The Emigrant Mechanic and Other Tales In Verse | Page 4

from them of food and clothes a share.?Nor did they grudge them what they could afford--?For they had learned to live and serve the Lord!?But soon Affliction, with her visage dire,?Called them to pass through purifying fire!?And first a smiling girl was snatched away--?The mother next, to Death became a prey.?The father, too, was sick, and laid aside?For many weeks; thus sorely was he tried.?Anon their pet, a lovely infant, died,?And she was laid by her dear mother's side.?Such fearful strokes, to one in poverty,?Were hard to bear, as all may clearly see.?But this poor man, all strong in holy faith,?Was led to take a proper view of death--?E'en to regard him as an enemy?Conquered by Him who died on Calvary--?And view his loved ones but as gone before.?To Canaan's blest and truly happy shore!
Ere long the Lord a partner did prepare?To aid this Christian, and his sorrow share.?She had for many years in service been;?Of careful habits, in good pay I ween.?And this enabled her to lay aside?A goodly sum, and keep her needs supplied.?This virtuous woman thus became "a crown"?To that poor man, by trials well bowed down.?And by her cleverness in housewif'ry,?With constant practice of economy,?The family soon enjoyed a greater share?Of household comforts, and had much less care.
Thus early schooled, our WILLIAM grew apace,?And though still young, wore oft a thoughtful face.?By nature studious, and of ready turn,?He needful tasks most eagerly did learn.?And being inquisitive, 'twas his desire?On winter nights, and by their frugal fire,?That his dear father should to him make known?What kind of ancestry they chanced to own.?To this the father, with a smiling face,?Soon made reply, "We spring from noble race!?Long, long ago, I can in truth declare,?A wandering Minstrel visited a fair,?And there saw one of very noble blood,?Who liked him well and deemed his music good.?They soon contrived each others' minds to learn,?And felt Love's flame within their bosoms burn;?But knowing well this would not be allowed,?Disguised, away they fled amongst a crowd.?Soon they were fast in honest wedlock tied;?And thus the Minstrel gained a lovely bride!?Yet were they destined not to live in peace--?For ELLEN'S brother vowed he would not cease?To search for them through all the country wide,?And quick return with ELLEN at his side!?Long time he searched, then gave them up for lost,?And proved his boasting vain, unto his cost.?But on one night he, weary, sad and faint,?Espied a house, and to that house he went--?Just reached the threshold, and sank down quite spent.?The fair young mistress, with a piteous eye,?Beheld the man, and feared that he would die.?She loosed his vest, then laid his bosom bare,?And spied a mark which well might make her stare.?It was her brother! and her gentle heart?With love o'erflowed to act a sister's part.?Most earnest efforts quick the man restored,?And ELLEN felt most grateful to the Lord.?She, fully conscious of strict rectitude,?Confessed her kindred, and for pardon sued.?The astonished brother clasped her in his arms;?Their early love afresh their spirit warms,?And all his hatred very soon disarms.?This Minstrel, with his lovely ELLEN, were?Our ancestors, as you may well infer."
[Footnote: In proof that the above legend has some foundation in fact, I may state that one of my hero's cousins in England has a gold headed cane, and another a splendid jasper snuff-box, both said to have been left by the party who came to seek the runaway lady.]
Young COOPER heard, and could not well conceal?Some stirring thoughts that he began to feel.?He still was of a very tender age;?Far, far too young to feel Ambition's rage.?But he had heard of Dukes, and Earls, and Lords,?And all the splendor which their rank affords;?Had seen in prints their castles and their halls;?Had heard of servants who obeyed their calls;?Of their vast parks, well filled with noble deer,?Their tables loaded with the best of cheer;?Of horses, carriages, and fleetest hounds,?And cattle feeding over all their grounds;?Of gardens filled with precious fruits and flowers,?And of sweet music to beguile their hours;?Fancied their mansions full of lovely girls,?With beauteous eyes, and richly flowing curls;?In short, conceived that these men were no less?Than mighty lords whom every eye should bless.?And 'twas no wonder if in reverie?This boy indulged with greatest frequency.
But years flew by, with all their constant care,?New hopes, new scenes, and feelings of despair.?He owning still a constitution weak,?Would better health in change of air oft seek.?At times like these, his second mother's care?Did send him forth with relatives to fare.?And then sweet Crossthwaite, with its paper mill,?Its pretty brooks, and many a trickling rill,?With dearest pleasure would his bosom fill.?Deep gratitude impels him now to pay?A tribute due to relatives, and say?That purer kindness could not be displayed?To any one who needed friendly aid,?Than they still showed to him while living there,?As their own