The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-12-17
STANDARD: JACKSON OHIO THURSDAY DECEMBER II, 1885,

tie Grave Upon the HILL" Happily is told
how the fathers heart is fixed on the lit
tie grave, however bright and attractive
may be the scenes around him. Every
verse is as pretty as this:
Oh, gentle Spring, the earth caressng,
Pleasant sight to me!
Pictures of thy love impressing
On each bush and tree
There arises on my vision still
That little grave upon the hill.
Besides the fine melody, there are sug-
gestions of bright symbols in those lines
the basis of a comforting philosophy.
The "Rime of the Ancient Crank" con-
tains some religious doctrine of practical
worth. The "crank" was Christian who
depended on prayer and no work, and so
lived until he was badly run down at the
heels, when his wife told him, he should
work as well as watch and pray. So he
took her advice and prospered, and thus
tells his conclusion:
learned full well this blessed TRUTH,
Which every man should know;
Who helps himself his God will help,
For He hath willed it so.
There are many poems of an amusing
a little poetic glory. So does the stump
Orator. american Whisky likewise.
The latter tells of Jim Doolan who
was the toughest lad
Who lived in Tipperary;
At every "fair' and every play,
Twas Jim who made it merry.
But Jim came over to this country, and
having been used to his "poteen" on the
sod. he was soon tempted into an over
dose of American whisky and died, but
before he died,
"Write to me folks!" poor Doolan said,
With his last fiickering breath
tel died al the haturpaf nipPfeEaTX aeaih. boys
Many of the poems are after the style
of Will Carleton's ballads "The Church
| nphf'' 10 an anolOoV for Douinu off q S200
| obligation by socials, much to the regret
of the old fellow who thought it was sin
full to pay debts that way. deacon
Slasher on Class Meeting" is another
where the Deacon's wife chides him for
not attending class meeting, whereupon
the Deacon says:
But though, from every class our loud profess
Our works must be our christian claims-wordS
cannot saYe a sodl.
Some pretty verses are written on the
death of Conductor Jones, OF the "POrtS-
mouth Branch" railroad, entitled "Tom's
Train Is In"
For him no more the noisy bell
| Adds to the rolling engines din;
''Life's run is made-Toni's s train is in.''
"The First Gray Hair" is another ten
der rhyme, mourning this sure omen OF
old age. Every one is deeply interested
IN his first gray hair:
| Grim witness of the flying yeals,
/ What Saddened thoughts arise,
| When first your whitened thread appears
Before my startled eyes.
And then this lesson:
| 1t bids me heed the flying hours
That oer my pathway roll,
And from decaying earthly powers
Lift up perfect soul.
Many of his poems are patriotic. The
death of Grant calls forth some splendid
lines. Army reunions are the subject OF
several fine tributes. But we haven't
space for even stray verses from these
are r selected hurriediy, @ and do mot not give gea q
faithful insight to Mr.. Mackley's rhym
ings. What faults may appear in his
rhyme are more than compensated by the
noble principles which he proclaims
Everything is written from a standpoint
of wholesome truth and the moral teach
ings are as bountiful as the poems.