 
 
Book. .All^5l 4 
 Copyright N^ r'' ^ ' 
 
 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS 
 
U^nnra 
 
 AND OTHER POEMS 
 
 WALTER DRANE MARTIN 
 
 NASHVILLE. TENN.; DALLAS, TEX. 
 
 SMITH & LAMAR 
 
 1909 
 

 Copyright, 1909 
 
 BY 
 
 W. D. Martin 
 
 CI. A 245 57 6 
 AUilJg 1909 
 
SONG OF MY BOOK 
 
 (Acrostic) 
 
 Deny me not a pleasant look. 
 greet me with a smile! 
 Refuse me not a cozy nook, 
 Of read me just awhile; 
 Transport me if I'm in the way. 
 High on the topmost shelf; 
 Enslave me for some rainy day, 
 And keep me for yourself. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 The Invitation 9 
 
 To Lenora II 
 
 My Vesper Bell 12 
 
 Disposition 13 
 
 Lenora 14 
 
 Last Plea 15 
 
 Her Reply 17 
 
 To Her Picture 18 
 
 The Story of Her Death 20 
 
 A Tribute 23 
 
 Don't Ask Me Why 25 
 
 When I Forget 26 
 
 Aftermath 27 
 
 My Stars 28 
 
 The Angler's Prayer 29 
 
 What's Thy Sorrow, O Wind ? 30 
 
 Youth 31 
 
 Adair 32 
 
 Tennessee 33 
 
 Easter 35 
 
 Spring 36 
 
 Could Eye But See 2>7 
 
 Christmas 38 
 
 Thoughts of Other Days 39 
 
 A Strange Reply 40 
 
 Thanksgiving 41 
 
 The Humming Bird 42 
 
 Two Pictures 43 
 
 Could I Divine 44 
 
 Come Home 45 
 
 Spring Song 46 
 
 Reflection 47 
 
 At the Bier 48 
 
 Love's Light 49 
 
8 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Why Aspire ? 50 
 
 A Little Boy's Things 51 
 
 Dame Nature's Charge 52 
 
 My Ships 54 
 
 Farewell 55 
 
 The Dreamer 56 
 
 Success 58 
 
 Autumn 59 
 
 Song of the Violet 60 
 
 A Valentine 61 
 
 A Wedding Gift 62 
 
 A Lawyer's Story 63 
 
 That Possum Dinner 68 
 
 First Love 70 
 
 The Beggar 73 
 
 Christmas Song 75 
 
 Said Jim to Bill 76 
 
 Charity 77 
 
 Not There 78 
 
 The Light of Home 79 
 
 America 81 
 
 Opinionated 82 
 
 Want 83 
 
 The Old and the New 84 
 
 Boast Not 86 
 
 Gentle Spring 87 
 
"The ii round was white with snow." 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 To 
 
 THE INVITATION. 
 (From Lenora.) 
 
 ^THIS Christmas, Sir, now won't you come 
 ^^ And spend the day with me? 
 You're more than welcome to my home ; 
 So come, and you will see. 
 
 Perhaps you do not know me, friend ; 
 
 Perhaps you will not write 
 To th' little girl who nursed you when 
 
 So ill one Christmas night. 
 
 That evening can you forget? 
 
 The ground was white with snow — 
 When 'round the curve the express met 
 
 A wild and reckless foe ? 
 
 That night when you lay nearly dead ! 
 
 That wreck ! That frightful crash ! 
 When more than one to heaven sped — 
 
 Your wound — that fearful gash ! 
 
 The little cottage on the hill — 
 
 Perhaps you remember yet 
 That cold, bleak night ! My heart stood still ! 
 
 That scene ! Can I forget ? 
 
 (9) 
 
lO LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 The dead and wounded here were brought. 
 
 And you unconscious lay. 
 And how that good old doctor fought 
 
 To keep grim Death away ! 
 
 And all was in confusion when 
 
 The next day you came to — 
 You called me little sweetheart then, 
 
 And would I wait for you? 
 
 When you were well enough to leave, 
 
 My father was taken ill ; 
 Is sleeping where the willows cleave 
 
 The garden on the hill. 
 
 With mother, left the little home; 
 
 Since then long years have passed. 
 Your sweetheart's now a woman grown. 
 
 And true to th' question asked. 
 
 So Christmas, Sir, then can't you come 
 
 To spend the day with me ? 
 I sign the old familiar name 
 
 In all sincerity, 
 
 Lenora. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. n 
 
 TO LENORA. 
 
 AH ! true. Indeed, long years did pass ; 
 The fault was not my own. 
 I've tried in vain, in vain, alas ! 
 To hear where you had gone. 
 
 And oft I've pined to see your face. 
 
 Now can in truth this be, 
 That I shall have the joy to trace 
 
 The olden smile for me? 
 
 And clasp your little hand in mine 
 
 And hear you speak my name? 
 God grant that this day's joy be thine. 
 
 And New Year's just the same ! 
 
 God grant that all thy years and days 
 
 Be filled with glowing hours, 
 And all thy dreams and all thy ways 
 
 Be ever among the flowers ! 
 
 Should I hear first life's tidal wave 
 
 And my soul go out to its sea, 
 Give, then, a flower from your path to my grave 
 
 And a prayer from your heart for me. 
 
 Yours, . 
 
12 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 MY VESPER BELL. 
 (Lenora.) 
 
 ^WHEN twilight's magic veil is drawn, 
 -W 'Tis then, Lenora, you are — 
 With nature, gentle as its dawn — 
 You are my evening star. 
 
 And O, Lenora, when you're near. 
 Sweet heaven claims the spell ; 
 
 For heaven dwells in your heart, my dear ; 
 Your voice my vesper bell ! 
 
r.'^.B' 
 
 'You kissed the bud." 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 13 
 
 HI 
 
 DISPOSITION. 
 
 (Lenora.) 
 DEEM I know the reason why 
 
 There are no clouds upon your sky. 
 A nature, pure and bright as yours, 
 Holds captive from a budding rose 
 A sunbeam, finding there repose. 
 You came along, and ere it knew 
 You kissed the bud and sipped the dew, 
 A dewdrop that it nestled to; 
 It tried to flee, but found its way 
 To the garden in your heart that day. 
 
14 
 
 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 LENORA. 
 
 fOU'RE pure as an Easter Lily 
 And graceful as its pose; 
 In truth, you are more beautiful 
 Than any Beauty Rose. 
 
 Lenora, I'd slight a garden. 
 With all the buds of June — 
 
 A garden of the antique style 
 In bud or all abloom; 
 
 I'd fail to catcH its beauty ; 
 
 I might, yet would not dare 
 To think it was more beautiful 
 
 Than you if you were there. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 15 
 
 LAST PLEA. 
 
 (Lenora.) 
 
 ^|[F love, Lenora, holds a blessing, 
 ^-^ Then write me, tell me, I implore; 
 For long you've kept me doubting, guessing ; 
 Ah, write me truly yes or no! 
 
 Ah, long you've tried me ; I've been patient. 
 
 Love now revolts a longer test. 
 Just keep me young or make me ancient ; 
 
 Lenora, set my fears at rest. 
 
 Although unworthy, don't forsake me. 
 
 O, may I trust 'tis Heaven's will ! 
 Say that you love me ; simply take me, 
 
 Be it for better or for ill. 
 
 Schooltime, playtime, coasting, dances, 
 
 And O, one day can't you recall 
 When skating, taking foolish chances, 
 
 Just how the ice gave way with all ? 
 
 I know you thanked me, I remember; 
 
 And if 'twas wrong, 'twas not amiss. 
 I saved your life in that December, 
 
 Yet you repaid me with — a kiss. 
 
 A kiss, the first, no doubt, for either, 
 
 The first for me and truly last; 
 Perhaps 'twould have been best for neither; 
 
 It sealed my fate, the die was cast. 
 
l6 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 And oft since then I've longed for daring, 
 To show again what I would do. 
 
 A cruel thought, yet be forbearing; 
 You know I'd risk my life for you. 
 
 Ah ! risk it ? Yes, and gladly give it 
 
 If I but lost it serving you. 
 Yet now I'd rather live and live it ; 
 
 This seems a saner, brighter view. 
 
 Last year you asked me in your garden, 
 "Just how I thought you looked at best." 
 
 I answered. Then you begged my pardon, 
 And, blushing, said: "You speak in jest.' 
 
 I said: "A flower all filled with nectar, 
 
 As fair as any Bridal Rose ; 
 You'd have a Humming Bird Protector 
 
 If I would let him find repose." 
 
 I see you now, the sunlight streaming 
 As then it shone upon your hair. 
 
 I know that angels heard your dreaming ; 
 You seemed as one transplanted there. 
 
 I trust this may not seem ungainly; 
 
 Lenora, set my fears at rest. 
 O, write me, tell me truly, plainly; 
 
 O, grant me all that I request. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 17 
 
 HER REPLY. 
 
 (Lenora.) 
 
 [HEN our wedding bells ring, 
 May the angels all sing, 
 And His blessing drift down from above; 
 And may sunshine attend 
 That near dear day, and end 
 
 All your fears, for I love you, My Love ! 
 2 
 
l8 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 (§ 
 
 TO HER PICTURE. 
 
 (Lenora.) 
 
 LITTLE band of burnished gold, 
 Could that dear image that you hold- 
 Dear image of an angel's face — 
 Could it but speak from thy embrace, 
 'Twould chide my grief — O cruel fate! 
 To leave me thus disconsolate ! 
 Lenora ! Lenora ! could you but hear. 
 Could you but speak one word of cheer, 
 I would not deem it strange nor fear 
 If you should call aloud my name; 
 Nay, 'tis thy silence that I blame. 
 O, silent lips and pensive brow ! 
 Compassionless, still silent thou? 
 Yea, silent. Ah ! you deem my grief 
 A surer way to quick relief. 
 
 That night, Lenora, can I forget? 
 Forget my heart has known regret? 
 Forget the past, forgetting you, 
 Forgetting all, could this be true. 
 If heaven — and should I so decree — 
 Could bring forgetfulness to me. 
 And all my grief and woe to calm. 
 Would I accept or crave that balm ? 
 Forgetting all, would I adjure 
 Of heaven this, or still endure 
 The longing and the woe I feel? 
 Ah! no, I would not care to steal 
 
"A little band of burnished gold." 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 Away from sorrow, mem'ry's isle ; 
 
 I'd rather grieve for you than smile; 
 
 I'd rather o'er thy lonely grave 
 
 Keep vigil there and hear the wave 
 
 Of Ocean's pulsing tide and know 
 
 "That love is love for evermore," 
 
 And all I loved lies there below. 
 
 I'd rather stroll o'er memory's ways 
 
 And hear the voice of yesterdays, 
 
 To dwell upon each smile and word 
 
 That I have seen from you and heard. 
 
 I'd rather dwell on some kind deed 
 
 That I had done for you and plead 
 
 With memory to recall to me 
 
 Dear bygone joys that e'er should be 
 
 Forget-me-nots of heaven and thee. 
 
 I rather live and feel the thorn 
 
 "Of sorrow's crown" and feel 'twas worn 
 
 For One I loved, now far away; 
 
 I'd pray for strength in memory 
 
 Than to forget or dwell in peace 
 
 Or be at rest should memory cease. 
 
 19 
 
20 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 THE STORY OF HER DEATH. 
 
 (Lenora.) 
 
 The Storm. 
 
 ^THAT night, O love, can I forget? 
 ^^ One year ago ! The sun had set, 
 The sea was rough, the sky was black, 
 A storm was hovering o'er our track. 
 Our captain's face was stern and pale. 
 Would he to port — our craft was frail — 
 To port, or would he brave the sea ? 
 And port was near — which would it be ? 
 "To port !" he cried, and every sail 
 Was turned to tack against the gale. 
 Swift sped our craft; a gallant crew 
 Manned her, forced her, and held her true. 
 A light from out the harbor shone ; 
 This gave us comfort — hope was born. 
 Sure we could anchor — ? Nay, the storm 
 Burst in an instant ; hope was gone ! 
 
 You did not see, you were below ; 
 
 I volunteered to brave the blow. 
 
 I saw the lightning's livid flash, 
 
 The pent-up signal, heard the lash 
 
 Of wind and wave, and knew its cost 
 
 And felt that moment all was lost. 
 
 An instant, and the wind had veered. 
 
 Great waves to mountain heights were reared, 
 
 Strong seamen from the decks were borne ; 
 
 Both mast and sail were shattered, torn — 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 A shock, a crash that rent in twain 
 Our ship and hurled us to the main ; 
 All was confusion and despair. 
 I thought I saw your golden hair ; 
 I swam to save ; you were not there ; 
 A broken spar was my relief. 
 Why did I grasp? to surer grief? 
 Another soul was just in reach; 
 I saved, yet how we reached the beach 
 I do not know ; 'twas Heaven's care 
 That helped me lay my burden there. 
 
 Alas! the one I tried to save 
 Was dead ; she died upon the wave. 
 Lenora ! I know I called to thee ; 
 Your name my love called out to sea. 
 Lenora ! Lenora ! to you I cried, 
 Then fell exhausted near the side 
 Of one I thought another's bride. 
 
 I fell asleep and dreamed, my love, 
 
 A snow-white ship came from above. 
 
 It seemed to circle o'er and o'er 
 
 An island I had seen before — 
 
 A lovely ship, a precious thing; 
 
 I saw the flashing of its wing. 
 
 I dreamed a dove came in from sea. 
 
 Snow-white it was, and flew to me; 
 
 I felt its flutter on my cheek ; 
 
 I tried to catch it, tried to speak. 
 
 It flew away, away it flew 
 
 Up to the ship. I dreamed 'twas you. 
 
 21 
 
22 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 "Good-by !" I cried. "Sweet one, adieu !" 
 
 Farewell, bright ship, it sailed from view. 
 
 Then darkness fell. O, what a cloud 
 
 To mar that vision with its shroud ! 
 
 And such a change from joy to pain ! 
 
 I might have dreamed that dream again ; 
 
 Yet no, the shifting of my dream 
 
 Recalls to view that former theme 
 
 Of grave reality, the wreck. 
 
 And standing there upon the deck, 
 
 I saw, as though 'twere not a dream, 
 
 A ship, a phantom ship did seem 
 
 To crash its prow midway our own ! 
 
 A shock that hurled us to the foam ; 
 
 Again the broken spar I found, 
 
 Again a hand was sinking down, 
 
 Again I grasped that helpless hand. 
 
 I 'woke, and lo ! upon the sand. 
 
 Pale, chill, and speechless on the strand, 
 
 Alone and in a foreign land, 
 
 I kissed your face, my love, caressed 
 
 Mute lips, and all my grief expressed. 
 
 Lenora ! Lenora ! have you not heard 
 Your name, my cry — that stricken word? 
 A life crew near that fatal reef. 
 They heard and came to my relief; 
 And oft they say when storms are high 
 They hear me still, your name my cry. 
 
F^ JJ^Pi^^^^^PP^^^^Mfcsti 
 
 "All was confusion and despair: 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 n 
 
 A TRIBUTE. 
 (To Lenora.) 
 
 lyTO matter what the seasons are, 
 ^^ I've lost their meaning now ; 
 I do not note the things that are. 
 
 And oft I wonder how 
 My heart endures the grief that's there. 
 
 And O if I could see 
 His cross down in the vale of prayer. 
 
 My heart would lighter be. 
 
 Spring has no rhythm, life is prose, 
 
 Though birds are singing still ; 
 For absent and in death's repose, 
 
 Though 'twas the Master's will, 
 Sleeps One I loved who cannot hear 
 
 The summer wind that blows ; 
 The absent One, alas ! and ne'er 
 
 To see another rose. 
 
 She will not see another Spring; 
 
 Her soul has taken flight. 
 She knows not of my sorrowing; 
 
 I trust that I am right. 
 For if she knew of my despair, 
 
 It might disturb her rest ; 
 I would not care to have her bear 
 
 My cross if she's been blessed. 
 
24 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 I cannot see the cross that dwells 
 
 Down in the vale of prayer ; 
 Yet faith has whispered, something tells 
 
 That it lies hidden there. 
 O grief, that never sees the light, 
 
 When will the cross appear? 
 If hidden, let it vanquish night, 
 
 For she is waiting there. 
 
 m. 
 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 25 
 
 DON'T ASK ME WHY. 
 
 (Lenora.) 
 
 JQON'T ask me why my heart is sad; 
 2»* My sorrow is a sacred thing. 
 Without it I could ne'er be glad, 
 
 Though I were chosen Pleasure's King — 
 Don't ask me why; just ask the wind. 
 
 Don't ask me why ; consult the wind 
 That cards the leaves from yonder hill. 
 
 It has a grief akin to mine, 
 
 Deep-seated, and is never still — 
 
 Don't ask me why, just ask the wind. 
 
 Just ask the wind, and it may tell 
 Why leaves are falling from the vine 
 
 Here on the porch she loved so well ; 
 
 Just ask the vine, whose hand did twine 
 The tresses of this jessamine. 
 
 Don't ask me why yon little mound 
 Lies sea-shell covered over there. 
 
 Tread softly ; it is sacred ground ; 
 Speak gently, heaven has a care — 
 Don't ask me why my heart is there. 
 
26 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 WHEN I FORGET. 
 (Lenora.) 
 
 ^W'HEN I forget you, sweetheart mine, 
 -Wl* You whom I've loved so long, 
 'Twill be when birds of every kind 
 Forget their given song. 
 
 'Twill be when stars no longer glow. 
 When suns no longer shine ; 
 
 When Fate shall his wild trumpet blow, 
 When dead lies ancient Time. 
 
 Could I forget you, sweetheart, then? 
 
 E'en then when time's no more? 
 Ah ! no, my soul will seek you when 
 
 We tread that brighter shore. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 27 
 
 AFTERMATH. 
 
 (Lenora.) 
 
 *^riS Spring again, and birds sing just the same, 
 w' And balmy skies are just as blue and fair, 
 And bud and fern as beautiful and sweet 
 As last year's were ; and of the first I place 
 One lone, one little solitary bloom 
 To brighten up thy lonely grave, and feel 
 'Tis but a tribute of my love, for here 
 Beneath this sod my heart's dead flower lies. 
 Methought it fitting, yet I almost felt 
 When first I saw its petals ope and smile 
 On the bright sun that warmed it unto life 
 That 'twas thy spirit back to earth returned. 
 Yet when I saw that others were in bud, 
 I knew full well that this one soon would die ; 
 I knew 'twas mortal-like, and as myself 
 But dust would bloom and then to dust return. 
 Why, then, regret to ofifer it to thee? 
 Sweet little flower, breathe thy life to her. 
 And tell her that I freshened thee with tears — 
 Rest, little flower, bear my message home. 
 
28 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 MY STARS. 
 
 A FATHER sat one summer's eve 
 Within his cottage door, 
 And near his side a little child 
 Was scanning heaven o'er. 
 
 Her golden head she softly pressed 
 Against her father's knee — 
 
 Now gazing on the ev'ning star 
 Said all inquiringly: 
 
 "O, father, which of all the stars 
 
 That glisten in the sky 
 Will be at home for you and me 
 
 And mother when we die?" 
 
 The old man softly stroked her hair, 
 
 And musingly he said : 
 "The brightest of them all will be 
 
 The orb where you will tread. 
 
 Then yours and mother's home will be 
 
 The star of early morn, 
 And mine will be the ev'ning star, 
 
 I think the brightest born. 
 
 By morning and by evening 
 
 Our lives will happy be, 
 For I can spend the day with you 
 
 And you the night with me !" 
 
'A father sat one summer's eve. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 29 
 
 THE ANGLER'S PRAYER. 
 
 ^('M winding up the reel of life; 
 ^ I'm angling in the past ; 
 I've straightened out life's tangled line ; 
 I'm ready for the cast. 
 
 I dream of fairer shores and skies ; 
 
 I stand upon the strand; 
 My soul knows of an angling place ; 
 
 I wait the cast, command. 
 
 O line, be strong ! O faith, be true ! 
 Though long the cast and dark, 
 
 Christ! Great Angler! be Thou near 
 And guide me to the mark. 
 
 1 boast not of a right to dwell, 
 To angle on Thy shore ; 
 
 'Tis but a hope that I've done well, 
 Thy mercy, nothing more. 
 
 Yet winding up the reel of life 
 
 Since angling in the past, 
 My efiforts seem too frail to say: 
 
 "Success will crown my cast." 
 
30 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 WHAT'S THY SORROW, O WIND? 
 
 'HEN it snows — ah! beautiful snow — do you 
 know. 
 
 Can you tell me the sorrow the wild winds blow ? 
 Why complain ye, O Wind? Why not whistle in glee? 
 For what could be fairer or brighter to see 
 Than a snow ? What is purer ? There's nothing below 
 That is e'en half so fair as the beautiful snow. 
 Lo ! the clouds have cast off their white polka-dot veil, 
 And snow birds are chirping out there in the gale. 
 Hear the tinkling of bells ? Look, see what a sight : 
 The hillsides are covered with sledges in flight! 
 All else in all nature seems happy and gay. 
 What's thy sorrow, O Wind ? Speak, O tell me, I pray. 
 Why moan and why groan ? Hark ! a knock at my 
 
 door. 
 Ah ! 'tis plain I know now it is God's own poor, 
 I thought not of them, yet the "Wind" knew best. 
 True, "the rose has its thorns ;" in all happiness 
 Somewhere in the realm of its target, the heart. 
 An Archer lies hidden to win? it his dart. 
 
Across the nicadoZi.' of my dream. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 31 
 
 YOUTH. 
 
 AS game as any mountain trout 
 Was youth, and we had many a bout ; 
 And oft I've played him in the nook 
 Of pleasure's stream, now in, now out, 
 Just as an angler would who'd hook 
 A good six-pounder ! Skill it took 
 To play bass youth as I have played. 
 Yet what of skill ? Alas ! dismayed, 
 I could not land him ; age decayed 
 Life's silken line; I knew its cost — 
 A flirt, a snap, and youth was lost. 
 
 Yet oft I feel that youth is near, 
 O youth, and fancy that I hear 
 
 Your call as from that happy stream, 
 A little way just over there 
 
 Across the meadow of my dream. 
 Could you but come or could I steal 
 Across that meadow and once feel 
 That you would play again my reel, 
 I'd welcome old age ; for they say 
 That you return oft then and play. 
 
32 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 ADAIR. 
 
 /|P|NLY a song to thee, Adair, 
 VJ7 Only a dreamer's song, 
 Only a theme of a dream so fair- 
 The dreamer means no wrong. 
 
 'Tis not a song, Adair, of hate; 
 
 I've nothing to atone. 
 'Twas fate, Adair; Adair, 'twas fate 
 
 That makes me dream alone. 
 
 Alone, yet not alone, Adair ; 
 
 Sweet heaven grants a dole. 
 And oft I feel that you are near, 
 
 As in the days of old. 
 
 Only a dream, yet dreams must fade ; 
 
 Only a song, Adair. 
 'Twas fate, O Love, yet not dismayed; 
 
 Sweet heaven has a care. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 33 
 
 TENNESSEE. 
 
 JJl^AST night, fair Maid, O Tennessee, 
 
 ^*r I dreamed of youth, I dreamed of thee. 
 
 As fair, as young, you seemed to be 
 
 As one from heaven sent to me. 
 
 Yet why from heaven should I say ? 
 
 You spoke of crime, of anarchy. 
 
 And then you wept, ah ! bitter tears ; 
 
 I tried to soothe your grief, your fears 
 
 By saying: "God has many cares." 
 
 "I know," you said. "Yes, God defends; 
 
 He knows our cares; He understands." 
 
 Then, sponsor, fairest of them all 
 
 That ever graced a Capitol, 
 
 Weep not, for sons of noble sires 
 
 Are wooing still thy beck, thy call. 
 
 You've but to whisper, and the fire 
 
 Of chivalry thou wilt inspire. 
 
 To aid thee and to keep thy place 
 
 Secure in history's embrace, 
 
 Or to defend should crime deface 
 
 Thy matchless robes. Aye, Tennessee, 
 
 Thou hast been all that maid should be. 
 
 O sponsor maid, O Tennessee, 
 What knowest thou of anarchy? 
 Thou art too pure for such a thief 
 To mar thy heart's tranquillity. 
 His way is ruin, his law is grief ; 
 He holds no place ; society 
 3 
 
34 
 
 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 Condemns and must, or else decay. 
 At this you shuddered, sHpped away ; 
 I dreamed your youthful hair turned gray- 
 A star shot from the heights above ; 
 You left me saying: "God is love." 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 35 
 
 EASTER. 
 
 (Acrostic.) 
 
 Ere long and mother earth will give 
 An Easter Lily Day, 
 Sweet emblems, bidding hope to live. 
 "There is no death," they say. 
 Ere long and many a flower will peep 
 Refreshened from its clay. 
 
36 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 SPRING. 
 
 ^PRING, Spring, Spring, 
 
 /V^ Spring with its birds and flowers. 
 
 Light sunny skies, bright butterflies, 
 
 Spring with its sheen and showers — 
 Spring! Spring! Spring! 
 
 Sing, sing, sing, 
 
 Sing out your sweet songs, O bird. 
 Sad hearts to cheer, glad hearts to hear ; 
 
 Let not a sad note be heard — 
 Sing! sing! sing! 
 
 Flow, flow, flow, 
 
 Flow, little brook, in delight; 
 Play hide and seek, gay-hearted ; O speak ! 
 
 Speak out your glad joy in flight ! 
 Flow ! flow ! flow ! 
 
 Swing, swing, swing; 
 
 Seek now, little child, the vine swing. 
 Springtime is youth, swingtime is truth, 
 
 Swingtime is everything! 
 Swing! swing! swing! 
 
"Spring -autli its birds and fiozvcrs." 
 
9 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 37 
 
 COULD EYE BUT SEE. 
 
 /jit OULD human eye but catch a glimpse 
 ^^ Of things that dwell beyond, 
 The soul, responsive to that sight, 
 Would break its earthly bond ! 
 
 E'en dreams that mortals dare to dream 
 
 In sleep, or plied with might 
 Would be the A B C of thought 
 
 Compared to such a sight. 
 
 'Tis written : "Eye has never seen. 
 
 And ear has never heard. 
 Nor can the heart of man conceive 
 
 The glory of His word." 
 
 Man knows but little; science fails 
 
 To prove the things we see ; 
 E'en faith may falter, yet some day 
 
 Faith finds that hidden key. 
 
38 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 CHRISTMAS. 
 
 (Acrostic.) 
 
 Can Bethlehem's star be shining still ? 
 
 How could it ever set? 
 
 Resplendent o'er faith's trysting hill, 
 
 It's shining for us yet. 
 
 Shine on, bright star. Faith has the sight ; 
 
 The eyes of Faith behold. 
 
 May Faith to all reveal its light, 
 
 A beacon to the soul ! 
 
 Shine on, bright star, shine on ! 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 39 
 
 THOUGHTS OF OTHER DAYS. 
 
 (Christmas.) 
 
 ^lUST thirty years ago to-night, 
 ^ And dreams were in the fire; 
 Just thirty years ago, and bright 
 
 Was hope of youth's desire ; 
 Just thirty years ago, and then 
 
 At breaking of the dawn 
 My heart thrilled with a boy's delight — 
 
 The joy of Christmas morn. 
 
 For Santa Claus had filled the socks 
 
 Brimful of nuts and toys, 
 While on the floor were books and blocks 
 
 Just made for little boys ; 
 And fond and loving ones were near 
 
 Whose hearts were glad to see 
 Me happy when the mantel clock 
 
 Struck that glad Jubilee. 
 
 Just thirty years ago ; ah me ! 
 
 I loved those childish years, 
 The happiest to memory ; 
 
 They held no care nor fears. 
 Just thirty years ago to-night, 
 
 Yet what a span since then ! 
 The boy has known his grief and cares — 
 
 The common fate of men. 
 
40 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 A STRANGE REPLY. 
 
 While out walking one afternoon in the suburbs 
 of a small village I noticed in the distance, situated 
 on the crest of a hill, a small dilapidated and seem- 
 ingly deserted church in the left-hand corner of quite 
 a large inclosure of land. Ascending the slope, I en- 
 tered, and my attention was soon called to an old man 
 busily engaged in trimming the grass from a small 
 mound which seemed to be the grave of a child. On 
 nearing the spot I addressed him and asked who slept 
 there. For a while he eyed me without replying; but, 
 soon collecting his thoughts, he said : 
 
 "Sir, 
 
 Here rests a form beneath this sod, 
 A child, and I remember well 
 
 The day her spirit fled to God; 
 And it was strange and hard to tell 
 How those who must have loved her well 
 
 Could stand and hear 
 The sound of cold earth as it fell, 
 
 And shed no tear. 
 Long years have passed ; but since I've heard 
 
 That, although much distressed in mind. 
 Those two whose hearts I thought had erred 
 
 In such a loss to parent-kind 
 Did Christ-like keep their grief confined 
 
 Or weep for shame — 
 The child of whom I speak was blind 
 
 Until death came. 
 
"Here rests a form beneath this sod." 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 41 
 
 THANKSGIVING. 
 
 (Acrostic.) 
 
 That we may live to see Thy face, 
 
 Have mercy, Father, give us grace. 
 
 All else save this in life is vain. 
 
 Non-heavenly, and barren gain. 
 
 Keep life's frail bark, though storms may roll. 
 
 Secure, and guide it to its goal. 
 
 Gird Freedom's flag around the mast, 
 
 Intrepid, give it to the blast. 
 
 Vouchsafe that all our deeds and days, 
 
 Including this, be days of praise. 
 
 Neglecting not our Ship of State ; 
 
 Guard, guide, protect, and keep it great. 
 
42 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 THE HUMMING BIRD. 
 
 /|P| TELL me, little Humming Bird, O tell me, tell me 
 
 V!l/ true. 
 
 What is it that the flowers say? I know they speak 
 
 to you. 
 Or tell me what you say to them when you a-wooing 
 
 go? 
 If you're a flirt, then no one knows, because you speak 
 
 so low. 
 
 Or are you a physician sent to cure some ill or pain? 
 
 Do flowers die of broken hearts ? Do they of ills com- 
 plain ? 
 
 Or are you just a little thief or just a dainty beau? 
 
 Say, little doctor, beau, or thief, just tell me all you 
 know. 
 
 No wonder that you are so dear, so fair, and fleet of 
 
 wing. 
 I'd be a flirt if I were you, you gaudy little thing ; 
 No doubt you are, and that is why you seem so bright 
 
 and gay. 
 A million sweethearts I would have and love my life 
 
 away 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 43 
 
 TWO PICTURES. 
 
 J DREAMED last night an Angel came to me ; 
 I saw her form ; her face I could not see. 
 A brilliant light was pulsing o'er her head, 
 A blinding light that awed me till she said : 
 "Be not afraid ; I did not mean to scare ; 
 I came to teach ; my name it is Beware." 
 So soft her voice, so sweet to me it came. 
 She called me child ; then by my given name 
 Spake softly, saying: "Look you, now behold 
 The Holy City and its streets of gold." 
 Thus as she spoke the strange light disappeared; 
 All then was total darkness, and I feared 
 My dream was drawing to an end, when lo! 
 Upon the ceiling of my room did grow 
 A picture, Heaven! All beautiful to see! 
 A flash ! 'Twas o'er. Then spake she unto me 
 And said : "The seekers find, and seeking you will win. 
 There is no sorrow there, no death, no sin; 
 All, all is joy, one bright eternal morn ; 
 And heir thou art to this great kingdom born. 
 Yet hark, behold ! there is a place of doom." 
 My blood ran cold, for sounds of woe did come. 
 Then, leaning o'er my couch, mine eyes beheld 
 A cavern where no beauty ever dwelled. 
 "Enough !" I cried. "Mine eyes can stand no more." 
 The picture waned; then spake she as before 
 And said : "Beware, from this thy soul refrains ; 
 Man profits little, though the world he gains, 
 If by that gain his soul be ever doomed 
 To dwell within those walls, that fiery tomb." 
 
44 
 
 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS, 
 
 COULD I DIVINE. 
 (To .) 
 
 /iTOULD I divine the language 
 ^J^ Of a lily or a rose, 
 I could tell you of their beauty 
 And your nature too disclose. 
 
 I could tell you why the roses 
 Chase the lilies from your cheek, 
 
 And what the violets in your eyes 
 Are saying when they speak. 
 
 Yet I cannot catch their meaning, 
 I may never know the art, 
 
 Yet I know that they are dreaming 
 In the garden of your heart. 
 
 Still, I know enough of flowers 
 From the little that I know 
 
 That forget-me-nots of heaven 
 Are blooming here below. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 45 
 
 COME HOME. 
 
 ^(F but one virtue you possess 
 Jl And all the rest have flown, 
 Protect the one; for righteousness 
 Regrafted may be grown. 
 
 Though leaves may from the others fall 
 And sin thy soul may mark, 
 
 Take comfort ; once a prodigal 
 Found home when all was dark. 
 
 A father's love went out to him, 
 
 The sacrifice was slain, 
 The child forgiven for his sin 
 
 And welcomed home again. 
 
 Come home, O wanderers of earth ! 
 
 Christ came to save the lost. 
 Think on the mission of his birth, 
 
 The sacrifice, the cost. 
 
46 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 SPRING SONG. 
 
 yjTHERE is a maiden you may know ; 
 \^ Her name is Gentle Spring; 
 She smiles and flowers bloom, and lo ! 
 
 The birds begin to sing. 
 She smiles, and lo ! the flowers bloom, 
 
 And bees are on the wing. 
 
 Have you not seen this little maid? 
 
 Have you not felt her breath? 
 A poet, a great singer said 
 
 Of her : "There is no death." 
 She smiles, and lo ! the flowers bloom ; 
 
 Her touch is more than wealth. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 47 
 
 REFLECTION. 
 
 ^^TTIS hard to lead a pauper's life 
 w' On the restless sea of Care, 
 And find contentment in the strife 
 If born to gentler air. 
 
 'Tis hard to fill a toiler's place 
 When youth has taken flight; 
 
 'Tis hard to battle with disgrace 
 And turn the tide aright, 
 
 'Tis hard to love a lurking foe, 
 Forgetting that we hate ; 
 
 'Tis hard to be resigned to go 
 When death knocks at the gate. 
 
 'Tis hard to live to the command, 
 "To seek the narrow path ;" 
 
 'Tis hard, O God, to understand 
 Thy mercy and thy wrath. 
 
48 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 AT THE BIER. 
 
 SWEET young face, so pale, so chill ! 
 
 O Death, was this the Master's will ? 
 O Christ, my balm, to thee I call ; 
 This is the greatest grief of all. 
 
 OP 
 
 For she was pure as lights that shine 
 Around thy ever-holy shrine ! 
 O Archer, canst thou tell me why 
 You let that fatal arrow fly? 
 
 But yesterday, and she was fair 
 As yon sweet rose that knew her care; 
 Scarce yet abloom to earth a bud. 
 Now blossoming in angelhood. 
 
 O sweet young face, so pale, so chill, 
 O Death, was this the Master's will? 
 O Archer, canst thou tell me why 
 Thou let that fatal arrow fly? 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 49 
 
 LOVE'S LIGHT. 
 
 JjT^OVE'S messenger so young, so fair, 
 >^ Came to my heart one day 
 To light the lamp that rested there. 
 Then smiled and slipped away, 
 
 I loved its soft enchanting glow; 
 
 It cast its mystic beams 
 O'er nooks I ne'er had seen before 
 
 On the river of my dreams. 
 
 I sought retreats before unknown; 
 
 For One I pined to see, 
 And found her in a bark alone 
 
 Adrift and seeking me. 
 
 At least she seemed to be adrift. 
 
 I did not ask nor try 
 To argue this or try to sift 
 
 Nor ask the reason why. 
 
 I saw the love light in her eyes ; 
 
 She saw the same in mine. 
 We drifted into paradise — 
 
 Ah, who can love define? 
 4 
 
so 
 
 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 WHY ASPIRE? 
 
 ^ZLINCE honors fade and glory wanes 
 ^^ And riches spoken of as vain, 
 Why do we thus seek to profane 
 
 Our souls with tares that choke the grain ? 
 
 Though kings may rule and tyrants reign, 
 Why envy them their cares of State, 
 
 Their courts, their power, and social gain, 
 Just to be spoken of as great? 
 
 Fear not to live and die unknown ; 
 
 Take up thy cross though hard the strife- 
 Death's no respecter of a throne. 
 
 Nor does it end the course of life. 
 
 A young man to the Master came, 
 'Tis written (and I feel 'tis true), 
 
 And asked his Saviour "just to name 
 That which he lacked, just what to do." 
 
 He mentioned virtues of his own — 
 No doubt his question was a plea. 
 
 "What lackest thou to win My Throne? 
 Give up thy wealth and follow Me." 
 
 Did Christ command that this should be? 
 'Tis said the young man turned away 
 Sorrowful and sad of heart that day. 
 
 If this he lacked, then so do we. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 51 
 
 A LITTLE BOY'S THINGS. 
 
 ^JUST a few things that a little boy wore : 
 
 ^ A little blue cap hanging there by the door, 
 
 A little blue suit to be worn no more, 
 
 A little boy's clothes in the chest on the floor. 
 
 Just a few things of a dear little boy: 
 
 A little red sled and a broken toy, 
 
 A little boy's blocks o'er the nursery strewn — 
 
 Yet the little boy dwells in the little boy's home. 
 
 Just a little grave in the garden out there, 
 Just a step in the dark to that Great Somewhere ; 
 Just a whisper may reach him, and often he'll come; 
 I fancy I see him, yet I feel so alone. 
 
52 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 DAME NATURE'S CHARGE. 
 
 jftTROM fast-closed caverns in her great abode 
 '*^' Dame Nature on her fleetest wind bestowed 
 Her greatest charge : "Go, March, and fleet of wing 
 Search space till thou hast found mine isle of Spring. 
 
 I charge thee seek till thou hast found, nor rest; 
 Thy compass take ; this is a mighty test. 
 Note well thy flight, and bring with thee aback 
 My daughter Spring ; your path she will bedeck." 
 
 Up sprang the bolts, a whirr, a rushing sound, 
 Nor stayed Prince March to question ; with a bound, 
 A leap ! a dash ! an instant, and was gone 
 In search of bride and that fair island home. 
 
 On, on, he sped, and with an eagle's eye 
 Marked in aerial flight, marked earth, sea, sky, 
 Scanned all till found. O prince at last ! at last ! 
 A moment hovered, and his heart beat fast. 
 
 At last, great prince, thou now canst fold thy wing ; 
 Thy search is o'er ; here lies the isle of Spring. 
 No eye save one like beauty yet has seen ; 
 The prize is thine, your bride, the island's queen. 
 
 "Asleep, alas ! my greeting may be cold. 
 I fear to wake, my presence seemeth bold. 
 Too fair to hate, canst thou not love, sweet maid ? 
 I'll kneel — yea, kiss thee ; be thou not afraid. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 53 
 
 Awake, arise; yet would I vigil keep, 
 And be content to love thee e'en in sleep. 
 This fairy home of flower and vine and tree 
 Thou didst it all design alone for me ! 
 
 Canst thou not hear? Again, then, I will kiss." 
 "O love," cried Spring (awakening unto bliss) ; 
 "O March, great prince [and clinging to his breast], 
 Thou'st waked my soul ! Love has supremely blest I" 
 
54 
 
 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 MY SHIPS. 
 
 ^i LOOK for no ship to sail over my sky 
 ^ All labeled with riches and gold; 
 I long for but one, one dear ship to spy, 
 Love's ship and its queen to behold. 
 
 A snow-white ship on the sea of its sky, 
 
 I've dreamed 'twas a precious thing, 
 And heard in that dream as I saw it pass by 
 
 The flash of an angel's wing. 
 
 Only one did I say? Nay, that is wrong: 
 
 My soul has a ship at sea, 
 And is silently shifting and drifting along; 
 
 Each day it comes nearer to me. 
 
 My love's ship is one ; it brings heaven adown 
 
 To dispel from my heart its gloom ; 
 And my soul's ship is one from my soul's haven bound; 
 
 It is victor of death and the tomb. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 55 
 
 FAREWELL. 
 
 ^i CANNOT come to say adieu ; 
 
 ^ So pen instead this lay, 
 
 This farewell note, and wishing you 
 
 All pleasures while away, 
 And wishing you a safe return 
 
 To "Home, Sweet Home" some day. 
 Some day — perchance it may be near. 
 
 It may be far away, 
 It mz.y be when the world is sere. 
 
 It may be in its May, 
 
 It may be ne'er — it may. 
 
56 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 THE DREAMER. 
 
 ^J WOULD rather be a dreamer 
 
 ^ And indulge my soul's desire, 
 
 Building castles on the ramparts of my dream. 
 
 Than to be a cold fact schemer. 
 
 Who lives but to acquire 
 
 That alone which makes his coffers clink and gleam. 
 
 Though the latter may have millions, 
 
 Yes, and own a castle home — 
 
 What's a million to the dreamer for his dream? 
 
 What's a castle with pavilions 
 
 If its owner's heart be shorn 
 
 Of all that has a sentimental theme? 
 
 Keep your millions, haunt your coffers, 
 
 Let your souls be fettered fast; 
 
 But give to me the freedom for a dream. 
 
 Away with doubters, scoffers ; 
 
 Give my soul a dream repast ; 
 
 Let me penetrate the shores of the unseen. 
 
 Let me delve beyond the ramparts 
 
 Of e'en my castle dreams, 
 
 Beyond the autumn sunset of a grand and perfect day. 
 
 O, let me feel the pulsing heart 
 
 Of nature as it seems. 
 
 O, let me live, and living, dream my life away. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 Let me live and die a-dreaming, 
 
 Let my soul be used to flight. 
 
 O, Fancy, bear me from earth's sodden care; 
 
 Set love's beacon light a-beaming 
 
 With a sentimental light. 
 
 And lead me from the shades of dark despair. 
 
 57 
 
5^ LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 SUCCESS. 
 
 'Wtt'HATEVER your vocation be, 
 A^ "Success" is hard to win, 
 Especially if honesty 
 Has its full measure in. 
 
 'Tis hard to think that things have changed, 
 
 Yet Mammon rules to-day ; 
 He's hypnotized and half-deranged 
 
 His subjects by his sway. 
 
 The world at large may never know 
 How you've acquired your wealth ; 
 
 You may not have to prove or show 
 'Twas honest gain or stealth. 
 
 I mean the latter-day "Success," 
 Based on the standard "Gold;" 
 
 A fortune, nothing more or less — 
 I speak not of the soul. 
 
 If such be your ambitious light 
 
 "Success" to thus attain. 
 Then be a failure ; bless the night ; 
 
 For loss may be your gain. 
 
 Be humble, lowly; wealth may weight 
 
 Thy soul and sin defile; 
 For Christ when asked of heaven's great 
 
 Replied: "A little child." 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 59 
 
 AUTUMN. 
 
 (Uncle Lawson.) 
 ♦^flS artum time, an' natur's got 
 
 a^' 
 
 Er mi'ty bad dezeeze. 
 De fros' am kilt de flowers 
 
 An' skeer'd away de bees. 
 De maples in de ole fron' yard 
 
 Is lookin' kinder sick; 
 They kotch'd de yaller jaundiss, 
 
 And they kotch'd it mi'ty qui'k. 
 De bla'k-ja'k's kotch'd de smallpox, 
 
 An' is lookin' mi'ty sad. 
 De hick'nut scarlet fever got, 
 
 An' ellum's lookin' bad. 
 De beech de dropsy hit dun kotch'd ; 
 
 Hits leaves am fallin' thick ; 
 An, simmon trees ain' lookin' well. 
 
 De poplar's on de rick. 
 Fac', all de trees is 'flicted like. 
 
 An' hit kinder mak's me grieves, 
 Yit possums is er gittin' ripe 
 
 Wid fallin' of de leaves. 
 
6o LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 SONG OF THE VIOLET. 
 
 'E too have a duty," the violets said. 
 '*We were born, yet we hve but to die; 
 We love the deep green of our lowly bed ; 
 We love the deep blue of our sky. 
 
 We too love the maidens of sweet mien and face ; 
 
 We pine for the dew of their kiss ! 
 We love to be placed in a loved one's vase ; 
 
 We were born to be loved and for this." 
 
 Then go, little friends, to the sweetest of girls, 
 And dreaming there lie on her breast 
 
 Or in the soft furls of her golden curls, 
 And whisper: 'T love her the best." 
 
 She will love you, I know, for your sake alone, 
 And 'tis sweet for her sake to die. 
 
 Then go, and I know that you will not mourn 
 For your bed nor the blue of your sky. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 6l 
 
 A VALENTINE. 
 
 ^i WOULD like to be the jewel in the comb that 
 cll binds your hair, 
 
 Or the veil that keeps the dust from ofif your cheek, 
 Or the diamond in the necklace of a little girl so fair, 
 
 To be near you and to hear you when you speak. 
 
 I would like to be a sunbeam and play truant to my 
 fold, 
 
 And I'd follow you, no matter where you'd go, 
 And I'd nestle on the petals of the flowers in your soul. 
 
 And truantlike I'd never let you know. 
 
 I would like to be a cuckoo (little follower of Spring) 
 And turn traitor to the nature of my kind, 
 
 Just to bask within the sunshine of your life and sing 
 and sing 
 And chirp and be contented with my find. 
 
62 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 A WEDDING GIFT. 
 
 ACCEPT from me this little vase 
 And wed it to a rose, 
 And may it find a resting place 
 
 Where other gifts repose ! 
 'Tis true 'tis but a souvenir, 
 
 Frail, fragile, and is small ; 
 Yet life's a fragile thing, I hear, 
 "And little things make all." 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 63 
 
 A LAWYER'S STORY. 
 
 JCERE, reader, let me introduce 
 Vf^ My hero — hold, my hasty Muse; 
 Go not too fast, curb up your bit; 
 My hero does not 'prove of it. 
 His name he asked to be withheld 
 For reasons personal, and dwelled 
 Upon this point as long almost 
 As on his story of "The Ghost." 
 
 Of such I've heard, and now relate, 
 As it was told to me, and state 
 I will not change in thought or word 
 Or deviate from what I've heard. 
 
 I am a lawyer, as you know. 
 
 On New Year's eve, one year ago, 
 
 A strange, strange client rapped my door 
 
 That blustrous night. The wind was high. 
 
 The moon was hidden in the sky. 
 
 My client seemed a little bold, 
 A good six-footer, young or old 
 I do not know, I could not tell ; 
 A beard disguised his face, as well 
 As cap and coat with broad lapel. 
 He spoke me first, his voice was clear. 
 "A lawyer," said he ; "good, I hear." 
 "Sir, fear not me ; I wish to place 
 In your hands a curious case," 
 
64 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 "I speak not in prose ; my nature is rhyme. 
 
 I wish for your counsel ; can you spare me the time ?" 
 
 "Why, of course, Sir," I said, "so glad to be able — 
 
 Have a seat by the fire." He sat near the table. 
 
 I drew a cigar ; he refused, then began 
 
 A strange introduction to this strange man. 
 
 This much is obscure ; it's his secret and prime 
 
 For a story ; I listened — 'twas in rhyme. 
 
 A Strange Story. 
 
 I arrived in your city a few months ago ; 
 
 I departed at noon without pomp or show. 
 
 As a naturalist would on a fair summer's day, 
 
 I left it on foot ; I travel that way. 
 
 Toward dusk it was; I began to feel tired, 
 
 A little bit hungry, and then I desired. 
 
 As usual of course, to seek here or there 
 
 For some kind of shelter, it mattered not where, 
 
 When lo ! to the west, on the Peacher Mill road, 
 
 I beheld through th' shadows, I thought, an abode — 
 
 House, barn, mill, or stable, I could not discern — 
 
 A full mile to the left, yet where was the turn? 
 
 If road from the highway led up to the place, 
 
 I failed to discover it, even a trace. 
 
 I carry a lantern on this kind of trip; 
 
 It is safe, and has saved me many a slip. 
 
 Now straight for the place, and my common-way sense 
 
 Suggested the shortest ; and climbing a fence, 
 
 I forced through the thickets as best I could. 
 
 Then a rugged hillside, now a pasture, and stood 
 
 Just a moment to rest 'neath a tree at the gate 
 
 Of a house full deserted, lone, closed — it was late. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 65 
 
 Not a light, not a welcome, not even a sound ; 
 Closed were its windows and doors, and around 
 And over its chimneys vines hung, and between 
 The house and the gate tall weeds rank and green. 
 Not a sound save the beat of my heart. Could it be 
 That this was the place predestined for me 
 To explore ? This the house I had seen in a dream ? 
 The place seemed familiar, yet why should it seem? 
 Here, Sir, let me tell of a dream I have had 
 And to tell why I wander as one that is mad. 
 My father's grandfather sailed over the sea — 
 An explorer he was — in the year fifty-three 
 Last century, and was rich as could be ! 
 Lived rich and died rich here in old Tennessee. 
 His death was not natural ; at least, it was told 
 That he had been murdered and robbed of his gold. 
 My father heard not of his death till too late 
 To punish the guilty ; they met a like fate. 
 But now to the point. I have seen in a dream 
 A house that was haunted, a place that did seem 
 To resemble in structure the one now in view. 
 Now back to my story, the thoughts are with you. 
 
 I held up my lantern and walked to the door ; 
 I knocked — lo ! it fell with a crash to the floor. 
 I entered the hall ; in the rear was a stair ; 
 I ascended as one who was treading on air. 
 Dust, dust an inch deep ! Dust, dust everywhere ! 
 A hallway above, two rooms, nothing more, 
 The same size as those I had left just before. 
 Downstairs, however (and I failed to say), 
 In a room to the right on a rude bed of hay 
 5 
 
66 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 Lay an uncased pillow and spread ; that is all 
 
 That spoke of an inmate. Here, let me recall 
 
 A fact that is strange: dust, dust everywhere 
 
 A full inch deep on the floor, on the stair, 
 
 Yet the pillow was dustless as well as the spread ; 
 
 Not even a cobweb hung over the bed. 
 
 Perhaps I was frightened ; in truth, I admit 
 
 An uncanny feeling disturbed me a bit. 
 
 It may have been fancy, it may have been fear. 
 
 Still I felt that the presence of some one was near. 
 
 Now, placing my light on a high mantel shelf, 
 
 I reclined on the bed to reason to self, 
 
 When lo ! now a step overhead could be heard. 
 
 I sprang to my feet without speaking a word. 
 
 Reached up for my lantern — lo! just up the stair 
 
 My ancestor stood — stood watching me there ! 
 
 There he stood in the ray of my lantern's dim light ; 
 
 And although a kinsman, it filled me with fright. 
 
 He was clothed in the selfsame suit that he wore 
 
 On the day that he sailed from his own native shore. 
 
 I tried to speak to him ; I seemed as if dumb. 
 
 I tried to approach him ; my limbs were too numb. 
 
 Now using his fingers, spelled ''Banish thy fright; 
 
 And if brave, follow me ; all, all will be right." 
 
 Now descending the stairway down to the floor. 
 
 He beckoned me follow him out through the door. 
 
 Without hesitating I followed him out 
 
 Through the door to the yard, our distance about 
 
 Ten feet from each other; this distance I thought 
 
 A little bit safer with such an escort. 
 
 Now out through a garden, or what once had been, 
 
 I followed ; nor did he e'en question me then. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 67 
 
 Now down a ravine to the right of a wood ; 
 
 Here he halted, then said, "Youth, you are good !" 
 
 (Scarce an arm's length away), then, raising his hand. 
 
 He tapped on my shoulder and said: "I command, 
 
 I demand you to fall on your knees at my feet. 
 
 There lies my treasure ; it is yours ; be discreet. 
 
 It is yours and untainted. I was murdered, and here 
 
 I have kept my vigil for many a year. 
 
 Hoard it not, yet remember this charge I demand : 
 
 Consult first the records as to who owns this land, 
 
 Then pay to a lawyer as you bid him adieu 
 
 A fee in gold coin for my rent and in lieu 
 
 Of all damages done by my stay in the home ; 
 
 Pay ! Wipe out the debt for all time to come. 
 
 I haunt it no longer ; this debt should be paid. 
 
 Tradition will tell you how long I have stayed. 
 
 Kneel, lift up the treasure of jewels and gold." 
 
 I obeyed. He vanished. Now, Sir, I have told 
 
 Far more than I should. Here is money for crime ; 
 
 I've read from th' records, and find at that time 
 
 That your father's father (and the title is clear) 
 
 Had purchased that place on the day of the year 
 
 Of the death of my kinsman, from a Mr. ; and so, 
 
 If I remember correctly, the records will show 
 
 That you sacrificed, Sir, just a few months ago 
 
 Home, farm, and all to a man that you know. 
 
 I am glad to have met you, glad to repay 
 
 The debt of a kinsman ; and here let me say : 
 
 Plus the rent, here inclosed in this pouch in my hand 
 
 Is the price that your grandfather paid for that land. 
 
 This gold is not tainted ; I beg you accept ! 
 
 I have finished my story, my charge I have kept. 
 
68 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 THAT POSSUM DINNER. 
 (Uncle Lawson.) 
 
 gjHAK' yo'se'f, sah, an' trot er bit; 
 .^r You knows you ain't er tryin', 
 'Kaze I has seed you go an' git 
 
 So fas' that dus' was flyin' 
 Aroun' an' down this stre'ch of road 
 
 Jes' lack er cyclome blowin', 
 An' now you'se waddlin' long jes' lack 
 
 You do' know whar 's goin'. 
 
 An' I'se jes' boun' an' bleeg'd ter be 
 
 On han' fer that ar dinner ; 
 An' smells that possum now an' see 
 
 Thim taters stuffin' inner; 
 An' ef you do play off on me, 
 
 You 'trary, stubborn sinner, 
 Thar'll be a wise mule roun' these parts 
 
 If I gits lef fur dinner. 
 
 Now Tobe he kinder bats his ear 
 
 An' acts a little 'trary, 
 'Twas Sunday, and he didn't care 
 
 'Cause he was tired and w'ary ; 
 For other mules were eatin' hay — 
 
 Mike, Jim an' Kit, an' Mary — 
 An' res'in' roun' the stable lot 
 
 An' barn an' shed an' dairy. 
 
'Nozv Tobe he kinder bats his car." 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 69 
 
 An' now he kinder acts er fool. 
 
 An' Uncle Laws cries, "Weh, sah," 
 Gits mad, an' 'fo' he kin git cool 
 
 or Tobe jes' lams him over 
 De spatter board kersplash, kerchunk 
 
 Out in er wayside pool, 
 An' Laws g-its out an' grabs er rail — 
 
 An' Tobe has been to school. 
 
 He lams him till his strength is gone, 
 
 Yet Tobe thinks he's the winner. 
 Poor Uncle Laws ! he turns fur home 
 
 An' says : "Yer beastly sinner ! 
 You'se ruint me, Tobe ; you'se sp'iled my dream ; 
 
 You'se beat me to my dinner. 
 I'll fix you wid de corn an' hay 
 
 Till you gits thin an' thinner." 
 
70 
 
 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 FIRST LOVE. 
 
 ADIEU to love, love's last adieu, 
 Since love its fate has met; 
 A trifle now ; yet I review 
 The past with some regret. 
 
 Love has a sorrow and a charm, 
 
 'Tis true a Bitter Sweet ; 
 I felt its might when youth was warm, 
 
 Its sorrow in defeat. 
 
 I fought its battle day by day, 
 
 A fight to lose or win ; 
 Yet Cupid lost that bloodless fray — 
 
 Alas, what might have been ! 
 
 'Twas heavenlike to touch her hand, 
 To touch the dress she wore. 
 
 Ah, what is love? God understands; 
 We know but this, no more. 
 
 Why should I care for bird or flower 
 
 Or art or budding Spring? 
 Love charmed me with its magic power ; 
 
 She was life's everything. 
 
 She did not seem to care for me ; 
 
 At times I thought she did. 
 Her eyes betrayed, for I could see 
 
 Or thought the truth she hid. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 I did not try to press my suit. 
 
 I knew too well she knew 
 That Cupid did not have to shoot 
 
 Again ; his first would do. 
 
 Soon others felt her magic spell 
 
 A-vowing vows galore. 
 She kept them asking : "Who could tell 
 
 Which way the tide would flow ?" 
 
 I asked the winds if they had heard 
 Her breathe another's name ? 
 
 I asked that solitary bird 
 Of Poe's — no answer came. 
 
 I asked myself if love would speak? 
 
 I forced it to a test. 
 My cause was lost, my plea was weak ; 
 
 She said: "You speak in jest." 
 
 Hope died within me, all was dark ; 
 
 Love might have turned to hate. 
 Yet no, true love has no such spark 
 
 As hatred ; it was fate. 
 
 I did not weep nor reason why 
 
 Love died without a tear. 
 It died as all true love should die, 
 
 Without a hate or fear. 
 
 71 
 
72 
 
 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 I did not hear her wedding bell 
 
 Nor see her as a bride. 
 A sympathetic fate befell 
 
 My cause, for love had died. 
 
 I did not see her dressed in white 
 
 Nor hear that sacred vow. 
 I felt perchance that I might blight 
 
 Her happiness somehow. 
 
 Yet in my heart in fertile soil 
 Love guards that fairest spot ; 
 
 It sleeps, and Time cannot despoil 
 My heart's forget-me-not. 
 
 Yet often as I turn the leaves 
 
 Of memory's sacred tome 
 My heart grows solemn-like and grieves ; 
 
 Love whispers from its loam. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 73 
 
 THE BEGGA"R. 
 
 ^lUST a one-dollar bill, not much, yet enough 
 ^ To give to a man who was known as a "tough ;" 
 For whisky or gambling he'd spend it, no doubt. 
 "Why, of course," said my friend, "you're one dollar 
 
 out." 
 "Let it go," I replied. My friend understood 
 Why I doubted the gift. "Perhaps it is good," 
 Said he (with a laugh). "You will learn some day 
 To believe just half what the beggar may say." 
 
 I heard from that fellow my friend called a "tough." 
 
 A pitiful story came home, and enough 
 
 Of the truly heroic to make me relate 
 
 The last brave act of this unfortunate. 
 
 A drunkard they called him, the charitable "they ;" 
 
 Let them now shout his virtues and say what they may. 
 
 I call him a hero, and honor his name, 
 
 In spite of his beggarly past, with its shame. 
 
 In this way it happened : The midnight express 
 
 Was due at a point on the C, O. & S., 
 
 When lo, the man whom so many had spurned 
 
 Discerned that a bridge o'er the river had burned. 
 
 Did he think of the hour with no time to lose? 
 
 'Tis thought that he did. Yet how give the news ? 
 
 How flag the express from its death-dealing flight? 
 
 He swam the swift stream on that cold winter's night, 
 
 Scaled up a bluflf to the foot of the ridge, 
 
 And tore a live torch from the still burning bridge ; 
 
74 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 Ran, walked, or crawled up the track. Who can tell 
 Just how it all happened? They found him, and well 
 For the fate of a hundred or more — It is said 
 The torch was still burning; its holder was dead, 
 Frozen stiff at his post with a smile on his face 
 That bespoke a triumphant end of his race. 
 What a leap from the darkness up, up into light ! 
 Who can doubt now the goal of his race that night? 
 What matters the truth of the story or not? 
 As brave deeds have happened each day and forgot. 
 
 So shun not "The Beggar ;" his heart may be brave. 
 Christ died for the fallen and sinner to save; 
 For ah! who can tell on life's uncertain track 
 Whose hand may avert our own train from a wreck ? 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 75 
 
 CHRISTMAS SONG. 
 
 3tt^HEN the trials of life are oppressive 
 AK* And my soul goes under the rod, 
 Then I think of One whose lowly birth 
 Was a boon to earth from God, 
 
 Then I turn to the heavens above me, 
 Where a million stars look down, 
 
 And I think of that simple story told 
 Of Christ and how he was found. 
 
 And I think of his life and his mission, 
 And I know that his word he will keep. 
 
 And I look upon life as a cradling spell 
 And death as a rocking to sleep. 
 
 And I know there will be an awakening, 
 
 And I feel it is sin to complain ; 
 For the King in his glory will quicken my dust 
 
 And give me to life again. 
 
 So I hail the glad dawning of Christmas ; 
 
 Let the matin bells be rung; 
 Swell the rich notes from the organ's throat, 
 
 Let anthems of glory be sung ! 
 
 Let us give and be thoughtful in giving, 
 Let us seek out the poor and relieve; 
 
 Let Christendom feel the Master's appeal: 
 "More blessed to sfive than receive." 
 
76 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 SAID JIM TO BILL. 
 
 ATOOD Santy Claus is comin', Bill, 
 V^ An' Christmas nearly here; 
 An' dad, he's cleaned my chimbley out, 
 
 'Cause he said he kinder fear 
 Ter let good Santy Claus come down 
 
 Er chimbley full of sutt ; 
 An' mine's as clean — O, he's jes' boun' 
 
 Ter know I'm in de hut. 
 
 But, Bill, it was er awful job. 
 
 An' pa he worked his best ; 
 Fer it was full of sutt an' dust 
 
 An' bricks an' swallow nests ! 
 
 So Bill he to his daddy goes 
 
 An' tells his tale of woe, 
 An' straightway down his chimbley throws 
 
 Er shovel an' er hoe. 
 An' now his chimbley too is clean. 
 
 O happy, happy pair! 
 Ain't many folks would ever dream 
 
 That Santy needs such care ! 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. yy 
 
 CHARITY. 
 
 'T|tOR all the blessings that thou'lt give, 
 ^2P Lord, make us grateful while we live. 
 
 Cause us to think of gratitude, 
 Make us to feel that 'tis the score 
 Of life's high markmanship, the core 
 Of Charity's beatitude, 
 Thy greatest law. True this must be 
 All that we have we owe to Thee. 
 Could we be grateful and deny 
 To aid the cause of charity, 
 And feel at peace should we defy 
 To do thy bidding? No, 'twould be 
 Neglect, ingratitude to thee. 
 
yS LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 NOT THERE. 
 (A German.) 
 
 ^1 ATTENDED the ball last night, sweetheart, 
 ^ And the music that thrilled the air 
 Was sweet as of yore. Yet O what a bore 
 Was the dance, for you were not there ! 
 
 And girls young and fair, sweetheart, were there, 
 
 All happy and gay as could be ; 
 And right from the start through kindness of heart 
 
 The fairest ones oft favored me. 
 
 Yet as I wheeled o'er the smooth waxed floor 
 'Neath the light shades of purple and blue, 
 
 My heart was elsewhere, not there, not there — 
 'Twas with you, sweetheart, with you. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 THE LIGHT OF HOME. 
 
 JjT^AST night the moon peeped from a cloud, 
 >"r The sky was dark and drear, 
 A moment shone, then drew its shroud, 
 And earth was cold and sere. 
 
 Alone I was and far from home, 
 
 Yet courage braved the night 
 Full many miles through sleet and storm. 
 
 Afoot without a light. 
 
 'Twas not for self alone I cared; 
 
 A wayside inn was near 
 To seek ; I might have better fared ; 
 
 I thought of one more dear. 
 
 On, on I wandered, cold and tired, 
 
 Through first a soaking rain 
 And then a sleet, the least desired; 
 
 It smote my face with pain. 
 
 Now ceased the sleet, and I could feel 
 
 The cold soft kiss of snow. 
 And all was quiet; e'en my heel 
 
 Gave out no sound below. 
 
 Now came a most uncanny thought: 
 Perhaps the way I'd missed. 
 Or passed the home that I had sought, 
 I should have found ere this. 
 
 79 
 
8o LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 Doubt dies, a flash, a ray of light, 
 
 A cottage near the road, 
 A glow that thrilled me with delight — 
 
 It was my own abode ! 
 
 A lamp shone from the window there, 
 And just behind the light 
 
 I saw one kneeling, and her prayer 
 Went up for me that night. 
 
 A pale sweet face kept vigil when 
 
 All others were asleep. 
 God bless the pure good wives of men, 
 
 Or else the world would weep. 
 
 I might have wandered in the night — 
 The storm was raging still; 
 
 I might have frozen had the light 
 Failed at the window sill! 
 
 In truth, I thought I'd lost my way, 
 And oft I've thought since then 
 
 If lost in life's Gethsemane 
 
 Would I find that light again? 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 8l 
 
 AMERICA. 
 
 jnWELLS there a land beneath the skies 
 
 !t* As fair as this, earth's paradise? 
 
 Speak, sailor, tell me if there's such 
 
 In grandeur, beauty, or in size, 
 
 A realm that has e'en half so much 
 
 Of all that's beautiful you touch 
 
 On every shore. Is there a clime 
 
 That has a country full and prime 
 
 Of all God's blessings as sublime 
 
 As this that now you gaze upon, 
 
 Made glorious by our Washington? 
 
 Dwells there a land beneath the sun 
 That boasts another Washington 
 Or John Paul Jones or Robert Lee? 
 Pray tell me, great historian, 
 What of our presidential tree, 
 From Washington to McKinley ? 
 What nation, be it Goth or Celt, 
 Can boast another Roosevelt, 
 Whose power to-day is being felt? 
 What land is there that you could name 
 Whose men have won a greater fame ? 
 6 
 
82 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 OPINIONATED. 
 
 ^I'M black, 'tis true, and dirty too," 
 ^ Said a little lump of coal. 
 "In lump or slack or screeny black 
 I'm worth my weight in gold. 
 
 "Now I admit this seems a bit 
 
 Of vanity, no doubt ; 
 And I am told that I am bold 
 
 To speak my reasons out. 
 
 'T seldom try to argue why 
 That gold stands on the top, 
 
 For I am sought and I am bought. 
 Or else the world would stop. 
 
 "I make you light when all is night ; 
 
 I'm sure I keep you warm. 
 When scarce of wood, I cook your food; 
 
 I am the stay of home. 
 
 "In every hour I am the power 
 That moves the world so fast; 
 
 I've made the sea a child to me; 
 I've conquered winter's blast. 
 
 *T never cease in war or peace. 
 
 On land or on the sea ; 
 Without me steam would be a dream ; 
 
 I drive the Electric Bee." 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. ^3 
 
 WANT. 
 
 ^r'VE seen it on the drunkard's face, 
 ^ A woeful sight to see. 
 Where signs of vice had left their trace, 
 As well as penury. 
 
 Its fangs are in the sober heart ; 
 
 Grim "Want" is feasting there. 
 Too proud to act the beggar's part, 
 
 They battle with despair. 
 
 Some beg a mite from those they dread, 
 Sore-hearted and depressed ; 
 
 Some ask for clothes and some for bread 
 From those whom wealth has blessed. 
 
 Some curse the day that they were born- 
 "Grim Want" dwells ever there ; 
 
 They cannot extricate that thorn ; 
 Their curse has baffled prayer. 
 
 Some look upon life's brighter side 
 With faith, and prayer is heard ; 
 
 They did not curse that dreaded tide. 
 Though hope was long deferred. 
 
 Lord, give us grace to hear their cry 
 And strength to them impart ; 
 
 For grace and prayer and charity 
 Will find the stricken heart. 
 
84 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 THE OLD AND THE NEW. 
 (1897- 1898.) 
 
 JjT'AST night as Slumber's soothing hand 
 >^ Pressed gently on my brow 
 A dream slipped from her fingers' end, 
 
 A theme of where and how 
 The records of the years are kept, 
 
 By whom? The dream portrayed 
 Time's great historian from a sphere 
 
 Where all things are surveyed. 
 
 And there the writer's Capitol 
 
 Of granite walls stood high, 
 A building with a mighty dome 
 
 That seemed to pierce the sky, 
 A place where beamed perennial day; 
 
 And there the writer sat — 
 A young man once, now old and gray, 
 
 A-weary and desolate. 
 
 His ponderous book before him lay. 
 
 "Just one more day," he said, 
 "When Ninety-Seven's history 
 
 Lies sepulchered as dead. 
 I then may sleep and rest awhile. 
 
 Just one more day, and then 
 A young man hails the New Year's birth^, 
 
 Another wields my pen." 
 
"A dream slipped from her iingers' end. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 I saw him stamp the finished sheet 
 
 With seals of Ninety-Seven. 
 The hour was near, his work complete ; 
 
 He kneeled and prayed to Heaven ; 
 And then a mighty bell was tolled 
 
 From out the building's dome, 
 And a strong young man was ushered in 
 
 And the old was taken home. 
 
 85 
 
86 LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 BOAST NOT. 
 
 JiJOAST not of strength, if you be strong; 
 f^ A silent prayer to keep it true 
 May cause that blessing to be long — 
 Humility may even do. 
 
 Strive not to crush a weaker soul 
 Because of strength, for it may be 
 
 A curse unto that higher goal. 
 And not a blessing unto thee. 
 
 Whate'er thy talent, make it count, 
 And feel you have in life a place ; 
 
 Hide not thy strength if you would mount 
 To win God's favor and his grace. 
 
 Just use it in a quiet way 
 
 To all that's right and pure and good. 
 Ah, then, each deed will speak some day 
 
 And life be better understood. 
 
LENORA AND OTHER POEMS. 87 
 
 GENTLE SPRING. 
 
 ^TTHERE is a maiden coming soon 
 VJ' From far-off mystic land, 
 Who has betrothed unto this earth 
 Her magic Httle hand. 
 
 There is a maiden coming soon; 
 
 Her name is "Gentle Spring;" 
 Her breath will cause the trees to bud 
 
 And cause the birds to sing! 
 
 There is a maiden coming soon, 
 
 O fairest of the fair! 
 She loves this world, and we love her — 
 
 O she's an artist rare !