Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-02-18
Seltttfo poetrp.


We copy the following lines read at tn
New England Society's Festival at Ne'
York. December -, 1916, by Allen c
Spooner, Of Boston, from the Courier:
Twas in my easy chair at home,
About a week ago.
sat and ruffcd my lish. cigar
Asusuai. YOU must know.
mused upon the Pilgrim flock
Whose luck it was to land
Upon almost the only rock
Among the Plymouth sand
In nv minds eve, 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 lurked nigh.
Their creed and watchword, Trust in God
And keep your powder dry"
Imagination's pencil then
That first stern winter painted.
When more than half their number died
And stoutest spirits tainted.
A tear unbidden filled one eve,
Nv smoke had filled the other;
One sees strange sights at such time,
Which quite the senses bother.
knew was alonc--but 10.
(Let him who dares, dcriGe me-
looked. and, drawing up chair.
Down sat a man beside me.
His dress was ancient, and his air
Was some what strange and foreign
lie civilly returned my stare,
And said, "I'm Richard Warren"
You'll find my name among the list
OF hero, sage, and martyr,
Who, in the Mayflorer's cabin, signed
The first New England charter.
81 could some curious facts impart-
Perhaps. some wise suggestions-
But then, I'm bent on seeing sights,
And running DER with questions"
"Ask on" said I, "I'Il do my best
10 give YOU information,
Whether of private men YOU ask,
Or our renowned natior.'
Saws he, First tell me what is that
In Won compartment narrow,
Which seems to dry my eyc-balls up,
And scorch my very marrow"
His finger pointed to the crate
Said I-"That's Lchigh coal,
Dug from the earth''-he shook his head
1T is, upon my SOUL
then took up bit of stick,
One end was black as night.
And rubbed il quick across the hearth,
When 10. a sudden light
Nv guest drew back, uprollcd his eyes,
And strove his breath to catch
'.What nccromancy's that he cried
Quoth LA friction match.
Upon pipe just overhead,
turned a little screw.
When forth. with instantaneous flash.
Three streams of lithtning iicw.
Up rose my guest--"Now heaven me save,
Aloud he shouted. then
lis that hell fire "'Ti- gas" said !,
1--WE call il hydrogen"
Then forth into the fields We strollci,
A train came laundering by
Drawn by the snorting iron stecd,
swiitcr than eagles fly.
Rumblcd the wheels, the whistle shrickrd,
Far strcamcd the smoky cloud,
Echoed the hills, the valleys shook,
The flying forests bowed.
Down on his knees. with hands upraiscd
In worship, Warren fell
Great u the Lord our God" cried he
"IIc docth all things wei.
1--WE seen his chariots of fire
The horsemen, too, thereof,
q. may lne'cr provoke Ills ire.
Nor at His thrcatcnings scofr."
"Rise up, my friend. rise up" said ].
Your tcrrors all are vain
That was no chariot of the sky.
Twas the New York mail train
We stood within chamber small
Men came the news TO know,
From Worcester, Springfield and New York
Texas and Mexico.
II came--it went--silcnt but sure
lie stared, smiled, burst out laughing;
"What witchcraft's that '''"It's svhat We cal
Magnetic telcgraphing."
Once more We stepped into the street;
Said Warren, .'What is that
Which moves along across the way
As softly as cat
Il mean the thing upon two lcss,
With feathers on its head
\ monstrous hump below its waist,
Large as feather bead;
ut has the gift of speech, hear,
But sure il cans be bumanr -
NV amiablc friend" said |,
That's what We call woman
Eternal powers. ii cannot be-
Sighed he, with voice that faltcrci;
II loved the women in my day.
But. oh. they're strangely altered