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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (March 4, 1917)
.. v - THE SUNDAY OltEGOXIAX, PORTLAND, MARCH 4, 1917. REQUESTS SO MANY THAT ONLY OLD POEMS CAN BE GIVEN Those Available at Stores or in Recent Magazines Must Be Discarded Letters Keep on Pouring In. "V WE have on hand now a lLst of letters containing unpublished requests for poems which prac tically mounts t the top of the filing hook, and still there come more re quests in every mall. Just how all f them are to be printed Is a matter Xor the oracles to decide. It win bo necessary for us to Ignore requests for songs and poems recently published. For Instance, there have been many requests for "Wake Up, America." which can be secured at any music store If desired. Many requests have been sent in for poems by Herbert Kaufman. Klla Wheeler Wilcox and others, which have been published in current magazines within the past few months. Such requests we shall be obliged to discard. Numerous other requests come for poems that have been printed on this page in previous issues, and except in rarely opportune cases, we shall have to refrain from reprinting such poems. Even with these ellml-ations. It is to be expected that the flood of re quests will be more than we can at tend to out of hand. Those who have sent in poems which have not yet appeared are requested to grant us their indulgence and to accept our assurance that they will be handled as rapidly as space is avail able. Owing to the press of material, we shall not be able to guarantee the return of any contributions, and for that reason we would advise against sending clippings which are treasured. It will be much better If our contributors can arrange to make a. copy from their clippings and send us the copy. Attention should be called again to the fact that contributions which are sent in an illegible form or written on both sides of the paper cannot be handled. We note herewith a few of the re quests that have been sent In: Gus Krossa, of Detroit, Mich., wants the song "My Little Black Moustache" and the song "Bury Me Not in the Deep. Deep Sea." Mrs. C. A Jarvis, of Albany, sent a request for "Belle Mahone," but this . was printed on May 28. 1916. Another reader requests "The Loco . motive," which begins: V "With a clank, With a clamor and a clank, . With a clamor and a clank and a r' clang." "Two Little Girls In Blue." a pop ". ular song about 20 years ago, is re quested by another contributor. In replv to a request for "The Old Sod Shanty on the Claim," we would i. note that this poem appeared on this page October 8. 1916. Mrs. M. Franklin asks for the poem " In which occur the lines: Til smile when you smile and I'll weep when you weep. " And I'll give you a kiss for a kiss: ' And all the fond promises read you I'll keep T.'hat more can I promise than this?" "Mrs. A- W. N." asks for "The Belle '. f the Mohawk. Vale," beginning: '. Sweet is the vale where the Mohawk gently glides. On its clear winding way to the ; "Dearer6 than all storied streams on earth beside. Is that bright, rolling river to me. C. L. Stedrnan wants a song of EO : years ago. entitled "I Am a Hunter Bold." , L. Hanna, of Ridgefleld. Wash., asks for "The Green Flel-ds of America," in - which occurs the line. "The landlord's cow is grazing now where people used t0Also the poem containing the lines, t "Tell me. sailor, tell me true, is my ' little lad. my Elihu. a-salling on your ship-'" And the poem containing the . lines. "But I have still.' thank heaven. ; four 'gallant sons of sever, that my Irish wife has given to soothe my years' decline." "How the Waters Came Down at ' Lodore," is also requested. EARLY RISING. (By J. G. Saxe, a California Poet. ' God bless the man who first Invented sleep, So said Sancno Panza and so eay I. And bless him also that he didn't keep His great discovery to himself nor try To make It as the lucky might, , A close monopoly by patent right. ' God bless the man who first Invented sleep: (I really can't avoid the Iteration), .' But blast the man, with curses loud and deep. 1 Whate'er the rascal's name or age or Who first Invented and went around advising That artificial cut-off early rising. Rise with the lark, and with the lark to bed: Oh. he's some solemn, sentimental owl: Maxims like these are very cheaply said: VBut e're you make yourself a fool or fowl. Pray just Inquire about his rise and fall. And whether larks have any bed at all. The time for honest folks to be a-bed Is in the morning. If I reason right. And he who cannot keep his precious head Upon his pillow 'til It's fairly light. And so enjoy his forty-morning winks Is up to knavery or else he drinks. Thompson, who sings about the sea sons, said ' It was a glorious thing to rise In season, But then he said It lying In his bed At ten o'clock A. M. : the very reason He wrote so charmingly; the simple fact is His preaching was not sanctioned by his practice. Tls doubtless wise to he sometimes awake Awake to duty and awake to truth; But when, alas, a nice review we take Of our best deeds and days, we find, in sooth. The hours that leave the slightest cause to weep Are those we passed In childhood or asleep. Tis beautiful to leave the world awhile For the soft visions of the gentle night. And feel at ease from mortal care or guile . To live as only In the angels' sight. In sleep's sweet realm, so cozily snut In, When at the worst we only dream of sin. So let us sleep and give the Maker praise. ' I like the lad who, when his father thought To clip his morning nap by hackneyed phrase Of vagrant worm by early songs be caught, Cried: "Served him Tight; 'twas not at all surprising; The .worm was punished, for his early rising." Mrs. J. M. Olberman, of Slsson, Cal., to whom we are. Indebted for copies of "The Festal Board" and "The Three Warnings," has contributed also the following. LOSS AXD GAIN. There are gains for all our losses And a loss for every gain; There are crowns for all our crosses And a joy for every pain. Songs and laughter, moans and sighing. Heartaches, bitterness and fears Fill the days forever flying Onward with the passing years, t Every soul Its share of sorrow Is by fate destined to bear: We who laugh today, tomorrow May be stricken with despair. There are gains and there are losses. Days of peace and days of strife. And a crown for all our crosses At the journey's end- of life. Oh. the gladness, oh, the sadness That combines the mighty whole. The excessive joy and madness Of the unfledged human soul Oh. the losses and the crosses. Hours of pleasure, years of pain. As each frail bark onward tosses O'er life's tempest-ridden main. Every joy has sorrow in it. Every laugh is half a sigh. But let storms rage every minute. There'll be sunshine by. and by. By and by there'll be no crosses. By and by there'll be no pain. And for all our bitter losses There will be eternal gain. THE LOW-SHORE LASS. By Virginia Woodward Cloud. Flower of the mint stalk, tassel of the grass. Bent and brushed the knees of her the Low-Shore lass; Herbs within her homespun, arms full, too Rosemary, marjorem, lavender and rue. All things that keep the earth whole some, young and sweet Fell about the shore lass and brushed her bare feet. Brake a runner through the reeds at a fearful pace, 1 Sprang among the fair herbs, fell upon his face "Now In mercy cover me! Hark! They run me down! Weave, maid, about me green 'Stalks and brown! An' they question. Hast thou s.een any pass the way? For my life, and in God's name, tell them nay!" Dim mist and white sail, grim wall and brown. Spires burning sunwise in the gray sea town. Beating hoof and ringing spur; scarlet breaking through. Sabre gleam and red coat, and pant ing steed, too. Knee-high in mint flowers stood a shore lass. Down unto the little waves tossed her orchard grass. Shaken steed and tight rein, and fierce faces bent "Maid, hast thou a runner seen, and which way he went? "A prisoner at large we seek; a lord of France Is he" "Then fights he with my country men!" the slim maid, spake she; "So, had I seen thy lord of France, or knew I his name, Thinkest I should tell to thee hither way he came? I am but a shore lass. Oh," smiled and dimpled she "But whoso fights for my good land, he fights for me. I spied, sirs, but a sailor lad" she gave smile for frown "Who got him upward with the tide ' and then he got him down." "The sailor lad! Now, listen, miss! Whither hath he gone? Mayhap he spied our prisoner all In the early dawn!" She gathered the sweet lavender from out her homespun gown "He got him up, sirs, with the tide. -and then he got him down. And this is all. About your war what might a shore lass know? Tet take these stalks, good sirs, that from an English bush did grow." Doffed plume and dewey herbs; passed the fierce face: Rang the spur and beat the hoof hard on their chase; Gold sun upon the spires, crimson on the grass. Knee-high in mint flowers stood the shore lass; Red-coat and sword hilt gleaming In the sun Faded from her watching eight, one by one. Up sprang that sailor lad, upon his knee he bent "I- am he, the lord of France prisoned, hunted, spent! Thou hast saved me, maiden sweet, thine my life shall be, And he who for their country fought, fights now for thee!" Fell a kiss upon her hand; wind shook the grass Crair as any water-bloom, that Low- Shore lass); Fled the runner through the leaves; naught was there to show Mint-stalk and lavender tossed to and fro. Yellow-belted honey bees In the sun that pass. And white arm shading her sweet eyes a iow-fahore lass. Mint-stalk and marjoram, lavender and rue Whither passed the slim maid that once plucked you? Yonder peers her pictured face the fair dame and tall! Next a gallant lord of France, In the old hall, . Next a gallant lord of France who, 'mid the orchard grass Won her in a fleeting dawn the Low Shore lass. Contributed by Mrs. W. E. Field, of Eugene. SOME! DAY I'LL WAXDER BACK AGAI.V. Some day I'll wander back again. To where the old home stands. Beneath the old tree down the lane. Afar in other lands: Its humble cot will shelter me From every care and pain. And life be sweet as sweet can be. When I am home again. Chorus: I'll wander back, yes baclj again. Where childhood's home may be. For memory in sweet refrain Still sings its praise to me. Some day I'll wander back again To scenes so dear to me. Where life's sweet infancy's refrain ISeside a mother's knee; To live once more the golden hours Of joyous, merry play. No thorn, but only sweetest flowers There on life's merry way. Some day I'll wander back again To hearts so kind and true; Whose gentle faces still remain In memory's cherished view. No more my wayward feet shall roam Life's troubled pathway o'er. But in the light and love of home I'll rest me evermore. Mrs. A. G. Wallace, of this city and A contributor in Cottage Grove who ThQsebCfli (The following is one of the sweetest of the many beautiful lyrics favorite song for many generations and most of the readers of this page tune to which they sung it in their schooldays. The copy here used was Berkeley. California.) gives no name but we believe It Is A. B. Wood, who has furnished us with numerous contributions have sent in the old favorite, "Money Musk." MONEY Ml'SIv. By B. F. Taylor. In shirt of check and tallowed hair. The fiddler sits in the bulrush chair. Like Moses' basket stranded there On the brink of Father Nile; He feels the fiddle's slender neck. Picks out the notes with thumb and check. And times the tune with nod and beck. And thinks it a weary while. All ready, now he gives the call. Cries, "Honor to the ladies," All The jolly tides of laughter fall And ebb in a happy smile. "Begin." D-o-w-n comes the bow on every string, "First couple join right hands and swing." As light as any bluebird's wing "Swing once and a half times round." Whirls Mary Martin all in blue Calico gown and stockings new. And tinted eyes that tell you true. Dance. all to the dancing sound. She flits about big Moses Brown Who holds her hands to keep her down And thinks her hair a golden crown. And his heart turns over once His cheek with Mary's breath is wet. It gives a second somerset. He means to win the maiden yet, Alas for the awkward dunce. "Your stoga boot has crushed my toe." "I'd rather dance with one-legged Joe." "You clumsy fellow." "Pass below." And the first pair dance apart. Then "Forward six." advance, retreat. Like midgets gay in sunbeam street, 'Tis Money Musk by merry feet. And the Money Musk by heart. "Three-quarters round your' partner swing "Across the set." The rafters ring. The girls and boys have taken wing And have brought their roses out; 'Tis "Forward six" with rustic grace. Ah, rarer far than "Swing to place." Than golden clouds of old point lace Then bring the dance about. Then clasping hands all "Right and left." All swiftly weave the measured deft. Across the woof in loving weft. And the "Money Musk" is done. Oh dancers of the rustling husk, Goodnight, sweethearts, 'tis growing dusk. Goodnight for aye to "Money Musk, For the heavy march begun. HIS MOTHER'S SONGS. Beneath the hot midsummer sun The men had marched all day. And now beside a rippling stream Upon the grass they lay. Tiring of games and Idle jests As swept the hours along. Thy called to one who moved apart. Come, friend, give us a song. He answered. "Nay, I cannot please; The only songs I know Are those my mother used to sing For me long years ago." "Sing one of those." a rough voice cried, "We are all true men here. And to each mother's son of us A mother's songs are dear." Then sweetly sang the strong, clear voice. Amid unwonted calm, "Am 1 a soldier of the cross, A follower of the Lamb?" The trees hushed all their whispering leaves, The very stream was stilled. And hearts that never throbbed with fear With tender memories filled. Ended this song, the singer said. As to his feet he rose, "Thanks to you all, good night, my friends, God grant us sweet repose." Out spoke the Captain, "Sing one more"; The soldier bent his head. Then smiling, as he glanced around, "Y'ou'll join with me," he said. "In singing this familiar air. Sweet as a bugle call. 'AH hail the power of Jesus' name. Let angels prostrate fall.' " . Wondrous the spell the old tune wrought As on and on he sang, Man after man fell into line And loud their voices rang. The night winds bore the grand refrain Above the tree tops tall. The everlasting hills called back In answer, "Lord, of all." The songs are done, the camp is still. Naught but the stream is heard. But oh! the depths of every soul By those old hymns was stirred. And up from many a bearded lip Rises in murmurs low The prayer the mother taught the boy At home long years ago. Author unknown. Mrs. N. E. Farns- worth, contributor. From Knappa, Or, John Zelruc sends "The Gila Monster Route," a fine ex ample of hobo balladry. One might classify it along with the immortal "Casey Jones." "It is a yarn," says the contributor. "that has often been spun by the brake- beam tourlsu aa they sit by lonely Those evening: bells, those evening bells. How many a tale their music tells Of youth and home, and that sweet time When last I heard their soothing chime. Those joyous hours have passed away, And many a heart that then was gay, Within the tomb now darkly dwells, And hears no more those evening bells. And so 'twill be, when I am gone. That tuneful peal will still ring on, And other bards shall walk these dells, And sing your praise, sweet evening bells. campfires and watertanks, waiting for freights." THE GILA MONSTER ROUTE. (Author unknown.) . The lingering sunset across the plains. Kissed the rear end of an east-bound train And shone on a passing track close by Where a hobo sat on a rotten tie. He'd been ditched by a shack and a cruel fate: The con high-balled, and the manifest freight Pulled out on the steel behind the mail And hit the ball on a sanded rail. Then the moon arose and the stars came out: He was ditched on the "Gila monster route." Nothing in sight but land and space. No chance for a gink to feed his face. Not a shack in sight to beg for a lump. Or a henhouse to frisk for a single gump. And as he gazed on the solitude He lowered his head and began to brood. . He thought, of the time that he'd lost his mate In a hostile berg on the "Nickel Plate." They had mooched the stem and threw their feet And speared four bits on which to eat. Now they knew of a joint not far away So they hurried there and, its safe to say. They deprived themselves of their daily bread And sluffed their coin for "dago red." Down by the track In the jungle glade. In the cool green grass of the tule shade, -e They shed their coats and ditched their shoes. And tanked up full of that colored booze. Then they took a flot with their skins plumb full And they didn't hear the "harness bull" Till he woke them out of their pleasant nap. With a husky voice and a loaded ap. They were charged with Tag, but they had no Kale, So the judge said. "Ninety days In Jail." l.ut he d had a bundle, a worker's plea. So they gave him a floater and set him free. Now they'd turned him loose and ditched his mate. So he grabbed the guts of a passing freight; He kept his form on a rusty rod Till he heard a shack cry, "Hit the sod." Then John piled off; he waa In the ditch With two switch lamps and a rusty switch : A poor old seedy, half-starved bo On a hostile pike without a show. Just now In west, through the moon light night. He saw the gleam of a big headlight; Twas east-bound stock that hummed the rail: She was due at the switch to clear the mail. As it drew up close the head-end shack Threw the switch to the passing track; The stock rolled in and off the main And the track was clear for the east bound train. When it hove in sight way down the track. It was pumping steam with its brake shoes slack; It whistled once at the whistle post. Then flittered by like a frightened ghost He could hear the roar of the big six wheel As the drivers pounded ths polished steel ; He could hear the scream of her flange on the rail As she beat it east o'er the desert trail. Then John got busy and took the risk; He climbed aboard and becan tn frcv He reached up high and began to feer hot tne end door pin; then he cracked the seal. 'Twas a double-decked, stock, loaded with sheep. And John crawls in and prepares to sleep; The engine whistled once, th- high balled out: John was off again on the "Gila mon ster route. THE LIGHT OF HOME. The light of home is a wondrous light. So tender is it shining. So clear it follows through the night. Our weary road outlining. Though lonely and for years we roam. Far from the ones who love us. Yet ever shines the light of home. Like God's grace spread above us. The light of home is a wondrous light. Through life It follows seeming. And when, with age, the hair is white. Clear in th front 1t rlMtnino. It shines from where our loved ones are?" U. this is love s divining. And through the gates of heaven ajar At last we see it shining. Author unknown; contributed by Mrs. J. M. Olberman. It Is away past Christmas, but we re print here a poem requested a short time ago by some of our readers. Florence Cady. or FaUbridse, Wash of Thomas Moore. It has been a will no doubt remember the sweet supplied by Alice B. RusselL of ington, and a Cottage Grove contrib utor have furnished the copies. HAJiO UP THE BABY'S STOCKING. Hang up the baby's stocking, be sure you don't forget, The dear little dimpled darlin" she's never seen Christmas yet; But I've told her all about it. and she opened her big blue eyes. And I'm sure she understood me, for she looked so funny and wise. Dear, dear, what a tiny stocking. It doesn't take much to hold. Such little pink toes as the baby's, away from the frost and cold: But then for the baby's Christmas, why, it never would do at all; For Santa Claus never'd be looking, for anything half so small. I know what we'll do, dear Mother, I've thought of the very best plan. I'll borrow a stocking from Grandma, the longest that ever I can; Now hang it by mine, dear Mother, right here in the corner, so And write a letter to Santa, and fasten it on to the toe. Write "This Is the baby's stocking: that hangs in the corner here. You never have seen her, Santa, for she only came this year; But she's just the blessedest baby, so now before you go. Just cram her stocking with goodies, from the top clear down to the toe." Learned by heart from the "Little Corporal Magazine," of the early "70s. I think the writer was Mrs. Emily H. Miller. Contributor. DRAFTED. 1 By Mrs. H. L. Bostwick. My son! What! Drafted? My Harry! Why. man, 'tis a boy at his books; No taller, I m sure, than your Annie As delicate, too. in his looks. Why, it seems but a day since he helped me. Girl-like, in my kitchen at tasks; He drafted! Great God, can it be that Our President knows what he asks? He never could wrestle, this boy, though . In spirit as brave as the best; Narrow-chested, a little, you notice. like Him who has long been at rest. Too slender for overmuch study why His master has made him today Go out with his ball on the common And you've drafted a child at his Play. "Not a patriot?" Fie, did I whimper when Robert stood up with his gun. And the hero-blood chafed In his fore head. The evening we heard of Bull Run? Pointing his finger at Harry, But turning his eyes to the wall. "There's a staff growing up for your age. mother. Said Robert, "if I am to fall." "Eighteen?" Oh, I know! And yet narrowly. Just a wee babe on the day When his father got up from a sick bed and Cast his last ballot for Clay; Proud of his boy and his ticket, said he, A new morsel of fame We'll lay on the candidate's altar. And christened the child with his name. Oh. what have I done a weak woman; In what have I meddled with harm? Troubling only my God for the sun shine. And rain on my rough little farm. That my ploughshares are beaten to swords And whetted before my eyes. That my tears must cleanse a foul na tion. My lamb be a sacrifice? i Oh, 'tis true there's a country to save, man. And 'tis true there's no appeal; But did God see my boy's name, lying The uppermost one in the wheel? Five stalwart sons has my neighbor. And never the lot upon one: Are these things Fortune's caprices, Or is it God's will that is done? Are the others too precious for resting Where Robert Is taking his rest. With the pictured face of young Annie Lying over the rent in his breast? Too tender for parting with sweet hearts? Too fair to be crippled or scarred? My boy, thank God for these tears, I am growing so bitter and hard! Now read me a page In the Book, Harry, That goes in your knapsack tonight. Of the eye that sees when the sparrow Grows weary and falters in flight: Talk of something that's nobler than living. Of a love that is higher than mine. And faith which has planted its banner Where the heavenly campfires shine. Talk of something that watches us softly. As the shadows glide down In the yard. That shall go with my soldier to battle - And stand with my picket on guard. Spirits of loving and lost ones. Watch softly with Harry tonight,' For tomorrow he goes forth to battle To arm him for freedom and right. Sent by Mrs. W. B. Braden. THE LOVERS QUARREL. (This is the song with which Ray mo a Moore, the Xamuus tenor ..with fe&y gpT Thatcher's minstrels, scored such a success. Mrs. A. F. Krutslnger.) I. Mary and John lived In a distant old village. Fell deep in love and were engaged to be wed. When one fine day up went the nose of sweet Mary At what her John of some other girl had said. John only smiled, he was much given to teasing. And some old song softly he started to sing. Mary with rage every moment grew warmer. And at his feet she threw their en gagement ring. CHORUS. I won't be your wife, said Mary. Thank goodness for that, said John. I hate such a brute, said Mary; -But other girls don't, said John. I'm going back to the dairy; .Perhaps it s as well, said he. But I hope you will come to the wedding Of Mollie Malone and me. IL Mary turned round and Just went a step or two from him. Then at her John one farewell sly glance she gave. Thinking, perhaps, he waa already re penting: But all he said was why don't you go away? Out came his pipe: soon clouds of smoke he was puffing Into the air. stretched out full length on the green. Mary stood by, somehow her heart was nigh breaking. Had John become tired of his village queen? CHORUS. Am I to go? said Mary. I don't care a rap, said John. To spite you, I won't, .said Mary. Well, maybe you won't, said John. Why are you so contrary? I'll drown myself, sir, said she. If you do. on your way, dear Mary. Send Mollie Malone to me. III. ' Tears filled her eyes, as with her apron she covered Her pretty face, heaving a heart rending sigh. All now seemed o'er; what was the use of her waiting. Turning to John, she then, gently said, good-bye. Up like a shot jumped the young fel low all smiling. Touched to the heart by such a ten der farewell. Kissed all the tears from the sweet face of his Mary, Told her the tales fond lovers always tell. CHORUS. Then Johnnie he hup-ged his Mary, And Mary she hugged her John. He vowed that a fairer fairy He never had gazed upon. And with sweet Miry iaughlnr. Her head resting on his breast. So with that, I conclude the story; No doubt you can guess the rest. William T. Stoll. of Marshfield. sends the following entertaining bit: THE BALLAD OK THE BOLD BO- HEMIA.V AND, THE PHILISTINE MAID. She was a Philistine, spick and span; He was a bold Bohemian. She was flippant, fresh and fair; He was witty and debonair. At fetes and assembles she would shine; He cultivated the muses nine. She reveled in Crockett. Corelli. Caine; He quoted Husymans and Paul Ver lane. She loved artifice. He loved art. They were as far as the poles apart. Yet Cupid with Puck is hand In glove They met at a crush; they fell In love. He hurried home to his attic den. Do you think he seized his decadent pen To dash off sonnets, ballades, ron deaux. On the charms of his lady love? Ah no! He seized with the scissors his flow ing locks. His beard and whiskers came off in blocks. He gazed at himself with gold-capped smile; He polished his long-discarded tile. He tenderly brushed his best frock coat; Wound a three-inch collar around his throat. He blandly remarked when he got through: "I look like a brother to Kyrle Bel lew." He tore from his bosom the muses nine And shrined there his dainty Philis tine. And she went she back to pink teas and such. Daffodil luncheons, bridge parties? Not much! She returned to her home in the Indigo blues: She arrayed in the most exotic hues; She wore a bandeau upon her hair; She cultivated a delphlc stare. She i used strange perfumes, and used to sink In a faint at the sight of some shades of pink. She loathed all the crude, crass world outside; 1 She developed a Sarah Bernhardt glide. She cheerfully suffered Society's ban For the sake of her dear Bohemian. They met again, and a month had passed. . Their hearts beat madly: "At last! At last!" She gazed a moment: "Can this be he?" He stared a moment: "Can this be she?" "This mould of fashion a la John Drew?" "This Burns-Jones maiden In pea cock blue?" They certainly suffered a mutual shock. In accents faint, they began to talk. She talked of nuance, and minor keys. And Ibsen'B meaning, and things like these. He chattered of football and ragtime shows. And automobiles, and George Ade's prose. In the realms of the abstract she vainly soared. He froze to the concretethey both were bored. The spell was broken; so was each heart. They knew It was up to them to was a Philistine, spick and span; She. a bizarre Bohemian. And ere a year, I am grieved to state. Each met their matrimonial fate. He paired with a widow the worse for wear; She hitched to a brand-new million aire. And what Is the moral of all this rot? Never try to be what you know you're not Be true to yourself, e'en tn love's despite. And love in the end will treat you white. Attention was called by a reader re cently to the fact that the version of "The Days of Forty Nine," which was published recently, was not correct, as he read It. Contributions that have -come in to us. indicate that there are almost as many versions of the song, as there are indivduala. We reprint herewith a copy sent by A. O. Reppeto, of Banks, when was copied from a manuscript belonging V9 an old Argonaut in Placerville. Cal, years ago. THE DAYS OF FORTY-NINE. You are gazing now at old Tom Moor a relic of bygone days: A bummer now they call me sure, but I'm not fond of praise; My heart is light, I make It so. yet oft I do repine For the days of old. the days of gold, the days of forty-nine. I then bad friends that loved me well a Jovial, hearty crew; There were some hard cases. I must confess, yet they were brave and true; l They stood the pinch; they'd never flinch; they'd never fret nor whine: Like good old bricks, they stood the kicks, in the days of forty-nine. There was New York Jake. the "butcher boy." so fond of getting tight: And whenever Jake got on a spree, he was spoiling for a fight; One night Jake ran against a knife in the hands of old Bob Cline. And over Jake we held a wake In the days of forty-nine. There was Monte Pete I remember well the luck he always had: He'd deal for you. both night and day, as long as you had a red. One day a bullet laid Pete out; 'twas his layout. In fine; For It caught Pete sure, dead In the door, in the days of forty-nine. There was Buffalo Bill, who could out roar a buffalo bull, you bet; He'd roar all day and he'd roar all night, and I guess he's roaring yet. One night Bill fell In a prospect hole; 'twas a roaring bad design. For In that hole Bill roared up his soul. In the days of forty-nine. There was Poker Rob: I knew him well so fond of a little game; And If he lost, or if he won, to Bob 'twas all the same; He'd rush th' buck and ante a slug, and go a hatful blind. But in a game with death. Bob lost his breath. In the days of forty-nine. There was old lame Jess, a hard old case: he never would repent. He never was known to miss a meal, or ever to pay a cent. But poor old Jess, like all the rest, to death he did resign. And in his bloom went up the flume in the days of forty-nine. Of all the friends that I had then. there's none now left to toast. They've left me here to wander alone, like some poor wandering ghost: As I go from place to place, they call me a wandering sign. Saying: "There's old Moore, a bummer for sure, of the days of forty nine." LONGFELLOW ON THE DEATH O? HIS WIFE. Alone I walk the peopled city. Where each one seems happy witb, his own; O friends, I aBk not for your pity . I walk, alone. No more for me yon lake rejoices, Though moved by loving airs of June. O birds! your 6weet and piping voices Are out of tune. In vain for me the elm tree arches Its plumes in many a feathery sprayi In vain the evening starry marches And sunlit day. In vain your beauty. Summer flowers. Ye cannot greet these cordial eyes; They gaze on other fields than ours On other skies. The gold Is riffled from the coffer. The blade is stolen from the sheath; Life has but one more boon to offer. And that is death. Yet well I know the voice of duty. And, therefore, life and health must crave. Though she who gave the world its beauty Is In her grave. I live, O lost one; for the living Who drew their earthly life from thee. And wait until with glad thankaglvlnC I shall be free. For life to me is as a station Wherein apart a traveler stands One absent long from home and nation, In other lands. And I. as he who stands and listens. Amid the twilight's chill and gloom. To hear, approaching in the distance, A train from home. For death shall bring another mating Beyond the shadows of the tomb; On yonder shore a bride is waiting Until I conic. In yonder fields are children playing And there O vision of delight! I see the child and mother straying In robes of white. Thou, then, the longing heart that breakest. Stealing the treasures one by one. I'll call thee blessed when thou makest The parted one. Contributed by Mrs. N. E. Farns-wortii. Mrs. . M. T. O'Conhell. of WInlock. Wash, sends "The Land o' the Leai." THE LAND O' THE LEAL. One of the most tender strains ever sun In Scotland Is Lady Nairne's "Land of the Leal." The author was a lovely Scotch woman who married William Murray Nairne, a military man of good position. She loved musio and poetry, and did much to sweeten and purify the minstrelsy of Scotland. She was most anxious to preserve her anonymity, and today - she is known and loved for only this one sweet strain. These verses were written to console a friend of hers, a lady who lost her only and dearly loved child; "I'm wearin" awa. John, Like snaw wreaths in thaw, John. I'm wearin away' To the land o" the leal. There's nae sorrow there. John. There's neither cauld nor care, John. The daye Is aye fair In the land o' the leal. "Our bonnle bairn's there, John. She was baith gude and fair, John, And oh! we grudge her sair To the land o' the leal. But sorrow's set wears past, John, And Joy's a-comlng fast, John. The Joye that's aye to last In the land o' the leal. "Sae dear that Joy was bought. John, Sae free the battle fought, John, That sinfu' man e'er brought To the land o' the leal. Oh, dry your glistening ee, John. My soul langs to be free. John, And angels beckon me To the land o' the leal. "Oh, haud ye leal and true. John, Your day is wearing through, John, And I'll welcome you To the land o" the leal. Now fare thee weel. my aln, John, The world's cares are vain, John, We'll meet, and we'll fain In tUj land o' the lcai,'! t 3