The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-07-15
When dangers call Is sounded


In this valley down below
Pleasant times we spent together
In that place below the hill
Happy thoughts Of days that left U
Linger in my mem'ry still.
The first stage it was a wagon
Brought and set right up in line
With hayrack for a platform
Covered DER with planks of pin,
Seats were dug right in the hillsid
And were made without a flaw
Covered DER with modern cushions
Nothing else than nice clea
Those swell cushions as we Gale
them
They were put on thick and deep
In the comfort that they gave us
Many dozed and went to sleep,
When the meeting came to order
And our speakers made a hit
Those poor fellows that were dozin
Found they couldn't sleep a bit.
People came in lumber wagons
In those days of long ago
II they only saved the walking
Little did they care for show,
Others walked across the prairies
And some few with oxen came,
These poor fellows travelled slowly
But they got there just the same.
Two marshals were elected
To rule with cane in hand
Boys trembled in their breaches
At every slight command,
Twas then that all amusements
Came to a sudden stop
You couldn't get, if trying
A single glass of pop.
But all were trained to listen r
To the program of the day
Attention and good order
They surely had full sway,
Today it's somewhat different
And things are on the run
unless you're on a gallop
You're missing all the fun.
The style is also different
From what 1t used to be
From those old fashioned dresses
Today you can make three
They trim them at the bottom
And also at the top
l honestly believe it
They don't know when to stop.
And If they keep on trimming
It's no use to dispute
They'll have them down to nothing
But just bathing suit
Inose little wee short dresses
Just suit us married men
Wen keep our wives in clothing
With one good laying hen.
o yes, those dust proof ear fops
Il almost did forget,
Ihey are a great protection
And keep the ears from sweat.
Tney surely are the latest s-.
And just brought off the shelf
With hair a little longer
I'd have pair myself.
Just one more thing I'll mention
IL almost makes me dumb
To see those little shoe heels
No larger than my thumb,
They are not made for comfort
But made for style and show
Quite different Is the shoe line
From fifty years ago.
Oft our minds they are returning
To that place beside the brook
One of natures spots of beauty
such a coy little nook,
But those trees were cut to cord
"OOu
Down beside that little rill
So we held our next encampment
On the summit OF the hill.
Just across the road from here
Stood a grove twas hard to beat
Plenty room for Jew and Gentle
And they all could have a seat
This fine grove again it vanished
Into cordWood as we know
And 1t seems that cutting cordwoo
In those days was all the go.
Next we moved adown this valley
TIL we found little ridge
In a shady little corner
Down beside the Walters bridge
Twice we celebrated thither
Then came back to this plateau
And for thirty one long years
We have made a better show.
There were shadows in the valley
But twas sunshine on the hill
And its here in shade and sunshine
We are celebrating still,
In the beauty of the forest
With its graceful branches spread
Ever loyal to "Old Glory"
That is waving over head.
For awhile we kept sojourning
Like the Israelites of old
When we thought that we wer
settled
We were left out in the cold,
But today we've stopped sojournins
And l think 1t safe to say
That we've settled down to business
And this time we're here to stay,
Where are all those pioneers
That were with us years ago?
Can we find them in the audience?
We must sadly answer no:
II some one were now appointed
Here today the roll to call
We would fine that they are absent
And are missing nearly all.
If we look around our audience
Here and there one can be seen
o how true Is the old saying
They are few and far between"
But though absent from our meet
ings
They live in our memories vet
And their deeds and pleasant faces
No, we never can forget.
Here they 1abored without ceasin,
In the sunshine and the rain,
Changed the wilds of Minnesota
Into fields of golden grain,
Here they built us homes to liv