Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-04-06
o E II R Y.
A Farm Ballad.


Al Farm Ballad.
BY WILL s. CARLTON.
If the weary world is willing. I've q little wore
to say AF "a
Ofalightning- rod dispenser that dropped dowr
on me one day, as
With a poem in his motions, and sermon in
his mien. ~; ~.
With hands as white as lilies, and face un
common clean. 81.
No wrinkle had his vestments. and his liner
glistened white, ,~-
And his new constructed necktie was an inter
esting sight; e>fs ~.
Which almost wished his razor had made rec
that white-skinned throat. 4,
And the new-constructed necktie had com
posed the hangmans knot. eGl 81
Ere he brought his sleek-trimmed carcass fol
my women folks to see, IA s.easl4
And his rip-saw tongue a-bazziE fostn fQnEe
sash z IN me- i--.s4-s- .ls.aa<< 1111ls
But couldn't help but like him-as always
think must, 81
The gold OF my own doctrines in a fellow. hear
of dust; a.
When I fired my opinions at this person
round by round,
They drew an answering volley of very simi.
lar sound;
touched him on religion. and the hopes my
heart had known;
He said he had experiences quite similar Of
his own,
told him of the doubtin's that made dark my
early years;
He had laid awake till morning with the same
old breed of fears.
told him of the rough path. hoped to heay.
en- to go.
He was on the very ladder, only just a round
told him of my visions of the sinfulness o.
gain;
He had seen the self-same picters, though moi
SO clear and plain,
Our politics was different, and at firsthe CALLED
and WINGED;
But arg'ed him SO able. he was very soon con.
WINGED.
And twas getting towards the middle OF hun.
cry summer day;
There was dinner on the table, and asked
him would he stay7
And he sat down among nsI everlasting trim
and neat,
And asked a short. crisp bIessine. almost good
enough to eat,
Then he fired up on the nercies Of our Grea.
Eternal Friend. 7xz
And gave the Lord Almighty good, first-class
recommend;
And for full an hour we listened to the sugar.
coated scamp, -
Talking like blessed angel-eating ike a.
blasted tramp.
My wife she liked the stranger, smiling on him
warm and sweet, stS
ct always fatters women when their guests
are on the eat,)
And he limited that some ladies never los.
their early charms,
And kissed her latest baby, and received it il
his arms,
My sons and daughters liked him, for he hat
progressive views,
And chewed the quid of fancy, and gave dow1
the latest news;
And couldn't help but like him, as 1 fear
always must,
The gold of my own doctrines, in . feliow-heal
- or dust 81 sAas A.
HeEsS spreading desolation through piece o
apple PIE.
When he paused ysspd looked upon us with
tear in his oiT.eEe,
And said. 20 happy fapilyi-gour blessing
make me sad
You call to mind the dear opes that in happie
days had;
A wife as sweet as this one; babe as brigh
| and fair;
A little girl with ring. cts, like that one owe
there.
I worshiped them too blindly my eyes will
love we're dim!
God took them to His own heart and now
wers-hip Him:
But had not !. 1.eglected the means within M
way,
Then they might still be living and loving m
to-day.
"One night there came a tempest, tie thunde
peals were dire;
The clouds that trapped above us wer'
shooting bolts of fire.
In my own house, I, lying. was thinking to my
blame,
How little had guarded against those shaft!
of flame.
When crash Through roof and ceiling thu
deadly lightning cleft.
And killed my wife and children. and only
was left.
"since that dread time I've wandered. ane
naught for life have cared,
Save to save others loved ones, whose Lives
have vet been spared;
Since then it is my mission, whereer by sorrow
tossed,
To sell to virtuous people good lightning rods
at cost.
With sure and strong protection I'll cloth'
your building DER,
Twill cost you fifi y-dollars perhaps a trift
more3
What little else it comes to, at lowest price III
put.
You signing the agreement to pay so much PEI
i'oot."
signed it, while my family all approving
stood ABOUT;
And dropped q tear upon it-(but didn't bio
it outD
That very day with wagons came some mer
both great and small;
They climbed upon my buildingsj just as if the,
owned them all;
They hacked 'em and they hewed 'em. mucf
against nay loud desires;
They trimmed up with gewgaws, and the,
bound them down with wires:
They trimmed em and they Wired 'em. ant
they trimmed AMI wired 'em still,
And every precious minute kept a-running VI
the bill.
My soft spoken guest a. a-seeking, did rave an<
rush and run,
He was supping with q neighbor. just three
mile further on.
"Do you think" 1 flercely shouted, that
want mile of wire
To save each separate hay-cock out of heaven
consuming fire?
Do you think to keep my building safe from
some uncertain harm,
I'm goin' to deed you over all the balance
my farm?''
He looked up quite astonished. with face de
void of guile,
And he pointed to the contract with reassul
| ing smile;
1t was the first occasion that he disagreed wit
me;
But he held to that paper with firmness sa