Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-01-29
For the Ellsworth American.
His Last Campfire.


Dedicated to the &. n. X
ny MARIAE W. II. COLLINS.
lis strange how old Time, IS he journey
| along
song.
Seems TO leave Us awhile. on some track o
youth;
Then We are carried along with a sweep
| Like straw or a leaf on some stream, mighty
deep.
You smile but you know lis the truth?
Tonight. I've been thinking of days long ago
When no care seemed to weigh on my mind
These were the day> of my boyhood,
And m, heart free a. the wind.
We were brought up together, Ned Burtor
and l..
We shared in all things as If brothers.
And often we spoke of the pleasures of home
A. if each were ble-t with two mothers.
| Thus we lived: Ned was poorer than ],
His father worked in our old mill
| But that made no odds, we were good friends
And held always a hearty good will
| L Until Bes> Lawton, bright little girl,
Twincd him round her finger
As she would her brown curl.
| And poor Ned-well. he'd linger
| With his brain in whirl,
| Trying his best to keep cool;
And one day in crowd
| | said rather too loud
| Il really think Burtons foo.'
| vowed, next day, would lend her my sled
And in th, way knew | could bother Ned
did. But. oh can you guess:
| That very same dav learned TO love Bess
| And truly. before the next noon,
Burton plagued me, till | felt like loon.
! Though Il bit OF lad. to my-olf then | said
''Be>> knows were well o, she will leave
Ned.
And when I'm man Bess will we'd
But her laugh and her scoff.
Seemed 10 tell me. ''be of
With such silly stuff in my head
Ned told her TO stay, and DO as would please
With blu-he- and smiles she called him a tease.
Be>>.' be said, Il am oRly a poor miller
lad
But your words cannot mend IN alter so bad"
Ned left school; and tell YOU cried.
Ana before the term closed Ned's mother
died.
Poor Ned or course all his troubles began,
Ard some how he seemed to get with clan
II dare not oppose him. h grew rather queer
But found out he was getting too fond OF
beer.
Spring came-some Vessels were at the wharf
And the first thing knew, Burton WAS of,
| felt much 10 hisme-tbe words that said,
Full Of love too they came. were, God pity
Ned"
Bcs.. too wa. changed her once sparkling
eye
Seemed 10 ,ay to u, an. Be- Lawton must
die
And 20 came q day in the autumn 80 sill.
When they laid her away in Il grave en- the
hill
50 We pared-Bess to 4 worll free from pain.
And Ned never came to the old home again.
50 old Time in hs orb seemed to weave
Alithat WAS left, for warp and for weft
And tell you my heart used to grie,e.
And in the darkest days of sxty-oue.
When our town re,ounded with fife and gun.
| too left home-my friends werr dead or gone.
And felt like stranger there all alone.
| started away and thought, perhaps,
The company OF some Others chaps
might meet through the dark campaign,
Would change my weary life again.
Aud on May the eighth of sixty-four
When the bloodie>t battle OF all was DER.
We were gathering in with nigh; and main
The bodies OF all our comrades slain;
There WAS one near by, who with sob and
moan.
Said be wished he could be sent home.
And laid with his parents on the hill,
| seemed to whrl-my heart stood still.
tended him through his greatest pain,
And said, "utrobgh God he ,roUId rise
again."
The words seemed to ii his soul with JOY.
For his face seemed to beam like when boy
Il was TO blame. lie faltering said
But I'm most sure you'll forgive poor Ned
Father and mother are laid away.
Aud perhaps YOU may see her some day
Give her this kerchitf-Bess. mean.
Blu, see, She. here and she looks like queen
She seem> to wear crown OF light
Do look. she must be an angel bright.
Be>>. Be.s!' Then with feeble breath
Ned Burton closed his eyes in DEATH
| carried him home and laid him to rest
BY the side of those he loved the best;
And every year, when with flowers so fair.
We deck the graves Of our comrades there
II carries me hack but il won't be long
TIL shall Join in that grand Mrpng'
| feel 50 queer-dou't think | grieve
At all at the sight OF this empty sleeve.
But somehow. although ii seems 30 bright
Here at our campfire tonight.
| like to talk Of other days.-but feel queer.
W hat are they calling that roll for here:
Listen. | hear the rush and roar
OF waters, like on the Potomac shore
There's my maine again, so plain and clear,
If YOU listen closely. know you'll hear;
And see that capitol so bright
Just one mass of shining light.
But | 20 30 fast that it takes my breath.
Hark my name-Iiere, Oh. this is death.