Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1892-06-15
BACK ON THE FARM AGAIN.

Back on. the farm againl A glad release
From noise and stir, to this domain of peace
The city streets, walled in on 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 blooom and grasses grow
From the seeds plant or SOW;
Grass or grain choose. and find
Nature to my wants inclined
And the winds, unyexed, 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.
.sest undisturbed By the discordant din
OF midnight revels from the haunts 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 it's tumultuous roar,
Or walk or ride through streets deflled and made.
At brightest monday, but noisome shade
Through which the odorS OF foul decay
Are waited freely, if by night or day;
Where night or day the tread Of weary feet
Goes echoing down the long and tiresome street.
On the farm the clover grows,
Breath as sweet as any rcsei
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-nlaking birds,
Knowing not the form OF words,
In language all their own
Praise the Lord for n1ercies shown;
City choirs and organ notes
Equal not their tuneful thrOats.
In grand cathedrals city folks may try
To worship God; but underneath the sky,
In natures temple, God Himself is there,
His ear attent to every song or prayer.
Back on the farm againl The years spent
In city life were more than Punishment;
They filed my soul with anxious cares-unrest
For those my children, loved and cherished best;
Shut out from nature, with no healthful play
On grassy lawns as day succeeded day,
No fruits or flowers In easy reach fresh grown,
No trees or plants, or 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 or 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
Childhood finds upon the farm.
All then it is the city seems to me
The bane Of childhood-like a mockery.
In cellars damp, in gerrets dark and chill,
For childhood these breed only human ill
Back on the farm againl look around.
AL sights but please, and to 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 or small,
Love the farIn-God cares for all.
Earth has no Heaven; but on the farm see
So much Of God, in boundless mercy free,
So little know of greed and want and sin,
My home is here, a castle well walledin
L Z. Sherman, in Country Gentleman.