Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-03-19
A AREMINIsCKNCE OF EARLY DAYS.

AREl1INISCENCE OF EARLY DAYS
Omv early friend and only surviriny schooip.o
CAPT. J.--......B......
It's more than three score years and ten.
Our life's allotted span.
Since first in youthful happy days
Our friendship true began
It's more than three score years and ten,
Since as a joyous child,
i played with you on Stratford Green"
In many frolie wild.
As I look back upon those years.
Three score. and ten, and five
OF all the mates we numbered then,
But we two are aliyel
We two-of all that little band
Of sportive girls and boys.
" no went together IN childish grief.
And smiled DER childish joys.
And we're far down the vale of years.
And time Is deeting fast
let would be child once more,
And live again the pastl
Years seventy-fvel how thrills my heart,
As memory bears me back,
To tread again with buoyant steps,
My girlhOOd's sunny track.
But in lifes retrospect I see
Full many saddened scene,
For life has not been all a play
Oa dear old Stratlord Green.
We've drank. dear friend. its mingled cup
Of sorrow and of joy,
Since was but spOrtive girl,
And you happy boy.
We both were blessed with many friends,
How few are left alivel
The dearly loved have passed away.
And yet We still survived
We still surviye-and it may be
year-perhaps day
When like the loved ones gone before,
We too shall pass away.
God grant that in life's parting hour,
Our tolls and labors done.
We may 90 gently to our rest,
As sinks yOn setting sun.
When we were young twas stirin' times
The age OF iron men,
Who rung the trumpet's warlike shout
From every hill and glen;
Who for their country and their homes,
Their liberty and life,
God and the right" their battle cry
They conquered in the strife.
'Tis true we were but children then,
But we remember well,
How many hearth was desolate,
How many patriot fell
For oft the parent on his knee
Would seat his isping child,
And tell strange tales Of battle scenes,
And legends stern and wild
And oft our childish cheeks were blanched
Aud childish tears would flow,
As wonderingly we listened then.
Ie deeds Of blood and woe.
But joy best suits the youthful heart,
lis always light and free,
And SO as II hath ever been,
Ii was with you and me.
And still your boyhood sports went on
My girinOOdis laughter rung,
FOR III those DAYS of Sternest deeds
Both you and were youngl
Do you remember dear old friend,
Ine simple village school"
hnere Mr.. Ayes taught little folks
10 read and write by rule?
Children we're timid- teachers stern,
In those our youthful days,
When copy books in hands we went
trembling 10 seek hls praise.
And when you won the wished for book,
And l stood sadly by,
1ou often caused ray of hope
To light my downeaSt eye.
No matter what the teachers said,
Fresh from your generous breast
Came TO my ear the hattering words,
That mine was always best"
Do you remember that 1 sent
You then Valentine ?"
Fine sentiment perhaps it lacked,
But love breathed in each line.
1t seems but yesterday-these five
And seventy years" agoi
1ou then had owned no other belle,
And no other beau
/ in return ribbon got,
Bright with true loves own hue,
And much il pleased my girlish taste
For twas the honest blue.
But childhood quickly sped away.
And hearts were lost and won,
And you soon owned another love,
And another -John!' Ii
With him journeyed many years.
Happy and blessed were we;
He lived TO see his BARNS bairns,"
Rrattiing upon his knee.
I'VE clamb thegither up the hill"
But down alone 60!
And 500: thegither at its foot
With him I'll lay me low
Yet not alonel for loving hearts
Are left in children dear, II
Who in my downward path Of life.
Smooth each declining year.
And oft to glad mine aged eyes,
My children s children come,
And merry laughter rings again ,
In my old happy home.
For you. sole mate of early DAYS. l.
I've cast a backward eye
Along the Changing track of time Il
As 1t has hurried by. {
And forward, may we dare to look! {
Another opening year
Has dawned upon US, and its close
May scarcely find US here!
)ne may be taken, one be left,
1t may be me or you; Y
Still while We live. dear early friend, q
Shall live our friendship true.
Ny years now number 'eighty-eightI" :
And yours are eighty mine u
Then once more as in days OF yore, {
Accept my Valentine. I
Il MRs.E.1.