The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-07-25
POETIC Al.
OLD TIMES AND NEW.

OLD TIMES AND NEW.
Read at the NaO Eagland Ssciety's Festival
Neuc York, December D. 1856. by ALLEN
C. SrooNER. Of Boston.
Twas in my easy chair at home,
About a week ago,
sat and puffed my light cigar
As susual, you must know
mus ID upon the Pilgrim flock,
Whose luck it was to land
Ipon the almost only rock
Among the Plymouth sand
..,mv 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 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 unbldden filled one eye,
Nv 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-
Hooked, and, drawing up chair,
Down sat man beside me.
His dress was ancrent, and his air
Was somewhat range and foreign
HIS civilIy returned my stare,
And said I'm Richard arren"'
"You'n fnd my name among the list
OF hero, sage and martyr,
WHO, in the Mayfower's cabin, signed
The first New England charter.
al could some curious facts import
Perhaps some wise suggestion
But then, I'm bent On seeing sights.
And running o'er with questions
"Ask on" said I, "I'll do my best
To give you information,
Whether of private men you ask,
Or our renowned nation"
Says he, "First tell me what is that
In yon compartment narrow.
Which seems to dry my eyebal!s up,
And scorch my very marrow
His finger pointed to the CRATE
Said I-tnat's Lehigh coal,
Dug from the earth''-he shook his head
"ltis, 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, unroled his eyes,
And strove his breath to catch
"What necromancy's tliatl" he cried
Ouoth /, "a friction match.''
Upon pipe just overhead
turned little screw,
= When forth with instantaneous fash,
Three streams of lightning few.
Uprose nv guest; "Now heaven me save,"
Aloud he shouted then
"Is that hell fire." IT'S gas" said /,
1--WE call it hydrogen"
Then forth into the field We strolled,
train came laundering by,
Drawn by the snorting iron steed,
Swifter than eagles fly.
Rumbled The wheels, the whistle shrieked,
Far streamed the smoky cloud,
Echoed the hills, the valleys shook,
The flying forests bowed
Down on his knees, with hands upralsed
In worship Warren fell
"Great is the Lord our God," cried he
'.Iie doeth all things well.
sI've seen his chariots Of fire,
The hOrsemen, too, thereof:
D, NAV ne'er provoke his ire,
Nor at his threa,enings .coff.'
"Rise up, my friend rise up said J.,
"Your terrors are all vain
That was no chariot of the SPY,
Twas the New York mail train"
We stood within a chamber small
Men came the news to know,
From Worcester. Springfield and New York,
Texas and Mexico.
1t came-it went-silent, but sure
He stared, smiled. burst out laughing
''What witchcraft's that7" ats what we call
Magnetic telegrapiling.
Once more we stepped into the street
Said Warren, -'What is that
Which moves across the way
As softly as a cat?
al mesn the thing upon two legs,
With features on its head
A moiIstrous bump below its waste,
Large as a feather bed
''Is has the gift Of speech, hear,
But sure, il can't be human7"
MY amiable friend" said l..
That's what we Call woman"
eternal powers. it cannot be-"
Sighed be, with voice that faltered
"I loved the women in my day,
"But, oh they're strangely altered'
showed him then a new machine
For turning eggs to chickens,