Doii^ld<^on 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
 
 Slielf-'-ai..^-5T^: 
 . ) ^^ ^ 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
POEMS. 
 

POEMS 
 
 FACTS AND FANCIES, PRACTICAL POINTS, 
 COMMON OBSERVATION, ETC. 
 
 SAM'L DONALDSON. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 1885. 
 
 — -A 
 

 Copyright, i88^, by Sam' I Donaldson. 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 TO the honest reader I dedicate this work. 
 Left alone in youth, with my father and 
 sisters, to pay for our farm by hard work and 
 economy, precluded the advantages, even of the 
 then inefficient, rural educational facilities. Thirst- 
 ing for information, I improved rough weather and 
 leisure moments in reading every book procura- 
 ble, even by borrowing proclivities. I put ten 
 dollars in a "Webster's Unabridged," the best 
 investment I ever vested. 
 
 I began and persistently kept up for twenty 
 years, a diary, noting events and changes, atmos- 
 pheric, agricultural, domestic, political, etc., that 
 came within my range of information and observa- 
 tion. This practice improved penmanship and 
 composition, disciplined thought, strengthened 
 memory and cultured the mind, so that my daily 
 evening task became a real pleasure. I opened 
 years and months with verses descriptive of the 
 season or subject. When misfortune buried peace 
 (I) 
 
and pleasure beneath a broken heart, and sent me 
 from a desirable home adrift, alone in a relentless 
 world, I found Nature truer than nezus, and the 
 Muse more honorable and mitigating than man. 
 I studied Nature and character and made the 
 Muse my monitor. 
 
 If on some friendly toes I tramp. 
 
 Then I shall feel most glad 
 If you're not Solomon's foolish scamp. 
 
 Whom kind reproof makes mad. 
 
 But rather like his good, wise man. 
 Reproof will make you love me; — 
 
 Respect keeps Reason in the van, 
 As sure as God's above me. 
 
 Think! never admitting an error, 
 Is proof we are growing no wiser. 
 
 Buried time and talents bring terror, 
 As Death will to selfish miser. 
 
 Sam'l Donaldson. 
 
PREFACE OF POSEY. 
 
 For a memorandum this book was intended; 
 Enjoyment and amusement also were blended. 
 Sometimes I woo the fair Muse for an ode; 
 She laughs and lures and leaves me at the node. 
 Oft when I am winnowing chaff irom. wheat, 
 She lilts my lyre and makes my brain her seat. 
 When I find grains of gold in some man's sand; 
 On fancy, she paints pearls with her fair hand; 
 Then I must swiftly string them into verses ; 
 Oft at the risk of reaping some men's curses. 
 For shams and sycophants I have but scorn, 
 Would I could confound such with Gabriel's horn. 
 I've meed for human merit, high or low, 
 Praise, I sing, for honor in friend or foe. 
 My fervent zeal's to elevate the Race, 
 Cause God's image, to glow in each man's face. 
 This rhythmic book of Samuel, I indite; 
 All who would con, I cheerfully invite. 
 Excuse my faults, I'm not an erudite; 
 Critics may bark, but I don't fear their bite. 
 
 Sam'l Donaldson. 
 
DIARY HEADING, JANUARY, 1861. 
 
 Give thanks and glory unto Him, 
 Who brought us through this world of sin, 
 In health and strength another year; 
 Nor gave us cause to drop a tear. 
 
 Our barns are full to overflowing. 
 Our stock, all kinds, are fat and growing, 
 In peace and plenty we've been dreaming, 
 O, may our happiness continue gleaming. 
 
 Alas! a mighty cloud of trouble 
 
 Hangs o'er our land; 
 I fear its contents, more than double 
 
 What we can stand 
 Will burst upon us in our happy homes so free; 
 The Goddess of Liberty then destroyed shall be. 
 
 Then a by-word and scorn, 
 We shall be, you shall see. 
 
 To all the world, forlorn, 
 Mis-e-ry. 
 
 (5) 
 
DIARY HEADING FOR APRIL, i86] 
 
 April's warm and genial showers 
 
 Which fall so free, 
 Will germinate the lovely bowers 
 
 Which May shall see. 
 
 Awake ! O earth, and be revived : 
 The time for Spring has now arrived, 
 Put on thy robes of lovely green. 
 Shine as a maid of sweet sixteen. 
 
 DIARY, MAY, 1861. 
 
 Ambrosial May! 
 
 Thy fragrant day, 
 Is hailed with great delight; 
 
 Thy gentle breeze, 
 
 Wafts through the trees, 
 Thy odor every night. 
 
 Thy lucid loveliness at morn, 
 Ere the king of day doth rise, 
 
 Melliferous dew-drops flowers adorn. 
 Luscious to observing eyes. 
 
JUNE, 1 86 1. 
 
 lement, genial 
 Sunny June, thou art sublime. 
 
 In our clement, genial clime 
 
 DIARY HEADING, JULY, 1861 
 
 Welcome, welcome, kind July, 
 You give us wheat, corn, oats and rye, 
 Although you make us work so hard, 
 We'll sing with the soul of a bard. 
 
 Your glorious Fourth, the sacred day 
 
 The Sabbath of the Nation : 
 We hail with joyful hearts alway, 
 
 And with a grand ovation. 
 
 AUGUST, 1 86 1. 
 Along comes August, 
 
 Summer's winding sheet; 
 Weary man may chew his crust. 
 
 And rest his hands and feet. 
 
 Harvest is over and past. 
 We'll rest from our labors at last. 
 We'll refresh and recruit the whole man, 
 And enjoy life as well as we can. 
 
8 
 
 DIARY, SEPTEMBER, 1861. 
 
 Pleasant September the portal. of Fall, 
 Comes laden with fruits for the great and small. 
 Great blessings of Heav'n that we may remember : 
 To thank and praise God for pleasant September. 
 
 September will make us good ploughmen, 
 To prepare mother earth for the seed ; 
 
 We use the means in our power, and then 
 Nature's God will supply all our need. 
 
 DIARY HEADING, OCTOBER, 1861. 
 
 October introduces to us King Frost, 
 We make the acquaintance and prepare for the cost. 
 We all know that sometimes he bites pretty keen, 
 But then it prepares for Winter's cruel spleen. 
 
 Behold ! the beautiful and bright orange tinge. 
 And violet leaves with a light scarlet fringe, 
 Yes, gaze on the beautiful leaves as they fall, 
 And remember a like fate awaits us all. 
 
9 
 DIARY, NOVEMBER, 1861. 
 
 'Tis November's mournful task 
 To undo all that's been done; 
 
 But sometimes she wears a mask 
 And pretends to act in fun. 
 
 She in reality lays bare. 
 Jack Frost steps out of his lair, 
 And stalks with mighty mien, 
 O'er hill and dell and plain. 
 
 Sad scenes in nature makes. 
 All nature's beauty takes 
 
 And casts away. 
 Then smoky summer comes along, 
 And makes us sing a cheerful song 
 
 While it doth stay. 
 
 DIARY, DECEMBER, 1861. 
 
 The forests this morning are all draped in white, 
 Which a few months since were a beautiful green; 
 
 I gaze on the landscape with pleasing delight, 
 Yet, alas! it conjures up many a sad scene. 
 
lO 
 
 The cold and ruthless hand of death 
 
 Is laid upon 
 
 Old sixty-one. 
 See, how the old year gasps for breath ! 
 
 Receive thy doom, 
 
 The silent tomb. 
 
 You'll draw your breath just thirty times. 
 Ah ! then summed up will be your crimes, 
 Deep in the past you'll soon be hid; 
 December will pull down the lid. 
 
 GOSSIP. FROM DIARY, 1861. 
 
 The things that I do most despise 
 Are the insidious, slanderous lies 
 Of silly persons out of talk. 
 With their foul tonges at ready-cock. 
 
 They tell a lie and smooth it o'er 
 
 And say, why? Did you not hear before? 
 
 How destable 
 
 I can never tell ; 
 Unless they soon repent, 
 They should to scorn be sent. 
 
II 
 
 CHRISTMAS DIARY, 1861. 
 
 On blessed Christmas, honored day, 
 The Sovereign Lord of all was born; 
 
 He humbly in a manger lay, 
 
 Where men did feed their oxen corn. 
 
 Hosanna! let the echo ring, 
 
 The humble babe is now crowned King: 
 He reigneth from the Heavens above, 
 
 O'er Earth with Majesty and Love. 
 
 Precept and practice should be Siamese twins, 
 Obedience follows, when true Faith begins. 
 
 DIARY HEADING FOR 1862. 
 
 Another year has told its tale 
 
 Of sadness and of sorrow, 
 It will be hid behind the veil ; 
 
 Ere we shall see to-morrow. 
 
 Time rolls along 
 In silent song. 
 By sunlight, moonlight, starlight ; 
 Ne'er stops to see 
 What comes of me. 
 In its onward rapid flight. 
 
12 
 
 "Top o' the mornin" sixty-two, 
 
 "Why, bless my picture, how d'ye do?' 
 
 Sixty-one's as dead as a louse. 
 
 And you must come and take up house. 
 
 Ere midtime of your kingly reign. 
 May we see 'blissful peace attain 
 The Premier of our Land : 
 May we through ages all to come. 
 Enjoy its happy fruits at home; 
 A brotherly Union band! 
 
 SABBATH DAIRY, 1862. 
 Welcome, welcome Sabbath day, 
 Day of rest to weary mortals ; 
 Up to Zion, go we may, 
 And enter its sacred portals : 
 
 And treasure up the blessed word 
 Proclaimed by God's own minister. 
 Have ye the reverence due the Lord, 
 Instead of motives sinister? 
 
 Stay ! O, weary pilgrim, stay ! 
 I fear your heart is far away 
 
13 
 
 Indulging in some vain delight 
 While seraphs blush at the sad sight. 
 
 Wilt thou not bring thy heart along, 
 And make it glad with cheerful song, 
 Ineffable bliss, will be thy lot; 
 For Jesus Christ thy soul hath bought. 
 He promises that he will give 
 Eternal Life, that we may live. 
 
 DIARY HEADING. FEBRUARY, 1862. 
 
 February brings Valentine's day, 
 When lovers to their sweethearts say, — 
 " I love you dear, accept this token. 
 Reciprocate what I have spoken." 
 
 The festive nymph receives the prize, 
 Sweet delight dancing in her eyes; 
 With trembling hand and throbbing heart, 
 She reads the lines that love impart. 
 Anonymous ! ah ! who can tell 
 Who put on me this charming spell ! 
 
14 
 
 ON A SERMON 
 
 BY REV. J. T. B., 1 86 1. 
 
 Written while resting on a fence, walking from church. 
 Revelations, ist. chap. 
 
 Ill men combined, on mischief bent, 
 By plots and machinations vile. 
 Banished Saint John without consent, 
 To solitude on Patmos Isle. 
 
 Companionless the holy saint 
 Sat meditating, hungry, faint: — 
 Full of the Spirit on God's day, 
 He heard behind a great voice say : — 
 
 " I am the first, I am the last. 
 What I do show thee, write it fast. 
 Then send it to the churches, seven, 
 Here on Earth, their head is in Heaven." 
 
 I turned me round about to see 
 The mighty voice that spake to me, 
 When lo! the Son of Man did stand 
 Clothed, and with a golden band. 
 
 His hair like wool, was white as snow, 
 Eternity makes hoar you know. 
 
15 
 
 His eyes were like a flame of fire 
 Which burns, when kindled is His ire. 
 
 His feet like brass in furnace burned, 
 And by a sculptor finely turned. 
 His mighty voice, like to the sound 
 Of rushing waters underground. 
 
 Around Him seven lamps of gold, 
 And in His right hand He did hold 
 Seven stars, that are angels bright, 
 Of churches to which John did write. 
 
 A sharp sword from His mouth did run. 
 
 His countenance was like the Sun ; 
 
 And when I saw I fell as dead 
 
 Down at my Saviour's feet. 
 
 He laid his hand on me and said, — 
 
 ** Fear not, when we do meet, 
 
 I am the first, the last and He 
 That liveth and was dead. 
 Alive forevermore, to be 
 The glorious church's Head." 
 
i6 
 
 DIARY HEADING. MARCH, 1862. 
 
 The furious part that March doth play, 
 
 In fertilizing Mother Earth 
 You all must know, and need I say 
 
 That March, is baby Spring at birth? 
 
 The dry west winds come rustling by, 
 Absorbing moisture from the ground. 
 
 The Sun's bright beams doth raise it high. 
 And dust in plenty doth abound. 
 
 Evaporating wet excess ; 
 
 Dry warmth the soil makes friable 
 For Spring's free showers, we may guess 
 
 A year of bounty liable. 
 
 A windy, dusty, squalling Spring; 
 
 In which the feathered songsters sing : 
 I'll tell you, if you care to hear. 
 
 Is followed by a fruitful year. 
 
 SABBATH DIARY, 1862. 
 Remember the commands of God, 
 And thus avoid His chastening rod, 
 And keep the sabbath day; 
 
17 
 
 It will promote our temp'ral good 
 As well as feed us spiritual food 
 If we will only pray. 
 
 Why not obey this blest command, 
 If but to rest our weary hand, 
 
 We should regard the claim : 
 Exhausted is the strength of man. 
 By working out each day his plan 
 
 For riches and for fame. 
 
 We have a nobler reason, far, 
 When we before the judgment bar, 
 
 On Canaan's happy land, 
 Are called for reasons why we kept 
 The sabbath, on which many slept ; 
 
 Because God did command. 
 
 DIARY, 1862. 
 
 At Pleasant Hill Seminary, 
 
 Are over one hundred fair girls. 
 
 They gave free concerts frequently. 
 When all admire music and curls. 
 
i8 
 
 After fairy-feasting my eyes, 
 I sat down to soliloquize : — 
 Some were modest, some were pretty, 
 Some were foolish, some were witty, 
 Some, perhaps, would make the wife 
 Such as man would wish for life. 
 Some might sit in the parlor rocking, 
 But could never darn a stocking; — 
 
 I would choose one described below, 
 In linsy, chintz, or furbelow. 
 
 The looks will always do you know 
 When art gives any feature glow; — 
 
 Whose hands can knead 
 
 And bake good bread, 
 
 Capacity 
 
 And Industry 
 
 Attired with neatness. 
 
 Smiles, dimpling sweetness. 
 
 Raise pearly dew-drops on her brow, 
 
 Then thump piano, my pretty frow. 
 
19 
 DIARY HEADING. APRIL, 1862. 
 
 April's warbling, feathered choir, 
 Charms all nature with their lyre, 
 They sprightly chirp on leafless twig : 
 Burst tender bud your winter rig. 
 
 Ope' your lovely, delicate fold 
 To music's welcoming theme : — 
 
 Nature's splendid ornament mould 
 Where innocent life may teem. 
 
 Chirp and carol the live-long day. 
 They fill the welkin with their lay. 
 Sweet songs of praise with them is rife 
 To Nature's God, who gave them life. 
 
 DIARY, APRIL, 1862. 
 
 Wake up snakes ! the trumpet's sounding, 
 Electric bolts are hurled abroad, 
 
 Fiery darts through ether bounding; 
 Torrents fall upon the sod. 
 
 Wake, from thy torpid state ! 
 Choose you each one his ma 
 
20 
 
 Another year thou mayest live, 
 Crawl on thy belly round, 
 Over moist, mellow ground 
 
 Till dreary Autumn cold doth give. 
 
 Winter now has passed away, 
 With all its stern realities, 
 
 Yet, there are visible to-day. 
 Victims of its fatalities. 
 
 Hark! the batteries of the skies, 
 Are belching forth their thunder; 
 
 Electric darts through heaven flies, 
 Man's heart is filled with wonder. 
 
 I am in mute admiration lost, 
 
 Viewing the elements battle tossed. 
 
 RURAL FUN. DIARY, 1862. 
 
 Half-a-dozen neighbor rustics 
 
 Formed a band, the musical six. 
 
 With violins, and sweet guitar, 
 
 Charmed closing schools, both near and far; 
 
 The maids and manletts ask a dance, 
 And we, gallant goslings, perchance, 
 
21 
 
 Play half the night to giddy whirls, 
 For recompense, chums court our girls. 
 
 With dawn of day 
 We must away, 
 We rigged our team. 
 And put on steam, 
 Then through the mud 
 Which warmed the blood 
 Of black and bay, 
 We made our way 
 From pleasure's dome 
 To happy home. 
 
 ACROSTIC. 
 
 Much is said and sung in her praise; 
 
 All the good that gild her sweet ways 
 
 Reach a responsive chord in man's heart. 
 
 Yes, the name embodies the true woman's chart. 
 
 CHURCH COMMUNION. DIARY, 1862. 
 
 Our Saviour, God's anointed; 
 On the night He was betrayed, 
 
22 
 
 Took bread and solemnly appointed 
 The sacrament for which He prayed. 
 
 He said, "as oft as ye do eat 
 This bread and drink this cup," 
 
 See how sin pierced His hands and feet, 
 When ye His blood do sup. 
 
 Remember how His blood did flow 
 
 Out from His pierced side; 
 Great drops did down His forehead go; 
 
 While fiends did Him deride. 
 He said " 'tis finished," and so 
 
 He bowed His head and died. 
 
 Ah ! sin-stained soul, see what you've done. 
 You've crucified God's own dear Son: 
 Be troubled, rend your heart and cry, 
 Lest His Mercy pass you by. 
 
 Rejoice and be exceeding glad, 
 Let not your purchased souls be sad, 
 For "Christ is risen from the tomb," 
 And saves you from eternal doom. 
 
 If in Him you will put your trust, 
 Renouncing every hurtful lust. 
 
23 
 
 Walk humbly and His word obey, 
 Observing His commands alway. 
 Do this, in His remembrance still, 
 And not resist His sovereign will. 
 
 Oh ! what a blessed privilege this, 
 To the child of God on Earth, 
 
 Soul's sweet communion, source of bliss. 
 To those of spiritual birth. 
 
 They merely sip the pleasure here, 
 
 A foretaste to the soul : 
 In Heaven with their Saviour dear, 
 
 Through sacred sweets they stroll. 
 
 Eternity! Forevermore! 
 
 Two blessed words to those 
 Who shout His praise on Canaan's shore, 
 
 Because He hath them chose. 
 
 DIARY, MAY, 1862. 
 
 Melancholy hies away 
 At thy approach, most charming May: 
 Light heart is left to greet thee : 
 
24 
 
 Winter storms are o'er and gone : 
 Gentle dews distilled at dawn, 
 Make richest sweets to treat me. 
 
 Elysian fields of emerald sheen, 
 Damasked on robes of silken green, . 
 
 Now beautify our land. 
 The budding flowers on every side. 
 Their graceful heads, they rear in pride 
 
 Most nobly, lovely, grand. 
 
 Life-giving beams and gentle dews. 
 Doth in the rose-bud, life infuse; 
 
 To ope its silken folds. 
 With blushes deep their cheeks will glow; 
 Their breath with balmy odor flow. 
 
 Their bosom fragrance holds. 
 
 Delectable sweets do fill the air. 
 
 The breath of fragrant flowers, 
 Elysium for me, is where 
 
 Are gorgeous rosy bowers. 
 
 Oh, come then rich perfume and kiss me! 
 
 Ride on the gentle zephyr's wings ; 
 Come, come salute me, do not miss me, 
 
 I love you more than crowns of kings. 
 
25 
 
 REV. McMICHAEL. DIARY, 1862. 
 
 He soars aloft on fancy's wings, 
 Becomes entranced in spiritual things, 
 He paints in horror's deepest hue. 
 What misery is in hell for you. 
 
 He then to Heaven doth arise. 
 Far beyond the glittering skies. 
 And scans the glory, oh how nice ! 
 Reserved for us, in Paradise. 
 
 JUNE DIARY, 1862. 
 
 Who cannot admire June's beauty 
 
 But the grim, black, deformed old cloutie. 
 
 There's loveliness throughout the land. 
 
 Brightest beauty from sea to strand : 
 
 The forests are muffled in lovely attire, — 
 
 Gay halls where the songsters tune their sweet 
 
 lyre,— 
 There's pleasing delight to look o'er the fields. 
 Waving with bright golden grain, 
 Joy and delight, in abundance it yields. 
 By the help of June sunbeams and rain. 
 3 
 
26 
 
 Nowgazc on June's thunder-storm, terribly grand; 
 In beautiful majesty, it sweeps o'er the land, 
 With arrows of life and of death it is armed, 
 I am with its terrible loveliness charmed. 
 
 DIARY, 1862. 
 
 An essay written, by request, for a lady friend 
 to read at a performance, at Pleasant Hill Semi- 
 nary. 
 
 A lilac in full bloom in a heavy thunder-storm. 
 
 Can there be anything more pathetic, more 
 lovely, more endearing and at the same time more 
 sorrowful and soul-thrilling, to the heart suscep- 
 tible of tenderness, as to gaze on weeping inno- 
 cence. Alas! alas! that innocence should weep 
 and languish, while infamy, detestable infamy, 
 should proudly rear its grim face in smiling 
 scorn. 
 
 Alas ! must pretty flowers weep. 
 Emblem of innocence and love? 
 
 Why not your drooping head up keep, 
 And smile on nature's God above? 
 
27 
 
 The lovely Lilac's purple flower 
 Might dignify a prince's bower, 
 To soil thy beauty, who will dare? 
 Thy fragrant sweets delight the fair. 
 
 O, ye storms of wind and rain 
 Beat gently, when ye come again ! 
 Methinks I see the rain-drops seek, 
 To kiss the Lilac's purple cheek, 
 Thoughtless that their rude salute, 
 Would cause to weep the tender shoot. 
 
 Yet thou art lovely in thy sorrow, 
 As mourning innocence always is; 
 
 Wilt thou not smile again to-morrow? 
 And let us kiss thy charming phiz? 
 
 DIARY HEADING. JULY, 1862. 
 
 With hot July God grant a blessing, 
 
 And may we thank Him for it : 
 May we enjoy His love's caressing, 
 
 And never more abhor it. 
 We rejoice in that which kind July yields, 
 With thanks to God for the fruit of our fields. 
 
DIARY, 1862. 
 
 The prettiest flowers have sharpest thorns, 
 
 Sweetest pleasure hath its pain, 
 Grace the noble soul adorns 
 
 Who bitter with sweet receives not in vain. 
 
 DIARY, 1862. 
 
 Sabbath of rest, 
 In which the sweets of Heaven 
 To righteous men are given; 
 The de'il's behest 
 Make some forget God's holy name 
 And perish in eternal shame. 
 To keep the sabbath, is delight; 
 And it is pleasing in God's sight. 
 
 MUSIC. DIARY, 1862. 
 
 Charming music. Heaven's own giving. 
 Makes glad the heart of all things living; 
 The heart is first with rapture thrilled. 
 
 And then in accents fleet 
 Bursts from a happy soul, well filled. 
 
 In symphonies most sweet. 
 
29 
 
 Look back, my soul ! ah ! never mind — 
 Eternity, you ne'er can find, 
 Unfold the one, and you shall see, 
 The other will unfolded be. 
 
 When God did Earth's foundations lay, 
 
 In chaos wild and boundless. 
 He robed the waters round the clay, 
 
 When lo ! the Earth was groundless. 
 
 At His command, the ground did rise 
 
 Above the rolling waters. 
 From which His bounteous hand supplies 
 
 Man's noble sons and daughters. 
 
 Yes, when Nature's God was working. 
 Seraph's tuneful chords were jerking, 
 'Twas then, the morning stars did sing, 
 Joyous echoes loud did ring. 
 
 Sons of God, with glory beaming. 
 Through boundless space their brightness 
 
 gleaming. 
 In ecstacy, without alloy. 
 Did sweetly shout aloud for joy. 
 
30 
 
 Bethlehem's lovely, flowery plain, 
 
 Where the "sweet singers'" charming strain 
 
 Did fill the balmy air, 
 The angels of the Lord did bring 
 Good tidings of the new-born King, 
 
 To the poor shepherds there. 
 
 Suddenly, in the hush of night, 
 The heavenly host appeared in sight. 
 Their radiant forms did shine so bright, 
 They changed the darkness into light. 
 
 Exultingly they did unite, 
 Symphonious voices with delight; 
 The universal dome did ring 
 With shouts of glory to our King. 
 
 " Peace on Earth, unto men good-will," 
 The Saviour comes. His blood to spill, 
 That men might from the dust arise, 
 To glorious mansions in the skies. 
 
 To halls of music, where the choir, 
 Whose hearts burn with celestial fire. 
 Whose every throb beats thrilling time 
 To holy music's rapturous chime. 
 
3t 
 
 On every breath symphonious strains 
 Are wafted to the King who reigns ; 
 In every eye beams sacred songs, 
 Gazing on Him, to whom it belongs. 
 Each countenance forever swims 
 In spiritual songs, psalms and hymns. 
 
 Music is their eternal bread, 
 Enchanting love their lyre. 
 
 Hosannas ! to their Sovereign Head, 
 Bursts from their souls on fire. 
 
 Oh ! happy, happy is the soul 
 
 That music doth delight, 
 It soothes, when troubles on us roll. 
 
 And makes our sorrows light. 
 
 Dull melancholy cannot dwell 
 
 With music in the heart ; 
 Hatred is driven from its cell. 
 
 For music doth love impart. 
 
 Sweet music, O ! sweet music, sweet, 
 Unto my soul delicious treat, 
 Demulcent tones doth waft abroad. 
 Tender emotions to my God, 
 Soul-inspiring gift to mortals. 
 Heritors for Heaven's portals. 
 
32 
 
 DIARY, 1862. 
 
 Taylorstown's roisterous, boisterous boys, 
 Believe me, can make most infernal noise, 
 Like monkeys chattering with delight; 
 The swaying mass, 
 Are full of "sass;" — 
 When toes are tramped, are **in for fight." 
 
 We fingered and bowed for the school, 
 
 When order was mocked as a fool. 
 
 The hotel we fiddled for supper. 
 
 Shank's horse we rode home with a crupper: 
 
 Serenading a home, by the way. 
 Where a bevy of girls were at bay. 
 With hands full of sweetmeat, 
 
 And faces full of fun. 
 The one for us to eat, 
 The other to be won. 
 
 VOLUNTEERED. DIARY, 1862. 
 
 Farewell farm-life, I've enlisted: 
 Traitors have our Union twisted. 
 
33 
 
 O, who would not a soldier be, 
 To fight our Country's battles; 
 
 That he might keep the ladies free 
 From tyrant's slavish shackles? 
 
 To home, sweet home's endearing ties. 
 The soldier looks with anxious eyes. 
 But this must all forgotten be, 
 And duty done in verity. 
 
 Our Country dear, we must rescue 
 
 By the help of God above. 
 Then we'll return, dear friends to you. 
 
 Hence to live in peace and love. 
 
 DIARY, 1862. 
 
 Wheeling ladies gave us dinner, 
 Confects, pastry, richest roast. 
 
 May this mem'ry prompt each sinner. 
 To verify my boasting toast. 
 
 When out upon the battle-field, 
 The Keystone boys will never yield ; 
 But they will still remember you. 
 Ladies of Wheeling, fair and true. 
 
34 
 DIARY, 1864. 
 
 O, how lovely is the weather, 
 
 For so many days together, , 
 
 Charming scenes and cloudless sky, J 
 
 Pleasant breezes 'round me sigh. 
 
 Welcome, welcome lovely May, 
 Exhaling fragrance every day. 
 Thy beauty swells on every hand. 
 And makes a garden of the land. 
 
 JULY 4TH. DIARY, 1864. 
 
 All hail the Fourth, the glorious day. 
 That made our Country one, and free ! 
 
 It got up a terrible fray. 
 
 But settled it all right, you see. 
 
 Alas ! alas ! ! why is it so 
 
 The sword is drawn again? 
 O ! why is brother's blood made flow, 
 
 Our lovely land to stain. 
 
 The widow's tear, the orphan's cry; — 
 O! gracious God! hear Thou on high. 
 O, take from us our burning shame, 
 Give us again, a hallowed name. 
 
35 
 
 1864. 
 
 Robert, thou art taken away 
 From the duties of the day, 
 Sadness fills the hearts of all, 
 Caused by thy untimely fall. 
 
 Friends will weep o'er thy misfortune, 
 Yet with hope the God above 
 
 Will forever be thy portion, 
 
 And fold thee in His arms of love. 
 
 DIARY, 1865. 
 
 Four long and weary years ago, 
 The Nation's blood began to flow; 
 Terrible carnage since did reign, 
 A haughty foe did us disdain. 
 A blessed peace has come once more. 
 Our country, as in days of yore. 
 Doth yield in plenty golden grain; 
 May we enjoy, and not complain. 
 
 Long to be remembered by American sire and 
 son. 
 
 Events by which our Union most glorious tri- 
 umph won. 
 
36 
 
 The trinity of heroes : Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, 
 Infinitely above them we thank our God — amen. 
 The crimson flood of war that gushed for four 
 
 long years, 
 Ceased in sixty-five, we will cast away our fears. 
 
 Since the soldiers have returned 
 
 From scenes of bloody strife. 
 Their motto is, " Now, I'll be querned, 
 
 If I don't take a wife." 
 
 The beautiful Jacksonian band 
 
 Are giggling in security: 
 "On boys," is heard throughout the land, 
 
 "For a bounty in futurity." 
 
 DIARY, 1866. 
 
 Engagement with Miss S. M. B. 
 
 The hesitating, blushing maiden 
 Uttered words that made her wife. 
 
 Those words were music, sweeter than Haydn 
 Produced in his historic life. 
 
 "My true affections cling to you. 
 They cluster round your heart; 
 
37 
 
 I'll be your faithful wife, and true 
 Till the angel of death us part." 
 
 I am now a happy man, 
 
 I trust I will continue to be; 
 With God's blessing, I know I can, 
 
 All the way down to the death's dark sea. 
 
 FILLING A PROMISE ON A STORMY 
 NIGHT. 
 
 What! love stop at overcast, blackness and 
 thunder? 
 
 Or tempest and terrible miry mud under? 
 No, no ! to be a faithful swain, 
 I will plout through mud and rain. 
 Reward is sweeter, when secured 
 From peril, with patience endured. 
 
 DIARY, APRIL, 1866. 
 Welcome, dawn of smiling Spring, 
 Welcome, birds that sweetly sing, 
 Welcome, swelling bud and flowers. 
 Welcome, zephyrs soft that bring, 
 Welcome, sweets of scented spring, 
 Welcome, all the joy that's ours. 
 
38 
 
 Through the goodness of our God, 
 April gives refreshing showers, 
 
 Which saturates the moldering clod. 
 Sending forth the lovliest flowers. 
 
 New goods are coming down, 
 
 E're many days, I ween. 
 The fields will furl away the brown. 
 
 And dress themselves in green. 
 
 Hie! gentle Spring, how sweet you look, 
 You swell the breast of every brook; 
 Swell the affections of each bud, 
 By pouring tears forth in a flood. 
 
 Spry zephyrs, fragrant, frolicsome, 
 
 Are rustling to and fro; 
 Now gently, sweetly do they come, 
 
 Anon, delirious grow. 
 
 DIARY, MAY, 1866. 
 
 All hail ! the charming May, 
 
 Whose flowers, rich and gay. 
 
 Delight the eye. 
 
39 « 
 
 The fragrance they impart, 
 Will soothe the saddened heart, 
 Dispel the sigh. 
 
 Thine evening zephyrs kiss our cheek, 
 Ladened with rich perfume : 
 
 Dispensing joy throughout each week. 
 Dispersing grief and gloom. 
 
 All nature teems with glorious gleams, 
 And mirth on every side ; 
 
 We should always give God the praise, 
 While heavenward we glide. 
 
 DIARY, 1866. 
 
 July, with her torrid heat, 
 
 Is coming once again, 
 But with copious showers — a treat 
 
 That ripens golden grain. 
 
 July is one of God's doors. 
 Through which on us he pours 
 
 A richer blessing. 
 Fruits of the earth he yields. 
 Prolific are the fields 
 
 His love caressing. 
 
40 
 
 DIARY. 1866. 
 August gives greatest pleasure 
 
 To the farmers of our land, 
 For harvest's golden treasure 
 
 Is stored by their own hand. 
 
 We hail with joy the rest, 
 
 And feel most truly blest. 
 Zephyrs fan the morning dawn, 
 Lingering breath of summer gone. 
 
 DIARY, 1866. 
 Gay September comes along, 
 Most beautiful of the year. 
 With seeding, farmers are throng. 
 Yet labor with good cheer. 
 For after "seed-time the harvest" will come, 
 Is the promise He has given, to bless our home. 
 Summer is now forgotten, 
 For beauty, Fall begotten. 
 
 DIARY, 1866. 
 October is an artist fine, 
 Which makes the works of nature shine 
 With tints of gorgeous hue. 
 
41 
 
 Too much frost powder in her paint, 
 Makes the beautiful grow faint, 
 Alas! and perish too. 
 
 DIARY, 1866. 
 
 Now chill November comes apace, 
 She is most beautiful, yet sad, 
 
 With tints of crimson in her face, 
 She harvests corn, to make us glad. 
 
 DIARY, 1866. 
 
 December doth bring the winter King, 
 
 To rule the frigid season: 
 "VVe must resume winter costume, 
 
 Exercising reason. 
 
 We fain would welcome winter stern, 
 With all its storms and cold ; 
 
 From it important lessons learn. 
 We too, are growing old. 
 
42 
 
 DIARY HEADING, 1867. 
 
 Now I must begin anew, 
 My journey Heavenward to pursue. 
 Abstain from sinful pleasure, 
 Lay up in Heaven a treasure 
 Which no earthly foe can spoil; 
 I'll be rewarded for my toil. 
 
 Cold though January be. 
 
 Yet it has some charms for me. 
 
 Feeding stock is my delight. 
 
 Then sleeping with my spouse at night. 
 
 DIARY, 1867. 
 
 February's clothed with cold rough sadness. 
 Yet grins with inert bloom and gladness. 
 
 1867. 
 
 With March we hail the gladsome Spring, 
 
 In which the merry songsters sing; 
 
 All nature yet is brown and bare; 
 
 A mantle of green it soon will wear. 
 
 With blitheness and beauty, it soon will glow^ 
 
 Delicious fragrance on zephyrs will flow. 
 
 i 
 
43 
 DIARY, 1867. 
 
 April's copious showers, 
 With smiling sunny hours, 
 
 Of quickening heat, 
 Revives old Mother Earth, 
 Gives germination birth, 
 
 Mysterious feat ! 
 
 All nature seems so brown and bare, 
 Decay is visible everywhere. 
 But life infusing, cites a change, 
 A process seriate and strange. 
 
 The bursting bud, and then the flower. 
 Anon the gorgeous rosy bower; 
 The sprouting seed, and then the blade, 
 The trees soon show inviting shade. 
 In every germ, blade, flowery pod. 
 See the work of invisible God. 
 
 DIARY, 1867. 
 
 One year of married life is past, 
 
 I remember with a sigh. 
 What! sorry that the die was^cast? 
 
 Sorry for the nuptial tie ? 
 
44 
 
 Nay, nay, the happiness I have seen, 
 The joys with such a precious wife, 
 
 Convince me, I a fool have been, 
 
 On single levity, wasting life. , 
 
 DIARY, 1867. 
 
 O, who does not love pretty May, 
 With her beauty-tinted bovvers, so gay; 
 
 Her fragrant odors sweet, 
 
 And green velvet 'neath our feet, 
 Her merry birds do charm us all the day. 
 
 D. 1867. 
 
 Another summer comes around, 
 Ushered in by glittering June: 
 
 When brazen heat and storms abound. 
 Playing oft some electric tune. 
 
 Winter lingered through the Spring, 
 Hence some flowers which May should bring 
 Must come with June's bright glittering days, 
 Absorbing her most brilliant rays. 
 
45 
 
 186;. 
 
 July is here, with treasures dear, 
 
 In fields of golden grain, 
 Man labors now, with sweating brow, 
 
 But Peace and plenty reign. 
 
 1867. 
 
 August of rest is now at hand, 
 And joy is felt throughout the land 
 With good crops stored in stack and mow, 
 With thanks before the Giver bow. 
 
 THANKSGIVING, 1867. 
 
 O, may we not with joyful hearts. 
 To God who life and light imparts. 
 
 Aloud our praises ring. 
 With thankfulness we'll trust Him still, 
 And aim to do the sovereign will 
 
 Of our Almighty King. 
 
 December, Zero, winter stern, 
 Throw on coal, good fires must burn. 
 
46 
 
 DIARY, 1868. 
 
 Another year has rolled around, 
 
 'Mong all its joys, we grief have found, 
 
 Lessons of love we have been taught, J 
 
 To us with great importance fraught. 
 
 Whether we've learned these lessons well, 
 Another year will surely tell. 
 We trust in our Father who dwelleth above. 
 To help us to live, to serve, and to love. 
 
 JULY, 1868. 
 
 The fiery beams of the King of day, 
 Come piercing from the sky, 
 
 The essential, yet unpleasant ray, 
 Makes wheat, corn, oats and rye. 
 
 DIARY, 1874. 
 
 Oh ! the dreadful monster, death ! 
 
 What pain, what anguish, what distress, 
 To think of, makes one hold his breath. 
 
 Eight happy years ; — a few days less 
 Of prosperity, peace and love. 
 
47 
 
 Time absorbed too much of thought; — 
 Behold the change that death has wrought; 
 The love-light of home, I vainly sought, 
 Had flown to the Home above. 
 
 DIARY, JULY, 1874. 
 
 Oh ! the rain, the refreshing rain, 
 Good cheer you give to us again, 
 
 Days, weeks and months of drought go by, 
 All vegetation scorched and dry. 
 
 Wilting and drooping in despair 
 For lack of moisture in the air. 
 Gruff, grumbling man so hard to please, 
 Complaining cannot take his ease. 
 
 Sweltering heat and scorching sun 
 Forced from the mind the thought of fun. 
 
 But now the rain, reviving rain. 
 Has come in copious showers, 
 
 On every hill, and dell and plain. 
 On shaded sultry bowers. 
 
48 
 
 Let gratitude glow in us all 
 To God, the giver of all good. 
 
 On Him for favor let us call, 
 
 That we may have abundant food. 
 
 DIARY, 1875. 
 
 Bound secure with the silken cord, 
 In happiness to serve the Lord, 
 To share, in sorrow and in joy, 
 Virtuous lives, without alloy. 
 
 DIARY, 1875. 
 
 "There's many a slip 'twix cup and lip," 
 And many a scheme miscarried. 
 
 Had all been content to bide by the rent. 
 His bitter sorrow had parried. 
 
 VIRTUOUS WOMAN. 
 
 Woman, Heaven's best gift to man, 
 Virtue's embodied beauty, 
 
 His sweetest minist'ring angel, wan 
 By cheerful, restless duty. 
 
49 
 
 True woman — blissful, priceless boon. 
 Winsome, guiding in the right — 
 
 Without her counsel, man doth soon 
 Yield to demons in life's fight. 
 
 His sorrows cloud her serious face, 
 His ills doth bring her pity-tears; 
 
 She would his errors all erase. 
 
 Conquering with charity, endears. 
 
 Man's sweet elixir, here below, 
 
 Changing cold pride to purest love; 
 
 Her virtues in his face doth show. 
 She's leading him to Heaven above. 
 
 VICIOUS WOMAN. 
 
 Vicious woman, angels pity 
 While she warbles vulgar ditty. 
 
 While she spreads disease around, 
 While she causes sin abound, 
 While, with treacherous smiles so sweet, 
 She treads truth beneath her feet, 
 
50 
 
 While, with honeyed words, she draws 
 Virtue down into death's jaws. 
 While she glories in dishonor, 
 
 In the ruin she has wrought. 
 God's dire vengeance is sent on her. 
 
 Then she is by all forgot. 1878. 
 
 Mendicate merit, 
 
 Never repulse ; 
 Mendacious menace 
 
 Ever repel. 1878. 
 
 Respect for all women. 
 
 Love for one — 
 The motto of true men, 
 
 Sire and son. 1880. 
 
 VALENTINE. 1880. 
 
 Since balmy, flowery May, 
 A stranger oft has been 
 
 In halls where Christians pray. 
 And there his eyes have seen 
 
One, lovelier than May's flowers, 
 More enchanting than her bowers, 
 Oh ! that we might call her ours, 
 The fairest Rosa, queen. 
 
 When key, chord, cornet and voices did ring 
 With songs of praise to the heavenly King, 
 Your love-lit eyes and your sweet smiling brow, 
 Caused thrills of rapture, in my heart, somehow. 
 
 Kind old Valentine gave me the right 
 To pen my feelings, to thee, to-night. 
 Leap Year gives Rosa the right to discover. 
 And open her heart to her ardent lover. 
 
 Before the missive reached Miss Rosie, 
 She had become another's wife; 
 
 Transplanted was the pretty posie, 
 To charm and beautify his life. 
 
 TO A LADY FRIEND. 1880. 
 Virtuous emotions are seen in your eyes, 
 
 Modesty enshrouds your fair form — 
 Gem attachments to a head so wise, 
 
 To a heart so kind and so v/arm. 
 
52 
 
 Rise high above the vulgar throng, 
 Love God, do good and frown on wrong ! 
 Your life will happily then be blest, 
 At last you'll enter the promised rest. 
 
 EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS. 1881. 
 
 Eureka! God forgive me, if He will, 
 I know I doubted what they said 
 
 Of those who come and drink their fill, 
 Of the healthy bodies which it made. 
 
 Yes, I came; I cannot tell you, 
 
 Which was the fondest, hope or fear; 
 
 But the stage-drive here, pell-mell, too. 
 Settled that, when one comes so near 
 
 Being shook to death, and yet survive: 
 
 Health elements will at once contrive 
 To gain the mastery o'er disease, 
 Aided by pure water, if you please. 
 
 Where few attractions are arrayed, 
 Few ills are in man's pathway laid ; 
 But where you find the greatest blessing. 
 There are some ills, the most distressing. 
 
53 
 
 Isolated spot! 'mid mountains of granite, 
 
 Repellant and sterile as is on this planet. 
 
 Adding the vandalism of man, 
 
 Destroying, in his sordid plan. 
 
 Nature's pleasant protection. 
 
 We have for our defection 
 
 Hot sun, hot flintrock under us, 
 
 Hungry fleas, great swarms, and wondrous 
 
 Active ; bugs of every nationality ; 
 
 Their anoyances a fixed reality. 
 
 Has God made a place more uninviting? 
 
 Its only attraction, while I'm writing 
 
 I must tell, it is soon told, 
 
 Pure water, better than gold. 
 
 Its merits must be exceeding great, 
 
 To balance the ills I here relate; 
 
 But it does. Let the invalid corps 
 
 From every State, of every sore. 
 
 But tell, how the limpid waters alone 
 
 Has driven sciatica out of his bone, 
 
 Has renovated, and given the vigor of youth. 
 
 To distorted, ulcerated, emaciated forms. 
 To thousands, — the fountain of life, in truth; 
 
 So here they endure all the ills for its charms. 
 
54 
 
 DIRGE ON THE DEATH, BY ASSASSI- 
 NATION, OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD. 
 
 1881. 
 O ! let the bell of Liberty, 
 
 Toll the sad and mournful dirge: 
 Let every emblem of the free. 
 
 Bow in shame beneath the scourge. 
 
 Sadly heaves a Nation's breast, 
 Tears of sorrow freely flow. 
 
 The noble Garfield is at rest, 
 Slain by an unworthy foe. 
 
 A Nation mourns the sinful deed: 
 Bitter sorrow is world-wide : 
 
 Patriots' hearts would willingly bleed. 
 For the Nation's idol. Mentor's pride. 
 
 OVER THE ROCKIES. 1881. 
 Fair as a morning of bright, merry May, 
 Was Sophia's sweet face, as we sped on our way 
 Over mountain and plain, 
 On the emigrant train. 
 Gave her hand with a smile, 
 With a heart free from guile, 
 She assisted me up on the train that day. 
 
55 
 
 The dear Holland-home of her childhood, for- 
 saken, 
 For love of the friends our freeland have taken. 
 
 Good-will and energy, 
 
 Full worthy to be free. 
 
 God grant her maiden nee 
 
 May bless posterity. 
 Full faith in the God of Freedom, awaken. 
 
 SOLILOQUY. 
 
 Kissing indulged behind the scenes; — 
 Pretty, plump maidens in their teens : — 
 Delicious sensations, form my peans 
 In honor to brave freeman's queens. 
 
 O ! woman, what a source of bliss ; 
 With something better than a kiss ; 
 The beacon bright of man's desire. 
 The well-spring of manhood's aspire. 
 
 Without her what would life be worth? 
 Cold would be the domestic hearth. 
 Without her incentive to progression; — 
 The salt of life is in her possession. 1881. 
 
56 
 
 LOVE'S AFFINITIES. 1881. 
 When loves meet once, 
 Though ne'er before, 
 The glance that vaunts 
 Great love in store, 
 Emitted from her windows bright 
 The pleasures of the heart's delight; — 
 The eyes are windows of the soul, 
 And as the magnet points the pole. 
 So love attracts the loving glance 
 When affinities meet, although by chance. 
 
 CHRISTMAS, 1881. 
 
 Merry Christmas comes apace. 
 As the year doth gradually fade. 
 
 How many sorrows we can trace, 
 How many of our joys are dead. 
 
 MATED. 
 Man was not made to be alone on this sphere, 
 Woman was made for her presence to cheer; 
 No man of good sense, a hermit would be. 
 While women are plenty and pretty and free. 
 
57 
 
 But not every woman for each man is mate, 
 Mismated are many, who think of blind fate, — 
 Sympathy of sentiment, unison of taste. 
 Hearts full of love, and no love to waste. 
 
 s 
 
 Souls that interchange love through the eyes. 
 Anticipate duties of such sacred ties : 
 Industrious, economical and true, 
 Rest assured of success and happiness too. 
 
 1881, 
 
 MORMONS. 1881. 
 
 Human rapacity and greed, 
 
 Unchecked by honest emotion. 
 Find vent through fanatical creed, 
 
 And hypocritical devotion. 
 
 Mormonism's rapine and plunder, 
 
 Murder, lust and chicanery 
 Succeed through religious thunder, 
 
 And cruel, despotic tyranny; — 
 
 Extorting the proceeds of toil, 
 
 To self-aggrandizing splendor. 
 Bind gulls, in crime's hideous coil. 
 
 Salvation's only true vendor. 
 
 5 
 
58 
 
 The noblest government of man 
 
 By man, is on America's soil ; 
 Yet it permits this devilish clan, 
 
 Its free and wholesome laws to foil. 
 
 Rouse! freemen! as in sixty-one. 
 
 Wipe out! this wounding, burning shame, 
 Drive from beneath America's Sun, 
 
 The hell-polluting, Mormon name. 
 
 ACROSTIC. 
 
 Few but would live his life again, 
 Rather than drop it, even without pain. 
 All could great improvement make. 
 None but could see a lesson to take. 
 Careful reform, from experience had, 
 In all life's journey, pleasant or sad, 
 Still wish to prolong it good or bad. i88l. 
 
 WOMAN. 
 
 Virtuous woman, the wise man says. 
 Compared with rubies pure, 
 
 Of higher value, and she pays 
 A better dividend sure. 
 
59 
 
 The mother of all good on Earth ! 
 She is a blessing from her birth, — 
 Encouraging and restraining man, 
 
 His anchor, hope and guide. 
 Without her, vain would be his plan, 
 
 He'd sink beneath the tide. 
 See her power in this free Nation, 
 Where she enjoys the noblest station. 1882. 
 
 SOLDIER CEMETERY. 1882. 
 
 Here bravest mortals rest in peace 
 Who nobly died in freedom's cause. 
 
 Whose valor, did tyrant's grasp release. 
 And traitor's clutch on liberty's laws. 
 
 Threnic peans, mingled with sighs, 
 
 By the wind that waves 
 
 The grass o'er their graves 
 Touch chords, bringing tears to the eyes. 
 
 Rhapsodic eloquence, honor and fame. 
 
 Enduring as time, 
 
 In soft zephyr's rhyme, 
 Till crowned with glory, they get a new name. 
 
6o 
 
 The soul's electric chains that bind, 
 
 The living to immortals pure 
 By which they know oppressed mankind, 
 
 Have freedom's peace to them made sure. 
 
 EMOTIONS. 
 
 There's very much affected sadness, 
 
 Hidden by a heartless cry, 
 There's vastly more of real sorrow, 
 
 Smothered by the heavy sigh. 
 
 Sorrow's approach finds vent in tears, 
 
 Ling'ring runs the fountain dry; 
 The pain endured through many years, 
 
 Heaven's balm, mirth, sad heart, will try. 
 
 Such mirth is strangely sorrow-hued. 
 
 Residuum of tears boiled down, 
 Implying humility, gratitude. 
 
 Faith and trust for the saintly crown. 1882. 
 
6i 
 
 ORGAN GRINDERS. 
 
 Italia's swarthy, indolent sons, 
 
 With organ, America over-runs. 
 
 Committing a nuisance, many say. 
 
 Still the rude music kindles a ray 
 
 Of gladness, gleaming, they cannot hide, 
 
 So tolerate the tramp, begging tribe. 1882. 
 
 ACROSTIC, 1882 
 Nellie, remember that age follows youth; 
 Evanescent is featured in lines of truth. 
 Let faith, hope and love, be your guide to the end 
 Linking your life to Jesus, your friend. 
 Ineffable bliss your portion will be, 
 Either for Time or Eternity. 
 
 MALICE. 
 
 Moral depravity may rejoice. 
 At the misfortune of a friend ; 
 
 And censure's over-righteous voice 
 Recount the faults that caused the end 
 
62 
 
 With the Saviour's holy name 
 
 On their banner spread aloft, 
 Preach strict rectitude, the same 
 
 That the Nazarene taught oft. 
 
 Secretly plotting all the while, 
 
 Aggrandizement of self with guile. 
 
 They seek to profit without blushing, 
 
 By the calamity of the friend they're crushing. 
 
 Oh ! for a thousand tongues of fire, 
 To scorch the impious hypocrites, 
 
 "Vengeance is mine," in holy ire, 
 Says the Judge who in Heaven sits. 
 
 Viewing the matter in this light, 
 
 Trust the Judge of all, He'll do right. 1883. 
 
 SONG. MY HEART IS ALL RIGHT 
 
 AGAIN. 1883. 
 The germ of love in my young heart. 
 
 Was quickened by your sweet words, dear, 
 It bloomed by your seductive art, 
 'Till life was void without you near. 
 O, my love! come quickly to me! 
 O, my love ! I'm pining for thee. 
 
63 
 
 The happy home that I had fancied, 
 
 With our pure, bright Hves to fill it, 
 The pang, when your love grew rancid ; 
 My true young heart left to kill it. 
 O, my love! come quickly to me! 
 O, my love! I'm pining for thee. 
 
 O, you villain! oh, you adder! 
 
 My love for you is turned to hate, 
 Another bright life you'll make sadder, 
 Which she, like me, will know too late. 
 O, my heart is all right again, 
 Ne'er shall false man give it more pain. 
 
 Where can honor and truth be found? 
 Not in the gay young men we meet. 
 Each confiding heart they will wound, 
 By trampling true love 'neath their feet. 
 O, my heart is all right again. 
 Ne'er shall false man give it more pain. 
 
64 
 
 DECORATION DAY, 1883. 
 
 Fresh fern-fronds 'neath fresh foliage, deck'd 
 
 with dew, 
 O'er green-garnished graves of the glorified 
 
 true; 
 Here we tender our tribute, fresh flowers we 
 
 strew 
 On this sad, sacred spot we our reflex renew. 
 
 INFIDELITY. 1883. 
 
 You will not accept the Bible plan? 
 
 Its mysteries a human myth ? 
 Accept alone what reason can? 
 
 The God of your faith a tangible pith? 
 
 Explain the connection of mind and muscle; 
 
 How ire, hate, love, joy, dwell in your heart; 
 Planetary harmony without a justle; 
 
 How the "small voice" begs, quit the skeptic 
 art. 
 
 Now, honor bright, "Bob" IngersoU, — 
 The brightest imp at Satan's call, — 
 Is it not the inherent desire of man 
 
65 
 
 For freedom, from restraint of the Moral Plan, 
 To which you will pander in ambition's role, 
 Regardless of cost to your immortal soul ? 
 
 Gulping the resisting spirit within ; 
 Assuming wisdom and the boldness of sin; 
 Trusting for beatitude the attribute love. 
 Beyond the boundary of time, above. 
 Boasting Supreme Love can't so "cruel be, 
 As to damn a man of your quality." 
 
 MAY, 1883. 
 
 A wooing welcome, my merry May, 
 From dewy-dawn's greeting robin's lay, 
 Through kaleidoscopic flowery spray, 
 'Till soft, sweet twilight closes the day. 
 
 Animating, fragrant, bonny breeze. 
 From fondling, flow'ry, green-tinted trees. 
 Fraught with happy life's sweet sylvan song, 
 Diffusing delight to old and young. 
 
66 
 
 CONSISTENCY. 
 Consistency is the rarest gem, 
 Equaling the star of Bethlehem 
 
 In brilliancy. 
 So few correct their own mistakes, 
 Ere the censure-fellow rakes 
 
 Delinquency. 1883. 
 
 The best instructors of the youthful mind 
 Constantly search for knowledge, the most 
 refined. 1883. 
 
 OUR COUNTRY. 
 
 My many meanderings to and fro through this 
 
 land, 
 'Twixt blue oceans, aqua log-chain and the ree 
 
 Rio Grande, 
 Of Uncle Sam's coherent, continental, realty 
 
 realm, 
 With the patron of Liberty perched at the helm, 
 I find conditions of temperature, topography and 
 
 soil. 
 To suit her hardy sons of true tolerance in toil. 
 
6/ 
 
 Choice from plain to pyramoid, 'twixt mirage 
 
 and the mire : — 
 Every fancy fully filled from Oregon's flood to 
 
 desert fire ; 
 Every variety of vegetable life luxuriantly yields ; 
 Every known kind of grain grows in her fertile 
 
 fields ; 
 All kinds of fruits and fragrant flowers, to cherish 
 
 and to cheer; 
 Every requisite relish; happy homes to endear; 
 Pray, would you want more? Yes? Minerals 
 
 beyond measure; 
 In each State is stored some tangible treasure, 
 From the gainsome god men glorify — pure yel- 
 low gold — 
 Down to black-diamond, base, but more useful, 
 
 we are told. 
 Very often have I spied some pretty sylvan spot, 
 Where, with a pretty partner to cheer our earthly 
 
 lot, 
 Our souls' tenuous tendrils might tenaciously 
 
 entwine. 
 Securing to each a sense of sweet song-service 
 
 divine; 
 When the oft-recurring lessons I have learned in 
 
 sorrow's way; 
 
68 
 
 When ties were snapped which held me bound 
 
 below, for many a day: — 
 Dissipates the dearest dreams of happiness on 
 
 earth, 
 Where flowers fade, pleasures pall, and sorrows 
 
 sweep the hearth. 
 
 Then soft, sweet whispers whiff to my ears, 
 
 Weary pilgrim, ponder well, 
 This is the veriest vale of tears, 
 
 Here you cannot wish to dwell. 
 No ! my angel, always alert, 
 Your guidance good my soul has girt. 
 Connecting it with a home in Heaven, 
 Where felicite ties are never riven. 1883. 
 
 FORGOTTEN. 1883. 
 Must we die, forgotten quite? 
 Vain our strivings for the right? 
 Vanish all our dreams of glory? 
 Our earnest life a fabled story? 
 
 Forgotten? Yes, by human mind; 
 Merit's soonest dropt behind. 
 Errors cling a little longer, 
 Crime takes hold a little stronger. 
 
 I 
 
69 
 
 Should your life be all the purest, 
 
 Duties win your success surest; 
 
 Soothed the sorrowing hearts with kindness ; 
 
 Broke the beams of giddy blindness ; 
 
 Turning light on some dark way, 
 
 Planting charity every day. 
 
 Should misfortune strike you down, 
 Every one will add a frown ; 
 Say all the good you ever did, 
 Sprang from foul motives which you hid ; 
 
 Vile imputations, freely laid. 
 Misconstrued all you did and said, 
 Anxious to detect an error. 
 Each one makes themselves a terror. 
 
 Bowed and broken with greatest grief. 
 The victim of the honored thief, 
 Pale eyes that wept the fountain dry. 
 Debauchery, the scoffers cry. 
 
 The tempters seek to prove by lure 
 Base imputations ; not demure, 
 I seem to grant satisfaction, cool; 
 Which of us is the fittest fool : 
 I smile at their most cruel folly, 
 With pain and pang try to be jolly. 
 
70 
 
 But there is balm for every wound, 
 Inflict them then, great grace I've found. 
 Such trials prove a blessing great, 
 For the fruition I patiently wait. 
 
 SONG OF LIFE. 1883. 
 
 Landis. Who is that charmer? 
 
 Lena. Present that farmer? 
 
 Landis. All sweets combined ! 
 
 Lena. You flatter, mind! 
 
 Both. Should old acquaintance be forgot? 
 
 We pledge each tryst. Forget-me-not. 
 
 Landis. What blissful wooing, 
 Lena. Sweet nectar cooing. 
 
 Landis. My dear, — I ah ! 
 
 Le7ia. Y-e-s, see my Pa. 
 
 Both. Our hearts with tender joys are thrilling, 
 Piling pledges, while we're billing. 
 
 Landis. Heaven, my honey! 
 
 Lena. Who cares for money! 
 
 Landis. One month of joy, 
 
 Lena. Without alloy. 
 
71 
 
 Both. Now let stern sense displace the silly, 
 Landis, the oak; Lena, lotus-lily. 
 
 Obverse Side. 
 
 Landis. Health, fame and fortune, 
 Lena. My song to your tune. 
 Landis. My joy your zvorth. 
 Lena. More joy each birth ! 
 Both. Our virtues we perpetuate. 
 
 Our tickets admit at Heaven's gate. 
 
 Reverse Side. Always omit. 
 
 Landis. Balls, bills and broke me. 
 
 Lena. Vil-lain — y-o-u choke me. 
 Landis. I'm off — with Maud. 
 Lena. Fare, foul, old fraud. 
 Both. No Heaven, no hell, ha, ha, ha, ha, 
 "Bob" Ingersoll, hal-le-lu-jah. 
 
 THUNDER STORM. 1883. 
 
 The scene, a day in hot July. 
 People plain and pant and sigh 
 For cooler air. The arch of blue, 
 Its wont, assumes a brazen hue; 
 
72 
 
 With fulsome heat all nature shrinks, 
 Is hushed for breath, man more than thinks 
 Profanity. The gracious God, 
 Who might mete the merited rod, 
 Respites; Justice to Mercy yields. 
 A waft of potential power wields ; 
 Seeming miraculous moisture grows 
 From power which Omnipotence knows. 
 
 A cheerful change comes o'er the scene. 
 Fast-forming clouds o'erspread the sheen, 
 The rolling, rabid, rugged mass, 
 Vents a voice in baleful bass ; 
 Glittering flash of electric chords, 
 Terrifying creation's lords. 
 More fi'ry, fierce effulgent flashes, 
 Through murky mists confounding crashes; 
 Pouring pearls in fresh'ning flood. 
 Cooling life's livid, feverish blood. 
 Tempest and torrents deafening sound; 
 Such surging shakes the solid ground. 
 Giving a new, fresh lease to life. 
 Brighter by the throes of the recent strife. 
 Terrible majesty and splendor combined. 
 Wakes meeds of awe in the mortal mind. 
 
73 
 
 Precedents halt progress, and hide pure principle, 
 
 And oft instead of justice, metes the mockery of 
 
 hell. 1883. 
 
 THE FLY. 1883. 
 
 You festive, fussy, fervent fly. 
 Utmost utility ! buzzing by. 
 The treat to you to torment me. 
 You wicked, wilful, watchful wee 
 Sucker. Inflicting irritation 
 Greater than your humble station, 
 Or size would warrrant, a hundred fold; 
 Agile, alert and very bold. 
 
 That pet pimple on my pied pate, 
 Is the delight of your damning hate, 
 O, no! you naughty little bugger! 
 Your tickling toes, more than your tugger, 
 Torment me to your dear delight. — 
 O! ugh! my bile! — How fleet your flight! 
 In time to 'scape my vigorous stroke. 
 Instead of your back, the bile it broke. 
 6 
 
74 
 
 If proportionate your pleasure 
 To annoyance, in any measure; 
 What a blissful life you live, 
 As you a mint of trouble give. 
 But then, mid thorns we find a rose ; — 
 You redeem for devilishness, by blows 
 In myriads, that feed on putrid puck. 
 Wriggling mischief from the muck, 
 Destroying germs of dire disease, 
 Reveling 'neath the spongy lees, 
 A blessing in repulsive form. 
 Nasty necessity ! worthy worm ! 
 
 LOWELL'S POEMS. 1883. 
 
 Faithful monitress ! fair Miss Muse ! 
 
 Whose royal reign 
 
 In Lowell's brain. 
 
 That rhythmic wrought, 
 
 Such gems of thought; 
 Preside in mine, while I peruse. 
 
75 
 ODE TO THE PANSY. 1883 
 
 Pretty little pansy, oh, yes ! so very pretty, 
 Humbly hiding innocence, so modest and so 
 meek, 
 The pride of brunette Birdie, and of the bright 
 blonde Bettie, 
 Who sigh for your soft symmetry, your smooth 
 glossy cheek. 
 The semi-circled trio of variegated hues. 
 
 No polished art of genius can e'er excel, so 
 sleek, 
 Your purple velvet, twin reserves, most pleasing, 
 I choose. 
 Your small cinque form has all rich tints of 
 
 beauty condensed. 
 No other such small space such radiant beauty 
 fenced. 
 
 DARE DEATH. 1883. 
 
 Duty dictates for the wise 
 Rules of life the doomed despise. 
 Passion's pleasure prompts the fool 
 To graduate in Satan's school. 
 
1& 
 
 Let your soul have constant suit 
 With its source, and your pursuit 
 Of pure pleasure, ambition, 
 Or honest competition, 
 To excel in wealth, or fame. 
 Surely wins you honored name. 
 'Twill not interfere at all 
 With success, or duty's call. 
 Try it young and old, you'll find 
 Conscience clear, with peace of mind; 
 Toil and trouble ever near. 
 Gives your soul a sight more clear; 
 Weans from world, as you grow older, 
 Makes your faith much firmer, bolder. 
 Tones the temper, laves all leaven. 
 Robes you for your home in Heaven. — 
 Then let dire, dread pestilent. 
 Foul and fatal accident, 
 Swift and sudden, sweep along. 
 At duty's post, bold and strong; 
 Should your Father need you longer 
 Here below. He'll make you stronger 
 Than grim Death. Or, if perchance 
 Your duty's done. Death's keen lance, 
 O'er you, has victory and sting 
 No more, no more: 
 
 j 
 
77 
 
 Once fettered soul will take swift wing 
 To Canaan's shore : 
 Welcomes await, 
 At Heaven's gate, 
 "Well done, well done;" 
 Through God's dear Son. 
 
 Duty's legs ne'er wait for the cash. 
 Paid by rude Necessity's lash. 
 
 VENGEANCE. 
 
 The violent man will suffer violence sure fate. 
 His crime against his fellow, comes to crush his 
 
 own pate. 
 "Whoso sheddeth man's blood," are living words 
 
 of vengeance; 
 Delay, defers to human law, to lave offence; 
 Failing, Heaven's decree, drives guilt, to wipe 
 
 out guilt; 
 For Justice, as well as Mercy, God's throne was 
 
 built. 1883. 
 
7S 
 
 FASHION'S LADY AND MODEL LASSIE. 
 
 1883. 
 Sitting by my window once, absorbed in Lowell's 
 
 theme 
 Of fact and fancy, feasting soul upon soul's bright- 
 est gleam, — 
 
 A fairy flash; 
 Of crape and crash, 
 My heart made /task, 
 By Cupid's c/as/i. 
 
 Five feet of female tripping past on shapely legs ; 
 Presuming; invisible were those purling pegs. 
 
 Enchanting elf, 
 
 Pursuing pelf, 
 
 In glittering glare; 
 
 So fine, so fair. 
 
 God's fairest handiwork, encased in art's quaint 
 
 maize, 
 Enticing eyes and limbus lips such sweet things, 
 says ; — 
 
 Unworthy man, 
 Did he but scan 
 Without a thrill, 
 Or e'en good will. 
 
79 
 
 We'll now take the dissecting blade the truth to 
 
 test. 
 What! doubt that angel, minus the wings? you 
 surely jest? 
 
 That graceful glide, 
 Portends not pride? 
 Those love-lit eyes? 
 Those soulful sighs? 
 
 Old Honesty ! truth told may pain a guileless 
 
 soul, 
 But knowing truth, that soul may 'scape sorrow's 
 dire dole; 
 
 Those puffs of pride. 
 The hoiden hide, 
 That sly sweet smile, 
 This gilded guile. 
 
 She lives and breathes, — as corsets let, — by the 
 
 strict rule 
 And compass of frivolous fashion; a flippant fool. 
 
 Her wave-let walk. 
 
 Her ''taffy" talk, 
 
 Her critique curt, 
 
 The humble hurt. 
 
8o 
 
 Her lichen-life of uselessness, but yearns for 
 
 yule, 
 Self-love prompt her passions to loll on pleasure's 
 stool. 
 
 On sweets she sips, 
 With licensed lips, 
 A luscious lure, 
 Inept, impure. 
 
 True modesty and merit, ne'er tries to act a lie 
 For fashion's sake. Fashion's forms spring from 
 the sensual sty. 
 
 In daubry dress, 
 
 Lays strictest stress. 
 
 She'd sell her soul, 
 
 For fashion's poll. 
 
 Embody complete virtue, in manly form so fair. 
 As claim on woman's purest love, life's trials to 
 share ; 
 
 For him content, 
 
 Give free consent? 
 
 Nay! virtue's sold. 
 
 Give, give her gold. 
 
8i 
 
 MODEL LASSIE. 
 
 My model maid is seldom found 
 In public places; she is sound 
 In mind and muscle; neat and naive, 
 Clean, clear featured ; cosmetic lave 
 Is nature's own; her hair's her own: 
 Her virtue's worth empyreal throne; 
 She may be lean, she may be lank ; 
 She may be plump and play the prank; 
 But knows propriety and keeps it well. 
 She scorns the namby-pamby swell. 
 Her graceful airs are unassumed, 
 Her thoughts to show, are not attuned, 
 Her handsome hands and faultless feet, 
 For worthy work, with skill replete. 
 For mental store ne'er trust to luck. 
 She conquers fortune by pure pluck, 
 Discards all isms; her intellect 
 Is tuned to souls, heedless of sect. 
 Her tastes are simple, sweet and rare, 
 In moral culture shows great care. 
 Faith, Hope and Christ-like Charity 
 Her inherent necessity. 
 
 A bothersome blessing in her youth, 
 
82 
 
 Fortune ne'er gave to age more ruth ; 
 Men ne'er had more peerless treasure 
 On Earth, she gives purest pleasure. 
 When done with Earth, Heaven's brightest 
 
 gem, 
 Heaven's sweetest song, is her anthem. 
 
 HYPOCRISY. 
 
 O thou Hypocrisy! 
 
 Thou false and damning saint! 
 
 Your lulling lure, 
 
 Pollutes the pure, 
 Whate'er you touch, you taint. 
 The devil's employee. 
 
 Sly "wolf in sheep's clothing," 
 
 Your pensive prayer. 
 
 Recherche and rare, 
 So sweet the song you sing. 
 
 Yes ! alms you vainly give. 
 
 For saintly show you live, 
 
 The lambs you've leashed 
 
 'Till conscience ceased 
 
 To act, pierced like a sieve. 
 
83 
 
 For every prayer you pray, 
 You steal a pound for pay, 
 
 From God's dear ones; 
 
 Demurely dons 
 Your sanctified smile; at bay. 
 
 Thou shining sepulchre, 
 Foul-filled with mind-murder, 
 
 Your fi-uits do show. 
 
 Great God doth know. 
 As Jesus did aver. 1883. 
 
 RELIANCE RIGHT AND WOEFUL 
 WRONG. 1883. 
 A model mother's pensive pride, was romping 
 Rellie Right. 
 
 Mischievous boy! 
 Yet household joy, 
 And Papa's pet so bright. 
 
 His misty mind to energize, pert questions he 
 did ply. 
 
 His haunting haste 
 
 For dress displaced. 
 His Papa's pants to try. 
 
84 
 
 The little chores about the house, were fittest 
 work for sister. 
 
 To ape his Pa, 
 
 Was Rellie's law, 
 He craved the title Mister. 
 
 His thirst for knowledge joined to play, gave 
 Rellie smack for school. 
 
 At head in class, 
 
 At play, enpass, 
 Ne'er sat on the dunce stool. 
 
 The seeds of Truth were duly set, in Rellie's 
 youthful heart. 
 
 Enriched by Love 
 
 The honeyed dove, 
 Cultured by Mother's art. 
 
 Nourished by the milk of kindness, that per- 
 meates the plant, 
 
 With peerless poise 
 
 Among the boys. 
 Discards the term, "I can't." 
 
 His parents recognized the fact that young folks 
 must have fun. 
 
85 
 
 So Rellie's home 
 Was pleasant dome, 
 As soon as work was done. 
 
 His manners were the most refined, his con- 
 versation pure, 
 
 He honored age, 
 
 Precocious sage. 
 Promised prominence sure. 
 
 Culled the classics, captured honors and fairly 
 won his fame. 
 
 But dearer prize, 
 
 A maid's bright eyes 
 He won to grace his name. 
 
 Meekly the mates did wear those laurels, talents 
 were theirs for use. 
 
 Faithfully they 
 
 Their blissful day 
 Of life, suppressed the Deuce. 
 
86 
 
 WOEFUL WRONG. 
 
 A regular " whoopemup" boy, 
 
 Calliope voice so strong, 
 Either his anger or his joy 
 
 Ruled the rugged woeful wrong. 
 
 A born king, of home and hazard, 
 
 He ruled with iron sceptre; 
 When his mouth was filled with bastard, 
 
 Was silent as a spectre. 
 
 The cutest toy that art could frame 
 
 Disdained ; the little hister 
 Could but see beauty in the tame 
 
 Toy, held by little sister. 
 
 He oiled and fired pussy's tail, 
 To see her scratch and scamper, 
 
 He'd find the cookies without fail, 
 On Mother's mince-pies pamper. 
 
 He'd eat green apples if they'd kill, 
 Then craze and cry with colic ; 
 
 Half-way to school, just o'er the hill. 
 He'd stop and have a frolic. 
 
87 
 
 The teacher's torment in the class, 
 
 With all his freaks of folly 
 Ambitious only to trespass ; 
 
 A whipping made him jolly. 
 
 The teacher had to turn him out, 
 
 Like "Mary's little" buckie. 
 Mad? no, he was too pleased to pout. 
 
 Such largess was so lucky. 
 
 Free, as young America's will — 
 Restraint is downright dulness, 
 
 A pedagogue's a bitter pill, — 
 
 He sneered at school-boys' gullness. 
 
 The bar-room was his loafing-place. 
 He heard jokes there, so witty. 
 
 Where Jack of Guilt would take the Ace 
 Of Purity, without pity. 
 
 He learned to swear, to smoke and chew, 
 Play cards for "hash" and whiskey, 
 
 As captain of a sin-cursed crew; 
 No hazard was too risky. 
 
 Ill-gotten gold and tailor's tact. 
 With jeweler's adorning. 
 
88 
 
 Don't deceive, the demon that sacked 
 His soul, such visor scorniner. 
 
 Truth and Justice, such slow nags, 
 
 Can't keep in sight of error, 
 Whose dextrous pace, nor hmps, nor lags, 
 
 While dealing virtue's terror. 
 
 But Right recovers breath at last; 
 
 Opening Pandora's box 
 On woeful wrong, he binds him fast. 
 
 For deferred doom, under locks. 
 
 His life must pay the penalty 
 
 Of desecrating duty; 
 Conscience accuses, mentally; 
 
 Lost, the once image of beauty. 
 
 Truth and Right will at last prove strong. 
 
 After the devil's deception 
 Has lost its hold on woeful wrong; 
 
 He prays for God's protection. 
 
 See! life's fitful, feverish waning; 
 
 Love of God, despised so long, 
 Sends sweet Mercy, with hope's dawning 
 
 Redemption, for repentant wrong. 
 
89 
 
 ON INGERSOLL'S BLASPHEMOUS 
 LECTURE, 
 
 WHICH WAS TINTED WITH BEAUTY TO ATTRACT 
 
 THE THOUGHTLESS, AND ELOQUENCE 
 
 TO TEMPT THE TRUE. 
 
 Rob't, your brains of superior excellence. 
 Were leased and perverted by Satan's prepence. 
 By lease, you are bound to give him all emolu- 
 ments, 
 In return to secure you complete invulnerence. 
 
 Should your ossified heart ever become softened. 
 Before your dead form is by nature's course 
 
 croftened. 
 You will see true religion in a different light, — 
 Its music and poesy and beauty so bright. 
 
 Through the halo of Hope, you'll see angels at- 
 tending 
 
 The sanctified soul, its way heavenward wending; 
 
 You will see how Satan tries to secure the best 
 talent. 
 
 Fortifying freedom with illusion's pallient. 
 7 
 
90 
 
 See the Satan-sustained sceptic, with eloquent 
 art, 
 
 Quail before God's "weak ones" holding the 
 Christian's dart. 
 
 How the "weak things of this world will con- 
 found the wise." 
 
 Your "religion of art" for the Christian a prize. 
 
 Why sum up the wealth, in great churches in- 
 vested. 
 
 Or salaried preachers, with wealth from toil 
 wrested, 
 
 As labor's love lost, and its gold given away, 
 
 That might procure plenitude of peace, some 
 day? 
 
 Rob't, would it not have been more appropriate, 
 
 To have summed up all the gold expended anti- 
 date, 
 
 On gambling hells, saloons and prostitution 
 base? 
 
 On prize fights, games of chance, of your belief 
 the grace ? 
 
 The hundred who grow rich, and fatten on the 
 spoil 
 
91 
 
 Of their ten-thousand victims, — pupils of your 
 moil. 
 
 Yes ! you find hypocrisy, beneath religion's cloak. 
 
 Imitating fealty, Heaven's aid invoke. 
 
 Your super-human wisdom! should perceive the 
 fact, 
 
 That worth, alone, is feigned by man's counter- 
 feiting tact. 
 
 Your next mistake outweighs, all those in Moses' 
 pages : — 
 
 Jacob's ladder, safely rested on the ''Rock of Ages'' 
 
 Because God is infinite, and we can't comprehend 
 Him: 
 
 Is mortal man's best reason, why he should at- 
 tend Him. 
 
 What would a god be worth, if his creature were 
 his equal, 
 
 Such fealty as yours, would make anarchy the 
 sequel. 
 
 Your father, Satan, once took similar position, 
 
 Then God made Hell to hold the dross of Hea- 
 ven's depletion. 
 
 That you may comprehend your god; make a 
 
 calf of gold, 
 His leniency will be as great as Baal's was of old. 
 
92 
 
 Your bible, Shakespeare, gives a text, fit for your 
 mind's gestation, 
 
 **A11 wickedness is sin and sin's" due "is damna- 
 tion." 
 
 Hence, the sinner damns himself; God executes 
 the sentence; 
 
 Unless a pardon is procured, by opportune re- 
 pentance. 
 
 You with impious insolence, your Maker doth 
 
 accuse, 
 Of all resultant wrong, when men their powers 
 
 abuse; 
 When Justice fails and innocence, is of virtue 
 
 robbed ; 
 When Truth is trampled on and faithful Charity 
 
 fobbed ; 
 
 When suffering and sorrow, vent their grief in 
 
 scalding tears, 
 With all the miseries caused by men, in all their 
 
 threescore years ; 
 You sum up blasphemously, against the God of 
 
 Heaven : — 
 With talents rare, that to you, by that same God 
 
 were driven. 
 
93 
 
 You judge God for tolerating liberty to sin, 
 
 Then judge, when His commands, you your free- 
 dom hinders in: 
 
 Then you leave God's throne and as a rebel scep- 
 tic pose; 
 
 And say you cannot love a God, whose nature 
 no one knows. 
 
 You "love your friend," then you should love 
 
 the maker of that boon: 
 Either religion's God, or evolution's baboon. 
 You "love Truth, because Truth adds to human 
 
 happiness." 
 God alone is Truth, whose goodness you will not 
 
 confess. 
 
 You say, you "love Justice, because it preserves 
 human joy;" 
 
 An attribute of God which you persistently an- 
 noy. 
 
 You "love Charity," why that is Love, and God 
 is Love; 
 
 Our emotions of tenderness come from God 
 above. 
 
 We hail a blessed power, that brings return of 
 Spring, 
 
94 
 
 Makes Nature blush with beauty, with joy, the 
 
 welkin ring: — 
 When musicr and poetry and posies warm the 
 
 heart, 
 With awe for Power, greater than Chance, or 
 
 human Art. 
 
 You love the lustrous lily, with tints of heavenly 
 
 hue; 
 Yet it is an enigma, unknown as God, to you. 
 God's goodness, grace and love, from the lily's 
 
 petals peeps; 
 You love the gift, yet scorn the Giver, who sadly 
 
 weeps. 
 
 See! those twinkling brilliants, in the diadem of 
 night. 
 
 That deck the vault of Heaven with their scin- 
 tillating light. 
 
 Have you especial knowledge here to warrant 
 your assurance 
 
 In taking God to task? Are they Chance's pro- 
 curance? 
 
 Will yon ne'er forgive our GoD,/^r not coiisiilting 
 you, 
 
95 
 
 Before He planned Redemption? and thus respect 
 
 your view? 
 Hence, you claim immunity from suffering for 
 
 sin; 
 And seek through human wisdom, felicity to win. 
 
 When in the course of Nature, your sensual 
 powers fail; 
 
 Your soul will sigh for sympathy from God, 
 'gainst whom you rail. 
 
 Remorse will rend your reason, for your rebel- 
 lious spite, 
 
 In crucifying God afresh, defying Heaven's might. 
 
 TOOTHACHE. 1884. 
 
 So! so! 
 
 Toothache ! my oh ! 
 Desirable company? No! 
 Too much affectation, you know, 
 Too engaging by half, 
 My temper 'twill chafe. 
 Until like a bull-calf, 
 I bellow. 
 
96 
 
 O! ho! 
 
 Once white as snow, 
 Good service you've rendered, I know. 
 Why have you become my worst foe? 
 
 Yes, hot puddings did heat, ♦j 
 
 And confections so sweet. 
 Your glazing did eat. 
 To hollow. 
 
 Oh! ho! 
 
 Jump out! and go! 
 To cut your capers elsewhere ! oh ! 
 O! I'll punch you out of the row! 
 You've always been civil, 
 Now you're a mad "divil," 
 To my rueful rivel, 
 Give bon mot. 
 
 Jim Crow, 
 Ne'er anticked so, 
 Smiling sympathies, come and go ! 
 To mix some madness with my woe ! 
 With cayenne pepper hot, 
 I monkeyed on my cot, 
 A shout for every shot, 
 Red-eyed show. 
 
97 
 
 Yoho! 
 
 From tooth to toe ! 
 The nervous electric pampero, 
 Rouses to resistance, Old Joe! 
 My heart, lungs and liver, 
 Are all in a shiver. 
 Exclamations quiver! 
 Staccato ! 
 
 Fico! 
 
 Forceps, provo, 
 Will culminate and cure my woe ! 
 Once faithful friend, become my foe ! 
 Cold steel now intercept. 
 An eager wrench, adept. 
 0-ho-!-mu-r-d-er-!-ycleped ! 
 Out? Great Joe! 
 
 Dido? 
 
 Quo-warranto. 
 You're httle, but a forceful foe, 
 How could you pierce my poor heart so? 
 Yes, forgive you, now you're out. 
 Yes, forget your naughty bout, 
 I could give a thankful shout. 
 O! santo! 
 
98 
 
 NIGHT. 1884. 
 
 Night is the seal for sweet repose, 
 
 For innocent, animate life; 
 Night is the prowling time for those 
 
 Of treacherous, predatory strife. 
 
 Day is for natural duty, 
 
 Which honesty every employs, 
 
 Virtue vies with Nature's beauty, 
 
 To add to the charms of Earth's joys. 
 
 True to their innocent instincts. 
 
 The beautiful birds of the air, 
 Robin-redbreast and bobolink. 
 
 With songs, greet the morn, everywhere. 
 
 The virtuous heirs of Adam, 
 
 Resigned to Time's rigorous toil; 
 
 Cheered by the counsels of madam, 
 From the dawn, he sieges the soil. 
 
 The freshness and fragrance of morn. 
 
 With ruddy, health hue, tints the cheeks, 
 
 Grateful thoughts, man's features adorn. 
 With reverence God's favor he seeks, 
 
99 
 
 'Till Nature spreads night's sable curtain, 
 His efforts with success are blest; 
 
 When weary with toil he is certain, 
 With darkness to lie down and rest. 
 
 But selfish seekers of pleasure, 
 
 Choose night to give zest to desire, 
 
 Night and stealth, sweeten their treasure, 
 The more as it kindles God's ire. 
 
 While virtue and innocence sleep. 
 The wicked are wasting their vigor. 
 
 Angels o'er the pure, vigils keep, 
 Satan rules revelers with rigor. 
 
 When heralds of the coming day, 
 
 From the East, drive the forces of night; 
 
 Sweat drops, from struggles in the fray. 
 Tones Nature with vigor so bright. 
 
 The beauties of day's bud and bloom 
 Spreads out for nature's law keepers. 
 
 Night-hawks, hie away with night's gloom; 
 Flies fight the weary-worn sleepers. 
 
lOO 
 
 MAXIMS FOR FARMERS. 1883. 
 
 If you only plow one inch, 
 Poverty will plague and pinch. 
 
 If you plow two inches deep 
 Poor and hungry still you'll sleep. 
 
 Should your plow four inches go, 
 You will reap enough to sow. 
 
 Six good inches will do better, 
 You are, I think — still a debtor. 
 
 Turn up eight inches of soil, 
 Freed from debt and care by toil. 
 
 Ten inches, your bank account. 
 Will foot up a large amount. 
 
 Let your plow twelve inches run, 
 Your gold will glitter like the sun. 
 
 Put your plow in to the beam. 
 You will get earth's richest cream. 
 
 If you wish to go much deeper. 
 
 Make your team your conscience keeper. 
 
lOI 
 
 LEVY, THE CORNETIST. 1883. 
 
 Gabriel's trump at last will wake to joy the 
 
 righteous host 
 Out of their silent sleep. The pure, clear tones 
 
 will reach almost 
 To hell. So Levy's horn is good enough on 
 
 Earth for men. 
 To elevate their souls from sense to scenes of 
 
 purer ken. 
 
 Human perfection his, to give pure tones, so rich, 
 
 so sweet; 
 To please the ear, to charm the heart, make 
 
 heaven and earth to meet 
 In unison. His "Nearer my God to Thee" is 
 
 sublime: — 
 Pure enough for Earth, sweet enough for Time. 
 
 CONTENTMENT. 1 883. 
 
 Cultivate contentment, whatever befall, 
 Sorrows will lighten, sunshine will call. 
 
102 
 
 MY WOOER. 
 
 A sweet and soothing wooer 
 Kindly dealt somnolent dew, 
 
 Mixed with animating nectar 
 Into realms of bliss I flew. 
 
 Bliss, like mis'ry wants a spouse. 
 When I sought her she was "nix." 
 
 The charming source most cruelly, 
 Left me lonely in my fix. 
 
 Thankful for the partial grace 
 
 As every mortal should be, 
 Hope and faith should guide us 'till 
 
 We're happy as we would be. 1883. 
 
 STEEL. 1883. 
 
 The means which man has used 'gainst man, 
 To propagate ambition's plan, 
 Since Samson slew with ass' jawbone 
 One thousand men, steel, steel has shone. 
 
 Steel has carved out each Nation's way. 
 Steel has held tyrannical sway, 
 
I03 
 
 Steel established Islam's power. 
 Steel reared the great London Tower, 
 Steel is stained with blood of millions, 
 Steel has stolen wealth by billions, 
 Steel has ruled the centuries gone 
 Cruelly. But the present one 
 Has wrought a change, an era new 
 Has fitter work for steel to do. 
 
 The souls of men inspiration caught 
 To sever the sword. Happy lot ! 
 The PEN and press now guide the free 
 To grand and glorious victory, 
 Persuading peace and love and light, 
 To rule mankind in righteous might. 
 
 SELF. 1883. 
 
 Selfish sentiments sear man's heart. 
 Honor is sold in highest mart, 
 Gold is god ! pleasure's pageantry 
 Lords it o'er this land of the free. 
 Lord ! may Love's banner be unfurled. 
 Compassionate a wicked world. 
 
I04 
 
 SABBATH. 1883. 
 
 While sitting in the park, I muse 
 On Sabbath and surrounding: 
 
 The privileges which we abuse, 
 Sorrows which are abounding. 
 
 This day of rest from worldly care, 
 
 The fewest do remember, 
 Obeying zvill, they do and dare 
 
 From Christmas 'till December. 
 
 Six days in seven will not suffice 
 
 For business or for pleasure. 
 But soul and body, howe'er nice. 
 
 Wear out in search of treasure 
 That perish with use, leaves only pain 
 
 For all the care and trouble, 
 The sure result of sordid gain. 
 
 When Time pricks the bright bubble. 
 
 The glad and solemn church-bell tones 
 All hear, but soon forget it, 
 
 The saddest Sunday wind that moans, 
 Moans on, they only let it. 
 
 I 
 
105 
 
 The "still small voice" of conscience hushed 
 
 And smothered in its strivings, 
 'Till vigor's gone and life-blood flushed 
 
 With fatal fever's connivings. 
 
 Then comes sad time to old and young, 
 When reason resumes her sway. 
 
 To find atone for will and tongue, 
 At eventide of their day. 
 
 GENIALIS. 
 
 How blest the man of tone and tact. 
 
 Who traveling far and wide, 
 Can blend his life and shape his act 
 
 To suit the surging tide 
 Of gay humanity per se, 
 
 Act the Roman in Rome, 
 In character, himself still be 
 
 Sacred, as should be home. 1883. 
 
io6 
 
 BLUFF. 
 
 Detect the De'il in doing dirt, 
 
 Indignant, he 
 
 Assumes to be 
 The pivot of perfection : 
 Shocked, insulted, pure and pert, 
 
 A shining saint 
 
 Without a taint 
 Of sin, or dereliction. 1883. 
 
 THE PINES. 1883. 
 
 At twilight, 'mid the pines, as evening zephyrs 
 
 flit so free. 
 Whistling sweet sighs in cadences of mournful 
 
 melody: 
 Now freighted with love's soft sweet voice of 
 
 amorous dalliance. 
 Now flits with frolicsome fresco, the giddy child 
 
 of chance. 
 
 Soon softened into touching tones of beauish, 
 deep bassoon 
 
 Then soughing sighs still softer, to mute mur- 
 murs of the tune, 
 
107 
 
 Blends one's sense of sweet delight with marcite 
 
 melancholy, 
 Mingling sad, sad memories with those that had 
 
 been jolly; 
 
 Recalls scenes of past pleasure and liasons of 
 lost love : 
 
 And Damon dreams of fame and fortune fled 
 with friends above, 
 
 Waking a vague volition of soul, for its transi- 
 tion time. 
 
 From sorrow's sphere, to realms more dear, 
 where souls in unison chime. 
 
 SPRING. 
 
 "Meet me when the roses come again"? 
 Hope forlorn as foam without refrain, 
 Thalia come and bring them with your charm. 
 To bud and burst their fragrance on the farm, 
 Then fade and fall and others take their place 
 From heat of heart, and charm of fairest face. 
 
 1883. 
 
io8 
 
 SONG. 1883. 
 Chorus. 
 Gone, gone alas! my *'holi-day time 
 Of beauty," fresh vigor and charm; 
 Fled, fond fancy, from youth's cherished clime, 
 I shiver and shrug with alarm. O ! dear me ! 
 
 Romping and ruddy at "sweet sixteen," 
 
 With never a chalice of care. 
 Off in a fright, I fled from Dick Green, 
 
 Who proposed a run-away pair. 
 
 Shy little sighs with my breath now blent, 
 
 When I would come to consider. 
 How I should settle the next green gent, 
 
 Or bi-nd my-self to the bidder. 
 
 I could say yes to happy Harry, 
 But for hussy of impudence Lill. — 
 
 Sensible Simon wants me to marry, — 
 I'd be sic^ to take such a ////. 
 
 Modesty now gives place to pert pride, 
 I'm twenty, I'd give you to know, 
 
 I'll be a town belle rather than bride, 
 To other than gay, golden beau. 
 
109 
 
 The rich beaux feared the belle, a bold one, 
 Yet charming, clear-toned, soft and sweet : 
 
 Ten year's time tolled the belle an old one, 
 My castles crumbling at my feet. 
 
 No more Dick Greens, or sensible Simons, 
 
 Following fondly in my wake. 
 Alas! for gold and glittering diamonds; 
 
 Now, I am sick and no pill to take. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 Gone ! gone alas ! " my holi-day time 
 Of beauty," fresh vigor and charm, 
 
 Fled, fond fancy, from youth's cherished clime; 
 I shiver and shrug with alarm. O ! dear me ! 
 
 OCTOBER. 1883. 
 
 Languid as the Summer has been. 
 Lingering still, she clings to life. 
 
 Her delinquency she'd screen 
 
 By struggling 'gainst Autumnal strife. 
 
no 
 
 DUTIES. 1883. 
 
 Give potions with prayer, 
 Give comfort and care, 
 To friend and to foe 
 Who welter in woe, 
 By stumbling in strife, 
 The lash of their life. 
 
 Give tolerance true, 
 
 To whim and to whine; 
 
 With vigilant view, 
 
 Give wisdom with wine ; 
 
 To tipplers who think 
 
 Of dining on drink. 
 
 Give soothe to sorrow. 
 Benefit borrow 
 
 From Charity's churn; 
 
 For soul-sickness stern. 
 Gleam a lustrous light 
 On soul's noisome night. 
 
 For rogues have rigor. 
 Push them to penance, 
 
Ill 
 
 Whip vice with vigor; 
 
 But veer from vengeance, 
 For such ruling rod 
 Belongs to Great God. 
 
 FOLLY. 1883. 
 
 Music to cheer, 
 Money to steer, 
 Wine to stimulate, 
 Women to animate. 
 These four good and kind, 
 When all are combined 
 Are sufficient, I find, 
 For man's peace of mind. 
 And happiness, too. 
 So think the world's crew. 
 
 FICKLENESS. 1883. 
 
 Better not to know a friend. 
 Than to learn the sentiment, 
 
 To rudely rob you in the end, 
 Of its comforting content. 
 
112 
 
 TREATING. 1884. 
 
 Where the devil most lurks in drink, — 
 The favorite feature of the trade; — 
 
 Is in the social swing I think, 
 
 Where fools of many good men are made. 
 
 I want a drink, I there meet Bob, 
 
 Dick, Dan, John, Will, Joe and Charley; 
 
 These friends must join in a punch cob, — 
 Too cold for the brewage of Barley. 
 
 Charley's'^ clever, social soul, 
 Whose courtesy will be on top; 
 
 Come boys, another brimming bowl. 
 Whiskey straight, I never take pop. 
 
 Bob's heart bounds to the occasion, 
 Though purse of plethora, is ill, 
 
 Duty must damn an evasion, 
 I'll swamp my solitary bill. 
 
 John jumps the bounds of enough, boys, 
 When soul with spirits gets cheery, 
 
 I ne'er go the game of bluff, boys. 
 One round to my sweetest dearie. 
 
Will's wallet will soon be willing 
 
 To have the snap thrown off the lock, 
 
 It will not part with a shilling, 
 'Till the dealer sets up the hock. 
 
 The devil downs meekness in Dick, 
 The best in the bar, must now come. 
 
 For the man-hic-he-hic-can't lick, 
 Others-hic-must take-hic-plain rum. 
 
 Galvanized Joe, now gets jolly, 
 A gallon would not fill his poke, 
 
 Asks all to drink to his Mollie, 
 
 Unconscious that he is dead broke. 
 
 Cunning Dan, a regular can, 
 But always chary of his chink ; 
 
 Flatters and fondles every man. 
 As a favor they set up the drink. 
 
 Just one drink, I stepped in to take. 
 But this soppy system of treating. 
 
 Eight big drinks, O ! what a headache ! 
 And my family I've been cheating. 
 
114 
 
 My one drink runs to sixty-four, 
 
 Eight social souls launched for the learn, 
 
 Sorrow stalks in at some one's door; 
 Dispelling mother's happy dream. 
 
 POET. 1884. 
 
 When a poet heeds mad aspirations, 
 
 To rob the merry muse of her glory, 
 With volume of his own emanations. 
 Or quantity of poetic story. 
 His effusions will be sad senseless rhyme. 
 I've been there. 
 When a poet must write the mind's musing, 
 
 On misery, mischief or modest merit. 
 His work will have zeal and zest perusing. 
 Mind and Muse equal glory inherit. 
 Fairest fame for sweetest song for all Time, 
 Merit rare. 
 
 MEMORANDUM. 1883. 
 
 Omniscience only can comprehend 
 The measure of memory's power. 
 
115 
 
 Its grasp of hints, on infinite wend, 
 
 From eyes and ears destined by dower, 
 Stores all in the mental hold. 
 For reason's terse reflective mould. 
 Its carrying competence to aid, 
 I note good things wise men have said. 
 
 SHAKESPEARE. 
 
 Shakespeare! talisman! great and magic name, 
 Endowed with an intellect worthy of greatest 
 
 fame, 
 Had it been sanctified, seasoned with morality, 
 A boon of blessings to mankind, instead of such 
 
 fatality. 
 
 Some can cull fresh flowers from you, that will 
 
 never wither. 
 Some find brightest diamonds, which you have 
 
 handed hither. 
 Some be satisfied with wit, resplendent in your 
 
 pages. 
 Some will want the wisdom of such immoral 
 
 sages. 
 
ii6 
 
 Booths and Guiteaus, yea, and Dukes, in you do 
 find their cue. 
 
 In treason, treachery and anarchy, assassination 
 too. 
 
 RebelHon, riot, revelry, rise from your foul cess- 
 pools; 
 
 Disorder, death, damnation, you have a feast for 
 fools. 
 
 But hear, O Earth ! and Heavens high, the fittest 
 claim of all; 
 
 Shakespeare's the infidel's bible proclaimed by 
 Ingersol. 
 
 HONEY-BEE. 1884. 
 
 Honey-bee, honey-bee, why do you hum? 
 Laded with sweets from fresh flowers you come: 
 From the green elms you have gathered fresh 
 
 store; 
 Honey-bee, honey-bee, what would you more? 
 
 Honey-bee, honey-bee, why do you sing. 
 Seeking for sweets in the fresh flowery spring, 
 From nature's sweet source? You speed on the 
 
 wing, 
 Humming the warning, beware of my sting. 
 
117 
 
 Busy-bee quiet at work in the flower, 
 Gathering sweet essence of love by the hour, 
 Extract of beauty, the God-given boon, 
 From fresh, dewy-dawn, 'till sun-scorching noon. 
 
 Busy-bee, busy-bee, then comes your toiling, 
 With your legs doubly-waxed, at set-of-sun foil- 
 ing, 
 Humming so happy your joyous refrain, 
 Filling your cells with your sweet golden gain. 
 
 Sealing your sweets in as charming a casket, 
 As its flowery fountain, beauty's small basket; 
 Still you are humming, you wild rapid ranger, 
 Heed me, while need be, I warn all of danger. 
 
 MY MUSE. 1884. 
 
 Sweet enslaver ! dear dictator ! 
 
 Happiest I at your behest ! 
 Give me orders, swift recorder, 
 
 I ! such work to me is rest. 
 
 A Bonaparte or Wellington 
 Never held such potent sway, 
 
 Cleopatra o'er Mark Anton ; 
 Or Semiramis in her day. 
 
ii8 
 
 You will not be wooed by wanton, 
 Wooing, yours in simple right; 
 
 Nor regards the latest bon ton, 
 
 You chose and dictate beauties bright. 
 
 Capricious elf! fickle fawner! 
 
 Should we strive to steal your store, 
 Possession ne'er would prove an honor; 
 
 'Twould be rubbish, nothing more. 
 
 CHARITY. 
 
 Charity; cousin, charity; 
 Essence of all good below 
 That thrills the human heart, 
 Or moves the mind to leniency; 
 Fellow mortals frailty know, 
 From humble human art. 
 
 Guided by the Spirit's power. 
 Safest mentor for the mind 
 In every enterprise. 
 Prudence rears a perfect tower 
 
 Of strength for stumbling mankind; 
 Charity crowns the wise. 
 
119 
 
 Your blessing is not all bestowed : 
 Leaving the poor heart poorer, 
 To bless still poorer soul, 
 By gift the cruse is overflowed. 
 Meal barrel replenished surer, 
 
 By Heaven's richest toll. 1884. 
 
 FISHING. 1883. 
 
 We went a-fishing in my merry May, 
 Flowers and verdure on hill and glen : 
 
 Boreas the meanest prank did play, 
 
 By giving us cold shivers now and then. 
 
 The silvery shad did us deride. 
 
 Sporting through the limpid waters. 
 
 We could not our discomfort hide; 
 
 Shad are shyer than Eve's fair daughters. 
 
 More easily managed, when you hook them. 
 If wayward, you should attempt to crook them. 
 
 Why unpropitious, elements? 
 
 Why, good luck, canst thou desert us? 
 Do we lack the necessary sense ! 
 
 Or would hooking success hurt us? 
 O, for an ulster while fishing to-day 
 
 Even if it is flowery, fragrant May. 
 
I20 
 
 MONOPOLY. 
 
 The vast monopolies of our land, 
 Were nursed into princely power, 
 
 And fostered to wealth with bounties grand 
 By Congress, which shared the dower. 
 
 These servants have betrayed the trust, 
 
 Confided to their zealous care, 
 Their motto, five thousand salary must, 
 
 In ten years make me millionaire. 
 
 Alas ! for the spirit of Washington, 
 
 And heroes of *' seventy-six," 
 Their blood-bought principles trampled on, 
 
 Their memory accounted nix. 
 
 Oh ! Jefferson, Jackson, Webster and Clay, 
 Liberty's bold and true defenders ; 
 
 Haunt these traitors, speed the day 
 Of retribution on privilege vendors. 
 
 Lincoln achieved a world-wide fame. 
 Redeeming by blood, an enslaved race. 
 
 Fifty millions freemen, only in name. 
 
 Their power usurped by millionaires base. 
 
121 
 
 Yeomanry, artisans, laborers hear! 
 
 Risk not the peril of submission longer, 
 This Nation from moneyed tyranny clear, 
 
 By united suffrages, ere your chains grow 
 stronger. 1883. 
 
 D. C. Murray called for a four-stanza poem 
 on the incident of a sparrow building its nest in 
 the stirrup of the McPherson statue, Washington 
 Park. 
 
 The noblest altar man can make 
 
 A sacrifice of self on. 
 Is Country's honor, freemen's rights, 
 
 Deliverance from oppression. 
 
 The richest, truest, bravest blood, 
 
 That animates a person, 
 To sanctify our country's cause, 
 
 Was shed by brave McPherson. 
 
 His deeds of bravery in bronze. 
 
 Are rightly represented. 
 Sweet virtue, simple innocence. 
 
 For safety here convented. 
 9 
 
122 
 
 Feather'd finesse, here file their fi-uit, 
 
 In beauty so benign, 
 Here youth and beauty beam with bliss, 
 
 At fi-eedom's sacred shrine. 
 
 Life's dearest legacy to Time, 
 
 Is an immortal name, 
 God's goodness gives winged-worshipers 
 
 Fidelity to Fame. 
 
 EPITAPH ON THE EFFUSION. 
 
 Inspiration will not transmit by mail, 
 
 Occasion-courted Muse, sits near the scene, 
 
 Duplicate orders by deputy, fail 
 
 To put soul in verse, or tint the groves green. 
 
 1884. 
 
 DANDELION. 1884. 
 
 The pomp and parley at war's inception, 
 
 When extremes clash and clamor for power, 
 
 Gilt and glitter become an infection. 
 Borrowed bravery, the foe to cower. 
 
123 
 
 Sternest service this tinsel will tarnish, 
 
 Cruel carnage will tone down false feeling, 
 
 Hard duty destroys veneer and varnish. 
 
 Rags hide the scars of success while healing 
 
 Spring's advance guard of sentinel soldiers, 
 Are radiant with yellow gold's glitter, 
 
 Of strategic points tenacious holders. 
 Never yields to the foes hardest hitter. 
 
 Dandelion is the bravest beauty, 
 
 And the hardiest in Spring's army-corps, 
 
 Nor waits for reinforcements, for duty 
 Points out perilous persistence the door. 
 
 There is no pompous pride in its glitter, 
 No self-lauding lies of sore endurance, 
 
 Smiling serenely though fate is bitter, 
 Holding the fort with humble assurance. 
 
 With the clanking of king Frost's cruel chains 
 'Mid desolations, by his dreary rule. 
 
 This golden gilt, true harbinger explains 
 The freaks of frost, an old April fool. 
 
124 
 
 After the brunt of the battle is o'er, 
 
 And safety secures fresh beauty so bright, 
 
 Your meek merit lost in vanity's lore, 
 
 Eclipsed by May's most enchanting delight. 
 
 LOVE. 1884. 
 
 O Love ! thou essence of God, 
 With peace sandals thou art shod, 
 Robed with radiant purity 
 Crowning crude obscurity. 
 Messenger of mercy meek. 
 Soul's sweet sympathy to seek. 
 
 Gift of God to mortal worth. 
 Glimpse of heaven given to earth. 
 Let it lead each mortal mind, 
 Revenues of ransom, find, 
 From crimson crime's mad terror. 
 Shows right in strangling error; 
 
 Gives peace in confounding pride; 
 Crowns duty, though sin deride; 
 Hatred sneaks hyena-like. 
 Crouching for a stealthy strike, 
 
125 
 
 Gamboling love with golden ruth, 
 Sustained by the sternest truth, 
 Plucks the venom from the vile : 
 Steers his steps to heaven's stile. 
 
 Hypocrisy may succeed 
 In Judas' garb and greed; 
 But treason's cruelty crowned. 
 By trampling Truth to the ground. 
 Love bursts the bands of disgrace. 
 Spreads shame o'er the traitor's face, 
 Gives to the rebel remorse, 
 Entails a curse on his corse. 
 
 Love blooms with beauty sublime. 
 Nourished by the crypt of crime, 
 Resurrects hope's bleaching bones, 
 Fosters Faith's familiar tones ; 
 Charity, God's favor wins. 
 Hiding a multitude of sins. 
 
 MARY MAGDALEN. 1884. 
 
 Bright innocence, prattling to a fond mother's 
 
 pride. 
 Ready feet, willing hands, with a heart open wide, 
 
126 
 
 Little Mary, the blossom, that made home so 
 
 bright. 
 Her health of true happiness, made her mother's 
 
 heart light. 
 Her eye's witching tenderness, and silken tressed 
 
 head, 
 Were dangerous endearments, while toiling for 
 
 bread. — 
 
 Old Magdala's most merciless sirens of sin. 
 With enchanting enticements, they lured Mary in; 
 They taught her that beauty brought pleasure 
 
 and pelf, 
 And that all life was worth, was enjoyment of self 
 She sank in the swamp of rich passion's lewd 
 
 revels, 
 'Till conscience cojidenined her, to house seven 
 
 devils ; 
 
 W^here fled, fond enjoyment of riches and pleasure. 
 Her sick heart stings with misery's merciless 
 
 measure. 
 The Omniscience Divine hears her penitent 
 
 prayer. 
 And directing her steps unto Simon's house, where 
 
127 
 
 The Master was dining: with her full flood of 
 
 tears, 
 She washed her Savior's feet, weeping away her 
 
 fears ; 
 She carefully wiped dry his dear feet with her 
 
 hair; 
 Kissed them, anointing with precious ointment, 
 
 most rare ; 
 
 When the self-righteous Simon saw this sinner 
 
 so bold, 
 He harbored resentment in his own heart, so cold : 
 To teach him a lesson of love and forgiveness, 
 With less debt of gratitude, love will achieve less : 
 Your less witheld what her great love has given. 
 So out of her life, the seven devils I've driven. 
 Her sick-soul knew her depth of despair and 
 
 distress; 
 Her life to the Master, she would give nothing 
 
 less. — 
 
 O, Grace Divine! 
 
 O, love of mine! 
 What can I render Thee? 
 
 Devotion true. 
 
 All mine for you, 
 Who gave new life to me. 
 
\ 
 
 128 
 
 By night, by day, 
 
 Your weary way, 
 My loving care attend. — 
 
 O, Jesus! come 
 
 To our dear home, 
 Our brother's sickness mend. 
 
 O, sorrow sore! 
 
 Now death's dark door 
 Doth brother Lazarus hide ! 
 
 O, Savior dear! 
 
 " Had you been here. 
 Our brother had not died!" 
 
 O, Sovereign Grace! 
 
 Our brother's face, 
 Restored to us aHve ! 
 
 "That better part," 
 
 With all my heart, 
 I choose and for it strive. — 
 
 With oil His feet, 
 
 While He did eat. 
 Again she washed withal. 
 
 And with her hair, 
 
 She wiped them there, 
 Prepared for burial. — 
 
129 
 
 O, sin-cursed race! 
 
 Your envy base, 
 The Christ hath crucified ! 
 
 O, Earth now quake ! 
 
 O, dead awake! 
 O, Sun your brightness hide ! 
 
 O, darkness dread! 
 
 Our Earth o'erspread ! 
 Remorse rend sinners' hearts ! 
 
 The silent tomb, 
 
 Redemption's womb, 
 Is sealed by sinners' arts. 
 
 Sad Mary seeks, at dawn of day. 
 The tomb her Master laid in. 
 
 She saw the stone was rolled away, 
 Resolved, to render aid, in 
 
 Caring for His sacred relic. 
 But lo! the tomb was empty! 
 
 Seeking for His form angelic; 
 Beheld the gard'ner, — kempty, — 
 
 As she supposed, to grief gave vent. 
 O, tell me! where you've borne him; 
 
130 
 
 Tears and sighs, love and pity blent, 
 She did as Mother mourn him. — 
 
 Why did Mary, once seven deviled, 
 Go to the tomb ere dawn of day? 
 
 While self-righteous some, who reveled 
 Sin-stained souls, in their beds yet lay. 
 
 Mary's pure love for the Master, 
 Led her for earnest love's sake ; 
 
 As light grew, her feet sped faster 
 
 To the tomb, love's tribute she'd take. 
 
 Not in rich robes of high estate, 
 Not in proud and noble ease, 
 
 Like those who shed His blood in hate, 
 But as a gard'ner 'mong his trees ; — 
 
 Honoring industry and toil. 
 
 Disguised as a workman, lowly, 
 
 Mary; — in accent smooth as oil. 
 Disclosed the Savior holy. 
 
 Blissful rapture, ecstatic joy, 
 Was Mary's rich recompense. 
 
 Her happiness without alloy 
 
 With her treasure in Heaven hence. 
 
131 
 MISFORTUNE. 1884. 
 
 *' There is a tide in the affairs of men," 
 Shakespeare, your words are as true now as then, 
 God coins the circumstances most trying. 
 Makes hope, hollow expectation sighing. 
 Doubt, holds one for the stranding shallow's woe. 
 One mounts extremity, as the fleetest doe, 
 And strikes in deep despair, both right and left, 
 'Till success from sad circumstance is cleft. 
 Such energy he ne'er would have evinced 
 In smooth sea; but, on peril's verge ne'er winced. 
 
 Misfortune strikes two men with equal force, 
 Changing life's current from its former course, 
 In recklessness, one drowns his woes in drink, 
 Or, as Jesse James, plays reprisal's prink ; 
 Multiplies misfortune, and crimes to boot; 
 Load his soul with sin and pockets with loot. 
 
 The other's heart is heir to heaven's help, 
 By esteeming vanity's weeds made kelp. 
 To purify future aspirations 
 Crystallizing thought against temptations, 
 Asking guidance in his mortal mission; 
 Grace will grant his fervent pure petition ; 
 Misfortune a better life will unfold; 
 Fruits of a true life, are apples of gold. 1884. 
 
132 
 
 JUDGING. 1884. 
 
 ''Judge not from appearance, but judge righteous 
 
 judgment." 
 God-given instruction mortal man should retent. 
 Precious precept ! How neglected and rusty thou 
 
 art! 
 No respect for your merit in man's selfish heart : 
 He is sure to reverse thee in fashionable life. 
 Favor follows fast, where rich appearances are rife; 
 In morals and religion, the basest hypocrite 
 Often wins the verdict, of those who in judgment 
 
 sit. 
 
 In party politics, appearance takes the prize. 
 Right is an ugly tumor in the politician's eyes. 
 Oft, in law, for gold 'gainst right, appearances 
 
 are coined; 
 So, reversing God's command; their work is 
 
 neatly groined. 
 But righteous judgment will prevail, in our last 
 
 appeal ; 
 Strict Justice will be meted out, under Heaven's 
 
 seal. 
 
133 
 READY vs. TARDY. 1884. 
 
 Leading prospers, while lagging palls ; 
 
 Success sweetens, but goading galls; — 
 
 Ready, gets up at dawn of day, 
 
 Fresh as the dew-drop, on the spray; 
 
 Picks the best pippin, fresh and sweet, 
 
 Bright Ready's most delicious treat. 
 
 But Tardy, cozy in his cot. 
 
 Will not 'wake 'till the sun shines hot. 
 
 Fretful, of innate force bereft. 
 
 Eats the poor pippin which is left. 
 
 Off now go the boys on a run, 
 
 Merry lads, for frolic and fun, 
 
 Over meadows of new-mown hay. 
 
 For the strawberry patch, they say. — 
 
 Pert Ready runs on in advance. 
 
 Yet, each of them has the same chance; 
 
 While Tardy, with half-so-much cheer. 
 
 Is sure to be far in the rear. — 
 
 The best berries are Ready's choice; 
 
 His tongue now's for taste, not for voice. 
 
 When Tardy comes, puffing and blowing, 
 
 Sees Ready's satisfied smile, knowing 
 
 All the best are packed in h.\s patmch; 
 
 So Tardy the green ones may craunch. 
 
134 
 
 Hark ! ting-a-ling-a-ling, the bell ! 
 Dinner! Ready's off, with a yell, 
 Tardy wants a few more berries, 
 Though as sour, as half-ripe cherries. 
 
 Ready's delight's an apple dumpling; 
 His ready wit is always trumping. 
 When Tardy came, the dumpling dish, 
 Was clear and clean, as a fresh fish. 
 So Tardy's dinner, was string-beans 
 Cold, with some fat-flitch and sour greens. 
 
 Come, Tardy! we've no time to rest, 
 Let's away to the Hornet's nest. 
 I've got a club; I'll knock it down, 
 We'll trick the hornets, like a clown. 
 The hornets were at home, that day, 
 Waiting to help the boys at play. 
 
 There comes the boys, they've been here 
 
 before. 
 Says Hornet, darting out of his door, — 
 Ready's gone ! shouting like a cornet. 
 Dab! oh! Tardy's nose caught a hornet. 
 By the tail. Now he's up to time. 
 Equal to Ready, in his prime. 
 
135 
 
 Tardy was active now to win, 
 His tongue and legs, were free as sin, — 
 Enough of play! that hornet's treat 
 Made Tardy's nose, red as a beet. 
 And made him active once for all. 
 Be Ready, boys, when hornets call ! 
 
 SOVEREIGN SONS OF FREEMEN. 1884. 
 
 Sovereign sons of freemen ! will you rally for the 
 
 right? 
 Beneath the Cleveland banner, for honesty we 
 
 fight. 
 We welcome all who worship God at Freedom's 
 
 sacred shine, 
 We're partisans of purity, come cleanse our land 
 
 of crime. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Come, rally with a will, my boys, we're bound to 
 
 win th.Q fight. 
 We'll wave the Cleveland banner. Heaven helps 
 
 the right. 
 We pledge imperiled Liberty, our life's blood, if 
 
 we must. 
 
136 
 
 We'll make Cleveland our President, whom Jioiicst 
 Dioi can trust. 
 
 Come rally for reform, my boys ; majority Cleve- 
 land 
 
 Will guide our good old Ship of State, with a 
 steady hand. 
 
 Credit-Mobiliers, Star-Routers and all corrup- 
 tion's crew, 
 
 Must fall before the forces of the honest, brave 
 and true. 
 
 The Farmer is the fountain of all State prosperity^ 
 Yet he's been bled, to build up cruel monopoly. 
 The poor and honest laborers, get only scanty 
 
 pay, 
 
 While pride parades ill-gotten gold, with pleasure 
 every day. 
 
 Freemen ! you have been oppressed to please 
 monopoly, 
 
 Robbers have been raiding on the people's treas- 
 ury. 
 
 All your labor has been taxed to fatten landed 
 lords, 
 
 Position has been used for pelf, examine the re- 
 cords. 
 
137 
 
 Dear America's sacred soil, was sealed by pa- 
 triot's blood, 
 
 A Heritage for Freemen, hence plunderers shall 
 scud. 
 
 True Reform and Right shall rule; the people 
 shall rejoice 
 
 When Cleveland is made President, by the 
 people's voice. 
 
 GOD IS KING. 1884. 
 
 God is America's King, 
 His praise let freemen sing; 
 When man aspires, 
 Through vain desires, 
 To seize the Helm, 
 Of Freedom's realm, 
 Ambition's aims to sate, 
 And guide the Ship of State. 
 
 God tones the patriot's heart. 
 True courage He imparts. 
 
 When franchise fails 
 
 To find avails, 
 
138 
 
 Against the plea, 
 
 Of tyranny ; 
 The fire of freedom burns, 
 And tyrants overturns. 
 
 Fond peace and relaxation, 
 Restores this happy nation, 
 
 Solicitude, 
 
 With trust imbued; 
 
 Corruption creeps, 
 
 Then boldly leaps. 
 To power and position. 
 And views Right with derision. 
 
 The God of Justice frowns; 
 Anxiety abounds ; 
 
 Reviving right; 
 
 Pure hearts delight. 
 
 True men unite, 
 
 To set things right; 
 Dethrones ambition's lords; 
 For criminals make cords. 
 
 Put honest men in place, 
 To regulate the Race; 
 
139 
 
 Then duty's call 
 
 Obeyed by all ; 
 
 Our homes will bless, 
 
 With happiness. 
 The Union then will be 
 The watchword of the Free. 
 
 TWILIGHT. 1884. 
 
 When soft twilight comes gently stealing, 
 With tranquil, rural ravishment; 
 
 The twinkling, silver stars revealing; 
 Tones turmoil down to soft content. 
 
 The cadences of soft winds sighing, 
 Chords with insect accompaniment, 
 
 Tenor and alto, bass replying, 
 Frolicsome nature finding vent. 
 
 The soul's best time for sympathizing, 
 
 Emotions emulate the scene. 
 Love legacies the enterprising; 
 
 But happy hours intervene. 
 
140 
 
 Wisdom, really few revealing, 
 
 Like Nature's notes which twilight ends, 
 Conclude the council with love's sealing, 
 
 Seek repose, and nature commends. 
 
 BEAUTY. 1884. 
 
 Oh! fickle fair! 
 With golden hair. 
 
 In tresses; 
 Soft peach-down skin, 
 A dimpled chin, 
 And roguish grin. 
 
 Love blesses; 
 
 Cheeks, clear rose-tint. 
 Lips, nectar hint, 
 
 So dainty. 
 Delicious dew, — 
 When true loves woo,- 
 Inspiring too; 
 
 Nor faintly, 
 
 A noble brow, 
 Arched well I trow. 
 
141 
 
 As art could. 
 Soul-seeking eyes, 
 Suppliant sighs, 
 Coldness defies. 
 
 In manhood. 
 
 Magnetic bust, 
 
 That one would trust, 
 
 Well embraced, 
 With circling arm, — 
 Castanet charm, — 
 Without alarm, 
 
 Round her waist. 
 
 O ! trust to nature. 
 For the clear feature, 
 
 To replenish. 
 True, Art may do it. 
 But, when you're through it, 
 You're sure to rue it, 
 
 With vain wish. 
 
142 
 
 MILLIONAIRES. 1884. 
 
 Great wealth is a barnacle, that blights demo- 
 cracy ; — 
 
 Millions with snob feelings and cursed monopoly. 
 
 As it is ne'er acquired in the path of rectitude; 
 
 Fortune ne'er floods its gold upon the honest 
 and the good ; — 
 
 But it is forced from friends, a little here and 
 much more there : 
 
 Necessitous toil must contribute, much more 
 than it can spare. 
 
 Competence must cancel a claim, false friendship 
 
 intrigued. 
 Legal embezzlement, will swell his hoard, by 
 
 being leagued. 
 Connivance gets the Commonwealth into a sad 
 
 pickle; 
 Then will reap two hundred pr. ct. with the 
 
 lawyer's sickle. 
 Then with crimson gold and craft, will buy blind 
 
 legislation : 
 To cut the golden arteries of this democratic 
 
 Nation. 
 
143 
 
 Great wealth is tyranny and monopoly's oppres- 
 sion. 
 
 Which freedom must repulse, ere 'tis beyond 
 repression. 
 
 Better is a monarchy, whose head has kind benig- 
 nance, 
 
 Than money's selfish power, through a corrupt 
 presidence; — 
 
 There is efficient love of Right latent in the 
 masses. 
 
 Beware ! Assumption, beware ! abstain from your 
 trespasses. 
 
 ALBUM VERSE. 
 
 Mary your life's a bursting bud 
 Soon to unfold to sunshine's flood. 
 While your bloom and beauty shine. 
 Seeds will form beneath for time. 
 When bloom is gone, in precious ruth. 
 May it disclose the seeds of truth. 1884. 
 
144 
 POESY. 1884. 
 
 The true poet is a vast repertoire 
 Of florescent and fragrant euphony, 
 With hues of honor, candor and sound sense, 
 Tinted with sarcasm by merciless man, 
 That castigates crime and fashion's foibles : 
 Swayed by sorrow's cyclonic devaster. 
 Glittering with Truth's glorious radiance, 
 Shouting to merry-hearted innocence. 
 Wooing the worth of beauty and virtue. 
 Luxuriating in Love's inspiration. 
 Caressing Charity for its sweet sake. 
 The true poet has Heaven's harmonies, 
 Carameled in Lotus-leaves for pilgrims, 
 To wean from world for happiness of Heaven. 
 
 TEMPTATION. 1884. 
 
 Temptation has charming allurements, 
 
 Promising ecstacy ever. 
 But realization's procurements. 
 
 Satisfies the senses, never. 
 
 See the inanimate icicle. 
 
 Glitter with joy in the sunbeam ! 
 
145 
 
 Lured to death's fiat, die fickle, 
 Weep life away in a gay gleam. 
 
 Yes, there's kindness in temptation, 
 But, it is a kindness that kills. 
 
 The cat gives the mouse an ovation. 
 Then as hash her stomach it fills. 
 
 Fair Eve the golden russet relished. 
 But soon it soured on her soul, 
 
 Stamping her posterity hellished. 
 Of bitter woe to drain the bowl. 
 
 Sin's illusions would fain strangle faith, 
 With dazzling, charming wickedness, 
 
 Yet in man, is an immortal braith. 
 Temptation may brighten and bless. 
 
 SCIENCE. 
 
 "Survival of the fittest" is a false theory. 
 Reversing facts in nature. It is the devil's plea. 
 Fostering care and culture, takes a wild and 
 
 worthless grain. 
 Or seed of fruit, or flower of wild growth on the 
 
 plain. 
 
146 
 
 And changes its character, for one of greatest 
 
 merit; 
 A source of wealth, to whom its revenues inherit. 
 Deprived of care and culture, it propagates its 
 
 kind; 
 Degenerates to worthlessness, very soon you'll 
 
 find. 
 Science and sound sense, will take an animal, 
 
 wild. 
 Horse or hog, cow or sheep, as profitless as a 
 
 child; 
 By careful breeding will produce perfections 
 
 greatest worth. 
 Without this it soon declines to be of value dearth. 
 Man, by seeking Heaven's science, and the grace 
 
 of God, 
 Soon attains an eminence, deserving human laud. 
 
 1884. 
 
 The leprous party leader is just right, while he's 
 
 the winner. 
 The leader on the other side, though saint, is 
 
 vilest sinner. 
 Such is party politics, on free America's soil; 
 When principles are forgotten and fiercest passions 
 
 boil. 1884. 
 
147 
 
 Possession's insolicitude, will not lock the stable 
 
 door; 
 For horse and thief will hunt for weeks and 
 
 spend his price, or more : 
 Blessings enjoyed, has worth, well known, 
 Their greatest worth appears when flown. 1884. 
 
 WOMAN. 1884. 
 
 The fair, unsullied, female form, divine, 
 Will make man's eyes with admiration shine, 
 Embellished with becoming dress and grace. 
 True modesty and merit, mense her face, 
 Moral sense and sympathy, light her eyes, 
 For manly heart, she's earth's holiest prize. 
 
 Fashion's foibles only blurs such beauty, 
 Man's soul ne'er sighs for butterfly duty. 
 Each feather and flounce, are hints of folly. 
 Becoming so well, the buffoon jolly. 
 A trinket thatched, feminal vanity, 
 Does oft produce fruit, called profanity. 
 Butterfly beauty, is not worth wooing, 
 
 Though the price be princely pleasure and fun, 
 The true woman's heart is worth the sueing, 
 
 Though the pearl's by perilous venture won. 
 
48 
 
 THE GOOD GONE. 1884. 
 
 Why are the most useful and best, 
 Called from turmoils of Time, to rest? 
 While useless ones are left below, 
 Caring not how sin's streams may flow. 
 
 The spirit voice of the dear dead, 
 Puts better thoughts in some bad head, 
 That from the living would not heed, 
 But scorns the Christian and his creed. 
 
 The wicked gone, are soon forgotten ; 
 God says, their memory will soon be rotten; 
 The good shall write their names above; 
 God's ransomed by redeeming Love. 
 
 MERCY. 1884. 
 
 When the vilest sinner proves sincerely penitent, 
 Mercy ever intercedes, that Justice may relent. 
 
149 
 
 MEEKNESS. 1884. 
 
 There's a great deal of good in the world, my 
 boy, 
 
 But it is so meek and submissive; 
 Swagg'ring Si7t, with its banner unfurled, my boy. 
 
 In action, is bold and aggressive. 
 
 We are taught by the meek Nazarene, my boy, 
 
 Non-resistance in carnal strife; 
 It will pacify powerful spleen, my boy. 
 
 Make conscience the plague of sin's life. 
 
 POSSESSION. 1884. 
 
 Possesion's insolicitude 
 
 For a treasure golden 
 In security, oft seems rude; 
 
 Tyrant traits embolden, 
 Mere caprice or whim to enforce, 
 
 On avowed treasure. 
 Entirely wrapt up, of course, 
 
 In a present pleasure ; 
 Reflection comes, when treasure's flown. 
 
 Its worth to discover; 
 Cold inappreciation shown, 
 
 Lament, selfish lover. 
 
ISO 
 
 COMPETENCE. 1884. 
 
 A competence of worldly wealth, 
 
 Is toil's truest recompense. 
 For industry insures good health, 
 
 Stores the mind with soundest sense, 
 Each fancied want supplied with gold, 
 Creates wants greater, manifold. 
 
 SOUL AND SENSE. 1884. 
 
 The person whose life is all joy, 
 
 Whose bark glides smoothly through life, 
 Is a drone or a trifling toy, 
 
 Useless where reason is rife. 
 
 Where there's naught but selfish emotions. 
 
 Prompting to personal actions, 
 His pleas are all poisonous potions, 
 
 He ever fawns before factions. 
 
 He whose soul is seasoned with sorrow. 
 Whose joy is gathered from grief, 
 
 Who prudence from peril will borrow. 
 For all pain, prays for relief 
 
151 
 
 His life is a blessing to all, 
 His words of counsel are wise, 
 
 His help, where friend or foe, doth fall. 
 Is Charity's enterprise. 
 
 LIFE. 1884. 
 
 Be melancholy when you must. 
 Be merry when ere you may, 
 
 For soon you will return to dust. 
 Unto God in each mood pray. 
 
 The longest human life soon ends. 
 The shortest assures much pain. 
 
 The purest much sorrow attends. 
 The pleasures of each are vain. 
 
 And well it is, for man inclines 
 To mask in mundane pleasure, 
 
 'Till pain his pleasure interlines. 
 Then longs for lasting treasure. 
 
152 
 
 PLUCK. 1884. 
 The man who never meets rebuff from friend or 
 
 fellow-man, 
 Nor tussles with trouble, nor sallies against 
 
 Satan's plan, 
 Nor dares the de'il in defending right, has no 
 
 capacity 
 Of mind or soul. He is fruitless, innocent suavity. 
 
 THE BRIDE. 1884. 
 
 In her boudoir, see that beautiful bride! 
 
 Environments downy and gay, 
 She pivots occasion with happiest pride, 
 
 Devotion, 'tis pleasure to pay. 
 
 Care, all corroding, aside is now laid. 
 Her eyes beam with merriest sprite. 
 
 Fringed pearls on the petals of heartsease arrayed, 
 Arranged by the dew of delight. 
 
 In the elegance of expensive art, — 
 She hesitates, seeming to shrink; — 
 
 Sweet maiden allurements of life! must we part? 
 Bewildered, lingering on the brink. 
 
153 
 
 Happy expectancy, drest in duress, 
 
 She launches the bark, cheer and charm. 
 
 Embarrassment shown in a shade of distress, 
 Will beauty enhance without harm. 
 
 Please her heart with hope's realization, 
 Consummates human happiness : — 
 
 Pierce with disappointment's pang, love's negation, 
 She droops to death, or lives an ogress. 
 
 SUN. 1884. 
 
 Summer's sun is restless, 
 
 'Twill not stay long abed, 
 Minus coat and vestless, 
 
 Is early overhead, 
 And loiters by the way. 
 
 But keeps the fires up, 
 Until refulgent ray, 
 
 With trenchant, teasel tup 
 Drives animated life, 
 
 Away, to find relief; 
 And cease from further strife. 
 
 Admitting native neif 
 
154 
 
 Winter's sun's so lazy, 
 
 It sleeps full half the day, 
 Then it looks so hazy, 
 
 Cold shivers on you play. 
 It won't stay up, alas ! 
 
 Its face, the frost makes red; — 
 Afraid of Boreas 
 
 It hurries off to bed. 
 Man, to meet cold's rigor, 
 
 Secures the sheep's warm coat, 
 In vain, mankind's vigor, 
 
 On devil's due will dote. 
 
 THE OBELISK. 1883. 
 
 They call you Cleopatra's needle. 
 
 Some may be duped, perchance, not all 
 By such a bald, presumptuous wheedle; — 
 
 You are love-sick Mark Anthony's awl. 
 
 'Mid the storms of centuries, bravely 
 It stood, the glory of the land. 
 
 Gone ! glory and honor, it naively 
 In shame stretched itself on the sand. 
 
155 
 
 The Khedive his rich realm reducing, 
 To balance his own empty pate, 
 
 O'er the Ocean on a felucing, 
 
 Sent the Needle to New York State. 
 
 When Moses, in his school-boy days, 
 A prince, took plebian recreation; 
 
 He learned your mythic, mystic lays, 
 Thence taught tyranny reformation. 
 
 INTEMPERANCE. 
 
 Wine should be used, 
 
 But ne'er abused. 
 
 Abused it is the secret spring, 
 
 By which the doors of prisons swing. 
 
 It is the cruel cause of crime. 
 
 Murderer's fatal pistol's prime; — 
 
 Speeds the siren's wanton woe, 
 
 Reason's rankest, fanatic foe; — 
 
 Feeds the fountain of tears that streak. 
 
 And sallow the erst-while rosy cheek; — 
 
 Steals the milk from mother's breast; — 
 
 The crying child it robs of rest; — 
 
 Brings hoar hairs to sorrow's tomb; 
 
 Drives the drunkard to his doom. 1883 
 
156 
 
 STERNE. 1883. 
 
 Some of Sterne's brief sentences, 
 Bristle with suggestions sly, 
 
 Hints of natural sequences, 
 
 The wary catch, with face awry. 
 
 His philosophy amusing is. 
 
 His humor entertaining. 
 The style is Sterne's and only his. 
 
 From fun there's no restraining. 
 
 Take Tristram Shandy in your hand. 
 
 The blues will on excursion go ; 
 'Twill wake the mind within the man, 
 
 'Twill agitate a thought, or so. 
 
 Give Sterne, a lady's hair-pin, 
 
 As a subject for his pen, 
 A volume rare, with tints of sin, 
 
 Would flow from fancy's ken. 
 
 ACROSTIC— MY NIECE. 1884. 
 
 Short but sure, little but pure grit. 
 In your mush-bowl 'twont do to spit, 
 
157 
 
 Nor on your pet spring-bonnet sit; 
 In your small head, there is good wit, 
 Enough of sense to season it. 
 
 Just keep on your true and tried pony, 
 As the fight road in spots, is stony, 
 Nab the rein truth, plain, not too toney, 
 Even love, the never-fail crony. 
 
 Command your cares, your troubles too, 
 And while you live, plain duty do, 
 Resist enticements of sweet sin, 
 Rebuke the devil and all his kin; 
 On God's great grace, always depend, . 
 Let Jesus be your trusted friend. 
 Love divine will crown your end. 
 
 DISCORD. 1884. 
 
 An end of vast importance, is sought to be attained; 
 That good may be established and error's course 
 
 arraigned : — 
 A body of officials, or interested men 
 Concur in vigorous action, wherefore, where and 
 
 when. 
 
158 
 
 But lo ! as soon as effort is earnestly engaged, 
 
 Some bigot at the action, is sure to be enraged. 
 
 His mind can see no merit, in any work of man, 
 
 Ignoring some tradition, in perfecting the plan. 
 
 Another will have rules the opposite for action. 
 
 Very soon all concord gives place to fiercest fac- 
 tion; 
 
 The end to be accomplished, gives less anxiety, 
 now. 
 
 Than plan of the procedure, and who should 
 shape the prow ; 
 
 Until tormenting tangle envelopes the affair; — 
 
 While energetic error goes on to do, and dare. 
 
 A hero for the right, must rise with success for 
 his chart: 
 
 And with the sword of Truth and stern Justice 
 for his dart; — 
 
 Like Luther in religion, or Lincoln in the state; 
 
 Frown on forms and precedents and follow Hea- 
 ven's fate. 
 
 He makes the end, once attained, to justify the act, 
 
 Which, crowned with success, leaves the enemy's 
 stronghold sacked. 
 
 God ordained order, as heaven's first law : — 
 Often disorder alone will procure it 
 
159 
 
 From carnal condition oi forms eclat; 
 
 Permanent peace succeeds war to ensure it. 
 The hero of order ^ justice and right 
 
 A lover of rules^ yet cuts his way through them, 
 To reach the victory, clearly in sight; 
 
 Triumph tenders him the right to renew them. 
 
 BIGOTRY. 1884. 
 
 Many christian people think, the spirit's grace 
 and power 
 
 Must come through certain channels, or 'tis ficti- 
 tious dower. 
 
 No good can came from other than their special 
 Nazareth. 
 
 And any other virtue, is mere delusion's breath; 
 
 The charity of one creed, in another creed's pure 
 grace 
 
 Sees, indelibly imprinted, fraud upon its face. 
 
 Such sentiments are too ranting among religious 
 men. 
 
 In spite of reason or sense or of God's grace, I ken. 
 
 Paul was a proud Pharisee and hated Jesus' name ; 
 
 The Holy Spirit humbled him, then gave him 
 Christian fame : 
 
i6o 
 
 A chosen, "holy vessel," to help the Master's 
 
 cause, 
 And teach the fallen, human race, the truth of 
 
 Heaven's laws. 
 Matthew, a poor publican, despised among the 
 
 Jews ; 
 At Jesus' call, his business all to leave did not 
 
 refuse. 
 Peter, was poverty, catching fish; left his nets, 
 
 when 
 The Master called, he was made by grace, mercy 
 
 catching men. 
 The Grace of God got down into the lowest haunts 
 
 of men. 
 For a true example of ruth, devoted Magdalen. 
 The real, zealous christian, has charity for all; 
 (As fallacies of creed, was caused by Adam's Fall.) 
 Whose hope is anchored honestly, by grace of 
 
 God above; 
 On the everlasting Rock, of Christ's Redeeming 
 
 Love. 
 
i6i 
 
 WAR COMRADES. 1884. 
 
 There is a life-linked liaison, 
 
 Between the souls of men 
 Who faced the foe, 'mid peril's throng. 
 
 Through blood or prison pen. 
 
 This war-bred bond of fellowship, 
 
 Gold warp and silver woof. 
 Will not be severed by death's grip, 
 
 But brightens with Time's proof. 
 
 We ruminate, as years roll on; 
 
 The debt we owe to Time 
 Is canceled by each comrade gone, 
 
 To rest in peace's clime. 
 
 DUTY. 1884. 
 
 Each day of your life 
 Regardless of strife. 
 With patience and ruth 
 Plant the seeds of truth ; 
 With the hands of duty, 
 On the banks of beauty; 
 Your Spring of delight. 
 All blossoms so bright. 
 
l62 
 
 Your Summer's fair fruit, 
 Your relish will suit. 
 Your Spring of good cheer 
 Will last all the year. 
 Your Summer of joy, 
 All your life will employ. 
 Your name in God's tome. 
 Heaven your sweet Home. 
 
 AUNT ANNA REED'S 92D BIRTHDAY. 
 
 1884. 
 
 This tribute of friendship to gray heads is due, 
 Whose souls are awaiting the name that is new. 
 Eighty-seven and ninety-two years, arm-in-arm : — 
 Sixty-five years in wedlock, you found the true 
 
 charm. 
 Not a fortnight of continuous separation. 
 Disturbed your domestic, religious relation. 
 Five fondlings your Master took home in His 
 
 Love, 
 To seal your affections in Heaven above. 
 Three were left to comfort and solace old age. 
 Four generations, under the home-roof, engage 
 
i63 
 
 Your ardent affection and most devout prayer; 
 
 That all may be shielded from sin's dazzling glare ; 
 
 To follow your example, so noble and true, 
 
 By loving the Master and each other too. 
 
 Dear Uncle and Aunt, may your "winter of dis- 
 content," 
 
 Be cheered and sustained by God's love to you 
 sent : — 
 
 While patiently waiting the summons to rest. 
 
 O, may we all meet in the Home of the blest. 
 
 INJUSTICE. 1884. 
 
 Selfish persons considered it folly in me. 
 When I attempted to avert calamity. 
 My methods, unusual, were simple and right, 
 And Justice, by them, could have been meted 
 
 with might. 
 Truth vindicated and domestic disgrace, 
 Denied itching ears of prurient and base. 
 But legal acumen, for fame and for fee, 
 V\!'\\h forms and delusive technicality, 
 Would rob reputation of all life is worth. 
 And drive the defamed from home-roof and 
 
 hearth. 
 
164 
 
 Selfish hearts that never felt the fear of God, 
 And some in Saint's livery would loudly ap- 
 plaud : — 
 Because I could see the end from beginning, 
 And tried to act sense — conceit thought it sinning. 
 My hands tied, I was tortured by blind bigotry, 
 That misconstrued wisdom into wild lunacy, 
 Condoning the crime they were called to consider. 
 People tramp on Truth, if sweet vice is the bidder. 
 Virtue and honor, some think, always need watch- 
 ing. 
 Treachery trips truth, then use venom in scotch- 
 ing. 
 But if bleeding truth rises up in resistance, 
 Calumny cruel, is plied with persistence. 
 It will not permit friends oi rig J it in the masses. 
 To see through other than prejudiced glasses. 
 Short-sighted ones, v/ith a mere modicum of sense, 
 Will meddle in matters of great consequence. 
 Law's formal old coach, with its wheels clogged 
 
 with the mud 
 Of precedents; lank leeches, thirsting for the 
 
 blood 
 Of Justice. Technicalities flood the court, 
 Smothering the spirit of Justice in her fort. 
 
i65 
 
 Swift Justice ne'er can smile and hold up her head, 
 'Till one-half the lawyers are eternally dead ; 
 T'other half converted and granted a pension. 
 And honorable old Wisdom, sits the Bench on; 
 King Solomon did not ponder o'er precedents, 
 Nor con technicalities with great credence; 
 Nor command each claimant to give some private 
 
 mark, 
 On their babies that had got exchanged in the 
 
 dark. 
 Or call some experts, who could cleverly trace 
 Resemblance of mother in each baby's face. 
 Discarding old ruts, that reason would hamper. 
 Where infamous envy, with truth might tamper. 
 For wisdom is simple and any true mother 
 Would save her child's life, to be claimed by 
 
 another. 
 Our lawyers would have labored a score of 
 
 years, on 
 This puzzling case, so simple to King Solomon. 
 Instance, the case of Dukes, who killed Captain 
 
 Nutt, 
 After defaming his daughter with slime and smut. 
 Was Justice respected by swift retribution? 
 No ! crime was commiserated by legal collusion. 
 
i66 
 
 Outraged Justice, demanding expiation, 
 
 Put the penal pistol in the hands of Nutt's son. 
 
 In this necessitous crime, whatever was wrong, 
 
 Will to the legal acqiiitters of Dukes belong. 
 
 Distracted young Nutt puts law's dishonored 
 garb on. 
 
 Justice asks confession and a plea for pardon; 
 
 Wisdom answers yea; and claims justification. 
 
 Power would send pardon in swift emulation; 
 
 '^wt formal cupidity comes to the front; 
 
 Sound sense must surrender to bigotry, blunt. 
 
 The youthful avenger, must languish in a cell, 
 
 For doing what honest hearts, felt he did well. 
 
 Anxiety and anguish must blanch the bereaved, 
 
 For many weary weeks ; who might now be re- 
 lieved. 
 
 Days after days of exasperating trial, 
 
 To prove what all knew, would admit no denial. 
 
 Wisdom's way would have vindicated law, as well ; 
 
 Vain formality, would sound sweet Charity's 
 knell, 
 
 To his own exultation, in earning a fee; 
 
 Steeped in the true heart's blood, of frail hu- 
 manity : 
 
 And to earn public plaudits, for eloquence rare, 
 
 In mistifying each plain fact, in the affair. 
 
i67 
 
 [continued.] 
 Is strict honesty in all things, astray in this 
 
 world? 
 To be dogged ? An intruder, at which missiles 
 
 are hurled? 
 Only cared for, when avarice sees in it profit : — 
 For naught but its own sake, lost honesty might 
 
 rough it. 
 It can only get aid from the powers controlling, 
 By yielding its revenues, to their heart's con- 
 soling. 
 But honesty cannot loan its revenues to wrong : 
 Not for the aid of allied majority, strong. 
 So malice combines every element, to oppose ; 
 And all must see honesty, through the lens of 
 
 her foes. 
 And her life's blood, must cry unto God, from 
 
 the ground; 
 'Till Justice, with confusion the traitors confound. 
 When God's judgment 'gainst evil, is not sent 
 
 speedily, 
 Man mocks and feeds evil desire, most greedily. 
 But they^^^is sure, that the judgment on wrong, 
 Will find execution, though it may tarry long. 
 
i68 
 
 [continued.] 
 If Integrity, sore vexed, but dares dissect a cheat, 
 Or rend the robe of radiance that covers up deceit, 
 With the right hand of Honor and impartial blade 
 
 of Truth, 
 Impelled by purest motives and God-giving right, 
 
 forsooth ; 
 Wherever he may find one of its multifarious 
 
 features, 
 Palavering for promotion, through the credence 
 
 of its creatures ; 
 Inveterate hatred persecutes and hastes to hunt 
 
 him down, 
 As a dangerous demagogue, or crazy, slandering 
 
 clown ; 
 Without a friend with fortitude 'mong all the 
 
 ranks of men, 
 To shield assailed Integrity, from rank perver- 
 sion's pen. 
 But let assimtcd integrity , put on sectarian harness; 
 Or pomp of party-politics, with a zeal far less 
 Virtuous, hurl sarcastic slanders at an honored 
 
 foe ; — 
 For such partisan presumption, as he but lacks 
 chance to show 
 
169 
 
 Himself; his ilk at once array themselves in his 
 
 defence. 
 Party is sacred as it offers personal preference. 
 Striking for the right alone, in this self-seeking age, 
 Will scarce elicit interest, for the perusal of a 
 
 page. 1884. 
 
 BRANDY GIFT. 1884. 
 
 Friends Terrence and Andy ! 
 Your peerless, peach brandy, 
 One could quaff with delight, 
 From the morn until night. 
 The sweet soul of liquor, 
 That dares one to dicker 
 
 His ideas of true temperance: — 
 Oh ! don't say you see it, 
 In these lines, the fee it 
 Paid for this production. 
 No, no ! Its instruction 
 Would merit more favor ; 
 Of more sense would savor, 
 
 I sigh for its sad decedence. 
 
 12 
 
170 
 
 A TEXT. 1883. 
 One essential for Christians is Faith. 
 So the blessed word of God saith. 
 But unto faith, you must always add virtue, 
 Which means to be brave, courageous and true. 
 
 Knowledge is next in this work of addition, 
 Which can be retained but by constant accretion, 
 Temperate proclivities and godly desire, 
 In brotherly love never tire, never tire. 
 
 Then we have Charity, the capsheaf of all. 
 
 The greatest and best trait in man, since the fall. 
 
 My friends, let us take this whole text as our 
 
 guide; 
 We'll always be happy and in glory abide. 
 
 MAXIMS. 1884. 
 
 Violence is the phoenix force that may revive a 
 
 wrong. 
 And heresy may bloom beneath persecution 
 
 strong. 
 
 Mob morality in the suppression of crime, 
 Oft elicits for it compassion for a time. 
 
171 
 
 Moral necessity oft is the cloak, concealing 
 
 motives of plunder; 
 Which politicians plead, and oft make good men 
 
 blunder. 
 
 'Tis better to be a martyr in defence of the truth, 
 Than to wear the golden crown of dishonor, for- 
 sooth. 
 
 Play plainest Truth, though unadorned. 
 Ride Reason, duty's round though scorned. 
 
 He lives longest and most. 
 Who of thinking best, can boast; — 
 Whose feelings are the noblest fact. 
 Whose whole life is a righteous act. 
 
 Yes, although it tarry long. 
 Payment must be made for wrong. 
 
 Who sow their passions by the way, 
 Sore peril will they reap some day. 
 
 Pure, earnest, heartfelt prayer, 
 Will secure petition fair. 
 
1/2 
 
 ANGELS. 1884. 
 
 Ministering angels hover near me, 
 
 During trouble's trials, cheer me. 
 
 Weed vain thoughts out of my vole, 
 
 By sweetest converse with my soul. 
 
 There is happiness in right, 
 
 Greater than Earth's crowns of might. 
 
 Faith's assurance strengthens me; 
 
 I shall not forsaken be. 1884. 
 
 WET DAY. 1 86 1. 
 
 The little hills and large ones too 
 Have issued fog the whole day through, 
 And in return, the clouds above 
 Did show their sympathy and love, 
 By pouring forth with gentle hand, 
 Copious showers on our land. 
 
 Why, oh ! who can tell me why ! 
 
 The heart oft heaves with sadness, 
 Why, the 'scaping, tell-tale sigh ! 
 
 'Mid merry groups of gladness. 
 
173 
 
 My heart is sad ! my heart is sad ! 
 But, soothing balm to make it glad. 
 
 Is given. 
 There is a being to be found, 
 Possessing power to heal the wound, 
 
 In Heaven. 
 
 O ! when will war be at an end ; 
 
 Most High ! I pray Thee peace to send. 
 
 LOVE'S LEGATO. 1884. 
 
 When Cupid finds pert precocity. 
 He will have fun, the witty wag, 
 
 Tickling the vain with verbosity, — 
 Then frenzy, then a phantom gag. 
 
 Of all the nymphs that twenty charmed. 
 There was one, sweet, innocent sixteen, 
 
 Cupid a fairer face ne'er farmed, 
 
 Labeled with blushes, love's victorine. 
 
 'Twas at the church, on Sabbath morn. 
 When no vain prudishness did pother. 
 
 Our eyes did meet, true love was born; 
 She rode horseback, behind her father. 
 
174 
 
 Each glance was furtive, love was young, 
 Eager eyes sent silent love ditties, 
 
 Sly Cupid in our hearts them sung. 
 No sacred place can trill his pities. 
 
 Cupid did most effective work, — 
 
 For years, no word of love was spoken. 
 
 The doubt, in each heart oft did lurk. 
 
 At length came bliss from love's pure token' 
 
 Why runs true love so labyrinthine? 
 
 Who can solve the problem so mazy? 
 Cupid, could give love some good hints in 
 
 Her heart-perplexing course, so hazy. 
 
 Bashfulness my desires did fetter. 
 Yet, I managed to write to Mollie, 
 
 Lo ! her nymph namesake got the letter, 
 I, got a lesson for love's folly. 
 
 Years roll on, I write her again, 
 
 The letter was laid on a desk. 
 And forgot by her brother, when 
 
 It dropped in a crack, for a pesk. 
 
 Hope and fear in each heart was blended, 
 Love, famished and flickered anon. 
 
175 
 
 Now, the mistake was almost mended, 
 Now, the lustre of love was gone. 
 
 A friend, our feelings not perceiving, 
 
 Was mashed on sight of my dear duckie; 
 
 Risking true love, to fate's retrieving, 
 I assent, his usher, unlucky. 
 
 The fates be praised! he was rejected. 
 And I was faithful to my friend, 
 
 Cupid still kept our hearts protected, 
 'Till love's propitious events blend. 
 
 Four years pass, of perilous war, 
 I was in tent, bivouac and fight. 
 
 Peace ruled again Rebellion's thor; 
 Probation is past, we unite. 
 
 Eight years of happiness was ours, 
 Love's lease of prosperity's lever; 
 
 Death's angel prevails with his powers, 
 The links of love and life, to sever. 
 
76 
 
 INDIAN SUMMER. 1884. 
 
 Melpomene trills the air with melancholy story, 
 
 She presides with placid mien, o'er mellow Au- 
 tumn's glory: 
 
 Dissolves but to diffuse the clouds, to make the 
 welkin hazy; 
 
 She would usurp the sway of Sol, and mop his 
 pathway mazy. 
 
 With frosted fronds of melrose white, she strews 
 the earth each morning. 
 
 Lo! sparkling splendor, crystalline, fair nature's 
 face adorning, — 
 
 How charming sunset's fiery sheen, as he goes 
 down serenely. 
 
 How glorious, full moon comes up, with counte- 
 nance so queenly. 
 
 See laccine hued, sear forest leaves, how they 
 flutter falling, — 
 
 Ere life's lease tremor startles you, be sure you've 
 crowned your calling. 
 
177 
 
 AMBITION. 1884. 
 
 Ambition poison'd brilliant mind, 
 Courting corruption, power to find, 
 Prostituting honor's position, 
 And power, to pockets repletion. 
 Freemen's fi-anchise, in choice of rulers, 
 Bought with coin, by criminal doolers; 
 When men by gods, to downfall doomed, 
 They race round like a mad knight plumed. 
 Hark ! reason and reform, resonant. 
 For leal in the White House reponant, 
 A reign of Brutus and of bluster. 
 Shall not the realm of freedom fluster. 
 Ambition may a lesson learn, 
 Integrity will honor earn 
 When honest freemen see, alert, 
 Monopoly, is malapert. 
 
 Nature's work is as superior to Art's, 
 As the Creator is to the creature. 
 
 Imitative faculty by mind's charts. 
 
 Is the perfection of nature's feature. 1884. 
 
178 
 
 LAWS. 1884. 
 I'm a strict and faithful constructionist 
 Of rules, by which society subsist. 
 Fidelity to law, its oaths and trust, 
 Gives expression in the life of the just. 
 A wholesome law is made some good to fence, 
 With delusive sentence of double sense. 
 Depravity disregards legal fetter, 
 Legal evasion makes it a dead letter; — 
 Evasion of law's a popular rule. 
 Regard law sacred, you're counted a fool; 
 The greatest peril to popular freedom, 
 Is nullifying law with wild will's besom. 
 *'Law was not made for a righteous man," 
 Yet his rule of life, conforms with its ban. 
 The vicious and vile, for whom it was made 
 By cunning and craft, will its claims evade. 
 Some who profess to be law-biding men. 
 For gain, will spread its wax to suit their wen. 
 Lawyers, to Nemesis, will bend their knee ; 
 Twisting law, clear a culprit, for his fee. 
 Such clearing of culprits causes more crime, 
 Such lawyers'll clients for these, God's time. 
 We need fewer laws, better executed ; 
 Faithfulness on the part of those deputed. 
 
179 
 
 A dead letter law on our statute books, 
 Shows civilization's disgraceful crooks. 
 Philanthropists who are most needed now, 
 Are teachers of reverence for law, I trow. 
 As reverence for law, is the sure foundation 
 Of freedom and equity, in this nation. 
 We cannot enact pure morals, in men. 
 Nor grow moral fruit, on immoral fen; 
 Man's heart must be cultured, all learn to laud, 
 The nation exalting rich grace of God. 
 
 HAPPINESS. 1884. 
 Happiness here is never complete. 
 
 There's always a shadow to mar, — 
 Anticipation has a rich treat. 
 
 Enjoyment will quote below par. 
 
 Forecasting clouds, oft fret expectancy, 
 Hope will dicker for doubt's blind nag, 
 
 'Twixt faith and fortune, creeps discrepancy, 
 The cuisine proves a conscience gag. 
 
 See that crowd of bright, innocent boys! 
 
 With gladness glowing in each feature, 
 As they plan some sport for special joys, 
 
 As eloquent as H. Ward Beecher. 
 
i8o 
 
 Eyes sparkling joys, a little too previous, 
 Impulse will not wait for next week. 
 
 Lost patience makes them pout and mischevious, 
 Fraying time with some fractious freak. 
 
 When anxiety its joys attain, 
 
 Impulse ignores propriety's laws, 
 The thorn that will prick and give much pain, 
 
 Is hidden 'mong vanity's haws. 
 
 See those sweet, ruddy, gossiping girls. 
 The halo of hope crowns each head. 
 
 Modesty's mantle, fondly them furls, — 
 On carnation flowers they've fed. 
 
 Yet shadows dance on their faultless features, 
 At thought of an ornament lacking, 
 
 Each sighs to eclipse other sweet creatures, 
 Happiest, after conquest, quacking. 
 
 FATE. 1884. 
 
 Mystery has marked my course. 
 From the cradle until now, 
 
 Conscience felt impellent force. 
 Faithful to my versant vow. 
 
ISI 
 
 Oft had I my plans mapped out, 
 
 Barriers would intervene, 
 Changing chart, I set about. 
 
 Printing success in type sheen. 
 
 Friends would take a selfish view, 
 From their standpoint, never mine; 
 
 Censure, as they misconstrue, — 
 Work or wait, will win a whine. 
 
 If my act will please one friend, 
 
 It may give another pain, 
 Honest motives, Heaven defend. 
 
 From the vantage of the vain. 
 
 Oft the acts I had intended, 
 
 Heaven's events override, 
 On such events, acts depended 
 
 Grace of God, I make my guide. 
 
 WIT. 1884. 
 
 A glitt'ring grain of wit, 
 
 Express'd in sentence simple, 
 Will give electric fit. 
 
 Decorum's face will dimple. 
 
l82 
 
 To gild such grain of wit, 
 Con and hammer for credit, 
 
 The fool's cap will you fit, — 
 Less lustre more you spread it. 
 
 REFORM. 1884. 
 
 The sun of reform for freemen now rising, 
 Cheering the hope of honest yeoman's prising, 
 Shadows of sable corruption retreating, 
 Dreading the forces that caused their defeating. 
 The clouds of abuse now show silver lining. 
 Reflecting the light of honesty shining. 
 The horde of hungry Democrats, from fasting. 
 Are honest now, I hope it may be lasting. 
 If they forsake the gods of hojiest rulmg^ 
 And with the gods oi mammon go to fool'mg, 
 Brave freemen will quench their altar fires burning; 
 The ''rascals oiiV they'll be engaged in turning. 
 Empires, not Republics, keep one class ruling, 
 Where honest men may pine and die, with puling. 
 The Union saved by blood of patriots vying. 
 Their Heritage made sacred, by blood buying; 
 Committing it to loyal honor, trusting. 
 It will not be tarnished by treason's lusting. 
 
i83 
 
 HOME. 1884. 
 Home! civilization's birthright ! 
 
 The dearest acre of God's earth ! 
 Where light first dawned upon the sight, 
 
 Ever tickles memory's mirth. 
 
 Adolescence must choose new home, 
 Which gains enchantment for the heart, 
 
 Trills the memory when you roam. 
 The dearest dot on Nature's chart. 
 
 Home! nursery of humanity ! 
 
 Morality's mentor here reigns; 
 The cloister of Christianity, 
 
 True valor and virtue, here trains. 
 
 The life and peace of purest love, 
 Are nurtured in a christian home. 
 
 Refreshed with dew from Heaven above. 
 Sweet mercies come from Heaven's dome. 
 
 GRACE AND GUILT. 1884. 
 The best, the bravest and truest men. 
 
 That ever have lived on the earth, 
 Were guilty of greatest crimes, but then, 
 
 They^?ze/;^^</it,and passed through God's scarce. 
 
1 84 
 
 This smsc of their inherent weakness, 
 Was the silver woof oi t\\Q\Y worth. 
 
 Gold warp of God's grace, giving meekness, 
 To the web of their life on earth. 
 
 Christians who claim orthodox profession. 
 As the ground of their hope and merit. 
 
 Are much in need of Christ's intercession, 
 Else, Heaven they cannot inherit. 
 
 When you hear a fault reproved, with courtesy 
 
 and grace. 
 Help conscience search and purge it out, while 
 
 there's left a trace. 
 
 MY PLEA. 
 
 That I am peculiar, most men will admit. 
 The crazy-cap made for me seemed well to fit. 
 And I must still wear it all kinds of weather; 
 To climax condition, should put up a feather. 
 Conscious of rectitude, that time might reveal. 
 If opinion, concurrent with fact, would feel. 
 I have a due regard for public opinion. 
 If not prejudiced by some myrmidon's minion. 
 
i85 
 
 In life's stern service, I earnestly endeavor, 
 To merit approval of honest men ever. 
 If I see obstructions, not obvious to all, 
 To please some, must I o'er the obstacle fall? 
 A blind horse, contentedly feeding on clover 
 Once fell in a well, that had no cover over, — 
 Ignorance may be bliss, before catastrophe; 
 Too late information will give to folly, her fee. 
 Wisdom's never folly, with results for the test, 
 Though wisdom be afflicted by powers behest. 
 
 1884. 
 
 SNOW. 1884. 
 
 Gently flying, 
 
 Softly lying, 
 Myriads of snowflakes white. 
 
 Nature's busy. 
 
 Hoar-head's frizzy. 
 Scattering down, so soft and light. 
 
 Fall so gleamy. 
 Lie so dreamy. 
 Vestment of the whitest sheen. 
 13 
 
1 86 
 
 Rest serenely, 
 Reign supremely, 
 O'er nude trees and seared green, 
 
 Hide demurely, 
 
 Filth securely, 
 'Neath your robe of beauty bright. 
 
 Pure and pretty, 
 
 Neat and netty. 
 Mantle of unsullied white. 
 
 The earth is bright with winter's bloom, 
 Fireside gladness drives away gloom. 
 
 Let reason rule the rudder, 
 
 Let honesty hold the helm, 
 Let sound sense steer the ship of state 
 
 Let righteous rule restore the realm. 
 
 WILLIAM PENN. 
 
 Philanthropic William Penn, 
 Honor's truest type 'mong men; 
 Worth, expelled from wisdom's hall, 
 By bigotry's blighting gall, 
 
i87 
 
 On America's fertile acres, 
 Found a home for honest Quakers. 
 When he to friend or foe had spoken, 
 His word of honor, ne'er was broken. 
 
 1884. 
 
 MODESTY. 
 
 Good traits in man's morals are ever retiring, 
 But vices, with vigils will show their desiring. 
 Beauty's blush on the cheek will get less attention, 
 Than a blotch or a boil, they draw on invention. 
 Splinters and snags are ever hunting for holes 
 In dress of pedestrian, who carelessly strolls, 
 True merit in mortals is never obtrusive, 
 While demagoguism is ever delusive. 1884. 
 
 LINCOLN. 
 
 Lincoln, the diamond rough, 
 
 Patriot of the purest stuff, 
 
 Moses to an enslaved race, — 
 
 Gave to freedom an honest face, — 
 
 Died a martyr for the right, 
 
 While washing Liberty white. 1884. 
 
i88 
 
 WEBSTER. 
 
 Principles were Webster's pride, 
 With talents, traitors defied. 
 Fame's orator of the age, 
 Statesman, counselor and sage, — 
 Brightest whig-star in the East, 
 Party's levitical priest. 1884. 
 
 HENRY CLAY. 
 
 Brilliant whig-star in the West, 
 
 Patriot loyal, statesman blest. 
 
 Genius with eloquence backed, 
 
 Loyal courage never lacked. 
 
 Clay and Webster, men too great. 
 
 To confine at helm of State. 1884. 
 
 GENERAL GRANT. 
 Fortune's foundling ! son of Mars ! 
 Fates furnished with success cars, 
 U. S. Grant by destiny, 
 Set the fettered U. S. free, 
 His head crowned with Honor's jewel. 
 Crown commensurate was dual. 1884. 
 
1 89 
 
 DOUGLASS. 
 
 Little man of giant mind, 
 
 Statesman rare, pacific kind, 
 
 Genius, patriotic stamp, 
 
 Honest freemen's guiding lamp, 
 
 When madness menaced Liberty, 
 
 His life he gave to warn the free 1884. 
 
 ROBERT MORRIS. 
 
 Shame! shame! freemen, shame! 
 
 Sullied honor, shame! shame! shame! 
 
 Ingrates, write your name, 
 
 Morris merited great fame. 
 
 He gave great wealth to make men free. 
 
 Died in prison and poverty. 
 
 WASHINGTON. 
 Model man in every station ! 
 Copy him all in this nation, — 
 Patriotism before pride, 
 Honors with duty abide, — 
 He rocked the cradle of Liberty, — 
 He nurtured a nation to be free. 1884. 
 
I90 
 
 MAN. 
 
 Paradoxical man, as his knowledge grows, 
 The less in his own estimation, he knows. 
 When he knows the preface to practical worth, 
 He will reckon his knowledge of boundless girth, 
 The nearer his status would rate him a fool, 
 The less will he long for instruction at school. 
 The greater degree of knowledge he attains, 
 Reveals unexplored realms for research, he deigns, 
 One may preach and promulgate these facts with 
 
 force, 
 Man's conceit, must have experimental course; 
 What great celebrity, from the summit of fame, 
 Cannot see in the past, folly stamping his name. 
 So, flourish adolescence in fancy's ideal. 
 But strive to store up in the mind what is real. 
 
 1884. 
 
 LOVE. 
 
 Cottage love carols soft la-cavatina. 
 Fed on the fruit of love's verdant verbena, 
 Camis drest Venus, crowned queen with fair Vesta, 
 Gracious Juno presides at pure love's festa 
 
191 
 
 Fertile love's charm, has its home in the cottage, 
 It softens the couch and seasons the pottage, 
 ^Esthetic eyes may see little attraction, — 
 The home is hallowed by Heaven's benefaction. 
 Mansion-merged love, lives in florescent folly. 
 Its fashion-grown fruit, are berries of Holly, 
 Its glow-worm delusion, will lure to despair, 
 Will famish fidelity in the heart rare. 1884. 
 
 Confession of a wrong, 
 
 Will cultivate the soul. 
 Redression sings the song 
 
 That crowns at honor's goal. 
 Confession is deluding, 
 
 Redression non-including. 1884. 
 
 My son gave me his card on which was a lady's 
 hand holding two buds and one bloom of a beau- 
 tiful rose. 
 
 It is the mother's pleasing, painful duty. 
 To give to man the buds and bloom of beauty, 
 Lest he might idolize the innocent pearls, 
 Sharp thorns are set about the boys and girls, 
 
192 
 
 Thej/;7>/^ of smiles and dimples, has sharp ^^/^^//^, 
 The source of sweetest charm, oft, patience galls, 
 To teach us they are fruit of Adam's fall. 
 For garnered glory, at the Master's call. 1884. 
 
 TRIPLE ALLIANCE 
 
 Each triple alliance for generating good, 
 Of Divine, angelic or rare humanhood, 
 Charity or love — essentially the same. 
 Has most golden-glory attached to her name. 
 Love, in its pure essence, devises a plan. 
 Angelic devotion will waft it to man. 
 Spirits, the meekest in mortals, applies it. 
 To rescue the perishing ones that prize it, — 
 Charity, Mercy, Welcome, Sisters, combined 
 To liberate sad souls that sin had confined. 
 Building a station, with stairway to Heaven. 
 Welcome gives tickets in gold-letters graven. 
 
 Charity and Mercy go out, hand in hand. 
 In by-ways of misery, a missionary band, 
 Compelling the halting, the lame and the blind 
 To come and be dressed for a feast to their mind. 
 
193 
 
 When theyare cleansed, furnished and ready to go, 
 Smiling Welcome's free tickets, makes the face 
 
 glow. 
 The gateway is narrow and up golden stairs, 
 The way is resonant with angelic airs. 
 Their feast is the richest that love can provide. 
 Sense of enjoyment, forever satisfied, 
 Their souls are now tuned to Heaven's harmony, 
 Echoing the Lamb's praise to eternity. 1884. 
 
 DARLING. 
 
 Kindred spirits have connection, 
 Darling, your sweet debonair 
 
 Fills my heart with true affection. 
 In my mind's eye everywhere. 
 
 Rough is love's way, ruled by fortune, 
 Soul-sealed ties of golden link, 
 
 True to Cupid's frescoed cartoon. 
 Only severed at death's brink. 
 
 Sob out sorrow on my bosom. 
 
 Darling, it is leal to love, 
 Hide in my heart as a true stromb, — 
 
 Come, sweet soul, be my dear dove. 
 
194 
 
 Make tnc home, for your devotions, 
 
 My poor heart of debris clear. 
 Tears of joy like healing lotions 
 
 Gloss our lives with love's veneer. 1884. 
 
 SHARP. 
 
 Sharp! you cutest little canine, 
 
 Can you know these lines are on thee? 
 Monkey-mischief natured, not malign, 
 Must I write with you on my knee? 
 
 1 cannot write else, with your teasing, 
 
 Your begging, your barking and whining, 
 Your eyes glisten, wistfully pleasing. 
 
 On my knee, you're pleased as when dining. 
 
 A terrible little terrier, 
 
 Where rodents are roaming around, 
 Your consummate mischief, merrier. 
 
 Where merriest mischief is found. 
 
 As big as a mastiff in showing, 
 
 When you make believe you are mad, 
 
 As playful as kittens, but knowing 
 The tricks of the cunningest cad. 
 
195 
 
 Savage as a slaughter-house cur-let, 
 
 When strangers come straggling about, 
 
 Meekly dancing graceful minuet, 
 When dinner is late and in doubt. 
 
 Happy as humorous simpleton, 
 
 Whose cuteness has corraled a flea. 
 
 Never was cot of a monk or nun, 
 
 Cosy as my courted knee. 1884. 
 
 APPETITE AND WILL. 
 
 My Appetite and Will, are ever at war, 
 Past experience is Will's keenest weapon. 
 
 Will honored Appetite 'till demand proved a dor, 
 With Appetite controlled, Will commands 
 heppen. 
 
 Appetite is human nature's engineer. 
 
 Promotive of general prosperity, 
 Until passion prescribes with legatee's leer, 
 
 And penal results, give Will-power verity. 
 
 1884. 
 
196 
 
 CIGARS. 
 
 Wreaths of smoky rhythm. 
 Smokers with me will agree to 
 Still smoke, though some men may veto. 
 Smoking soothes, if mild, — 
 When temper is riled, 
 And thought roaming wild, 
 Will tone down to serenity — oh. 
 
 When Sunrise makes you break rest, 
 Eat flannel cakes with great zest. 
 
 Smoking, certainly, 
 
 Cigar or tobie, 
 
 Tones the energy 
 For toiling after breakfast. 
 
 When you dine on wholesome food, 
 Adding pie or pudding good, 
 For crowning comfort. 
 Just buoy the front-port, — 
 Let tooth or gum court 
 A mild cigar, 'twill soften mood 
 
 When your daily toil is ended, 
 Weary way to tea is wended, — 
 
197 
 
 Stomach satisfied, 
 Cosy chair supplied, 
 Soothing smoke betide, 
 Your honest friend has vended. 
 
 On a sultry, summer night. 
 When mosquitoes buzz and bite. 
 
 Cigar fumes will scatter 
 
 Them, ere they get fatter 
 
 On your blood or matter, — 
 Secure you sleep, free from fight. 
 
 When boreal blasts meet you, 
 And out of comfort cheat you, 
 
 Fix frogs in your throat. 
 
 Old Cough you will quote, 
 
 Rehashing by rote, — 
 Have tobie relief treat you. 1885. 
 
 ACROSTIC. 
 
 Margaret, may our mutual good-will. 
 As this book, have rhythm and reason, 
 
 Refining love, resisting ill, 
 
 Granting aid to need in season. 
 
198 
 
 As we mitigate woes that meet us, 
 
 Raise sad hearts with righteous leaven, 
 
 Emmanuel will surely greet us, 
 
 Trussell, with welcome to Heaven. 1884. 
 
 OBSERVER. 
 
 The careful, close observer, sees the spirit of each 
 act, — 
 
 His searching genius grasps the why, and where- 
 fore of each fact, — 
 
 His mind gets richest dividends from his discur- 
 sive eye, — 
 
 Each time he loads a log, he sees a better way to 
 try,— 
 
 Although the progress of this age is due the close 
 observer, — 
 
 Yet, he ,is sure to be the butt of fogy, stupid 
 fervor. 1885. 
 
 Experience! imperious teacher! 
 
 You always make men better or worse, 
 Better when true mettle tones the creature, 
 
 Where mettle's false, you make a finised curse. 
 
199 
 
 DUPES. 
 
 Often honest, simple souls, 
 Duped by craft's deceitful roles. 
 Sneer and scoff at their best friend, 
 For his fervent whim. 
 Cruel is the callous arrow, 
 Hurled, the tender heart to harrow, 
 Rebounding, to source will trend. 
 
 And grave the fault grim. 1885. 
 
 DISTANCE LENDS, ETC. 
 
 A prophet will have honor, but never near his 
 
 home, — 
 His merit's more respected, the farther he doth 
 
 roam. 
 For "neither did his brethren believe at all in 
 
 Him."— 
 The world's advice to Noah, — quit work and 
 
 learn to swim. 
 "Behold the dreamer cometh," we have him now 
 
 it seems, — 
 Joseph's brethren, slay him would and "see what 
 
 comes of dreams." 
 
200 
 
 Thus, it always has been and ever will be the 
 
 same, 
 'Till mind millennium's tribute, pays to Jesus' 
 
 name. 1885. 
 
 CHANGE. 
 
 As the mortal charms, exterior, 
 Tan and tarnish, 
 As they must; — 
 Let the charms of soul, superior. 
 Glow and garnish. 
 
 With God's trust. 1885. 
 
 CHARACTER. 
 
 Virtue decomposed in trice, 
 Vegetates the rankest vice, — 
 Vice reformed, like gold refined, 
 Vivifies virtue, vigorous kind. 
 
 Formal emotions of sorrow or joy. 
 Are the froth and foam of fashion's alloy. 
 Tears from tender hearts well-spring sequestered, 
 Are glory's jewels in Heaven invested. 
 
20I 
 
 Recording angels write those tears of strife, 
 In lines of gold, within God's Book of Life. 
 
 1885. 
 
 Go with alacrity, at sweet Mercy's call. 
 
 When the devil's menace, could not drive at all. 
 
 ACROSTIC. 
 
 After the buds, the roses bloom, — 
 Nymph buds give us gladness for gloom, 
 Narcissus, endowed with a soul 
 Immortal, growing for Heaven's goal, — 
 Embellishing the mortal bowl. 
 
 Lustrate the charms that enchant us, — 
 Alleviate the pains that implant us — 
 Unity, Heaven will grant us, — 
 Restore us to favor with God, 
 And cause us His great name to laud. 
 
 1885 
 
 14 
 
202 
 
 CHEER. 
 
 Merry heart runs all the way, 
 Goes full distance every day, 
 While sad heart stops at each stile, 
 Wearied with walking one mile. 
 
 ACROSTIC. 
 
 Nannie, remember that this life is fleeting, 
 And Spring must surrender to Summer's greeting. 
 Never neglect to cull Summer's fair flowers. 
 Nor fail to cultivate contentment bowers; 
 If troubles and turmoils cloud your true course, 
 Engage ready aid from infinite source. 
 
 Replenish the heart with holy affection. 
 Ennoble your life by happy connection. 
 Emitting love-beams from beauty's blue eyes, 
 Donaldson, Nannie R. any good man's prize. 
 
 PROMISE. 
 
 The bursting bud of pleasure's promise 
 Will lure the heart and light the eye 
 
 Of all, except a doubting Thomas, 
 More than full flowered reality. 
 
203 
 
 THE DUDE. 
 
 What is a dude^ do you ask me, fair cousin? 
 Describe the neat ninny, the thing called a 
 dude? 
 I might portray one, perhaps, of a dozen, 
 
 Whose finesse and folly, would fit the whole 
 brood. 
 
 Well, I must take a slim strip of Adam, — 
 
 After the Fall, of course, you must remember, 
 
 Worked o'er many times and fostered by Madam, 
 With faith in her success like frost in December. 
 
 His lama-legs encased in close-fitting cloth. 
 Which courts the skirts of a cutaway coat, 
 
 Disclosing a V of white linen, so loth 
 
 To be seen, it hides 'neath a knot at the throat, 
 
 The head of this dainty, demi-man charm. 
 Is full of vanity's languishing lore. 
 
 A sensible idea would sound its alarm, — 
 
 His crude comprehension would brand it a 
 bore. 
 
 To grow a mustache, is his great aspiration. 
 Pomatum and preen, soon trains a downy van. 
 
204 
 
 The full-fledged dude with dignified elation, 
 Will pose for pretty maids to admire the man. 
 
 With switch cane in hand and knobby hat askew, 
 Flashy ring and fob-chain of pure yellow trashy 
 
 He struts where giddy susceptibles may view, 
 He notes in his memoirs the name of each 
 mash. 
 
 He meets his fair fancy, her love daggers drawn, 
 The masher is mashed into jelly, dead gone ^ 
 
 He goes on his knees, implores fair imperious, 
 Up and go, papa's boot sometimes proves 
 serious. 
 
 MIND. 
 
 Immortal emanation from Infinite God ! 
 To animate and cultivate the human clod. 
 
 For His purposed glory. 
 Man's original body had beauty divine, — 
 In its halo of Heaven, God's image did shine; — 
 
 Says the Gospel story. 
 
 Man's soul by sin defaced, did forfeit perfection, 
 Sweating toil and sorrow, for his dire dejection, 
 
205 
 
 In his world of woe. 
 A way is provided by Jesus' Redemption, 
 Which secures for soul's best efforts, exemption, 
 
 For glory to grow. 
 
 Sensation finds facts with nose, tongue, ears and 
 
 eyes; 
 Reflection reports them with great enterprise. 
 (Some minds, like poor farmers, never applies 
 Rich factsthat would the mind's poor soil fertilize.) 
 To the court Inquiry, chief justice, Reason, — 
 Associates, Belief and Doubt masking treason. 
 Credulous Belief, is restrained for the proof. 
 By Doubt's ingenuity holding aloof 
 Rigid King Certainty must be satisfied. 
 Such facts must be adduced as proof can provide. 
 The witnesses pro and con are Right and Wrong, 
 With all the adherents that to each belong. 
 Sensation's scouts and detectives are working, 
 Far and near for facts, their duties ne'er shirking. 
 Suggestion, mentor, dictator-moderato, — 
 Heaven's minister to mortal mind, la Plato, 
 Sends conception beyond sight, through infinite 
 
 space ; 
 Originates ideas to improve the Race. 
 Each idea associates a relative host, 
 
206 
 
 Which Memory has treasured from prior post. 
 Reason refines and formulates facts into law, 
 Procreates pure principles from the facts, raw. 
 King Certainty seals the creed for the creature; 
 God's image fully restored to each feature. 
 
 Diversity of gifts replenish man's mind, 
 A new idea thrown to an audience you'll find 
 Suggestion associates relative train of thought, 
 Diverse as experience and modified lot, 
 By gift, and faithful energy of each factor 
 Which, before the court of Inquiry, is actor, 
 With associate ideas of harmony or contrast, 
 Arrive at conclusions from the idea, at last, 
 Divergent, as are all the spokes of a wheel; 
 Yet, each to capacity and conscience, leal. 
 
 This accounts for conflicting religious creeds. 
 Which Folly keeps warring with pen, words and 
 
 deeds. 
 Give Charity the command usurped by Folly, 
 Combining, charge! and give the devil your vol- 
 ley. 
 Wait millennium's wisdom, divisions to cure, 
 When all shall "see eye to eye," with the soul 
 pure. 
 
20/ 
 
 THE POET. 
 
 The poet's earnest endeavor, 
 In the use of brain and pen, 
 
 Is to clothe truth-gems, so clever. 
 They'll be attractive to men. 
 
 Aggregate atoms make mountains, 
 Small facts found integral Truth, 
 
 Drops of rain furnish free fountains 
 Which suckle old Ocean, forsooth. 
 
 To foster a firm intellect, 
 
 Tid-bits of truth are essential. 
 
 Let soul to its source, genuflect, 
 To win wisdom's true credential. 
 
 Cold facts of former eschewing, 
 
 By fancy's fondest aspire, 
 May nurture the life's renewing, — 
 
 Seed the soul with pure desire. 
 
 PANSY. 
 
 Symbol of soul's sweet beauty, 
 Of mirth and meekness in duty, — 
 
208 
 
 Violet's pure hues of virtue, — 
 Heaven protect from the perdue. 
 The sweetest flower of fancy, 
 Is deep-hued, delicate pansy. 
 
 NATURE. 
 
 Terse truth has sufficient matter, I ken, 
 For employment of the portrayer's pen. 
 Pen it, that the pure may avoid the slushy 
 Though the devil may not, his dupes may, blush. 
 
 Why should authors invent immoral tales 
 In gilt and glamour, which virtue assails. 
 Nature has bounties and beauties sublime, 
 Ample for talent to ornament Time. 
 
 Awake! when dawn, is fair nature adorning, 
 Behold the rich munificence of morning. 
 Queen Ecstacy is sighing, wild with waiting, 
 On some appreciative Psyche's dilating. 
 
 Hygeia, distilling fragrant health-dew, — 
 Euterpe now tunes the feathered choir true. 
 Terpsichore singing the stars adieu, 
 And greeting the glory of Sol, anew. 
 
209 
 
 Fauna and nymph, plight your love as you please, 
 Zephyrs will bandy, then waft on the breeze. 
 Fresh dewy flowers and morn's golden glory, 
 Are worthy the soul that's inspired in story. 
 
 Sweet-scented Spring, is rich in rare romance, 
 Benefit and beauty, bursts thrall and trance. 
 Small germs respond to sunbeam, soil and rain, 
 Poetic splendor is the Spring's refrain. 
 
 Sweating Summer follows in hot pursuit; — 
 Saturn strides thunder-bolts, bursting Jove's 
 
 bruit, 
 While Ceres caters with stamen, for stigma, 
 Earing the corn by prettiest enigma. 
 
 Profusion of fruits, for animal life, 
 Results from Summer's elemental strife. 
 Autumn garners the golden fruit and grain. 
 Full store, for Winter's discontent and drain. 
 
 King Frost, in fleece frozen glory arrayed, 
 Comes to our Summer-land, on a crusade, 
 Tiny crystal crosslets form his attire. 
 Crystal dominion to spread, his desire. 
 
2IO 
 
 Muse of the Mist, your lines of pure crystal, 
 You leave on the sea, on land and systyle. 
 On pond and pane, you sketch fern and feather; 
 Gem-stud the brooklet, with bells of heather; — 
 Kaleidoscopic, miniature metre, 
 Purest in matter, perfect in feature. 
 
 Nature is teeming with sweet Te Deum, 
 Her incense of Love ascends from life's hum; 
 Weaving shrouds of fleece glory in the blue sky. 
 Distills liquid pearls on the earth from on high. 
 Enchanting the coquettish sunbeams to duty. 
 In spanning its lustrous bow-banner of beauty. 
 
 Serene satisfaction invests Nature's face. 
 As turmoil ceases, evening shades come, apace. 
 Duties done and weary workers seeking rest. 
 Happily humming sweet content of the blest. 
 
 Sol's golden glory, as he sinks out of sight. 
 Reflects his bright rays from the Queen of the 
 
 night. 
 The gem-spangled curtain o'erspreading the sky, 
 With angel's eyes twinkling their vigils on high. 
 Protecting the souls of the saints in their keeping, 
 Recruiting their vigor while resting and sleeping, 
 
211 
 
 The seasons in cycles, returning again, 
 Zephyrs, wild whirlwinds, and the waves of the 
 
 main; 
 All instinctive life, with sweet song intonant; 
 The glittering spheres with praises resonant. 
 Creation's harmony, spontaneous strain, 
 Of devotion to God, gratitude's refrain. 
 
 Should man alone, who bears the image of God, 
 Resisting reverence, scorn to thank and laud? 
 Beware! life here, like a flower, blooms to fade 
 And die; soon we must all in the tomb be laid. 
 
 Blooming saints are but culled for heaven's bou- 
 quet; 
 Child-buds are nipped to bloom in glory's array. 
 God guides for the good of His loved ones below, 
 In a most mysterious manner, we know. 
 
 CONVERSION. 
 
 When the tidal-ties of love. 
 Rush reformant from above. 
 
 In the soul's electric circle. 
 God comes first, by free election. 
 
212 
 
 Loved ones next, by new affection, 
 Constant, as the cooing turtle. 
 
 Sense still lures with luscious bait, 
 Sated, smiles the soul, too late; 
 
 Ephemerous your nature. 
 Sweeter pleasures, purer joy, — 
 Perfect peace precludes alloy, — 
 
 The worthy will wavure. 
 
 ACROSTIC. (Cora Belle Reed.) 
 
 Cultivate neatness and grace. 
 Oil with joy your filial face, 
 Reap rich fruition of love; 
 Aureate gift from above. 
 
 Belle, when you ring, play on a 
 Reed, my merry madonna. 
 
 REV. J. B. REED'S FAMILY. 
 
 'Mong sylvan rushes, 
 There grew a Reed, 
 
 Whose mental flushes, 
 From well sown seed. 
 
213 
 
 Produced a pastoral pipe. 
 'Mong nymphian rushes, 
 
 This pastoral Reed, 
 Found one whose blushes. 
 Wrote Cupid's creed. 
 He grafted the raceme ripe, — 
 
 Five ruddy rushes. 
 
 Of rich toned Reeds; 
 Lydians luscious, — 
 Their father feeds. 
 Jewels of a happy home, 
 Family essays a full tome. 
 
 CRUEL CUSTOM. 
 
 Custom of civilization is cruel, 
 
 To manhood's motor, — pure aspiration's fuel; — 
 
 The light of human life, — and gold of mortal 
 
 glory;— 
 Rose of life's refulgence — and stamen of story. 
 The soul of heart solace and sweet of its honey; — 
 Siren of man's music, — the mold of his money; — 
 Faith of his childhood ; — the fond father's 
 
 bother; — 
 Of all that is charming and comforting, mother. 
 
214 
 
 Her charms are confined to a negative choice, 
 Her soul has vohtion, you silence her voice. 
 Her wealth of affection must languish in vain, 
 Ere she is permitted to sue for her swain. 
 
 Custom could graciously grant to the fair sex, 
 Consideration, when twenty-two's cares vex; 
 As she must recruit all the loss in the ranks. 
 And train the reserves, yet receiving no thanks. 
 Give them carte-blanche, with the stars on their 
 
 shoulders, 
 And glory will gleam on the brows of brave sol- 
 diers. 
 
 A FLOWER. 
 
 I'm only a fragrant flower. 
 Emblem of pure innocence; 
 
 Brightest beauty is my dower. 
 
 Exhaling Heaven's sweet incense. 
 
 My fond life is frail and fleeting, 
 Humble, yet so uncomplaining, 
 
 Living for the soul-life's greeting; 
 Symbol sweet for soul's attaining. 
 
215 
 
 See, how my short day of duty, 
 Is cut shorter by charmed churl's 
 
 Fickle fawning, and my beauty 
 
 Bouqueted, — forsaken, — death furls. 
 
 Give me culture's fond caressing, 
 Smiling, I'll mature my seed. 
 
 Which will bloom successive blessing, 
 For your careful, kindly deed. 
 
 KISS. 
 
 What's in a kiss? 
 
 My pretty Miss? 
 Depends on where you meet it; 
 
 The kind of Miss 
 
 Who owns the kiss 
 With welcome smile — come, greet it. 
 
 A mother's kiss. 
 
 Holds honor's bliss, 
 When Christian virtues heat it; 
 
 A holy kiss 
 
 True vis-a-vis, 
 The smiles of seraphs treat it. 
 
2l6 
 
 Sweet childhood's kiss, 
 
 Purity's priss, 
 Is essence of the rosies, 
 
 But girlhood's kiss, 
 
 More tender tris, 
 Quintescence of all posies. 
 
 The wanton kiss, 
 
 Of sweetness nis. 
 Perverted passions gleet it. 
 
 Pharisee's kiss, 
 
 Hypochondris, 
 Devil as saint could beat it. 
 
 The soulful kiss 
 
 Of nymphian miss. 
 Sweet nectar, gods could sip it; 
 
 Love's fond fruit is 
 
 Ardent, mute is. 
 Tongue can't, but love can lip it. 
 
 On kisses sweet, 
 
 All mankind meet 
 At sometime, all believe in. 
 
 Chameleon needs 
 
 Form queerest creeds, 
 But kisses, all will weave in. 
 
217 
 
 TEMPERANCE. 
 
 "The love of money is the root of all evil." (Bible.) 
 The canker of conscience, of honor the weevil. 
 
 *' Women and wine, are the ruin of man- 
 kind." (Tradition.) 
 When they follow their carnal propensity blind. 
 
 Whiskey, the devil's nectar and the nation's 
 
 curse, (Prohibition.) 
 Which love of money prostitutes to fill his purse. 
 
 ^// of these are beneficial when properly used. 
 Should all be prohibited because they're abused? 
 
 Temperance in all things^ is Divine injunction. 
 Temperance cannot give conscience compunction. 
 
 Where excess is sin, moderation with a darlings 
 May be less sinful than continual snarling. 
 
 Selfishness in man's carnal heart is endemic; 
 No matter the subject on which he's polemic. 
 
2l8 
 
 DUTY. 
 
 The gloom or glory of our life, 
 The sense of pain and pleasure, 
 
 Hues as hope or despair is rife 
 In us, to a great measure. 
 
 Let Hope shine as the morning Sun, 
 Increasing from its dawning; 
 
 Gloom soon gives up what joy has won. 
 Felicity comes fawning. 
 
 Expect much pain and let it pass. 
 Pluck peace from sad displeasure, 
 
 View labor as a bonny lass. 
 Contentment is a treasure. 
 
 Have Faith in the immortal Crown, 
 
 For christian behavior. 
 In Charity, selfishness drown. 
 
 Thus honoring the Saviour. 
 
 LOVE. 
 Reckless, the young man without a maid Anchor, 
 
 To hold him to wisdom and truth. 
 Foolish the merchant, mechanic or banker, 
 
 Unrestrained by wise maiden ruth. 
 
219 
 
 Glory and gold lost-foraging on folly, 
 Wrecked manhood and morals, in vain, 
 
 The demon of sweet selfishness his dolly ^ 
 Reward for his pleasure is pain. 
 
 The sensible son of wise parents' training, 
 Plants hope in some wise maiden's heart. 
 
 True success in life will crown love's attaining, 
 Such honor from peace will not part. 
 
 Besides, the fond girl's giddiness will leave her, 
 
 If virtue and worth fill her veins ; 
 With a brig by the bow, nothing will grieve her. 
 
 She trusts in his braces and brains. 
 
 Love launches the bark and faith's fearless sailing, 
 
 Bounds safely the billows below; 
 On life's smooth sea, or mid squalls never quailing. 
 
 To the harbor Heaven they row. 
 
 HABIT. 
 
 Old Habit, is the greatest tyrant. 
 
 Rigid king of dicipline. 
 He rules with rigor when aspirant. 
 
 For the champion's crown of sin. 
 
220 
 
 He makes a splendid president, 
 Governing a righteous realm ; 
 
 Constraining wisdom's compliment, 
 Reason's hand will hold the helm. 
 
 To day, gives delightful employment. 
 
 Night, recuperating rest. 
 Good 07ies give most gracious enjoyment, 
 
 Bounding the life of the blest. 
 
 Man weaves a weak thread 
 
 Of habit, each day, 
 When each one is wed. 
 
 Gain power that may 
 Lead one to despair. 
 Let all have a care 
 Of habits acquired, 
 And how they are sired. 
 
 PHIL. PHRESH. 
 
 I^am Phil. Phresh, the Pennsylvania boy, 
 
 On a trip to New Orleans. 
 I've traveled-all-o'er-the-township of Troy ; 
 
 'Twont do to pluck me for greens. 
 
221 
 
 With a first-class ticket at one ct. pr. mile, 
 I boarded the train and took a seat in style. 
 Soon came a news-nuisance, with nincompoop 
 
 dash, 
 To tempt me to read, eat and smoke for my cash. 
 
 At Cincinnati we crossed the aquatic line, 
 Into Boon-brave Kentucky's corn and rye clime, 
 Where men forego water and wild Watterson, 
 For rye and Randall, the democratic gun. 
 
 Rich railroad companies are the country's bless- 
 ing; 
 Yet they'll courteously cheat you while they're 
 
 caressing. 
 Buy a first-class seat, yet you may have to stand. 
 While swine stretch and grunt, on two seats at 
 
 each hand. 
 If there is a chance to secure any more. 
 They spread themselves out 'till they occupy 
 four. 
 
 Two long, sleepless nights I endured very well; 
 Yet a bleary-eyed, dust-begrimed, woe-wilted 
 
 swell. 
 Sought a hotel that would support dignity; 
 Four dollars pr. day ! suppressing prignity, 
 
222 
 
 I turned on my heel, to solace my poor purse, 
 In a dollar room my dignity I'd nurse. 
 In a good restaurant where style is not sold, 
 Found I good wholesome food, the worth of my 
 gold. 
 
 The Catholic carnival, farewell to meat; 
 When folly runs riot, with fun for a treat. 
 Each sex of all ages, masked mimics, grotesque,* 
 Refinement in pageantry most picturesque. 
 
 Wit Momus, reformed, has been courting the 
 
 Muse; 
 With Parnassian pageantry rich and profuse ; 
 Charmed into gay suite, fairies, elves, nymph 
 
 and sprite. 
 The mythic succession from dawn until night. 
 Animated poetry, scenic sun-dew; 
 Resplendent, fascinating, all for fun too. 
 
 The gold that's gone with this carnival of folly, 
 To the s/iadcs o{ regret along with King Jolly ; 
 Might have shone with complaisance in Summer's 
 
 sunshine. 
 Defying disease, and epidemic's buntine; 
 Or endowed a free institution of learning. 
 
223 
 
 With fruits more refulgent with each year's re- 
 turning. 
 
 Frenchmen will tell you there can be but one 
 Paris. 
 
 Pennsylvanians claim one Exposition no varice. 
 
 Moreover, it centumed the years of the nation; 
 
 So all can accord it the crowning ovation. 
 
 DEVIL. 
 
 Yes, the devil is dead — 
 
 In 'W\?,form of long ago ; — 
 As a snake inducing dread 
 
 Roaring lions frighten so. 
 
 The grim old persecutor, 
 
 Is now a smiling suitor. 
 
 One need not give up his creed; 
 
 Merely plant sweet selfish seed. 
 
 Yes, religious /^r/;^^ observe. 
 Soothe and calm your conscience nerve. 
 Gold will give you prominence, 
 Pleasure will serve pounds, not pence. 
 
224 
 
 Taste a little fashion honey, 
 Merit will not pass for money. — 
 Yes, he'll teach you how to get it, 
 Fund embezzlement will net it. 
 
 Official corruption court it, 
 And make servile fawning sport it. 
 Gold, gives dross distinction's dress ;- 
 Finds for criminals caress. 
 
 Men for gold will barter honor. 
 Women too will dote upon her. 
 Now, the devil's shape and color 
 Is the glittering golden dollar. 
 
 PENSIONS. 
 
 The Press first got pensions for sensational news; 
 Men would buy and devour to drive off the blues. 
 Contractors came next, and they came to stay; 
 The elite of pensioners, who got the best pay; 
 Whose annual pay-day came once a week, 
 Or often as success could play hide a7id seek. 
 Munition manufacturers of all war's needs, 
 Procured richest pensions for all their good deeds. 
 
225 
 
 Capitalist patriots who bled yellow gold, 
 
 Got pensions exceeding service one hundred 
 
 fold; 
 Got it in advance in the premium on gold : 
 Semi-annual repetition of duplicate mould. 
 All business doubled its prices, securing their 
 
 pension, 
 With the cash in their hand, no notes of exten- 
 sion. 
 While true patriots, at their country's call in dis- 
 tress, 
 Left their business languishing in confusion's 
 
 stress ; 
 Enduring privations and peril's fatigue, 
 Against the foes of Freedom, disunion's league. 
 So serious a service strained physical force. 
 Discipline and duty left no other course. 
 The premium on gold, which soldiers never 
 
 saw — 
 Their pay v/as in paper, legal-tender by law. — 
 Reduced their small pay to a pittance in gold. 
 While duty carried day through the mght in the 
 
 cold. 
 Returning to business, paralyzed by neglect, 
 Their capital is brains, constitution is wrecked. 
 
226 
 
 Crumbs they are craving from prosperity's ban- 
 quet; 
 
 Bitvimcrs may, but good soldiers will not ''yank 
 itr 
 
 Congress granted civil officials a pension, 
 
 Themselves included, with back-pay extension; 
 
 Then hedged the soldier's way to Uncle Sam's 
 purse. 
 
 With requisite oaths only sinners can curse. 
 
 Difficulties which deprive worth of a pension, 
 
 Will give villains success through wicked inven- 
 tion. 
 
 Imposing conditions, which desert scarce can fill, 
 
 Deception and perjury supply with their skill. 
 
 MISFORTUNE. 
 
 Misfortune is wiser than Fortune, my boy, 
 But few there are who will admit it; 
 
 Its wisdom no one will importune, my boy; 
 Of vanity, all must acquit it. 
 
 So few take its teachings to profit, my boy. 
 Who learn Fortune's lessons in Folly, 
 
 While nudging Misfortune, they scoff it, my boy, 
 Repulsing its pleas with proud nolle. 
 
227 
 
 Despising and daring its dangers, my boy, 
 
 May foster its forces while pent; 
 Demanding attendance, these strangers, my boy, 
 
 May bow when its forces find vent. 
 
 Be grateful for whatever good comes, my boy, 
 Contentment sighs not for some better. 
 
 Duty, devotion's harmony hums, my boy. 
 Relaxing this life's rigid fetter. 
 
 Misfortune improved, confers Honors, my boy. 
 Worth more than this world's commendation, 
 
 Peace and the promised golden Zonnar, my boy. 
 When Time seals mortal consummation. 
 
 APOSTROPHE TO CHARLES DICKENS. 
 
 O Dickens! Soulful Dickens! 
 
 Your merit manhood quickens; 
 Your searching genius pictures life so true. 
 
 Each trait in living creature. 
 
 Thought, thrill, and faintest feature, 
 Delineates as true as life e'er knew. 
 
 Approaching the infinite. 
 Where most men balk, begin it. 
 
228 
 
 And trace it to extent of mortal mind. 
 
 Wild Nature, Art and Culture. 
 
 Complacent with your multure, 
 Beams with beauteous garniture refined. 
 
 Your monuments of merit, 
 
 All human kind inherit, 
 And with them honor your immortal name. 
 
 "Bleak House" will stand forever; 
 
 No storms of Time can ever 
 Efface this best memorial of your fame. 
 
 SECRETS. 
 
 If ever a secret departs from its source. 
 Human nature can scarcely restrain its course; 
 If its owner, tiring of its weight, has told it; 
 He should not complain if another can't hold it. 
 
 A secret should never be told out of school^ 
 For secrecy cannot cling long to 3. fool. 
 A secret's a./oo/, if it starts on a tour. 
 For at every station it may meet a boor ; 
 And a boor will regard it as his vocation, 
 To strip its seclusion with fondest elation. 
 
229 
 
 So, if any one owns a secret worth keeping, 
 Just stow it away and be sure it is sleeping. 
 For secrets are serpents in good society, 
 Pity they were invented, even for variety. 
 
 Why did not Eve, instead of eating the apple. 
 Deftly lodge it in the serpent's slimy thrapple. 
 Bequeathing to us, instead of flippant Philander, 
 Truthful, tender-hearted and cheerful Candor. 
 
 NEATNESS. 
 
 Plain neatness lends charm to the prettiest rose, 
 
 On its neat needled stem so slim; 
 Its sharp-shooting sentinels, watching for foes, 
 
 Lie hidden 'neath neat leaves so trim. 
 
 Nestling inneatness but enhances its charm. 
 
 But buryjt in a bouquet. 
 Its charm but equals the clover on the farm. 
 
 Fragrant bloom among fresh mown hay. 
 
 So the beauty of the female form divine. 
 
 In rich neatness plainly attired. 
 Is the glory of nature, which art makes shine; 
 
 For true Art is neatness acquired. 
 
230 
 
 The elegance of Art, like Nature, is neatness; 
 
 Not gay adornment's dishevel, 
 Which surfeits the eye, sours admiration's sweet- 
 ness, 
 
 And gives the wry glance its bevel. 
 
 RETRIBUTION. 
 
 Bounties and blessings, or curses and crimes, 
 
 Down from Creation 'till Millenn'al times, 
 
 Are mankind's by choice: they reap their own 
 
 sowing; 
 Successive crops for the Future, still growing. 
 
 What each one does and what they do not do, 
 Will beget relatives in bliss, or rue. 
 Retribution is Life's concomitant: 
 And in Hope or Fear proves anticipant. 
 
 Paymaster, commissioned in Paradise, 
 
 To inspect each act, adjusting \}s\^ price, 
 
 O! what a vdiStfiind he must have to draw on! 
 
 So many tough souls for conscience to gnaw on! 
 
 The coin for the Christian's most profuse pay- 
 ment; 
 Edenic delights. Elysian's raiment. 
 
231 
 
 Think of his reports to Heaven's Book-keeper! 
 Of thought, word and deed, from birth to Death's 
 Reaper. 
 
 He pays as he goes, enough for the living, 
 In troubles and tears, in heart-aches and grieving. 
 But O ! full payment when life's work is done. 
 Then has Eternity's pension begun. 
 
 BREVITY. 
 
 As "brevity is the soul of wzV," 
 Circumlocution's the death of it. 
 
 Brevity in our civil affairs 
 
 Should rid us of all our red-tape airs. 
 
 Progressive business' accumulation 
 Requires quick, easy communication. 
 
 In this live, Railroad and Light'ning^Age, 
 Condense a voluuie into a page. 
 
 Who will search a whole volume, in fine, 
 For what should be contained in a line. 
 
232 
 
 CRITICISM, 
 
 Honest achievement will ever invite 
 Honest, intelligent criticism 
 
 By capacity, sequacious in sprite; 
 Not shallow, or wayward witticism. 
 
 DOUBLE ACROSTIC. 
 
 find good grain among the chaff? 
 Jt is plain, if iinpol\. 
 
 J^ow I fain would wish you gai^', 
 Instead of pain, most a I env\, 
 gweet refrain of happinesg. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Acrostic, 21, 58, 61, 156, 
 197, 201, 202, 212, 232. 
 A Flower, 214 
 Album verse, 143. 
 Ambition, 177. 
 Angels, 172. 
 Appetite and Will, 195. 
 April, 6, 19, 37, 43. 
 August, 7, 40, 45. 
 
 Beauty, 140. 
 Bigotry, 159. 
 Birthday, 162. 
 Brandy gift, 169. 
 Brevity, 231. 
 BlufF, 106. 
 
 Character, 200. 
 Charity, 118. 
 Christmas, ii, 56. 
 Clay, 188. 
 Communion, 21. 
 Competence, 150. 
 Conversion, 211. 
 Consistency, 66. 
 Criticism, 232. 
 Cruel Custom, 213. 
 
 Dandelion, 122. 
 
 Dare Death, 75. 
 
 Darling, 193. 
 
 Death, 46. 
 
 Decoration Day, 64. 
 
 Devil, 223. 
 
 December, 9, 41. 
 
 Dickens, 227. 
 
 Dirge, 54. 
 
 Distance lends, etc., 199. 
 
 Douglass, 189, 
 
 Dupes, 199. 
 
 Duty, no, 161, 218. 
 
 Discord, 157. 
 
 Emotions, 60. 
 Engagement, 36. 
 Eureka Springs, 52. 
 
 Fashion's lady, 78. 
 Fate, 180, 
 February, 13. 
 Fickleness, in. 
 Filling a promise, 37. 
 Fishing, 119. 
 Folly, III. 
 Forgotten, 68. 
 
 (233) 
 
234 
 
 Fourth of July, 34. 
 
 Genialis, 105. 
 General Grant, 188. 
 God is King, 137. 
 Gossip, 10. 
 Grace and Guilt, 183. 
 
 Habit, 219. 
 Happiness, 179. 
 Home, 183. 
 Honey-bee, 116. 
 Hypocrisy, 82. 
 
 Indian Summer, 176. 
 Infidelity, 64. 
 Injustice, 163. 
 Intemperance, 155 
 
 January, 5, ii, 42, 46. 
 Judging, 132. 
 July, 7, 27, 39, 45- 
 June, 7, 25, 44. 
 
 Kiss, 215, 
 
 Laws, 178. 
 
 Levy the Cornetist, loi. 
 
 Life, 151. 
 
 Lilac, 26. 
 
 Lincoln, 187. 
 
 Love's Affinities, 56. 
 
 Love, 124, 190, 218. 
 
 Love's Legato, 173. 
 
 Malice, 61. 
 Man, 190, 
 March, 16, 42. 
 Mary Magdalen, 125. 
 Mated, 56. 
 
 May, 6, 23, 34, 38, 44, 65. 
 Maxims, 100, 170. 
 McPherson, 121. 
 Meekness, 149. 
 Memorandum, 114. 
 Millionaires, 142. 
 Mind, 204. 
 Misfortune, 131, 226. 
 Modesty, 187. 
 Model lassie, 81. 
 Monopoly, 120. 
 Mormons, 57. 
 Muse, 74, 117- 
 Music, 28. 
 My Plea, 184. 
 My Wooer, 102. 
 
 Nature, 208. 
 Neatness, 229. 
 Night, 98. 
 November, 9. 
 Nuptial joys, 43. 
 
 Observer, 198. 
 October, 8, 40, 109. 
 
235 
 
 Ode to the Pansy, 75. 
 Oh! the Rain, 47. 
 On a Sermon, 14. 
 On Ingersoll's lecture, 8g 
 Organ grinders, 61. 
 Over the Rockies, 54. 
 Our Country, 66. 
 
 Peace again, 35. 
 Pensions, 224. 
 P. H Seminary, 17. 
 Phil. Phresh, 220. 
 Pluck, 152. 
 Poesy, 144. 
 Poet, 114, 207. 
 Possession, 149. 
 
 Ready and Tardy, 133. 
 Reform, 182. 
 Reliance Right, S^. 
 Rev. McMichael, 25. 
 Rev. Reed, 212. 
 Retribution, 230. 
 Robert Rush, 35. 
 Robert Morris, 189. 
 Rural fun, 20. 
 
 Sabbath, 12, 16, 28, 104. 
 Secrets, 228. 
 Science, 145. 
 Self, 103. 
 September, 8, 40. 
 
 Shakespeare, 1 15. 
 
 Sharp, 194. 
 
 Smoke, 196. 
 
 Snow, 185. 
 
 Soldier Cemetery, 59. 
 
 Soliloquy, 55. 
 
 Songs, 62, 70, 108, 135. 
 
 Spring, 107. 
 
 Steel, 102. 
 
 Sterne, 156. 
 
 Soul and Sense, 150. 
 
 Sun, 153. 
 
 Taylorstown, 32. 
 Temperance, 217. 
 Temptation, 144. 
 Thanksgiving, 45. 
 The Bride, 152. 
 The Fly, 73. 
 The Pines, 106. 
 Thunderstorm, 71. 
 The good gone, 148. 
 The Dude, 203. 
 The Obelisk, 154. 
 To a lady friend, 51. 
 Toothache, 95. 
 Treating, 112. 
 Triple alliance, 192. 
 Twilight, 139. 
 
 Valentine, 13, 50. 
 Vengeance, 77. 
 
236 
 
 Virtuous woman, 48. Wet day 172. 
 
 Vicious woman, 49. Wheeling ladies, 33. 
 
 Volunteered, 32. William Penn, 186. 
 
 War comrades, 161. " ^'^' ^^^• 
 
 Washington, 189. ^^^^^"^ ^^^^^S' ^^^ 
 
 Webster, 188. ^°"^^"' 58, 147- 
 
 /A