Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1877-12-22
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OLD UNCLE BEN,
From the sunday st. LOUIS Times

From the sunday ST. LOUIS Times.l
Where the water willows grow. in IL sunny land.
Mh'ir the SILVER waters now over shining sand.
Where the cotton h-!ds are blooming. paiy pink
and white,
And the pine trees, durkly looming, drape the
moons soft light,
There beside the fields of cotton stands cabin
lone.
The wooden hinges swinging cIeak. the low
winds sob and moan.
The tall trees throw their shadows long, across
the uUIe.l-ss floor,
Where Uacle Zen, III dreamy mood. sits by the
open door
HI. ercs now dim with starting tears, seek OFT
the linden q shade
Where all the loved oil former years in dreaInlsss
sleep are laid,
No massu now to care for Ben no gentle mistress
sway,
No vile nor child to welcome him, no brother
darkIes gay,
+ or strangers NIL the planters home. his cotton
land they till,
But nci. Ben win never roam-he loves the old
nome stlii.
Where the water willows grow. where the silver
waters dow,
Where the cotton fields are blowing pink and
white.
Where the fragrant pines are looming. where the
orang. groves are blooming
And the >vlitern Cross - in the sky at nj ght.
In his cabin dark and lonely by the waters blue,
Wher, the open doorway only lets the sunlight
tn ough,
Uncle Ben still loves to ponder over bygone
still IN fancy loves TO wander mid thc trees and
flowers.
Now when summer heats are gone. and cooler
days have come,
The cotton heids are snowy white win bursting
balls al foam,
And busy iorIns are moving through the " asie
Oi WoudTnus white.
| And busy hands are gathering from early morn
til night
While they gather in the cotton, white rs drifteo
foam,
| Jurl. Ben Is not forgotten IN his cabin home.
| Hands though rough are Oft times tender, humhis
hearts are kin";
! When the. Carry home the cotton some is lei
| behind
| kindly strewn
| Where the aged cotton -gi-aner totters on alone
Cleaning from the old plantation where In day
Il. was rst Of all the picker- in the busy ihrong
BsI now mis- head Is frosted Ger with man
HIS irrm 10 bowed and totterIng, his eyes ar
nlied with tears
He CLEANS with trembling hand and slow tn
! treasures left behind,
! And blrssrs with u thankful heart the cotton
| PiCkers KIND.
HE basket filled, with tollsome steps he feebi
| seeks his home;
And when his humb!. meal is done, his thought
stilt backward roam,
In his doorway, when the pine trees slantiI
shadows cast.
incle Ben in dreams Is wandering through u
lie sees the un forgort-n faces loved SO long ago.
Hears the old familiar voices IN the strsaInle
How.
And Master Charities there again; lie sees II
stripping form,
ii" hears hIIn calling, 'tncie Ben. come IN o
Ut the storm
Come in, we'll light your cabin fire. and VIII
Its warm and bright
You II tell us sioriss OF .he ghosts that wand
round at night -
And now the vision changes; old mistress wa
with pride
For Mastrrt hurli.'s coming to bring fair you
bride.
Uncle Ben has spread the tidings: at the quartz
For young Mars Charlie 3 comins-yes. .comi
home to-dny.''
Eyes. thev' come - and Master Charlie prou
ly lra,is his young bride forth
The darkies gather round To see the LILY oil
She smiles at all the dusky faces. turns and loo
SAYS IN tones OF music sottnes,. "w hIch
Uncle BEN
Gently then he leads her forward. This is
OIL: friend true. -
She clasps the tuIlworn hand. ''Please. I'm
Ben be my friend toD.''
Who can tell the q al thoughts swelling in
faithful bosom then
For Master CharlIe's told his bride ABOUT
tLcle Ben.
Amin the picture changes; now terror Ills e'
heart;
The bitter war cry sounding calls the deaI
Clash OF aims sni din of battle; peace
brotherhood are past
Mid the cannon roar anu rattle, Norm ana 30
have met al last.
W ben the Orange-trees are blooming, when
sprGngtlmr birds have c"Inr;
Two sad woIne weep together. In u desois
home.
Far away toward the Sorfhlnnd, Master Cha
Sleeps alOnei
He has yielded up his life blood Tor MS su
SuutI tru home.
When the white magnolia blossoms shed 4
perfume ilr ami Wide
The lovely Lily of the North had paied anu hrt
ed and died.
And now beneath the orange grove old Mist
stands again.
Not one is lett to for her but faithful L
Ben,
. With humble zeal he smoothS the steps he kn
must br but few.
! Y And ere the ossons come again he lakes
last adltu, -
And tender Peace has come at last; Old L
ben Is Tree; ,, -, ,. d,
Eut oh. how gladly would he sleep beneath
linden tree ,
And now he hears the well known voice
heard so oIt of old,
That called him to the hre-sde when all wit
cold
I n lis Master Charlic's voice he hears he all
sees his form;
He hears HIM calling, 'CnSls ben, come II
OF the storm. -
The pale moon rises overhead and lights
lonely grove.
Dark shadows IN the holiows lie. the moe
. bright above,
The mooubeams gather tenderly about the s
form,
- And Uncle Ben is happy now. He's gone
out the storm.
HxMArIrx, Mo. Mrs. C. Within