Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-05-01


by the Race Point life-saving crew.
April %. ToMsoN.
BIRTHDAY GREETING.
To Auntie Mills, on her eightieth birthday
by E. W. Wood.
In that State where grow the pine trees,
Pine trees making mighty mainmasts
For the ships which cross the ocean,
Lived, erstwhile, one Goodman WATSON.
He was one who sailed the waters,
Braved the hurricanes and tempests,
Guiding ever his staunch vessel
Safe toward many foreign haven.
He loved also home and children,
Loved to hear their infant voices
Lisp his name in tender accents,
Welcoming his home returning.
To his hearthstone one bright morning
when the earth. with verdure dawning,
Glad proclaimed, 1.-THE Spring is here')
Came an infant daughter dear.
Quick to seize their loving fancy
| They have named her little Nancy.
But the angel who had brought her
Also brought to the fond mother
Summons to the mansions waiting
So she lodeed her arms from baby,
Swift the heavenward call obeying.
But legacy she left her
Prayers. and earnest thoughts, and tender
Inspiration oft to lend her,
As she learned about the mother
Who so soon had passed away.
Other four there were, too, needing
Teaching. guiding or restraining
By kind. maternal hand.
So our Goodman sought and found one
Willing, glad and proud moreover
To prove helpmeet able, faithful,
Both in training and in nuturing
Those whom Heaven had sent already,
And the equal number, coming
Later to the same parental hearthstone.
Made the name of WATSON honored
For uprightness and for candor
Throughout all that countryside.
Near tn old roof-tree yet you'll find them,
Scions of that sturdy yeoman,
Chershing the old traditions
That to God and man our duty
Ever is and should De foremost.
How the years fleet swiftly onward
t'Tis their steadfast way of doing)
Bringing Nancy on through girlhood
To a maiden fair and slender.
She, while helpful tasks pursuing,
Pictures one who. fond and tender,
Should from every i'll defend her.
One who, heaven endowed, should prove he
Evermore devoted lover.
Heaven did indeed provide her
With an earnest, manly sutton,
Constant as the unchanging hills,
Never fonder husband, father, than Georg,
Mills.
Need there was Of love unchanging,
For to wifehood's firm devotion
Must true mother-love be added
For the seven growing children,
Claiming from her thoughtful effort
Character to upbuild and foster, r.
Thrifty habits to impart, and
In the savior's footsteps following,
Guide toward Him each youthful heart.
Nobly did she strive to attain it
This her wise and high ideal
While her patient care and tender
Won their love and true devotion,
And her own life grew the richer
Ministering thus to others.
But the Heavenly Father spoke:
"Wouldst thou be more perfect, child,
More the heavenly image bear,
Canst endure a Christening stroke,
Thy Masters cup Of suffering share?"
Then the husbar from her side
Gently sank and passed away,
Closed his eyes upon earth's trials
To wake in realms of cloudless day.
Deeply did this true wife sorrow,
But to murmur did not deign.
Meier anxiety would borrow
For her dear Lord would sustain.
So, amid the cares and losses
Which her Fathers love permits
As He Iightens all the crosses
Which her Fathers love permits,
"Stepping Westward, "Stepping Heaven
ward"
Moves our own loved "Auntie Mills"
Day by day among the hills
Like to those about Jerusalem,
Emblems of the strength surrounding
As the Lord is round His people.
Neither are there limits bounding
His eternal power and grace.
Never word that He hath spoken
Can by mortal might be broken,
He hath promised. Who can doubt it?
Those who trust Him evermore
They shall see him face to face.
Do the years pass light or weighty,
Should they even reach the eighty
Mark, loving friends will ever say
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