Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1867-05-17


In the State we'll known rs "Kcy Stone"
On the banks Of Juniata.
Where once lived a handsome maiden
There she grew from merest childhood
Lived and was beloved by parents
Pride and JOY Of all around her.
Curls had she, like unto Haidee
Mentioned by the gifted Byron
And form like Paran marble
Lips, had she so very tempting
And her checks flushed with the rose>hue :.
Placed her in the ranks with angels.
Thus it was, her charms attractive
And her happy disposition
Blended with the stric,est virtue
Rendered her m object worthy
OF the love of every young man
Who, pcrchance, lived in the village
Where this fairy little creature
Had local habita,ion.
Many sought her hand in marriage
Few there were By her encouraged
Even unto recognition.
One there was who much admired her
And the feeling thus was mutual,
III it was By her much favored,
Favored more than al his rivals
More than all the other gallants
He it was, pursued the wooing
Of this fairy little beauty,
lie il was who wooed and won her
Won her BY his extreme beauty
BY his manly, noble b.aring
BY his bravery and prowess
On the battle fields of glory
Where the bullets dew the thickest
And the cannons roared the loudest.
Won her by his genial nature
by his character unb,emshed
In the bonds Of holy wed!ock
We're this happy couple blended.
Tears rolled By. and they were happy
Happy in their h.ms Elysian
In their joyous modern Eden
Where the tree of tore was blooming
Blooming as the myrtle flowers
Bloom with fragrance in the valleys.
Children had they, three young pra,tlcrs
Pledges Of the love their parents
Ere had borne unto each other
Tiny little bonds of union
Rendering hoae Il little Heaven.
Soon within the village tavern
Placed behind filthy counter
Was human tiend incarnate
Dealing out the fiery liquid
Destined soon to dash in pieces
All the fond hopes Of loved wife
All the happiness of mother.
For this man who ere before had
Been kind, indutgent husband
Suddenly became addicted
To the bowl intoxicating,
Drinking harder, daily, monthly,
Drinking till the hour Of midnight,
Keeling homeward to his family.
Poverty ana misery clustered
Round his home wi ich once SO happy
Served him for arest-a hauen
When the days hard toll was over.
Soon his children clothed in rags were,
Soon neglected was their learning,
Soon their little feet were shocless,
Soon appeared they, wan and weary,
Then sobbcd they for mosscl.
To appease their rising hunger
Sorrowful became their mother
For the evil spirit now had entered
Into that home once SO happy
All cntrsaties thus seemed fruitless.
This once fond and kindly husband
Treated with contempt her wishes.
Finally in grief o'erwhelming
This appeal she made unto him -
"Why the starriag Of the children.
Why their cries so loud of hunger,
Why the weeping Of the mother
Der the wayward yet beloved son.
Why sisters fond entreatiss
With brother to take ,carning
Ere his honor's lost forever?
'Tis the evils Of the beverage
Brewel in he'll and sent TO earth-ward
In the shape Of brandy-smashes,
Gin, and rum and sherry >cobblers,
Whisky Straight and foaming lager,
Ale all brewcd just for the side-hpard.
Those it is that causes red eyes
Poverty and crime the deepest,
Murder foul, and theft 50 boldly
All are caused by these grim monsters.
These bring down the proud head lowly
Crush the spirit Of brave manhood,
Blot out every feeling human
From the heart Of man so hayward.
These immure him in dungeon,
Place tho chains and shackles on him,
Leads him forth unto the gallows
There 10 end his life in disgrace.
turn and take these Warnimgs
Warnings which your Ove would give you.
Leave tho dram shops fatal counter
Fatal 10 the soul aud body.
Quit the vicious life you're leading
Leading you to sure destruction.
swear aow, by the Great Eternal,
Swear by vows in Heaven recorded
By tho lovs You once did bear me,
By the vows 90 often plighted,
By your promise 1t the altar