Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-05-10
Some 0ld-TlWe FaVOIit@.
OLD FATHER GRIMES.
BY ALBERT G. GREENE.

BY ALBERT G. GREENE.
Here is one of the old, old sonys,, a
century or more old. Few people who
have sung the song "Old Grimes. !"
during its existence of close to Gen.
fury, have entertained the remotest
idea that any such character ever
existed. They have no doubt as
sumed that the good old man" de-
picted in the song was an imaginary
parsonage in the mind of the author.
But not alone is this idea incorrect,
but instead of there having actually
been one ''Old Mr.. Grimes" there
seems to have been three to inspire
this poem. and the peculiar part of
it is that one is described as Vir-
ginia slave and the other as New
England Yankee, and the third as q
Massachusetts village cut-up." One
was known as William, another as
Billy" which may have been one
and the same person, with a little
vagueness thrown in regarding the
race, and the third Ephraim. Every
thing considered, Mr.. Kilbourne's
story as related. is no doubt the cor
rect one.
Albert Gorton Greene, the author
OF the poem, was born in Providence,
r. l.. on February 10, 1902, and died
in Cleveland, O.. on January 4. 1863.
He graduated at Brown University
in 1920, and was admitted to the bar
in 1923. He became Judge in 1858.
Besides 'Old Grimes" he wrote other
well-known poems. including among
which are "The Militia Muster, !"
"Adelheid. The Baron's Last Ban
quet" and "Canonchet."
Judge Greene was associated in
the founding Of the Providence, r.
l., Athenaeum, and was president OF
Rhode Island Historical Society from
1854 to the time OF his death. He
began ac0llection Of American poetry,
which passed into the hands Of Caleb
Fiske Harris. from whose estate it
was purchased by Henry B. Anthony
and bequeathed to Brown University.
Old Grimes is dead-that good old man,
We ne'er shall see him more;
He used to wear long black coat,
All buttoned down before.
His heart was open a. the day,
His feelings oil were true;
His hair was. some inclined to gray
He wore it in aqueue.
Whenever he heard the voice Of pain,
His breast with pity burned;
The large, round head upon his cane,
From ivory was turned.
Kind words he ever had for all,
He knew no base design;
His eyes were dark and rather small,
His nose was acquiline.
He lived in peace with oil mankind,
In friendship he WAS true;
HE coat had pocket-holes behind.
His pantaloons were blue.
Unharmed, the sin which Earth pollutes,
he passed securely DER; s
And never wore = pair Of boots,
For thirty yeafa ar morA.
But good old Grimes b now Il rest.
Nor fears misfortune's frown:
He wore double breasted vest,
The stripes ran mp and down.
He modest merit sought 10 flnd,
And pay It ifs desert:
He bad no malice il bis mind,
No ruffles on his shirt.
His neighbors he didnot abuse,
Was sociable aud ray;
He wore large buckles On his ahoes,
And changed them every DAY.
His knowledge hid from public raxe.
Hedid mot bring % view
Nor make I noise town-meefinr dava.
Az mamy people do. s.
His wofldly goods he never threw.
In trust to Fortuneis chanceo:
Bat lived sas al hie brothers do,
In easy circumstances. :.
Thus, undisturbsd BY anxious carcs,
His peaceful moments ran:
And everybody aid n Wa
A 6ne old 6entJemou.