The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-16

ANI Nll. INNA NA .lANAliNA 40 N.ttr
with ms grqudmother's cOJnterpan9
AS il was brought from tho closet shelf,
Where &c had so long aud safely lain
Secure from ruthless usage and greedy
pelL
When over my aching body they spread
THIS dear old ladys counterpart
Me-thought she suddenly came
And softly Silly stood beside my bed.
With a smile J had so often seen.
and a kindly bow Of her head,
Which 50 well and sweetly said.
MY dear, it is /, be not afraid
with tranquil mind and eased Of pain,
/ quietly lay beneath that counterpane
Eagerly but yainly trying 90 press
The hand thac over MY head did bless,
Then soon WAS lost in loves embrace
And as the midst of years rolled by
JOYS half forgotten came with rapid lace
And once again ia childish glee,
We stood beneath the Piping Tree.
Ny dear Old grandmother and I,
She told me OF warriors brave
Who once came with faces grave
And sat upon the grassy mound.
Then passing the "pipe OF peace around,
with such a savage and cultural sound,
Vowed again the peace TO keep.
Then smoked with sullen silence deep,
Beneath the sneltering Piping Tree
The river flowing deep and slowly hy,
Forming by Nature the Mystic bend"
Was taken as an omen from on high.
That the Great sDirit' was taerc 70
lend
Ear and favor % the many pleas
OF the warriors smoking ,heir pipes Of
peace
This ls % legend OF the olden days
when wild men worsh.pped God IN trees.
And heard Ills voice IN The ripping
waves.
Nor could We to them the right deny
When fo- tnclr ia.,L they would Hghl and
DE.
Turning with hurrylns. eager feet
We climbed the winding path $50 steep.
Nor stopped TO gather the sweet brier
That enamelleI its sides and aued the
air.
with fragrance pure an9 sweet
When near tho wiic-0pened gate
! thought my grandfather came 20 meet.
And with welcoming smile 10 greet
Us. who had l0tered until SD late.
Unmiu1ful in our great bliss.
That other could our presence miss.
With heart overlooking with memories
dear.
T bhtheiy entered this halowod home.
once so fan ~ welcome and good cheer
And from room 20 room dld roam.
Vainly listening for an answering voice.
Or hoping 70 meet familiar face
FASTENED to the grand old chamber.
With is high post bedstead and curtains
white
Tho llttls trrmdls-bed- 50 wall raue-l-
her,
And ny grandtathsr's desk. whore each
night
The ferrr7nan came his accounts "a
render
I expected to hear grandfather cay.
In his 0'd-accustomed way
HAS the tide come in?"
Nv gra1dmOther's old rn-chair
was sitting beside the freless hearth.
And so plainly could 7 see her there
Tint ] drew near with thoughts intent
UDon the many happy days snent
with her whose memory Is rs bright
star
Shedding its gentle rays from afar,
Bringing again the perfume % spring
To brighten and cheer ntes twilight
Then INTO the wide ana spacious han,
With ~ hair-coyered sofa and chairs go
tall,
And the Old-fashi0ned corner clock
with face 50 smiling. AS u 20 mock
Ne. as loudly ] did call,
Where are thew afi2
Solemnly licked "Ali gone. "All gone"
And now / stand on the river shore.
With It's ripping waves az my feet,
And 50 well know. 7 know.
Who Will be with her 20 meet
Me when the eide comes IN.
To bear me 10 the spirit land,
That I can feel their presence near.
And almost touch the vanished hand"
OF those who are 80 dear. so dear.
Elizabeth Winston Rosser
'Piping Tree on the Pamunkey river
in King William county was one OF the
ancestral homes OF the Gregorys. and de-
rived its name from large oak tree
which stood near the river, and under
whose incorporating branches several
tribes OF Indians would gather 20 smoke
their pipes OF peace. By the Indians this
tr.s vas known as t1-~ "ptnirs- 49,"