Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-03-10
BACK ON THE FARM AeA,Nl


From noise and stir, to this domain of peace.
The city Streets, walled in either side
With brick and mortar, hold restless tide
Of human life, with no glad impulse free
That Is not touched by human misery
Wealth jostles want and sin and virtue meet,
-Or walk together, through the crowded Street
On the farm only see
Nature In her purity
Flowers BLOOM and grasses grow
From the seeds plant or SOW;
Grass grain choose, and find
Nature to my wants inclined;
And the winds, unvexed, are free
In their blessed ministry
Full of health and odors sweet
Found not in the crowded street.
This is rest-a Joy to be
From the city's turmoil free.
Rest undisturbed 0y the discordant din
OF midnight revels from the baunts of sin:
And toll unvexed by the unholy strife
That in the city frets and fevers life.
Back on the farm again! hear no more
The din Of trade with its tumultuous roar
Ut walk or ride through streets defled and made,
AT brightest monday, but a noisome shade
through which the odorS OF a foul decay
Are waited freely, if by night day;
Where night or day the tread Of weary feet
sGoes echoing down the long and tiresome street
On the farm the clover grows,
Breath as sweet as any rose;
And the wings of busy bees
Flying DER these crimson seas,
Honey laden, tell that they
Duty's call with cheer obey;
While the merry-nakng birds,
Knowing not the form Of words,
In a language all their own
Praise the Lord for mercies shown
City choirs and organ notes
Equal not their tuneful throats.
In grand cathedrals city folks may try
To worship Cod but underneath the sky,
In natures temple, God Himself is there,
his ear attent to every song or prayer
Back on the farm again. The years spent
In city life were more than banishment
They filed my soul with anxious cares-unrest
For those, my children, loved and cherished best;
Shut out from nature, with no healthsul play
ON grassy lawns as day succeeded day.
no fruits or flowers In easy reach fresh grown,
No trees or plants, playground, all their own.
On the farm the children know
Where the sweetest berries grow;
When the nuts are ripe to fall,
Where the apple, large or small,
That is mellow, tart sweet
Good enough for kings to eat;
And to see them in the spring,
Openeyed and wondering,
AS the buds to blossoms grow
And their wealth of color show
Then know how great the charm
Chlklhood finds upon the farm.
EAh. then it is the city seems TO me
The bane OF childhood-liko mockery.
In cellars damp in garrets dark and chill,
For childhood these breed only human i'll.
Back the farm agafnl I look around
al 'ISAitS put pielSe onu 10 my ears no SOUND,
Harsh or discordant. Earth, and air, and sky,
Unite and blend in perfect harmony.
The landscape glowS with color, and the trees
Wave palms of joy in every passing breeze;
And sun and cloud alike their blessings bring
"A. realm my own and the happy king.
On the farm all days are blest,
Some with toll and some with rest;
Always near to natures heart,
She can rarest grace impart
With the dawn The morning light,
Always shows some new delight,
And the noon with radiant face
Is minister of grace,
And the days declining light
Welcomes the return of night.
Birds or beast, or great small,
Love the farm-God cares for all
Earth has no Heaven; but the farm 1 see
SO much OF God, in boundless mercy free.
SO little know of greed and want and sin,
-9sy home is here, castle well walled in.
L E. Sherman, in Country Gentleman