Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1847-02-17
Old Times and New.
Read at the Nep England Society's Fes-
tiuaI at NeU York, Dee. 90, 1916,

Whose luck it was 10 land
Upon almost the only rock
Among the Plymouth sand.
10 my minds eye, saw them leave
Their weather-beaten bark
Before them spread the wintry wilds,
Behind, rolled ocean dark.
Alone that little handful stood,
While savage foes ldrked nigh,
Their creed and watchword eTrust in God
And keep your powder dry"
pencil then
That first stern winter painted,
When more than half their number died
And stoutest spirits tainted.
A tear unbidden filled one eye
My smoke had filled the other
One sees strange sights at such time
Which quite the senses bother.
| knew | was alone-but 10!
(Let him who dares deride me,)
| looked, and. drawing up chair,
Down sat u man beside me.
His dress was ancient, and his air
Was somewhat strange and foreign
He civIlly returned my stare
And said I'm Richard Warren!
4" You'll find my name among the list
Of hero, sage and martyr,
Who in the Mayfower's cabin signed
The fist New England charter.
81 could some curious facts impart--
Perhaps some wise suggestions
But, then, Pm gent on seeing sights,
And running DER with questions"
" Ask on" said /, +" III do my best
To give you information.
Whether of private men you ask
Or our renowned nation.
Saws he "First tell me what is that
In your compartment narrow,
Which seems TO dry my eyebals mp
And scorch my very marrowp
His finger pointed to the CRATE
Said I-"That's Lehigh coal,
Dug from the earth, "--he shook his head,
8" 1t is. upon my soul"
| then took up bit of stick,
One end was black as night,
And rubbed it quick across the hearth,
When, 10, sudden light!
NV guest drew back, uprolled his eyes,
| And strove his breath to catch
What necromancy's that" he cried
Quoth |, ga friction MATCH"
Upon pipe just overhead
turned little screw,
When forth with instantaneous flash
Three streams Of lightning few.
Uprose my guest: Snow heaven me save
i Aloud he shouted then,
"Is that hell fire?' "'Tis gas" said I,
ave call it by drogen."
Then forth into the fields we strolled,
A train came laundering by,
Drawn by the laundering iron sized,
Swifter than eagles fly.
Rubbed the wheels, the whistle shrieked
Far streamed the smoky cloud,
Echoed the hills, the vaIlies shook,
The flying foresls bowed.
Down on his knees, with terror fraught
The wondering Warren fell
"Whence comes this winged chraiot,
pray thee, quickly tell"
"Rise up, my friend, rise up," said /,
RI Your terrors all are vain
That was no chariot of the sky,
r twas the New York mail train"
We stood within a chamber small
Men came, the news to know,
From Worcester, Springfield and N. York
Texas and Mexico.
h II came, il went--silent but sure
i He started, smiled, burst gu; laughing
4 What witchcraft's that2"-it's what we ca
e Magnetic telegraphing."
Once more we stepped into the street;
: Said Warren "whst is that
: Which moves along across the way
= As softly as cat
a "I mean the thing upon two legs,
81 With feathers on It's head
.r A montrous hump below its waist,
IF Large as feather bed.
> II has the gift Of speech, hear;
But sure, il can't be human J"
MY amiable FRIEND" said1,
~ "That's what we call airomGn."
IN ga woman, that! it cannot be-"
ps Sighed he, with voice that faltered;
he 81 loved the women in my day,
|. But oh!they're strangely altered"