Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-01-24

the Charles Town Society IN New York.
January Fl.
May begin by telling just an open secret.
But true one just the same;
And I'm not going to get too personal,
Because think you've all been in the
game.
For over here you ask a fellow
"Where'd you come from fore New York;
He'll draw up and look important,
why belong here" that's his talk.
So getting down to cases.
Just like to prove he don't
That the country boys the real one;
We can prove it if he won't.
So tonight let's all stop bluffing
And be on the level, Bill,
For we all came from old Charles Town
Say can't you see it now--from Hunters
Hill
Say, it's pretty good to live in such hust-
ling town as this.
Where opportunity is handing out a shot to
make or miss,
Course we like it, but we get to longing for
the old town down the pike,
To hang around the stores and boxes, where
they don't count every ball a strike.
New York's great I'm not disputing, for
we're over here to stay,
But still get the yearning to wander down
that way
To charge cross Colston's meadow or swim
in Evitt's run,
Or see dog fight in the market house, gee
but that was fun;
And then just after supper, when night be-
gins to fall,
To wander through the shadows round the
cemetery wall,
was soft and restful, peaceful and STILL
To rob some apple orched just back of Hun
ter's Hill
Night wouldn't bring much excitement,
bout dozen or so electric lights,
And just one street to walk on if you were
looking for the sights,
the mail,
Or just below the Carter House, loafng
bout the jail
Maybe back in George Lights drug store
anything to please,
Or strolling down the Bloomery pike among
the murmuring trees
With her-and she, God bless her, wonder
if she's single still,
For she threw me hard, asked her in the
moonlight at Hunters Hill.
Been long time since I was down there.
twas during Mayor Browns regime,
When they mixed the township business
with fruit cake and ice cream.
Me for walking all the streets and alleys
where kid / used to run and play,
And go dodgin' round the corners out of
City Marshal Simpsons way.
Went down and waited round the depot for
the accommodation, nine fifteen,
This way for the Carter House bus, Marse
Arthur, same old picture. same old
scene;
And then down to the engine house. still
pumping it by hand,
While upstairs hear them practicing the
Silver Cornet Band.
See a crowd around the court house wonder
if its starting for fight,
When Niger, bowling, tells me there's
t-h-e-a-ter in Lee Hall tonight
And midnigt comes SO quiet, such restful
time,
Not thing to break the silence but some
imaginary chime
I'm sitting on the hotel porch, feet up, to
dream and think,
Got New York skinned to death boys, but
twas hard to get drink.
So when we all get busy in this always busy
And things go hard and heavy, often up,
more often down;
Get the Free Press and the SPIRIT and then
Just dream awhile,
Dreams will change dull old picture and
carry many mile. g.
Recollection's gates are swinging, opening
broad and wide,
And what rest and peace is coming in on
memory's flowing tide,
We shut our eyes and see it all, tear-it's
one of joy,
So I'm thanking God for making me just a
Charles Town boy.
And into all your being comes sunshine
just like June,
While your heart is merry, singing such
sympathetic tune,
It's like the brooks and meadows, the flow
ers and the birds,
The heart composed the music and memory
wrote the words.
Charles Town, dear old Charles Town,
You are but dotlet on the map;
Somewhere east of happiness,
South of Harpers Ferry Gap.
Don't forget me for Pm coming home
Where it's restful, peace and still;
For I'd sell prunes in Dalgarns store
just to get back to Hunters Hill