Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-07-25
Thoughts and Scenes Of an Over
land Trip.
BY REV. J. WILL JACKSON, D. D.

from here in a carriage Each promised the other {
write poem expressive Of the views and impress
sions of the trip, each experienced them. TIL
following is fulfilment Of that mutual agreement
1t was on a lovely morning, in the earl,
part of June,
When we started on our journey fair to enc
it very soon;
The summer breeze was bracing, and wilt
flowers rich and rare,
Adorned our way, while singing birds trillee
music in the air
Our horses, too, were prancing, and leapee
on with gallant speed;
As they passed by field and woodland, hk'
the Arabs tight-reined steed;
Our driver held them proudly, as they Gid
ed down each hill,
AS we crossed DER bridges large and small
Ger rivulet and rill.
and scenes we saw,
While the muse of inspiration charms thu
picture 1 shall draw.
That journey now completed, and its RECORD
briefly told,
May be grateful to our mem'ries when you
and l are old.
Our days are passing swiftly, as each mo-
ment now doth tell,
Then let US to each other fill the promise
made so well.
Our friendship ties may tighten, and, record
ed, be on high,
But still we must asunder part, for we are
born to die.
GOING
We passed through quiet village where
on certain day,
Two great and mighty armies met in battle:
awful fray:
Twas far back into the ZOOS, this story
now tell,
When Arcadia's peaceful valley fair was
rent with shot and shell.
There close upon the roadside, near the
spot where we passed by,
Brave men went forth with courage bold to
conquer, bleed, or die.
And there upon the hill-sides, midst the ST.
lent, breathless dust,
They sleep from battles thunders loud-the
unjust with the just.
Passing through that hill-crowned village
the town of Pilot Knob,
Where on that day artillery's greed SO many
homes did rob,
thought of those brave heroes-of theil
bodies buried there,
And through my stirred emotions crept one
lonely, rushing tear.
And there with dear companions, as think
ing rode on by,
My thoughts arose to heavens God and
winged this prayer on high:
"Oh! God of love and mercy pure, lend US
thy helping hand,
That battles cruel sickle blade no more
shall bleed our land!''
Then we passed a little village, where were
clustered neat and still,
So many pretty houses white, and they called
it Graniteville;
And the name was not misgiven, as we soon
did understand,
For granite shafts, like mountlet peaks,
stood forth on either hand.
1t must have been a contract hard for moth
er earth to fill,
To mould SO much of granite gray, to built
that Rocky Vile;
There was granite to the left Of us-its boul-
ders on our right,
And every way we CHANGED to look twas
granite-"out of sight"
1 viewed an antique cottage old, far out upon
our way,
Where eyes once sparkled love to eyes, and
children used to play;
AS l rode by it in silence-that deserted, old
homestead,
wondered of its children dear-how many
now were dead!
Some, no doubt, were living, who there had
their bridal day,
While vet with tender mem'ries roamed
some others far away.
Still there it stood forsaken-all bereft Of
roof and door,
As if to shelter loved ones dear who nigh
return once more.
We did pass another village, as our journey
on we took,
Where variegated flowers sweet PERU met
each yard and nook;
/ watched the little children as our jour ney
they did trace,
While one bold little urchin passed his nose
close to my face.
/ saw two churches stately, as their belfry
high they stood,
Where meet pure Christian votaries to sing
and praise their God:
And for their sweet communions, on His no.
ly Sabbath day,
These bells ring forth the Gospel call, "Come
sinner, come away"
Our road now fringed rich meadows ant
luxuriant fields of grain;
The harvest time was coming on and mucl
they needed rain;
The way was dry and dusty, but with steady
lively tread,
Our horses whirled the carriage wheels
while gently forth we sped.
We reached our destination midst the well
come voice of friends,
And joined them in their greeting sweet, fo1
here our journey ends.
Old friendship ties were strengthened as W.
talked that afternoon,
And I'll cherish pleasant mem'ries of tina
happy day in June.
1t was next day the Sabbath, and the SUI
rose bright and clear.
And children of the Heavenly King cam,
there from far and near;
There in that little meeting house the voic'
of prayer and song,
Rang out with Gospel music high from :
happy, Christian throng;
And there in deep contrition bowed, W,
kneeled around the board,
And communed, in love and charity, with
Christ, our risen Lord.
The incense of that communion, like the
fragrant morning dew,
May perfume my way to heaven, when l bid
this world adieu.
RETURNING.
Next day was cloudy Monday, and in til,
early afternoon,
We started on our homeward trip, to end i
very soon;
Kind friends did gather round us, and pres
our hands farewell,
And the feelings that possessed me then,
shall not pause to tell.
We left fair Caledonia, as seemed to love
it more,
And when we'd gotten out of town the rail-
began to pour;