Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-09-06
THE LTGHT IN THE VALEEY.
A Pom DELIVERED BI N. DAVIDSON, on THH OCCASION
OF THE LELAND AND GRAY REUNloNAr rowNaHHND,
VT, AUG. 20, 1878.

In pleasant valley
Shone forth a pleasant light,
And brightly 1t did shine,
Shining by day and night.
II shone along the valley,
And into narrow lane,
Der the very hill tops,
And cross extended plain.
Toward the East it sent
Many cheering ray;
And West, and South, and North
It sent them every way.
Its Frightening beams did reach
Many lowly cot,
Mansion, town and city,
Many a distant spot.
It's beams were ne'er counned
In circumscribcd quarters,
But oft did speed their way
Cross the hriny waters.
For youth this light was set,
To light them day by day,
As they began to travel
Life's rough and thorny way.
And came there many youth,
And sought this light with zest;
Came Thousands from the South,
The East, the North, the West.
And young aud manly men,
And maidens bright and fair
Boyish boys-girlish girls
Did oft assemble there.
And there they used to bask
In rays Of purcst light,
Dispelling from their minds
Darkness worse than night.
Now shone this light for those
Who thought with hands to toll,
And handle hoe and spade,
And plough the fertile soil.
1t ever shone for such
As would mechanics be;
'Tis pidin they'd use the plane
The more successfully.
IL buOne 10 nRnten tnObe
Who Gtrl and idAt would use,
Lest and first, first and lsst,
In fitting boots and shoes;
For all who had resolved
To buy and sell for gain,
That they might rise to be
Successful merchantmen.
1t shone for such as thought
To deal out sugAred pills,
And powders, too, and drive
Away all human ills.
1t shone for tn aspiring
would-be politician,
Early looking forward
To loftiest position;
For those who would become
Jealous, faithful teachers;
For such as wished to be
Good and pious preachers.
1t shone for the maiden
Who'd lead humble life,
Whose choice it was to be
some thrifty farmer = Wltet
For her who thought to be
A good and skillful cook,
And make good bread by rule
Without printed book;
For her who did aspire
To be an suthoress,
And with her mental gifts
The world to greatly bless.
All, yes! It t1vu, r.. -r,
For all who were inclined,
while in youthful Vigor,
To ft the plastic mind
For chosen calling.
Trade or occupation,
Lowly, or useful,
Or a lofty station.
What was this light, 30 pure,
So beautiful and bright,
VITA beams 30 radiant,
Sought for with such delight?
It was not sunlight,
Though light as light Of noon;
Neither was it starlight,
Nor that Of Luna (moonl.
1t was not gas light, sure;
The reason it is plain
Meier youth who sought that light
Went forthA gas'y man l?)
III tell you what It was,
IiIt sp,ak IL here to-day
It was the well known light
or old "Leiand aud cray"
Dear friends, why is it, why,
That each Of you and /,
Have risked uncertain weather,
To come to Townshend town,
This town Of high renown,
Here, now, to meet together1
Was 1t to breathe the air
To see things new and rare'
Or the hills and valleys View7
The time to while away
As would a child at play,
Having nothing else to do7
Or did we think TO ride,
Companion at our side,
On the railwAy-Hdrrowg gdHge-
Thinking the rails were laid,
And the road completely made,
This fast, progressive Age7
Was it because We knew,
At home, We daily grew
Not only thin, but thinner,
And thought We might grow fat,
And all the like o. that,
By eating Coombs's dinnerf
Not 80, for came We here
To see old faces dear,
And grasp the hand in greeting;
Old friendships to renew
With former friends SO true
Grand "TeHAioR" mestingl
Bat more especially
Came now we here to see
II burns in the valley yet,
Shedding it's cheerful rays,
Just as in former days),
That beautiful, glowing light.
We all did love 1t well,
Far more than tongue eau tell.
SO now in the valley meet
Parents, pupils, teachers,
Principals aud preachers,
Friends aud all; Ills pleasure sweet.
Happy are we to find
with joy it fills the mind,
That still the light is burning;
And many, far aud near,
See the light, 30 clear,
And to it now are turning.
Indeed we're glad to know,
That with increasing glow
II surely now is shining;
'Tis hoped 1t never may
At any fTture day
BE found to he declining.
e'er hath been spontaneous light
Aining itself by day and by night,