Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-10-04
From the Bosion Cnllipator.
The Miners Camp Fire.

I-lhP Save ~ lois all Qay,
In its persp.raton reeking.
Miner, lay aside the spade,
Let the pickaxe rest from drifting;
See how much the claim has paid,
Where the gold dust has been sitting
From the boxes take the sand,
Wash il out, pleasant duty;
Now the gold grains cleanly "pannod,n
Beam upon us, bright in beauiyl
Brighter than maiden's glances
Are the gold grains flashing DER US,
AMI a smile of pleasure dances
On each swarthy face before u.s.
Turn the water out to play,
1t has proved good r.tner,
Cast the p.ckaxe, spade away,
For the campfire calls the miner.
Tell us tales of wizard band,
In the myths Of ages olden,
When the sorcerrr's potent wand
Turled all earthly things to golden;
Pick and spade are magic rods,
Toll and industry OWNERS.
Drawing gold from sand and sods,
Touched by brawney hand Of mincrsl
Labor is the mighty king,
Dawning wealth from rocky mountains;
At his beck the rivers bring
Golden tributes from their fountains
Labor seizes treasures vast.
Locked in Natures vaults for ages,
Reads the records of the past
Writ in dust on golden pages.
Gather around the cheerful Ere
In the deepening darkness cleaning,
Now the red tongues, leaping higher,
Seem Ike banners upward streaming;
On the swarthy son of labor,
How the ruddy fre-light flashes,
And, anon, upon his neighbor,
Rough and bearded, quickly dashes.
Stretched around the supper fire,
Hear the iron kettle steaming,
While the sharpness Of desire,
Lulls into luxurious dreaming;
On the oven heap the Goals,
Till it seems dragon waking,
For dozen hungry souls
Wait for bread within it baking!
On the ground the tin plate spread,
Pour the tea out strong and stronger,
From the " Dutchman" draw the Tread
We can wait for itno longer.
Roll il out upon the ground
Pray the gods 10 be propitious,
Never loaf before was foand
With an odor so del.c,ousl
Break The bread with brawny hands
Labor crowns it with a blessing;
Now the hungry crowd looks bland,
Each smoking piece possessing.
Pass the ham around this way
Quick, before il all is taken,
Hang philosophers, we say
We have barely Z" saved our baconW
Go to grass, ye Graham eaters,
Fowlcr's nice fed, scrIggy cattle,
StMv,lng vegetation "creetcrs,"
Fit with Cinnamon to battle!
In the water let you SILVER.
Turn from drones to earnest workers,
Weld The pick, till muscles quiver-
You would gladly turn TO ''porkers"
Now the evening meal is done,
Let us try game of euchre,
All our bets are jokes and fun,
Gambling not for filthy lucre;
Closer draw the mtrry ring,
Laughing makes the hours fly quicker,
We have won now, Toys, just br.ng
Out little dash oil l.quor
Spread the blankets on the ground,
Labor needs not couch or teathtri
In a circle clustered round,
We will all lie down tos cher,
Labor brings refreshing sleep,
No luxurious couch can borrow,
And our slumbcrs sound and deep,
Give us strength for toll tomorrow.
Watch each rising silver star,
Drifting from the depth of Alden
Think you not of friends afar,
Wife or child or blue eyed maiden!
Comes there not misty vision
Ger the drowsy spirit stealing,
AMI in rev,ries elyslar,
All the joys of home revealing!
As the needle, frail and shivcr.n,
On the ocean wastes afar,
veering, changing, trembling, qulverlug,
Settles on the polar star
So in breasts of those who roam,
Loves magnetic fres are burning
To the central point of home, a
Trembling hearts are ever turning
-. l.aorinar n0n