Smyrna times., 1907-09-04
THE OLD OAK SPRING

among the curious and attractive
piaces' and there are a goodlv number
N 'ne vicinity of Grand View, Pennsyl-
Vanla' where the writer spent his vaca-
uon' there is none more interesting
ana beautiful than the cold Oak
spring" The old oak, a giant tree il
is' rests at the foot of a hill we'll back
from the highway in a cool and sbadad
re'reat' The curious thing about It is
tnat It's trunk on the valley side. from
the oase upwards for a distance of a
dozen feet, is concave, as though some
spr'te OF the hills had followed il ont
But the perfect, smooth bark reveals
the TACT that it is the victim of one of
OF Natures strange freaks. which in
thls case has enhanced instead of mar
RED Its beauty. But the most curious
Iact about this old giant is that from
under It's great base flows a clear mar
RENAL spring whose limped waters
come bubbling and gurgling forth to
charm the eyes and slake the thirst of
the chance passer by. One dav while
sitting IN the grateful shade of the old
oak, my muse was inspired to produce
these simple lines, which I give to my
friends IN the hope that they may share
the pleasure with me:
~ me ola Cak Spring at the foot Ofthe hin
WIN It's leaty shade and its bubbling rill
Like the merry sound ola childish shout
AS 1t gambOlS and Tushes and tumhleS about
Ana goes singing down the hill
o, dear Old spring, you story tell.
50 tull OF JOY and peace,
NO wonder We do love YOU well
AS we SIT In the shade of your peaceful dell
Ana dream OF joys that will never cease
.! good old spring at the foot of the hill
WIN your resttul shade and your laughing rill
Won hou carry me back to childhood years
Nhen with care free life and spirits yaV
rompeu ana played the liveloug day,
WIN no SAD thoughts To duh the zest
Or NIL the eyes with tears.
o sweet old spring shall dream of thee.
" zen the clouds hang low and the bright davs fee
men men Groom 10 me some sweet melody,
mat shall flush my sky with ROSY light
ana chase away the shades of night
1hat nap plnesS may be mine.
0 good old spring learn from thee
secret grand that shall bring to me
In the midst of life with its burdens sore
Ohe cIear, sweet strain from the Heavenly shore
And my heart will grow strong again
y dear old spring nesting under the Hill.
WIN your 'heertul song my heart YOU fill
FOr you chant to me a song of peace
That bids my fears and doubts ali cease
And the spirit finds sweet rest
o beautiful spring beside the hill.
1Onr music fingers wi me stll
ana teaches me that shall see
Inc rainbow hope shining clear for me,
however dark my life may be,
win occasional doubt and fear.
And dear old spring your waters sweet
VIII still remain the eyes to greet
" weary pilgrims on pleasure bent
Who Will regard as heaven Sent
Your sweet and restful shade,
Though the days be many or the DAYS be few
mat Will let our glad eyes rest on you
We cannot forget your gracious shade
For that sweet memory will never fade
But abide with US alway.
Then goodbye old spring as we 90 forth
Some to the South and some to the North
10 the cares and burdens of life
we VIII think OF thee and twill ever be
remembrance sweet our hearts to greet
As onward still our pilgrim feet
Press steadily toward the N est.
Smyrna, Del, September, ., 1907.