The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-03-28
OLD TIMES AND NEW.


70 copy the following lines, read at the New III
"a society's Festival at New York, Dec. -, lst'
Allen @. spooner, from the Boston COurter:l
"Twas in my easy chair at home,
About a week ago,
1 sat and pulled my light cigar
Az usual, you must Know
Unused upon the Pilgrim flock
Whose luck Il was To land
tJpon almost the only rock
Among the Plymouth sand.
In nv minds eye, saw them leave
THOR 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
The first stern winter painted,
Whom more than half their number died,
And stoutest spirits tainted.
A tear unbidduu filled one eye,
My smoke HAD filled the other;
One sees strange sights at such a time,
Which quite the senses bother.
1 knew I was alone-but 10.
Uet him who dares, deride me-
looked, and, drawing up a chair,
Down sat man beside me.
His dress was ancient, and has air
Was somewhat strange and foreign.
lie civilly returned my stare,
And said, I'm Richard Warren I"
"Youll ind my name among the list
OF hero, sage, and martyr,
Who, in the MAYFLowRR'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 /, EN- 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 your compartment narrow,
Which seems TO dry my eye-balls up,
And scorch my very Harrow.
His finger pointed to the CRATE
Said /" That's Lehigh coal,
Dug from the earth"-he shook his head
=" 1t is, upon my soul J"
; then took Up OFT of stick,
One end was black az night
And rubbed it quick across the hearth,
Whom 10, sudden light!
My guest drew back, uprolled his eyes,
And stroye his breath TO catch
"What necromGncy's that 2" he cried
Quoth /, "a friction match"
Upon pipe just overhead,
/ turned a little screw,
When forth, with instantaneous flash,
Three streams OF lightning flew.
Up rose my guest" Now heaven me save"
Aloud he shouted, then,
:" Is that he'll fire ~ "'Tis gas, said /,
"We call it hydrogen"
Then forth into the fields we strolled,
A train came laundering by,
Drawn by the snorting iron steed,
Swifter than the eagles fly.
Rumblea'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 appraised
In worship, Warren fell
"Great is the Lord our God" cried he
" He doeth all things Well
"I've seen his chariots of fire.
The horseman, too, thereof.
q, may meier provoke His ire,
Nor at His threatening scoh."
" Rise up, my friend rise up" said 1,
'Your terrors are all vain
That was no chariot of she sky,
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.
It came--t went-silent but sure
He started, smiled, burst out laughing
"What witchcraft's that 2" ats what we cal
Magnetic telegraphing."
cnce more we stepped into the street
Said Warren, "What is that
Which moves along across the way
AS softly a. cat?
IL mean the thing upon two legs,
With feathers on its head
A monstrous hump below its waist,
Large as feather bed.
at has the gift Of speech, hear,
But sure it can't be human 2"
amy amiable friend" said J.,
"That's what we call a woman"
Eternal powers it cannot be,r
Sighed he, with voice that faltered
81 loved the women in my day,
But, oh they're strangely altered"
l showed him then a new machine
For turning eggs 10 chickens,
labOr-saving hennery,
That beats the very dickens.
Thereat, he strongly grasped my hand,
And said, "'Iis plain to see
This world Is so transmogrihed,
Twill never do for me-"
"Your telegraphs, your railroad trains,
Your gas lights, friction matches,
Your hump-backed women, rocks for coal,
Your thing which chickens matches,
Have turned the earth 40 upside down,
No peace is left within it,
Then, whirling round upon his heel,
He vanished in a minute.
Forthwith, my most vcracious pen
Wrote down what had heard,
And here, dressed up IN doggerel rhyme,
You have il word for v ord.