Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-06-10
Turnnike Poem,

And Christian CTeGk, IRON IOlllltdlu Hedu,
To where it sleeps in oceans bed,
Was spoken here twelve months ago,
With laundering length and pompouS show
BY that young Creeker we call Jack
The hopeful son of father Mac;
: Then published in the Staunton print,
That all the world might take the hint.
But our fair neighborlood has not
Received its due-'twas all forgot,
Till no more the shame can stand,-
will defend my native land.
And though | am not much poet,
Pride spurs me on to try and go it.
We have a noble Turnpike there,
Where buggies. stage and carriage fair,
Do rattle by in glttering pride,
And youth and beauty" in them ride.
A throng of human life we view
Along this road their course pursue,
Which Jake and Jack can never see,
They've not this noble pike like me.
You'll see another if you look,
From Howardsville to Middlebrook;
By this our people Bethel reach,
To hear our gifted pastor preach.
Come now, wen call our neighbors up,
And quaf with them the social cup.
Come go with me from door to door,
While proceed to call them o'er.
And this shall be my standing rule,-
III call on those who send to school.
Now where you see that nice large barn,
/ will begin to spin my yarn;
Whence John came down with US to learn,
When winter was so cold and stern.
Now just across the other side,
Friend Lowrie, and our Cy, reside.
Twas here Ia former times did live,
The othe. Rubush, who did give
His Iannie and his Phebie too,
Who came to school with me and you.
Now come along We'll spend night
With our good neighbor Argenbright,
Where Newton and Estela be,
Two worthy children as you'll see.
When, in the morning we arise,
And view the blushing eastern skies,
Well 60 to uncle Reuben's house,
Where all is silent as mouse.
Bnt soon they're up-so cheerful, kind,
A happier group is hard to find.
There's Anna with her smiling face
And Tirzah tall and full of grace
And Ellen and our Wille's there
With cheerful faces and red hair,
Then Dave, Gerard and Silas too
Three noble boys to help US through,
Seven in all, their praise l sing,
The happy group of Willow Spring.
Now leaving this with pure delight,
To Cedar Spring we take our fight,
Where lives our dearest uncle Davy,
Who's good to us as butter gravy.
He's always noble. kind and good,
He gives us ground and spring and wood;
For these our thanks: then like q man,
Sent Sam, and John, and Peggy Ann;
Our tail and gallant Sam mean,
And thinking John. and Peggy Sheen.
From distant homes three others came
To board, Billy, James and Dave by name
Now while we're going round about,
Wen call and see our neighbor Blauth,
But look YOU out, as well you may,
For old dog SAINT that killed our "Ney."
We're now at father Abraham's,
Where good Louisa pets her lambs.
Learned Theodore from other land
Came here to join fair freedoms band.
Now down to Mint Spring for drink,
See Billy G. and Calvin Swink.
Offiighter next well call and see,
Vienna, Tom, Joe, and Caty.
But keep away from just below,
Where fires of death and danger glow.
Now DER the bill we'll take our fight
To Tommy Shields, Sir, and spend night.
John once came here frank, full of life
A business man without wife.
Come, hurrah boys, for Rocky Spring.
Hear Lizzie play and Mary sing.
Now watch the band to school that 90,
They fear not heat. nor storm, nor snow.
First, Sam upon the track we see,-
A gentleman and scholar he
Then John, and George, and Henry Clay,
March along their vending way;
Then Billy and Virginia small,
And once walked with them Mary Hall.
Friend Matthew takes an active part,
Aud helps US ON with head and heart.
Please stop at Whetsels' just minute,
Rap at the house to see who's in il;
Out jumps Polk mimi le as flea,
Then Becky, Betsy, John we see,
Who pass along the road to school,
In summer, shady, fresh and cool
Tired with my flight l now will turn
To that sweet spot for which | yearn
ut is spot of earth supremely blest,
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest :"
And when and where my footsteps roam,
A soft emotion points to home.
I ita Nnah,s I,va with ,,pra 1a1i5rbt
My spirit wings its homeward flight,
Where father and my mother are,
And their tender love can share;
I've brothers there, one, two three, FOUR
James, Calvin, Sandy, and one more.
And Pm plain Thompson as you view,
Who loves to learn and play with you.
With dinner basket, ball and book,
And slate and top and fishing hook,
We tread the path to school with Joy
As franklin did when he $ a boy.
| most forgot our fine boy Gloss,
Come in my father was his boss.
I'll stop-for have wandered far
Where full ten thousand blessings are;
With fields as green, and skies as blue,
And souls as noble, hearts as true
AS "Old Virginia" ever knew;
And must stand as have stood
To plead for our good neighborhood.
Ny race is run,
My speech is done,
I'll turn Inc back where begun,
In joys OF home to live.
But, while Pm here,
Kind friends and dear,
I'll ask you back another year,
To see what we can give.
AN ARMY WITH FANS In an article devot
o China, in the Westminster Review, il
,ad that the forces that the Emperor is NJ
mastering for service against the English dc
Is" are not likely to prove very formidable.
They are better fitted for battle behind the 70,
igts of Il theatre than in the "tented field. y
Their helmets are made of paper. Their boo
ire of coarse satin. Their uniform consists OF
1added gown, and quilted pettIcoat. VIII
hey salute an officer, they do not sprese
arms" but fall on their knees. Every man .,
lies fan, when there is warm work, and f.
himself as assiduously as any lady. Their ch