William McKendree Carleton

FEBRUARY 1, 18 - . Here - am I here? Or is it fancy, born of fear?

Underneath an apple-tree Sat a maiden and her lover; And the thoughts within her he

Underneath an apple-tree Sat a dame of comely seeming, With her work upon her knee,

[From Arthur Selwyn's Note-book.] At The Summit Of The Washington Monument. Look North! A white-clad city fills

Yellow, mellow, ripened days, Sheltered in a golden coating; O'er the dreamy, listless haze,

Draw up the papers, lawyer, and make 'em good and stout; For things at home are crossways, and Betsey and I are out. We, who have worked together so long as man and wife,

They're taking me to the gallows, mother - they mean to hang me high; They're going to gather round me there, and watch me till I die; All earthly joy has vanished now, and gone each mortal hope, -

[From Farmer Harrington's Calendar.] NOVEMBER 20, 18 - . It's quite a show, and strikes me a good deal -

DEAR COUSIN JOHN: I'm very glad you sent that money through, By Cousin Seth, an' not by mail, as I requested you!

OCEAN GROVE, June 30, 18 - . DEAR COUSIN JOHN: We got here safe - my worthy wife and me -

ROCHESTER, January 4. DEAR COUSIN JOHN: We got here safe - my worthy wife an' me -

DEAR COUSIN JOHN: We got here safe - my worthy wife an' me, An' then I looked the village through to see what I could see:

[From Farmer Harrington's Calendar.] MARCH 15, 18 - . Fire! - fire! - fire! - fire! - it sets me in a craze

"Flash" was a white-foot sorrel, an' run on Number Three: Not much stable manners - an average horse to see; Notional in his methods - strong in loves an' hates;

My business on the jury's done - the quibblin' all is through - I've watched the lawyers right and left, and give my verdict true; I stuck so long unto my chair, I thought I would grow in;

JOHN: I'VE worked in the field all day, a-plowin' the "stony streak;" I've scolded my team till I'm hoarse; I've tramped till my legs are weak;

Yes, we've been travelling, my dear, Three months, or such a matter, And it's a blessing to get clear

[From Farmer Harrington's Calendar.] JULY 1, 18 - . Back to the old, old homestead! - isn't it queer!

Give us your hand, Mr. Lawyer: how do you do to-day? You drew up that paper - I s'pose you want your pay. Don't cut down your figures; make it an X or a V;

I. 'Twas a drowsy night on Tompkins Hill: The very leaves of the trees lay still;

I. The great procession came up the street, With clatter of hoofs and tramp of feet;

If I'd a million millions - Just think! a million millions! - What wouldn't I do - what couldn't I do -

Raise the light a little, Jim, For it's getting rather dim, And, with such a storm a-howlin', 'twill not do to douse the glim.

Go set the table, Mary, an' let the cloth be white! The hungry city children are comin' here to-night; The children from the city, with features pinched an' spare,

[From Arthur Selwyn's Note-book.] [More Ways Than One.] I was present, one day

I. If you to me be cold, Or I be false to you,

[From Arthur Selwyn's Note-book.] [Only A Box.] Only a box, secure and strong,

By the edge of the Atlantic, where the waves of Freedom roar, And the breezes of the ocean chant a requiem to the shore, On the Nation's eastern hill-tops, where its corner-stone was laid,

[As Told in 1880.] Year of '71, children, middle of the fall, On one fearful night, children, we well-nigh lost our all.

Out of the old house, Nancy - moved up into the new; All the hurry and worry is just as good as through. Only a bounden duty remains for you and I -

I, who was always counted, they say, Rather a bad stick any way, Splintered all over with dodges and tricks,

Over the hill to the poor-house I'm trudgin' my weary way - I, a woman of seventy, and only a trifle gray - I, who am smart an' chipper, for all the years I've told,

Yes, it's straight and true, good Preacher, every word that you have said; Do not think these tears unmanly - they're the first ones I have shed! But they kind o' beat and pounded 'gainst my aching heart and brain,

"A first-class professional fight!" I'm really doing the town! There were thousands on thousands to-night

I'd rather sit here, Mr. Sheriff - up near to the end of the car; We won't do so much advertising if we stay in the seat where we are. That sweet little dude saw the bracelets that you on my wrists have bestowed,

He lay on the beach, just out of the reach Of waves that had cast him by: With fingers grim they reached for him

The Editor sat in his sanctum, his countenance furrowed with care, His mind at the bottom of business, his feet at the top of a chair, His chair-arm an elbow supporting, his right hand upholding his head,

There is a chillness in the air - A coldness in the smile of day; And e'en the sunbeam's crimson glare

I've been to the old farm-house, good-wife, Where you and I were wed; Where the love was born to our two hearts

Oh the elements varied - the exquisite plan - That are used in constructing the lovely young man! His face he has easily made to possess

[From Arthur Selwyn's Note-book.] [The March Of The Children.] List to the sound of the drumming!

They 've got a brand-new organ, Sue, For all their fuss and search; They've done just as they said they'd do,

[From Arthur Selwyn's Note-book.] Through these broad streets do I fly - Furlongs and miles I defy,

[From Arthur Selwyn's Note-book.] [The Wedding Of The Towns.][5] Let all of the bells ring clear,

The Farmer Discourses of his Son. Tom was goin' for a poet, an' said he'd a poet be; One of these long-haired fellers a feller hates to see;

[From Farmer Harrington's Calendar.] NOVEMBER 1, 18 - . It's quite the thing to "travel" nowadays

Some men were born for great things, Some were born for small; Some - it is not recorded

Through blinding storm and clouds of night, We swiftly pushed our restless flight; With thundering hoof and warning neigh,

[From Farmer Harrington's Calendar.] SEPTEMBER 10, 18 - . Ah me! it makes a sinner wondrous blue,

[From Farmer Harrington's Calendar.] OCTOBER 1, 18 - . Wind in the south-west; weather fit to stay;

[From Farmer Harrington's Calendar.] FEBRUARY 5, 18 - . Want - want - want - want! O God! forgive the crime,

[From Farmer Harrington's Calendar.] APRIL 25, 18 - . RAIN - rain - rain - for three good solid fluid weeks -

[From Arthur Selwyn's Note-book.] Here in The City I ponder, Through its long pathways I wander.

[From Arthur Selwyn's Note-book.] When Prometheus stole the flame, Did he know what with it came?

[From Arthur Selwyn's Note-book.] Let me a moment indite Scenes that I witnessed one night: