Miriam And I.You see 'twas long ago__ The times were very different From days our young folks know. For when I took my girl to town, We used to "ride and tie"__ Now bicycles and tricycles Go whirling swiftly by. The cars were novelties to us__ Who owned a one-horse chaise__ The women were afraid of them; The boys all sung their praise. Then, kerosene was quite unknown, And candles gave us light; No "Edison" had then appeared, To make dark places bright. The girls were taught to knit and spin, To wash and bake and brew: Then fancy-work was quite unknown__ A rarity so new. No "Kensington" nor "crazy-quilts" Had dawned upon us then: Yet girls were well contented__ True-hearted were the men. When Miriam and I were wed, We took what goods we had, And started for a home out west, With hopeful hearts and glad. We found a farm, and made a home, Had joys and sorrows, too; But on the whole enjoyed as much As other people do. 'Twas years, yes, many years ago__ Our children all are grown, And gone to homes they made themselves, And we are left alone. But often as the evening comes, With softly fading light, We talk of happy days gone by__ Those youthful days so bright. We're almost to the sunset land, My Miriam and I; We have a dear old-fashioned book That points to realms on high. And when at last a summons comes, We pray that we may go Together to the better land, Nor separation know. __ Laura E. Newell, Zeandale, Kan. |
Poets and Poetry of Kansas
Edited by Thomas W. Herringshaw
(Chicago: American Publishers' Association. 1894)
Pages 35-36
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