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GEORGE W. NIMS. 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE; 
 
 -OR — 
 
 My Old New Eri^Iapd Hoipe 
 
 BY 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON NIMS, 
 
 Author of " A Keepsake More Precious Than Klondike Gold," 
 
 " Golden Lines of Wisdom for the Young," " Uncle Reuben's 
 
 Adventures Abroad," "The Deserted Farm," " Forsaken by 
 
 the World," " The Nineteenth Century," " Mother in 
 
 Poetry and Song," " The Quartrain Instructor of 
 
 Youth," " Sweetheart and Bride in Poetry 
 
 and Song," " Mammon in Verse Land," 
 
 " Human Nature in Public and Private 
 
 Life," " The Counselor of Youth 
 
 and Friend to Old Age." 
 
 BOSTON, MASS.: 
 
 The Marsh Press, 299 Washington Street. 
 
 1905. 
 
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 j^lfiiRAnYof iKIf^ahtSSSj 
 
 fwo Gopies 
 
 rtewjivyt^ 
 
 OCT, 4 
 
 1905 
 
 
 
 i copy S« 
 
 COPYRIGHT 
 
 G, W. NIMS. 
 
 1905. 
 
THE 
 
 Declininq Vilmqe 
 
 OR 
 
 My Old New England Home. 
 
 Sterling! of thee again I love to muse, 
 Of thy sequestered scenes and rustic views, 
 That to my childhood's vision seemed so fair 
 When 'midst thy charms, I dwelt so free from care, 
 Of objects that will ne'er forgotten be, 
 While human hearts can love and feel for thee. 
 Of thy fair western Ville,* my boyhood's home. 
 Where oft my childish feet were wont to roam 
 When pleasure sweetly smiled, as flowery May, 
 And I, where daisies blow, was prone to stay 
 
 * West Sterling, Mass. 
 
6 THE DECUNING VILLAGE. 
 
 When cheerful plenty joy and sunshine brought 
 And fond contentment saws of wisdom taught, 
 When budding Spring so beautifully bloomed 
 And fragrant sweets thy charming vales perfumed, 
 When I was living childhood's golden days 
 And loudly singing its entrancing lays. 
 Once more, in thought, dear Ville! I come to view 
 My humble home, that I in childhood knew; 
 But ah, how changed ! Another fold reside 
 Where those I love, were long my joy and pride. 
 Within the cosy cot that sheltered me 
 When I from trouble, want, and care was free ; 
 Where parents kind my boyish heart would cheer 
 With merry jokes and smiles to me so dear, 
 Where sweet maternal love made my young life 
 To me more joyous seem, and banished strife. 
 Could I those happy days bring back again, 
 And lo, so heartily with pleasure train; 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 7 
 
 If golden seasons fraught with happiness 
 
 Would from the past return to cheer and bless, 
 
 Oh I what would seem too valuable to give? 
 
 If for a few brief hours, I could so live, 
 
 If in the cottage I shall ne'er forget, 
 
 I could again with friends, familiar, eet; 
 
 If I could walk fair Ville! thy streets again 
 
 And on thy greens with boyhood's playmates train, 
 
 Lo! as of yore, when I was fond of play, 
 
 Of strolling with companions young and gay, 
 
 Through thy fair vales where peace and comfort 
 
 bide. 
 And distant roam unrest and haughty pride; 
 Where virtue dwells and justice rules supreme, 
 And life partakes of sweet contentment's cream; 
 Where fair play justly deals with one and all, 
 And none in folly's pits are known to fall; 
 Where wealth, unfairly gained, no welcome finds, 
 
8 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 And liberty with worth and honor dines; 
 For tyrants' oaths are sounds to thee unknown, 
 And Afric's slaves lo, here do never moan; 
 As freedom is the watchword everywhere, 
 With those who patriotism's colors wear; 
 Where rosy Summer lives her longest day — 
 Cheering alike the thoughtful and the gay, 
 Where bounteous harvests deck the well-tilled 
 
 vale, 
 And none do hear gaunt famine's wof ul wail ; 
 Where Winter's ice and snow cause fun and play 
 For silvery skates, for coasting-sled and sleigh. 
 But — but to-day, declining are thy charms, 
 Thy influence and cultivated farms, 
 Thy day and generation thou hast seen ; 
 So, from the past, I must thy history glean; 
 Now I, to thee, in fancy come again 
 To tread the soil where I was wont to train. 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE 
 
 Now, altered are the playgrounds once I knew, 
 The leafy dell and fields where daisies grew. 
 Strange faces greet me, as I walk thy streets, 
 When I am seeking for thy calm retreats, 
 Lo ! wondering who I am, who I can be 
 That travels through thy vales so light and free. 
 Now, as of yore, still gently flows the brook 
 Through lowlands green, by many a shady nook, 
 Along the base of Princeton's grass-clad hill, 
 Close by an object dear— the old grist-mill; 
 In whose cool water I was wont to wade 
 When I with happiness so careless strayed, 
 Where minnows wee and shiners fair I caught 
 Beneath the wooden bridge where they were 
 fraught. 
 
 Its very name recalls the past to me— 
 
 The cheery days when I from want vv^as free. 
 
 When, near its banks, the fragrant May-flowers 
 grew, 
 
lo THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 And many a bright-eyed violet, fair to view; 
 When in the birchy grove, not far away, 
 Beneath their slender limbs I used to play 
 With comrades that I never more shall see — 
 Who were, when I was young, so kind to me. 
 Flow on fair stream as gently as of yore ; 
 Flow on, flown on till time shall be no more; 
 Thou dear reminder of life's happiest days 
 I would thy waters crown with memory's bays. 
 Lo, here and there, what changes now I see 
 Lone Ville, since long ago I dwelt with thee! 
 How quiet seem to me thy thoroughfares. 
 
 Ay, ay, how dear thy haunts, though free from 
 
 cares ; 
 How few thy hallowed scenes desire to view, 
 
 Or on thy green remembrance' flowers would 
 
 strew! 
 But I cannot forget where I was reared — 
 The place that to my heart is so endeared. 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE. ii 
 
 Where parents, now no more, were kind to me, 
 Whose smiling faces I in fancy see. 
 Dear Ville! however changed thy landmarks seem, 
 My heart with loving thoughts for thee dost teem. 
 And ever will, while I can love and feel, 
 Wliilst I can take an interest in thy weal. 
 Where the flagstaff once stood, I stand to-day. 
 Beneath where floated high its banner gay 
 On hohdays — the dear Red, White and Blue — 
 To what brave patriots love, lo! to be true. 
 The glorious emblem of sweet liberty, 
 Whose silken folds I then so liked to see ; 
 That fired the life and courage, ay, in all, ; 
 
 From aged sires to lively children, small, 
 W^ho lightly danced and sung so merrily, 
 With cheery hearts so happy, light, and free. 
 Marching like loyal soldiers, brave and strong, 
 With steady step the village streets along. 
 
12 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 How happy then, I felt, these haunts among! 
 Where golden hours were passed and pleasure 
 
 sung 
 Her sweet, entrancing lays, so full of life, 
 When seeds of fun and joyfulness were rife, 
 While those I prize would comfort, bless, and 
 
 cheer. 
 And cause unpleasantness to disappear. 
 Declining Village, hovv^ I feel for thee! 
 Nov/, I the signs of slow decay can see, 
 When I time's cruel ravages behold — 
 That long on objects dear to thee have told. 
 So, fond remembrance pleads again with me 
 To think of charms which once belonged to thee, 
 To wander through the vales and o'er the hills 
 Tsly boyhood knew, and by the water-mills; 
 To view the ponds that oft I strayed around 
 With angling rod to sling upon the ground 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 13 
 
 The wily pickerel, pout and slimy eel, 
 
 When at excitement's shrine 'twas joy to kneel; 
 
 Where oft my childish patience was so tried, 
 
 When I unlucky seemed, and I would bide 
 
 In sore suspense, through many a cloudy day. 
 
 When I longed that good luck would come my 
 
 way; 
 Where, when success my labors crowned, I felt 
 As though some unseen power with me had dealt. 
 Ah! merry days, and seasons fraught with glee. 
 How hallowed to my heart their memory! 
 How I would like to feel as I did then 
 When I so freely roamed through field and fen, 
 And in the Bailey brook I sought for trout — 
 But not in vain— and tarried long about! 
 When clouded was the sun's entrancing beams 
 And gently flowed the winding meadow stream.s, 
 When o'er the mead fair blossoms sweetly smiled 
 
14 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 And I with line and rod time's moments whiled, 
 When happiness did blessings on me shower 
 And I could Hnger in good-nature's bower; 
 Ere I the pangs of gnawing hunger felt, 
 And I with kind and loving parents dwelt; 
 Ere disappointments came my hopes to blight, 
 When life's pathways so teemed with prospects 
 
 bright; 
 Ere I had known that golden hopes deceive, 
 That those who laugh ma}^ be the first to grieve. 
 The cherry-trees that in our front-yard grew 
 'Twill never be my lot again to view, 
 For one, I long have known, the axe applied 
 And soon laid low the objects of my pride; 
 Where many an hour I did in comfort spend 
 Among their boughs, when nimble hands would 
 
 lend 
 Their welcome aid, the crimson gems to pluck 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 15 
 
 On many a balmy day with bounteous luck; 
 For, down they fell, when loaded limbs I shook 
 With youthful ardor strong, then up would look 
 To scan the branches o'er, which tempting hung 
 With luscious fruit where lively songsters sung 
 Where I would feast, till I was satisfied, 
 And sit contentedly its boughs astride. 
 The maples and the pines, I planted once, 
 Hard by where oft the wily tabby hunts. 
 Along the border ( f our garden fair, 
 Close by the apple-tree that used to bear 
 Beside our kitchen window many a year, 
 On which, to light, the robins did not fear, 
 I seek in vain to find — for they are gone — 
 Which makes the garden seem to me forlorn, 
 For I had learned to value them, and lo! 
 But a few years, it was their lot to grow; 
 So had I never left my village home 
 
i6 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 With parents dear, in other vales to roam, 
 
 Perhaps to-day their forms I should have seen 
 
 And loudly laud their shades of living green. 
 
 But the young trees, my brother long ago 
 
 Set out, again I see them sweetly blow — 
 
 The varied trees of apple, plum, and pear. 
 
 That in the autumn-time do richly bear, 
 
 And on the barn, his grape-vine's twining still. 
 
 As though it were obliged to heed his will, 
 
 Whose purple clusters seem, to view, so fair, 
 
 And to the appetite — a banquet rare. 
 
 As in the past, the swallows visit here 
 
 And in their downy nests their loved ones rear, 
 
 And in midair they fly as gracefully. 
 
 And just as interesting seem to me; 
 
 The birds admired by all, that I don't hear 
 
 In my adopted home, to me so dear. 
 
 In Boston by the broad Atlantic sea, 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 17 
 
 Where proudly floats the flag of liberty; 
 
 Lo! where I've wished, when summer-time drew 
 
 near, 
 That it might be my lot to visit here, 
 So I should in a cooler place sojourn 
 And lessons wise from rural Nature learn ; 
 So I might feel the mountain breezes cool 
 And bathe my brow in some refreshing pool, 
 From city heat and din far, far away. 
 Where in life's spring-time I was glad to stay; 
 To view the cot, my boyhood so esteemed, 
 Where everything to me was what it seemed ; 
 Where I was goodness' precepts early taught 
 And wisdom's golden teachings daily sought; 
 Where love of mother, God, and home I learned. 
 And truths ennobling to the mind discerned; 
 Where I with right and kindness often dined 
 And good advice a welcome warm would find. 
 
i8 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 Alas! no parents meet my longing gaze, 
 No brother sweetly smiles, as in the days 
 When I was young; still memory's torch I see, 
 Which lights again these lonely rooms for me; 
 While from the hallowed past, on fancy's wings, 
 Sweet joys return to cheer like balmy springs. 
 With long-remembered years, in comfort spent, 
 Beneath its well-worn roof, where friendship lent 
 Her genial charms and pure maternal love 
 Was prone to kindly bless, Hke God above; 
 Which now recalls a mother's smiles, I miss, 
 A mother's tender care and heart-felt kiss — 
 The care that none but faithful mothers give 
 To those who in the realm of childhood live ; 
 For, like a kindly mother, who can feel? 
 Or at love's altar so devoutly kneel? 
 Lo, who is so inclined to sympathize. 
 Or kindnesses in life so highly prize? | 
 
THE DECLINING VILIvAGE. 19 
 
 Though humble was my lot when here I dwelt, 
 
 Where pride and vanity have rarely knelt, 
 
 Still through the livelong day contentment 
 
 reigned, 
 And none the love of lowly living feigned ; 
 Affection smiled and happiness would cheer. 
 And sunshine beamed throughout the varied year; 
 For happiness cannot be bought with gold. 
 Or pride a member be of justice' fold; 
 Nor vain or haughty minds, inspire the wise, 
 While wisdom dost right-living highly prize. 
 So here, love's cheery blossoms sweetly bloomed 
 On every hand and peace and comfort roomed; 
 Where funny jokes a father kind would crack. 
 Which in good-nature ne'er was known to lack; 
 Where cheering words a mother dear would speak— 
 Who shunned the haughty and revered the meek — 
 Where a good brother made home brighter seem 
 
20 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 And rays of cheerfulness were wont to teem, 
 Where, when the ghttering sun set in the west, 
 My weary limbs returned to calmly rest; 
 Then 'round our cottage hearth, with parents kind, 
 I passed mild eve away with joyful mind; 
 Living the golden hours but childhood knows. 
 Where balmy Nature's softest zephyr blows ; 
 ^Midst hallowed scenes which memory loves so 
 
 well 
 That in my heart will never cease to dwell. 
 Could I again such rosy seasons live, 
 When love and sunshine beamed, what would I 
 
 give? 
 Ere life's deceiving hopes my pathway strewed 
 With prickly thorns or grief my cheeks bedewed, 
 Ere cruel trouble strove my peace to blight 
 Or tribulations dimmed my prospects bright; 
 Ere with a selfish world I had to deal 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 21 
 
 Or envy's darts it was my lot to feel. 
 Beside our old front-door a change, I see, 
 Where flowers bloomed, so beautiful to me, 
 For here, alas! the morning-glories blow 
 No more; or fragrant roses blush and glow, 
 Or purple lilacs fair — so pleasing to behold 
 To those who by their leafy bushes strolled. 
 The bow-back tree that by the back door grew, 
 Where balmy breezes through its branches blew, 
 Has aged grown, I see; whose apples, sweet 
 In summer-time, it was my lot to eat. 
 Lo ! of the friends of by-gone days, how few 
 Dear Ville, thy peaceful vales now wander through, 
 How few remain with thee on this bright day 
 Of those who gathered on thy greens to play! 
 For long ago, some left thy shades to roam. 
 To seek abroad a more sight-pleasing home, 
 Far, far away from thy entrancing scenes. 
 
22 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 From thy flower-spangled vales and showy greens, 
 From haunts where friendship loves to linger long 
 And cheerfulness can sing her sweetest song, 
 Where healthful pastimes find a welcome warm 
 And spotless honor weathers every storm; 
 To dwell amidst the city's noisy strife, 
 Where mad confusion chills the joys of life 
 And wanton crime destroys and snares beguile. 
 And mischief thrives and every artful wile ; 
 Where heartless greed on justice loves to tread. 
 And villains are to sin and folly wed; 
 Where wealth and fame to please unfeeling pride 
 Look down upon the poor and want deride; 
 While others still on neighboring farms do plod 
 And cultivate their fertile acres broad. 
 Though I feel lonely now, declining Ville, 
 Because thou art so changed — I love thee still, 
 And shall while I'm to gratitude a friend, 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 23 
 
 Whilst cheerfully I can thy name defend. 
 Beside the old mill-pond the shallow pool 
 Remains, which proved to be a swimming-school 
 To many a child who in it learned to swim, 
 To exercise, full well, the arm and limb. 
 Along the stream that from fair Princeton flows, 
 As in sweet seasons passed, the wild-grape grows^ 
 And on the Roper farm, the same woods stand 
 Where I was wont to hunt with gun in hand, 
 Below the chestnut-trees, I loved to view 
 On whose high branches nuts so thickly grew; 
 The trees on which the bluejays used to light. 
 Whose plumage was so gaudy, sleek, and bright. 
 Near where the wily partridge made its home. 
 And I in autumn-time was wont to roam; 
 Where squirrels dwelt, and I would lie in wait 
 To seal with heartless lead their earthly fate— 
 What I would not again, lo, e'en for gold 
 
24 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 Be guilty of, till I join cruelty's fold; 
 
 For to dumb animals now I am kind, 
 
 And they in me a friend indeed do find ; 
 
 For oh ! what right have I to slay for fun, 
 
 Or, needlessly, to use a club or gun? 
 
 Children too oft, in sport, act cruelly 
 
 And to blind folly, love to bend the knee; 
 
 So parents ought to teach, for kindness' sake, 
 
 That it is wrong life needlessly to take; 
 
 And to dumb animals and birds that do 
 
 No harm, they should be friendly, kind, and true. 
 
 Where long was known the district-school to stand 
 
 Old Chocksett Number Three, by breezes fanned^ 
 
 To-day, the green grass waves above the spot 
 
 I used to call "the dear old school-house lot,'' 
 
 When knowledge smiled at all who gathered there, 
 
 And learning made the artless rustic stare, 
 
 Where many a hvely child with mischief strayed. 
 
THE DECLINING VII.I.AGE. 25 
 
 And funny tricks were often cutely played; 
 The teacher's bell no longer tolls the hour 
 Or manifests its domineering power; 
 The rule now calmly lies, that once I felt, 
 For having at the shrine of whispering knelt; 
 The tutor's voice, I never more shall hear, 
 Or his unkindly threats regard or fear; 
 For he in realms unseen by mortal eye 
 Now dwells — perchance, above the starry sky. 
 Where are his pupils on this tranquil day, 
 When Nature smiles like lasses fair in May? 
 Oh ! numbers in New England now reside 
 And o'er its hills and through its valleys ride, 
 Where ruin and misery cyclones never bring. 
 But peace prevails and cheers like flowery spring; 
 Where righteousness, the wise and good revere. 
 And patriotism's shrines inspire and cheer; 
 Others in the Southland now 'bide — a clime 
 
25 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 Where grows the lemon, fig, banana, lime — 
 Hard by the cotton-fields — world famous now — 
 That cause old Europe's plains to meekly bow; 
 On rice plantations toil, with worthy zeal, 
 Their bread to earn, to live and fairly deal; 
 While others on the prairies of the West 
 Have been by industry and plenty blest; 
 While others still, have drawn life's final breath, 
 And passed the portals of unfeeling death; 
 With whom I liked to chum, so kind were they 
 When we together used to rove and play. 
 Alas! alone, I'm left to linger here, 
 To wander and to think of friends sincere; 
 To view the scenes around the grass-grown lot, 
 That never'U by my memory be forgot; 
 The Wilder and the Whitney farms, so near. 
 That to my school-boy heart were fondly dear. 
 The narrow brook that flowed so handy by, 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 27 
 
 Where I was wont to watch the dragon-fly, 
 Whose brilliant-colored wings I so admired, 
 When Nature's dazzling charms my fancy fired ; 
 The Osgood and the Sawyer hill, so fair, 
 Where well-tilled farms their golden harvests bear. 
 The play-ground and the mowing's verdant green; 
 Where daisies blow to deck the sylvan scene; 
 The flowery fields and apple-orchards, where 
 The trees I valued so were wont to bear 
 Near Wilder's barn, where swallows love to build 
 Their nests beneath the eaves — with down well 
 
 filled. 
 O'er yonder, stands new Chocksett Number Three, 
 Where children gather now as bright and free. 
 But they are strangers all — 'tis sad to say — 
 Who to this shrine of knowledge wend their way; 
 A few, compared with what there used to be. 
 When faces, now I miss, were fair to see. 
 
28 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 Gather where they can weighty truths discern 
 And useful lessons from their teachers learn. 
 Lo! as I look around sweet peace prevails, 
 For vice nor crime disturb these quiet dales ; 
 Ay, as I muse and on farm-houses old 
 Do gaze, where industry and blessings hold 
 Their wonted sway, and patience loves to cheer 
 The hearts of those who honesty revere; 
 As when misfortune from me distant strayed. 
 And with ill-treatment I was rarely paid; 
 Where calm contentedness made life so sweet. 
 When comrades true I used to daily greet ; 
 Ere trials, unforeseen, my pathway crossed, 
 Or I had been by the proud-minded bossed; 
 Ere those I trusted had a base part played, 
 Or I with discontent had dined or strayed; 
 Ere I had known what 'twas to envied be. 
 Or by the mean was treated shabbily; 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 29 
 
 Ere at the shrine of sorrow I had knelt, 
 Or cold misfortune's trials keenly felt; 
 When I, with those who sunshine wooed, did roam 
 And in the bowers of friendship felt at home. 
 Oh, peaceful Ville! to me how lone and still I 
 But for the pottery shop and wooden mill 
 Deserted thou indeed wouldst seem to be, 
 For, signs of thrift, I sigh in vain to see ; 
 So quiet now, so Uttle to attract 
 The thrifty sons of enterprise and tact; 
 'Tis plain to every one — fair Village, plain, 
 'There's little to attract one's thoughts again; 
 Now strangers dwell where friends abode of yore, 
 Dear trusty friends who walk thy streets no more- 
 The dark-red mill, where workmen were employed 
 When I was young, the flames one night destroyed; 
 Where many a laboring man did nobly toil 
 Like neighbors on their soft but stony soil ; 
 
30 THE DECLINING VILIvAGE. 
 
 That they might honestly their dollars earn, 
 And lessons wise in labor's forum learn; 
 Where thrifty toilers labored faithfully 
 And followed in the steps of honesty, 
 Ay, in the busy mill of long ago 
 From which the w^ater used to swiftly flow; 
 The mill that I in fancy still can view, 
 In which there used to be so much to do; 
 That long the village blest with industry 
 And humble toil its fruit was wont to see. 
 When signs of thrift, on every side, were seen, 
 And children loved to frolic on the green; 
 But on the self-same site another stands 
 Bedecked with spotless white and broader bands' 
 In silence now, with little to attract. 
 Compared with one of old that labor packed. 
 'Tis true! the farmer here is wont to come 
 In harvest-time, when hoary frosts benumb. 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 31 
 
 With corn to grind — raised on his native green, 
 Far from the restless city's bustling scene ; 
 Where smiling plenty cheers his humble lot — 
 As priceless lessons of the past have taught. 
 The miller's house I ne'er again shall view, 
 Or the old oaks that byit handy grew, 
 Where my true friend and schoolmate dwelt, 
 With whom at friendship's shrine, I often knelt; 
 Who was my favorite chum and playmate dear, 
 That now, I sadly miss while standing here; 
 The miller's son— and William was his name— 
 Who trod life's stage unknown to envied fame, 
 Whose goodness from my memory never'll fade, 
 But be as fresh as spring-time's greenest blade; 
 For how can I forget a faithful friend 
 Whose words and deeds with spotless honor blend? 
 Ay, how forget a friend, who wished me well. 
 Wherever I should choose to roam or dwell? 
 
32 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 Therefore, the Nichols'-place, because of him, 
 Will to my recollection ne'er grow dim; 
 But rather dearer seem, as time rolls on, 
 When I, in fancy, see where he was born; 
 Though but a cellar now remains to me 
 'Tis plain, 'twill never cease to hallowed be. 
 The hall, the village prized, no longer's seen, 
 Wliere once the preacher told, with humble mien, 
 The story of the Cross — affecting tale — 
 To those, who to live godly, sometimes fail; 
 Where far-famed Earle* his telling power revealed, 
 And, touchingly, to thoughtless minds appealed; 
 Then, then, the people stood in awe amazed, 
 Through eloquence that from the preacher blazed ; 
 When hearts were cleansed and stubborn wills 
 
 gave way. 
 And softened under grace, beneath his sway; 
 
 * Rev. A. B. Earle. 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 33 
 
 With magic skill the meaning of the Cross 
 Expounded well — declaring all's not gloss 
 In this wide world of righteousness and sin, 
 That men must justly live, if they would win 
 A crown of righteousness in Heaven above, 
 Where angels dwell, with joy and peace and love; 
 If they would on the highest plane abide 
 And with the followers of goodness side; 
 If they would make the most of human life 
 And shun the paths that lead to godless strife; 
 If they would nobler grow from day to day 
 And love to wisely tread the upward way. 
 With motives so upright he labored hard 
 To put the careless soul upon its guard, 
 To bid it set its fondest hopes on high — 
 On things that gold and favors ne'er can buy. 
 So, once again, for efforts so esteemed. 
 That with the kindly zeal of goodness gleamed. 
 
34 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 Bid admiration praise his labors here, 
 
 While fond affection sheds its sweetest tear; 
 
 Though long ago his mission here was o'er, 
 
 And bless the tongue that speaks to them no more. 
 
 I see, in fancy, now his portly form. 
 
 And hear the words that woke their hearts by 
 
 storm; 
 The Sunday eves , I well remember now, 
 When piety adorned his thought- worn brow; 
 Though but a stripHng then, I loved to hear 
 The good man's voice that pleased my listening 
 
 ear, 
 Who in the steps of Jesus loved to tread 
 And by His matchless teachings to be led. 
 The Willard-place is little changed, I see, 
 O'er which, in summer-time, I strolled so free; 
 But the old hemlock woods my boyhood knew. 
 Where bows I sought and arrows swiftly flew. 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 35 
 
 I miss to-day ; as I do one who played 
 
 So oft with me, when we in childhood strayed ; 
 
 For genial Fred now dwells in a new home, 
 
 Not far away from where he used to roam — 
 
 A playmate that I never shall forget 
 
 Till to ingratitude I love to be in debt. 
 
 Dear Ville! from vales Hke thine, how often spring 
 
 Talents, whose fame from pole to pole dost ring! 
 
 How often youth, by worth endowed, they raise! 
 
 How oft distinguished men, that win the praise 
 
 Of nations young and old, with records bright, 
 
 Who walk in honor's paths and champion right! 
 
 Poets renowned and clergymen divine, 
 
 And orators with eloquence so fine; 
 
 Merchants of worth and scholars famed for lore, 
 
 Whose influence is felt the wide world o'er; 
 
 Statesmen and rulers wise and heroes grand, 
 
 Who guide the ship of State in many a land. 
 
36 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 Well may the world rejoice and safely rest, 
 When by such followers of justice blest ; 
 When by the friends of right and honor ruled, 
 Who, in such calm retreats, were wisely schooled 
 In every virtue and in every grace 
 That can adorn or bless the human race. 
 The village hall upon the Nichols' lot 
 Will ne'er again with cheerfulness be fraught, 
 For by unfeeling fire, long years ago. 
 It was destroyed — ^the hall that I miss so; 
 That I so prized, which once I sought with joy, 
 Where pleasant hours I spent, when but a boy, 
 With kindred past and gone and playmates dear, 
 That now cause me to shed remembrance' tear, 
 While listening to the whippoorwill's loud song. 
 And I, in fancy, see the genial throng 
 That used to gather here, the friendly smile. 
 The bright and pleasing looks, so free from guile; 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 37 
 
 While thinking of the friends of the old hall 
 Who answered long ago death's solemn call; 
 Where young and old, alike, were wont to come, 
 And hospitality was never dumb ; 
 Where lecturers the young would sometimes teach, 
 And ministers would powerful sermons preach; 
 Where music's sweet entrancing strains were 
 
 heard. 
 That to a rapturous pitch my feelings stirred. 
 The old Leach house, where Boston boarders 
 
 dwelt, 
 And summer's balmy breezes gladly felt, 
 In which they found sweet rest and wholesome 
 
 fare 
 And for a season bade adieu to care ; 
 Time hath not roughly used— 'tis plain to see— 
 Or it would not familiar look to me; 
 If 'twere not for its homely coat of red, 
 
38 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 So dark, which seems to be to plainness wed ; 
 So different from the pleasing coat of white 
 Of former days, so cheerful, clear and bright; 
 Where strangers now reside, unknown to me, 
 Beneath a roof so dear to memory. 
 In ruins, not far away, a building old 
 Is seen, that sheltered once a happy fold; 
 Where one I thought so beautiful and fair, 
 Sweet Edna Fitts, who long resided there, 
 Ere 'twas her hapless lot, when bright as May, 
 To fade and die and pass from earth away; 
 W^ho was the village belle, with beauty fraught, 
 Whose girlhood charms will never be forgot 
 By those that knew her well, who homage pay 
 To beauty's sweetest flowers in spring-time's day; 
 The house where she with loving parents dwelt 
 When at the shrine of happiness she knelt; 
 The house that sheltered long the village store. 
 
THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 39 
 
 Where oft was heard loud laughter's hearty roar; 
 And the good-natured loved to congregate 
 And over current topics long debate; 
 Where stories old and new were gladly heard — 
 Some rational, but others most absurd ; 
 Where lively jokes the young were quick to hear 
 And rare, indeed, was seen a heartless sneer; 
 Where the post-office too a home once found 
 When signs of thrift did everywhere abound, 
 Where I would come when twilight-time drew near 
 When from my absent friends I wished to hear. 
 The old front porch I miss, where I would sit 
 At dawn of eve and listen to the wit 
 Of those whom mirthfulness had well endowed, 
 That furrows in the soil of fun had plowed ; 
 The friends who long beneath the turf have lain, 
 That never more on earth will entertain. 
 What joy! old Princeton hill again I see — 
 The self -same hill indeed, oh! can it be? 
 
40 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 Where oft in winter-time I coasted long 
 On runners smooth among the jolly throng 
 That used to gather here, the time to pass, 
 With hardy lads and many a winsome lass ; 
 Where o'er the crust our sleds like lightning flew, 
 Ad own the slanting hill, the Lone Star true. 
 The first in every race, the first to lead, 
 To land upon the winter-frozen mead. 
 Alas! the winters come to find us not 
 Lo, where, for pleasure, we in vain ne'er sought; 
 Where lads and lasses strove hard to excel 
 When none their noisy shouting wished to quell, 
 Where a good time the children always had, 
 For fun was king and hearts were never sad. 
 In autumn-time, the same tall chestnut trees 
 Bear, as of yore, when frost begins to freeze 
 The prickly burrs, lo bid them nimbly fall 
 Upon the ground, down from their stations tall, 
 
THE DECI.INING VII.LAGE. 41 
 
 Just as they did when I had clubbed their limbs. 
 When I was singing childhood's favorite hymns. 
 The blueberry bushes on the Roper farm 
 Are fruitful still in pastures wide and calm, 
 Through which my childish feet have often 
 
 strolled 
 When Nature seemed to me more dear than gold ; 
 Yes! plentiful, lo, as they used to be 
 When I, their gems, so blue, was pleased to see, 
 While wandering through these old familiar gladcg 
 O'er shrubby knolls and by refreshing shades ; 
 Beneath the summer sun, in hopes to pick 
 My tin-pail full where they were large and thick. 
 The same dark pool remains in Greenwood's mead, 
 Surrounded with the verdant bulrush reed. 
 And, as of yore, the friendly frog leaps nimbly 
 
 'round 
 And loudly croaks the same unpleasing sound. 
 
42 THE DECLINING VILLAGE. 
 
 The walnut trees and pennyroyal still 
 
 Are seen hard by the meadow's dreamy rill, 
 
 While all about, the hardy swale I meet, 
 
 Where, as of old, the cowslip blooms as sweet, 
 
 And, as I list, the bobolink I hear, 
 
 Whose cheery notes fall softly on my ear 
 
 As when perched on some green tree's spreading 
 
 limb 
 My watchful eyes so loved to gaze at him; 
 While blackbirds in the elm above my head 
 As proudly sing as when I used to tread 
 On miry bogs, in search of cowslips gay 
 In sweet spring-time on many a lovely day. 
 The smithy lingers still beside the brook, 
 Where business teemed of yore, but now forsook, 
 Beside the stately elms that long have stood 
 To cheer this law-abiding neighborhood; 
 Where once a joyless Shattuck breathed his last 
 
THE DKCUNING VILLAGE. 43 
 
 And from sad scenes to unknown regions passed ; 
 
 But on the Chandler farm to-day, I see 
 
 The signs of thrift, of toil and industry, 
 
 And, on its trees, the same high grade of fruit. 
 
 That can the most exacting fancy suit ; 
 
 The farm on which was reared — who loves it still — 
 
 The present well-known mayor of Somerville, 
 
 Who for the cause of justice dares to fight 
 
 And bravely champions the laws of right ; 
 
 BeHeving in the cause of righteousness, 
 
 Like one who loves his fellow-men to bless. 
 
 So many changes thou hast seen, dear Ville! 
 
 My mind, with sad regrets, I'm wont to fill ; 
 
 Yet thy fair greens will ne'er deserted be 
 
 Till time has passed into eternity; 
 
 Thy calm retreats will never cease to please. 
 
 To fascinate as dost a fragrant breeze; 
 
 Though now decHning, yet, deserted not. 
 
44 THE DECLINING VII.I.AGE. 
 
 As thou wilt never, never be forgot 
 While rural scenes the mind of man delights, 
 And men are pleased with Nature's fairest sights. 
 So many charms have flown that once I knew, 
 I still lament, with tears, their last adieu, 
 Vv'"hen I the past recall or think of thee. 
 Of cherished scenes I never more shall see, 
 When near Wauchusett's famous mount I dwelt 
 And gratefully its cooling breezes felt; 
 A friend in me thou' It never fail to find 
 While I can love and feel with a sound mind, 
 Whilst hallowed seasons of the past can cheer 
 And to my heart thy hills and dales are dear ; 
 While I, in thought, can see thy cheery greens, 
 And I delight to think of by-gone scenes, 
 A kind word I shall gladly speak for thee 
 Who in life's early morn was good to me. 
 Now, must I bid farewell to scenes so dear 
 
THE DECLINING VILI.AGE. 45 
 
 To them, fair Ville! that I love to revere, 
 
 To old associations, now no more, 
 
 That lingers still on memory's fadeless shore; 
 
 Now, when so quiet seem thy streets by day 
 
 And thou a victim art, lo, to decay? 
 
 Ay, ay, how happy I again should be 
 
 If I could bring prosperity to thee, 
 
 If industry would thrift and plenty bring, 
 
 And bid thy vales with sweet contentment sing; 
 
 If I could make thee prosperous as of yore, 
 
 As when thy fields I used to ramble o'er; 
 
 Oh, then, how I should love to visit thee. 
 
 When scenes I cherish so, I long to see! 
 
 Alas! thy shades I now must leave to roam, 
 
 To journey back to my adopted home, 
 
 To cultured Boston by the deep-blue sea, 
 
 That long has been a city dear to me. 
 
 So now, decUning Ville! I bid adieu 
 
46 THE DECLINING VIIvLAGE. 
 
 To thee, to objects old I love to view, 
 But thy fair charms my childhood loved so well. 
 I'll ne'er forget — how far away I dwell, 
 Though but one primrose mark thy lowly lot, 
 Lo! by thy friends, thou'lt never be forgot; 
 Thy fate, be what it may, remembrance will 
 Her homage pay and shine upon thee still. 
 
OCT 4 I; 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 994 445 5