The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-06-29
POetical.
WHlSTLING IN HEAVEN.

You're surprised that ever should say so2
just wait till the reason I've given
Why say I shant care for the music,
Unless there is whistling in heaven
Then you1l think 1t no very great wonder,
Nor so strange, nor so bold conceit,
That unless there's a boy there a-whlstlng,
Its music win not be complete.
II was late In the autumn OF IO
We had'come from our far Eastern home
just in season to build us a cabin,
Ere the cold of the winter should come;
And we lived all the while in our wagon,
That husband was clearing the place
Where the house was to stand and the clearin
And building 1t took many days.
So that our heads were scarce sheltered
In under Its roof, when our store
OF provisions was almost exhausted,
And husband must journey for more;
And the nearest place where he could get them
Was yet such distance away,
That It forced him from home to be absent
AT least q whole night and a day.
You see, we'd but two or three nelghbors,
And the nearest was more than a mile,
And we hadn't found time yet to know them,
For we had been busy the while;
And the man who had helped at the raising
Just staid till the job was well done;
And as soon as his money was paid him,
Had shouldered his axe and had gone.
Well, husband Just kissed me and started.
could scarcely suppress deep groan
At the thought of remaining with baby
SO long in the house all alone;
For, my dear, l was childish and tlmld,
And braver ones might well have feared,
For the wild wolf was often heard bowling,
And savages sometimes appeared.
But smothered my grief and my terror
TIL husband was off on his ride,
And then in my arms took Josey,
And all the day long sat and cried,
As thought OF the long dreary hours
When the darkness OF night should fall
And was so utterly helpless,
With no one In reach OF my call
And when the night came with It's terrors,
To hide ev'ry ray OF light,
hung up a quilt by the window,
And, almost dead with alright,
kneeed by the side OF the cradle,
Scarce daring to draw full breath,
Lest the baby should wake, and It's crying
Should bring us a horrible death.
There knet until late in the evening,
And scarcely an inch had stirred,
When suddenly, far in the distance,
A sound as OF whistling heard.
started up, dreadfuly frightened,
For fear twas an Indians call
And then very soon remembered
Tue red man neer whistles at all.
And when was sure twas white man,
/ thought, were he coming for III,
He'd surely approach with more caution
Would come without warning and still.
Then the sounds coming nearer and nearer,
Took the form of tune, light and gay,
And knew / needn't fear evil
From one who could whistle that way.
Very soon heard footsteps approaching,
Then came a peculiar dun thump,
As II some one was heavily striking
An axe in the top OF a stump;
And then, in another brief moment,
There came light tap on the door,
When quickly undid the fast 'nings,
And in stepped boy, and before
There was either question or answer,
Or either had time to speak,
just threw my glad arms around him,
And gave him kiss on the cheek.
Then started back, scared at my boldness,
But he only smiled at my fright,
AS he said, "Im your nelghbors boy, Elick,
Come to tarry with you through the night.
ave saw your husband go eastward,
And made up our minds where he'd gone,
And | said to the rest of our people,
THAT woman is there all alone,
And venture she's awfully lonesome,
And though she may have no great fear,
! think she would feel a bit safer
If only a boy were but near
$50, taking my AK on my shoulder,
For fear that a savage might stray
Across my path, and need scalplng,
] started right down this way
And coming In sight OF the cabin,
| And thinking to save you ALARM
| | whlstled a tune, Just to SHOW you
didn't intend any harm.
| "And so here am, at your service
| But if you don't want Inc TO stay,
| Why, all you need do is TO say so,
And should ring my AK, I'll away
| dropped in a chair and near Ianted,
Just at thought OF his leaving me then,
And his eye gave knowing bright twinkle
AS he said, 81 guess III remain"
And then Just sat there and told him
How terribly frightened I'd been,
How his face was to me the most welcome
or any ever had seem
And then lay down with the baby,
And slept all the blessed night through,
For felt was safe from all danger
| Near SO brave ayoung fellow and true,
So now, my dear friend, do you wonder,
| Since such good reason I've given,
| Why Say | sha'n't care for the music
| Unless there is whistng in heayenf
Yes, often I've said so In earnest
| And now what I've said repeat,
That unless there's boy there awhistling,
Its music VIII not be complete.
| H,rp.r', lT111-;ns fo,. T.