Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-03-14
THE OLD MAINE POET.
David Barker, and Some of His Pop
ular Rhymes.

on Sept. 9, 1915. and was the sixth OF the
ten children OF Nathaniel and Sarah Pease
Barker. His father was accidentally
killed in Bangor In 1923, and the mother,
woman of uncommon energy and char
acter, was burdened with the care of pro-
viding for the large family. Her hus-
bands est ate was insolvent and the farm
| was incumbered for more than it was
worth. Mother and children, however,
were undsmayed and set at once to re-
deem the property. They succeeded and
the widow lived upon 1t until her death
which occurred at the age OF ninety-two
years.
Until he was sixteen years old, David
had only had the advantages OF COM
mon school education. He was anxious
for knowledge and succeeded in securing
funds by his own labor which were suffi-
| cient to make it possible for him to attend
Foxcroft academy. He made uncommon
progress in his studies and upon his
graduation engaged in teaching for sew
eral years in various Maine towns.
After several years Of success as teach
% hO w. 6dh WIG btuuy VI lhWy tnc cutet
ing Of which profession he had looked
forward to from youth. He began his
studies with Gov. Samuel Cony In Exeter,
| and remained with him until the latter
removed to Old Town. Barker then came
to Bangor to finish his reading and was
shortly admitted to the bar. He opened
his Office in Exeter and continued in &C.
ts,y<, t;,z L.;
his death which occurred at the home OF
his brother, Mark Barker, in Bangor,
on Sept. IA, 1874, at the age Of fifty-eight
years.
His ability as lawyer and his high
standing as a citizen were recognized by
his fellow townsmen when they elected
him to IT. State house OF representatives
In 1872. His poetical fame brought him
the degree OF master Of arts from Bow
doin college, an honor which was as
gratifying as 1t was unexpected.
David Barker was primarily poet Of
The people; his homely and realistic verse
has been read and re-read in hundreds OF
outside the State but writing as he did
OF Maine scenes, Maine customs and
Maine people, he will always be especially
cherished by residents OF this State who
can more readily appreciate his wit and
his true and not unkind portraiture OF
down east life.
His first poem to attract public atten
ton and one which gave him wide fame
through the country was printed in the
New York Post in the sixties. The verses
which We're copied by hundreds OF news
papers and periodicals were entitled
My Child's Origin, and are as follows:
MY cHILDs ORIGIN.
| One night, as old Saint Peter slept
lie lett The door of heaven aar,
W hen throug h, a lutte angel Crept,
And came down with falling star.
! Ore summer, ms the blessed beams
| OF morn approached. my blushing bride
| Awakened from some pleasing dreams,
And found That angel by her side.
| God grant but this L ask no more
| That when he leaves this world of sin
| Hen wing his way for thai blcst shore
And fhd that door of heaven again
POEMS OF PATRIOTISM.
As patriotic poet Barker Is known to
thousands of veterans OF the Civil war.
| HIS muse was unusually active during
the trying period of the rebellion and
some OF his favorite productions were
| written at that time. He was thorough
| patriot, and on account OF his ardent love
| OF country was siDgularly fitted to fill the
position which he occuped-as the
chronicter in Verse Of the deeds of Maine g
! soldiers.
His poem "rhe Old Ship OF State,
next to Lpngfellow's famous piece OF
nearly the same name, has been favorite
recital ION for hundreds OF Maine school
| boys. 1t is:
TIE OLD SHIP OF STATE.
DER the dark and the gloomy horizon that
bounds her,
Thro the and the night and the hell that
surrounds her,
l can with a faith which immortals have
given,
| Burning words blazing out DER the porta 5
OF heaven,
"she win Live :"
But part Of the freight that our forefathers
gave her
We must cast to the deep. yawning waters to
| IT'S the chain for the slave we must fling out
to light her,
IT'S the Hran,i and the whip we must yield
up 10 rlSht hef.
She will live.
! Clean the decks of the curse-if opposed by
the owner,
| ilurl the wretch to the wave, they hurled
over Jonah.
| With a direction to ALL" cleaning forth from
our banner,
| Let the tyramt yet learn We have freemen to
| man her.
| She will live.
She will live while a billow lies swelling
before her,
| She viii live while the blue arch of heaven
| ben.s DER her
| W lille the name of IL Christ to the fallen we
Z Cherish,
Till tn. hopes in the breast of humanity
| perish,
She will live
Another widely known patriotic pro-
duction is the one in which he sings OF
Capt. Levi Emerson, the first volunteer
to the Union army from this vicinity.