Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-12-06
POETRY.
eHs.vD'rBsa B.sLDwy.v.
A THANKSGIVING BALLAD.


nj HoRArio ALorR.
Underneath protecting branches, from the highway
just aloof,
stsnds the house Of grsndfher Baldwin, with lie
gently slopins roof.
squ.re Of shape and soiidtimbered II was standing,
have heard,
In the days Of Wing and Tory under roysoeorgo the
Third.
Many time, we'll remember, I have ssEed with
childish awe
Al the bullot-hoie remaining in the sturdy osien
door.
Turning round half apprshensive trecking not how
Time had fed)
OF the lurking savage foensn from whose musket It
had sped.
Not far on. the barn, plethoric with the Autumn's
harvest spells,
Holds the farmers well-esrned trophes-the guerdon
OF his tolls.
Filled the lofts with hay sweetscepted rav,hed, from
the meadows green,
while beneath are stalled the cattle, with their quiet,
drowsy mien
Deep and spacious are the grain bins. trimming DER
with Natures gold;
Here piles Of yellow pumpkins on the barn floor
loosely rolled.
Jus. below in deep rOces.ss safe from winter fro.,
and chill,
There are heaps Of ruddy apples from the orchard
Many year has arsndther Baldwin in the old house
dwelt in peace,
AZ his hair each year grew whittier he has seen his
herds increase
sturdy sons aud comely daughters growing up from
childish plays,
One by have met lfe's duties, and gone forth
their several ways.
flushed the voice Of childish laughter hushed is child
hoods merry tone,
BY the Arssde arandther Baldwin and his Good-wife
ait alone
Yet once within the twelvemonth, when the days
short and drear,
And chill winds chant the requiem of the slowly
fading year,
when the Autumn work Ia over, and the harvest
gathered in,
Once again the old house echoes to now unwonted
din
Logs of hickory blaze and crAckle in the fireplace
huge and high,
Curling wrea,hs Of smoke mount upward to the gray
November SKY.
Rudy lads and smiling lasses just let loose from
sehooldom's cares,
Patt pater race and chatter up aud down the great
hall stairs.
All the boys shall hold high reve all the girls shall
have their way
That's the law at Grandther Bsldwins upon each
Thanksgiving Day.
10
uproar yet
ROsui'h Charlie, playing stssecOsch, .nd the stage
coach has sPssn
Joe, blsct-eyed and laughter-loving, drandthers
specs his across,
orsvey winis at brother wilhe who ia gaily playing
horse.
Grandmas face is fairly radiant Grandther knows not
how to frown,
Though the children in their frolie turn the old house
upside down.
For the boys may hold high reve and the GIRLS must
have their way;
That's the law At Grandther BAdvins upon each
Thanksgiving Day.
But the dinner-sh the dinner-words are feeble TO
portray
VIVA. culinary triumph is achieved Thanksgiving
Day.
Fairly the board with dainties but the turkey
rules Il roost
Aldermanie at the ouset-at tho last neshless ghost
Then the richnes. Of the pudding and the favor Of
the piel
When you've dned at Grandma Baldwin's you will
will know as we'll asI.
When at length the feast was ended Grandther BaId
win bent his head,
And amid the solemn silence with reverent voice h.
said:
Nov unto God, the Gracious Ono, we thanks and
homage pay,
Who guardeih us, and guide,h us, and loveth us al
He scatters blessings In our paths. He riyeh u. I'm.
crease,
He crowns US with his kindness. and grantsth us His
Peace.
Unto himself wandering feet we pray that he
may draw,
And may we strive with faithful hearts to keep His
holy law"
His simple words In silence died-a moments hush,
and then
From all the listening hearts there rose a solemn.
voiced amen!