Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-07-17
GREETING POEM.

This is indeed a happy day,
When again we meet at Buffers Cove,
While life's cares are cast away
All trouble in the meantime forgotten,
Should such indeed be yours or mine.
While with youthful zest and freedom
All seek a jolly good time.
And surely could be found no finer place,
In this think all agree,
Surrounded as We are by Natures lavish
gifts
OF beauty, which on every hand we see.
Here ample food for the sentimentalists
OF the most exalted mind we find.
Here beauties which may satisfy
The most devout worshiper of Natures
shrine.
No pen could express the thoughts sublime,
Created by present grandeur of bay and hill.
No painters brush could do justice to the
scene
of wild luxurience cast at Natures WILL
Then to the believer, the tn oughts from Ma
ture up to Natures God ascend,
In praise to Him who all things framed,
Before whose might mans puny boast is
nought,
And powerless to stay His judgments named.
Then to Him who the mountain and the sea
put forth,
Do we acknowledge thanksgiving with
gladness,
And now let ali people praise Him
Who crownest the year with goodness.
The first anniversary of our Michigan picnic
To celebrate to-day we meet,
And while joyfully welcoming old friends
We are glad new ones to greet.
But in future when others learn OF our pleas
ure,
In meeting here to celebrate,
Think you not that each may wish
That he too had hailed from Michigan
State
For here each one heartily contributes
OF this picnic happy event to make.
That having once come you may wish again
In its social pleasures to participate.
Then should Fortune will that one of you
To distant climes shall 90,
None save kindly pleasant thoughts
May in memory's garland glow.
The services of friend Smith were indispensa'
BILE
To our picnic year ago,
For had he not been here fear these words
While he to the banks of Puget Sound
Mounted on staff crimson flag proudly
bore,
Meanwhile waved in kindly greeting
Others to our friendly shore.
But bis genuine worth We can scarcely sum,
His noble generosity but feeb,y portray,
For to the winds he cOnsigns his best red ban
dana,
While kindly contributing that welcome
hurrah.
Then proudly wave O Red Bandana!
May time bring to thee no harm,
May we see each year your festive folds
Upheld by the same strong arm.
Then, too, Mr.. johnson, preacher. was there
Ana all wish to see him here again to-day,
For the pleasant words he spoke for our State
Advocates for Washington will cherish
Away.
But alas! his good wife sees in Wash. nought
to love,
Therefore upon this subject they kindly dis
agree.
She says, Behind nay horse Jerry in Mich. ]
prefer to ride
Than OH the deck Of a Washington steamer
to be,
Though Jerry's fore feet plow madly in the air
Though in eminent danger her life
The steamer pitches and rolls, love it not.
"Give me Michigan says this contrary
wife,
While he duly loves and appreciates this
country fair
Whose prosperity for the future bids most
grand,
With Notwithstanding hreazes wof,ad o'or
While wealth of mine ana orchard greet tn,
sturdy.
And when news from the East spreads to us
OF the devastating cyclones deadly track,
We accept the blessings of Washington,
While our regrets TO Michigan ne'er go bac
But time and spBce forbid to tell you
Ofthe kind and pleasant things done al
In regard to the impromptu programme,
To assist in which all received call.
Then as usual each one kindly assisted
In providing dinner both substantial an,
rare,
Which comforts we lack not in Washington,
And pronounce quite as good as Michigan
For Washington appetites you know are keen
And do justice to good things as never be
fore.
And while nature provides such fish, clam
aid fruit,
None but the lazy need go hungry, sure;
But while we truly laud loved Washington
On the dear name of Michigan would cas-
no stain,
For we love our own native State,