The record-union., 1894-10-31

Yet friends, who knew each other we'll
Beneath that far-off bunk-house roof,
Let these few rhymes, told Ill or well,
The scribe'S reneTn brance be the proof.
He passed some pleasant hours with thee,
Nav thou too, pass some in this memoryi
Stockton, Cal, September, 1884.
1.-THE JOURNEY.
AS gay crew OF vagrants we
AS ever was from society
Set loose upon u Scowling earth
To vanquish 1t with arms of mirth,
And never went there ancient knights
With songs more merry to their tights
Than we, when with our blankets rolled
And strapped and tied we took the road
And, toiling meath the weary load,
Journeyed unto where unfold
Tie fruitful vineyards to the eye
beneath fair fresno's balmy SKY.
Migrants we, and vagrantS thus
We Journeyed on; and oft to
came Weariness and pain, but song
And joke tboth gay and grIm) e'er long
RepelIed the sharp, insistent pain
ana made the WEAKNESS a dream;
Or, If not vanQuisned, made them seem
At least of lesser depth. Again
We hid beneath our laughter's face
The trouble that, firm in its place,
Had left with us the city's din
Though none guessed that ii lurked within
And though we laughed with hearty will
Kept our hearts Iemindful still
10 hungry mouths that called for food
That in the little, homeIy nest
OF cottage walls had often pressed
Their lips upon our care marked cheek,
And loved us though we vain did seek
To give them 1cod, or clothes enough
Of, mayhap, poor but warming stuff
10 shield them from the bitter wind
That ever at the easements dinned.
For some, kind Fate had not yet wrought
A chain oflove to bind their thought
TO household cares but had instead
I.nt hnf freq 70 oh nd frasl
Whatever path their fancy might
Give them choice; or that Right
Might point TO them as that one where
Twas wisest for their feet 10 fare.
And one there was who left behind
Within a cottage, flower entwined,
Upon a quiet, shady street,
a mother with face as sweet
AS Raphael's Virgin Time had failed
TO mar its grace-had but unveiled
The soul OF beauty when he took
The mask OF youth and left the look
OF serious age-a hook which gave
a lesson to the careless youth
or deeper love for good and truth,
OF stronger purpose, heart more brave,
And sterner will for ills that find
such Judgments in the youthful mind,
That stirred not from their vantage, tend
To bring the swift, DISASTROUS end
Of warped ana useless life.
A touch
There also was, which. though not much,
Still spoke in plainest language of
The holy altar of home-loye,
ana tOIu III signs none cOulQ mistake
W hat fights were fought for Duty's sake!
Mother If it were for me
To pause just here and write on thee
A brief but truthful eulogy,
could not think Of aught but this
Through all these long. ungrateful years
For you, so filled with pain and tears
For you, so nlIed with sore defeat
And spoiled OF much that had been sweet
Your heart has raised all pain above
Your sweet lips still contain kiss
You still can sympathiZe and loYew
Full many q rounded year shall pass
Before the heart OF lad or lass
Shall ever cease renem bering her
Who was their youth-times monitor;
The one who, with her mothers kiss
Taught them loves most sacred bliss
And learned them fist to curb their hearts
And shoot less cruelty straight those darts
Which every chIid, Ike 4 cupid small
Is prone TO fly; unseeng now
Turned IN their Hight by coming years,
And multiplied ten thousand spears,
They yet must find VINO bent their bow
And rankle till his heart is gall!
@, mother! Many an arrow here
Dack-shafted from this later year,
Recalls me TO my wanton youth
Where they were sped-and with small ruth
But on that far september day
When from thy cottage turned away
A stripping vagrant for the South
How weetly did thy loving mouth,
Forgetful Of each careless deed
Forgetful OF all this and more
Stoop down 10 kiss and say, "God-speedw
o, naught is there that makes less hard
1he toIlsome Journey-1oot and yard,
Dusty rod and weary mile
AS the farewell word, the farewell smile!
And next 10 lights that glow ahead,
To beck us on to some loved bed,
With rays Sc CHEEKY, strong and sweet
They almost lift our tagging feet
place those lights that hind us glow
The words OF love that bade us got
., rays that followeth still ANA far
And light US through our working war.
Many sweetness l bless thee for!
Inc horizon grass seemed trodden down
BY the hard, fierce press of countless feet
AS the waverlng phantoms of the heat
In middle summer danced their dance
Upon the plains sun-hot expanse
i he way was long, For full three days
len Migrants trod in vagrant ways.
sometimes the rails uneven road
Sometimes the dusty streams that flowed
by many farmhouse, nesting meath
The clambering roses redolent wreath
BY many roof whose sac. and rent
Proclaimed It Poyertys monument,
And once a farmer, bearded gray.
Passed US by upon his way
Unto the town. His wagon old
Creaked most mournfully as il rolled
hls horses showed each framework hone
And scarce could mount a gentle slope.
While on their harnesses there shown
:, IL - ts-J SJ @ @, y" " - anu piece Oh rope!
As on the dusty road we met
He let a kind glance on us tall
And spake most cheerly to us ALI
and once we fed like startled ouails
As laundering DER the shining rails
from out the hills flying train
Shr1eked oct Its greeting to the plaip
And swelling with its purse-prolid fare
sped as rockets do through air
We caught glimpse OF polished brass
OF rich-appareled lad and lass
Of hne, rich curtains and soft plush
But as the train by us did rush
No voice did hail OF lad or lass
me dusty tram pS" who watched fhen, NOES
NO hand was seen; no voice was heard F
70 wave greeting or speak a word.
" saw the point and 10 each other
5alu, 'Ine feathers make the bird
Ihe poor man only is brotherw
1.-THE ARRIVAL.
Twas twilight when the ranch lights tbronob
Inc tall shade trees burst on our view
And bright and CHEEKY hailed US ALI
" lth that sweet voice which aye doth call
FROM every star, and lamp and fire:
From every shaoowy far-of spire:
from everything beneath the sky.
Hnlcn says, line journeys end is niot, ,,
And when does ever voice so dear.
AS that sweet voice, fall on an ear
SO well attuned 10 bark the note
AS that one on which long hath sn,ota
The discords OF journey-Iiie
The unsweet Clangorings OF strife
And waySlde harShneSSeS of soupd
That on long paths are ever fonnds
And who is there that hath the skill
The inclination or the will
To tune the dull or needless ear
So fine and true, that it may hear