# LI BRARY OF COxXGRE SS. | 
 
 # # 
 
 I UNITED STATES OF AMKHICA.J 
 
COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 ys. 
 
 CITY FLIRTATION 
 
COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 z;s. 
 
 CITY FLIRTATION; 
 
 OR, 
 
 TEN CHAPTERS FROM THE STORY OF A LIFE. 
 
 Reduced to Rhyme for coiweiiience sake, by 
 
 H^^'^T.'^S PERRY, 
 
 WriH ILLUSTRATIONS l!V 
 
 AUGUSTUS HOPPIN 
 
 <&. 
 
 NEW YOR K : 
 
 Carleton, Publisher, 413 Broadway. 
 
 MDCCCLXV. 
 
76 z'^'^^ 
 
 Entered according to the A(5l of Congress, in the year 1865, by 
 
 GEO. W. CARLETON, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the Distridl Court of the United States for the Southern 
 
 Distridt of New York. 
 
 The N. y. Printing Company, 
 
 Nos. 34, 36, 38 & 40 Ann St. 
 
 AND 102 & 105 Nassau Street, 
 
 New York. 
 
TO 
 
 B. p. SHILLABER, Esq., 
 
 (with MRS. Partington's permission,) 
 
 THESE LEISURE MOMENT RHYMIN(;S, 
 
 IN THE HOPE THAT HE WILL BE PLEASED 
 
 WITH A PORTION OF THEM AT LEAST, 
 
 ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED 
 
 BY HIS FRIEND, 
 
 " I N V I O." 
 
 Hartford, October, 1865. 
 
'^ oV\r ft'tt ^^^qTSVc-t 
 
 No. I. — " A lonesome traveler might have been seen 
 
 On the turnpike road near the village green." Page lo 
 
 No. 2. — " Where the white hair'd Parson with wondering eyes, 
 
 Looks over his specs, in a queer surprise." Page ii 
 
 No. 3. — " He dreamlessly sleeps, 
 
 While the rushing train on its fierce way keeps." Page 16 • 
 
 No. 4. — " The night and the journey are over and past, j 
 
 And the turbulent city is gained at last." Page 17 ' 
 
 No. 5. — " His hopes are plumed for starward flights no more, 
 
 They merely circle round a Broadway store " Page ao 
 
 No. 6. — " Comical 'tis to witness the pique, 1 
 
 Revealed by his motions and blushing cheek." Page aj t/ 
 
 No. 7. — " Through all the forest and village ways, 
 
 From the quiet house to the murmuring stream." Page 31 ^ 
 
 No. 8. — " Through the gath'ring gloom , 
 
 Of the dr'earisome days, so lonely and long." Page 34 ' 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 No. 5. — " As she entered the hall in her gorgeous pride, 
 
 Her dazzling diamonds increasing the light." Page 43 
 
 No. 10. — " Suddenly turning her arrogant head, 'j 
 
 She found within sound of all she had said." Page 45 
 
 No. II. — " With as stately an air and as solemn a face. 
 
 As ever you'd wish to see." Page 48 
 
 No. 12. — " The quintessence of blackness, which, with a grin, / 
 
 And obsequious " Sarvant, sah," ushered him in." Page 57^ 
 
 No. 13. — " There in her carriage in queenly state, 
 
 Carrie MacFlirasey, the haughty, sate." Page 73 
 
 No. 14. — " Till, suddenly, as if his work were o'er. 
 
 And the cup of his life could hold no more, v 
 
 He fell in a desperate action." Page 7^ ' 
 
 No. 15. — " The women met in the church each day, 
 
 And worked for the brave boys far away." Page 77 
 
 No. 16. — " How she watched his fluttering breath, ,1 
 
 As if 'twere presage of approaching death." Page 81' 
 
 No. 17.—" Under the porch where the shadows play, 
 
 Enjoying themselves in a rational way." Page 89 
 
COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 CITY FLIRTATION. 
 
 HOPE AND AMBITION, 
 
 Down where the wooden nutmegs grow, 
 Some ten or a dozen years or so, 
 Ago, 
 At the close of a day laconical, 
 In the latest season of gathering sheaves, 
 I* 
 
lO COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 Of golden noons and glorious eves, 
 And the downward flight of forest leaves 
 
 Begins this truthful chronicle : 
 A lonesome traveler might have been seen, 
 On the turnpike road near the village green, 
 In a grotesque suit of ultra-marine 
 
 And a hat broad-brimmed and conical. 
 Awkwardly perched in a family cart — 
 
 The very antiquest kind 
 Of an umbrella arching o'er him, 
 
 A long black trunk behind 
 And a short white pony before him, 
 That ambles on with a jerk and a start, 
 As though it were taking an active part 
 
 In a piece of German machinery. 
 His face, a mild picture of calm content, 
 Speaks, in each smile and lineament, 
 Of a noble heart and a firm intent. 
 Though his eyes on the turning wheels are bent 
 
l^S. CITY FLIRTATION. n 
 
 And not on the beautiful scenery. 
 Young in years, with a powerful arm, 
 And a robust form that would please and charm 
 The sculpture-critics, gained on the farm, 
 And not by a fashionable tailor's trick. 
 Strong in sinew and lithe of limb, 
 Few in fact can compare with him, 
 Though they call him only a specimen brick 
 Of the wooden nutmeg nation. 
 The pony jogs on with its rustic load, 
 Down the winding turns of the silent road. 
 Now under the swaying hemlock boughs, 
 
 Draped with the scented vines, 
 Round Adder-hill, where the cattle browse, 
 Then through the gloomy pines, 
 And reaches the railroad station, 
 Where the white hair'd Parson, with wondering 
 
 eyes. 
 Looks over his specs, in a queer surprise, 
 
12 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 On beholding our hero, Reuben Grey, 
 And asks him why he is going away. 
 
 "Going," he says, in a husky tone, 
 
 " Going to try the great world alone — 
 
 To gain for myself a famous name, 
 
 With funded gold and a crown of fame 
 
 In the hum of the city, where toil and strife 
 
 Are the same at the ebb and flow of life ; 
 
 Going away from the loved and the good 
 
 And the silent grave in the solemn wood, 
 
 The spring's sweet smiles and the autumn sheaves, 
 
 The blushing rose and crimsoning leaves, 
 
 And the twittering swallows under the eaves, 
 
 The springing grass and the brilliant dyes 
 
 That dawn and die in the sunset skies, 
 
 The cattle meek, with their great brown eyes. 
 
 And the drowsy noons and the droning bees, 
 
 The bobolink's song and the burdened breeze 
 
FS. CITY FLIRTATION. 13 
 
 That drifts from the blossoming orchard trees ; 
 Going away from the meadow and brook. 
 The forest paths and the well-known nook 
 Where Percy sat with a closed book, 
 And her promise gave in blessed words, 
 Sweeter than ever the song of birds ; 
 From the village church and the ancient mill, ' 
 The shadowy grave-yard dank and still, 
 And the sorrowful call of the whip-poor-will, 
 Things that I love and treasure still ; 
 But the saddest of all, alas ! to me. 
 Is to leave the homestead and Percy Lee ; 
 For wearisome years must come and go 
 Ere I can forge, with a final blow. 
 The crown that my life and longing brain 
 Must call their own when we meet again; 
 I shall toil and strive till I fully earn 
 
 My prize in the race of life. 
 Then from my wanderings I shall return 
 
 And Percy will be a wife." 
 
 ) 
 
14 COUNTRY LOVE. 
 
 The Parson looks sad, for many an one 
 Has failed when the race was nearly run, 
 Despair'd ere the labor was half begun, 
 Or died when the work was almost done ; 
 
 He has witnessed such things in his life and day. 
 But refrains from any prediction, 
 ' And bowing his head in a reverent way 
 Gives Reuben a calm benediction. 
 
 ^^caS^v^ 
 
 3^^^ 
 
II. 
 
 SEEING THE WORLD. 
 
 With a thrilling shriek of terror and might, 
 
 Into the darkness, into the night, 
 The booming train, with the speed of the wind, 
 
 Flashes away like a gleam of light, 
 And the loving and loved are far behind. 
 
 Now it rumbles among the trembling hills, 
 
 And tears through the mountain pass, 
 "And many a league of shadow" that lies 
 On the black and fear'd morass, 
 Like a demon toward its doom ! 
 Then, past groaning and jarring mills, 
 
l6 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 With luminous panes, like fiendish eyes 
 
 Peering into the gloom. 
 On through the forest bathed in perfume, 
 
 From solemn and odorous pines, 
 Dark villages, draped in the hush of the tomb. 
 
 And streets where the gas-light shines. 
 
 But our hero thinks not of -these vanishing sights 
 
 Of the night or the coming day, 
 For he goes, with his thoughts, in swallow flights. 
 To the scenes of home and their dear delights. 
 Into mem'ries fading away. 
 
 Wearied at last, and heart and brain 
 
 Like lead with the weight of a nameless pain, 
 
 Though hope and aspiration 
 Abide with him still, he dreamlessly sleeps, 
 While the rushing train on its fierce way keeps, 
 
 And nears its destination. 
 
...■■.^^<J: .k!^^^^<^vS6iN/Vx^^^^ 
 
 -_:^ 
 
 
F^. CITY FLIRTATION. 17 
 
 The night and the journey are over and past, 
 And the turbulent city is gained at last, 
 
 Then with the old life Reuben shakes hands 
 And thinking the new over, finally stands 
 In the rushing and clamorous human tide. 
 
 Where the good and the bad, the grave and 
 the gay, 
 Proud Dives and meek Lazarus, side by side, 
 
 Eternally drift through the bright Broadway ; 
 Devotees of fashion, in feathers and paint. 
 
 Despising each other though gayly they meet ; 
 And frail flaunting creatures, whose presence 
 • would taint 
 The homes of the men they smilingly greet ; 
 And sad-faced children, with woful want 
 Photographed in their pleading eyes ; 
 And imbecile women, pale and gaunt. 
 
 Thinking of death as a glorious prize ; 
 Crowds of mercenary merchants and men, 
 
l8 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 With aberratic and troubled looks ; 
 And authors, whose features speak of the pen 
 
 As mousing critics will of their books ; 
 And flocks of merry and frolicksome girls, 
 
 With argent brows and innocent eyes, 
 And ripening lips and bewildering curls, 
 
 For which (in verses) the Poet dies ; 
 Squads of beggars, in squalor and rags, 
 
 Stamped with anguish and sorrow and crime, 
 Of human life the settlings and fags. 
 
 With no bright hopes of a better time ; 
 And vulgar plebeians, aping the Ton, 
 
 And Potiphar promenaders, 
 Plumed like the orient-bird, 
 All mingling together, and sweeping on 
 In a strange fantastic herd 
 
 Of grotesque masqueraders, 
 Confusing our hero ; alas ! for him, 
 
 In the crowded streets he is still alone. 
 
'1 .^^^ A' ^ 
 
P'S. CITY FLIRTATION. I9 
 
 His heart throbs faint and his hopes grow dim. 
 And he longs for a well-rememhered tone, 
 
 And the old familiar faces, 
 And tranquil hours his life hath known 
 
 In the pleasant woodland places. 
 
III. 
 
 INCONSTANCY. 
 
 Two changing years have swiftly ghded by, 
 
 And Reuben, from his aspirations high 
 
 Of bold emprise and bright imaginings. 
 
 Hath fallen earthward on ignoble wings. 
 
 His hopes are plumed for starward flights no 
 
 more — 
 They merely circle round a Broadway store ! 
 His high ambition now to see his name 
 Emblazoned — the antipodes of fame — 
 Upon a gilded sign above the door. 
 The glad, sweet music of his childhood years 
 
I ^. ^^&(> 
 
 V.M 
 
 
CITY FLIRTATION. 21 
 
 Is silence-buried ; he only hears, 
 
 With anxious ears, the sharp metallic chimes 
 
 Of future dollars grown from present dimes. 
 
 His home-made garb is laid aside, 
 And he is completely transmogrified 
 Into a mincing New York clerk, 
 Learning to talk and smile and smirk 
 
 In the very genteelest fashion ; 
 His work-brown'd hands are becoming white, 
 
 And his features are growing fair, 
 And he sports a glass to aid his sight, 
 And kids and boots decidedly tight, 
 
 With stylish things the young men wear, 
 In order to properly dash on ; 
 Is dressed a-la-mode, and all perfumed 
 Like a massive bouquet freshly bloomed 
 
 In the sweltering hot-house air, 
 And prides himself on his talk and face, 
 
23 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 And displays new silks and French point lace, 
 With such a display of snobbish grace 
 As to make his employers stare. 
 
 O, very unique are his elegant ways, 
 Attracting the notice and winning the praise 
 Of fashionable girls, and the ardent gaze 
 
 Of many magnificent ladies ; 
 And very delectable 'tis, they say. 
 To perambulate, as the bon-ton may. 
 On the broadcloth side of the bright Broadway, 
 When palatial bazaars on opening day 
 Make a gorgeous splurge and a grand display 
 
 Of goods from Paris or Cadiz, 
 To stop on a ravishing trading visit 
 And see him perform the role of exquisite 
 Over the counter of " Cheatum & Fibit," 
 
 Where " gammon " part of the trade is. 
 But comical 'tis to witness the pique, 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 23 
 
 Revealed by his motions and blushing cheek, 
 When rough country cousins earnestly seek 
 
 For him in the crowd, 
 
 And, with voices loud, 
 Tell him how all the people " tu hum " 
 Wonder and ask why he doesn't come 
 Down to the village and stay a spell ; 
 How Brindle sickened and then got well, 
 When the pork was killed, how much it weighed, 
 How the barn, where he had worked and played. 
 Was fired, one desolate, windy night, 
 And what a grief and terrible fright 
 His father and mother and all were in ; • 
 How his sister was looking pale and thin ; 
 Who had been buried, and how Will Lee 
 Brought home a young wife from Italy, 
 And filled a very respectable niche 
 
 In their best society ; 
 
 And with what anxiety 
 
24 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 And perfect propriety 
 Percy was waiting for him to grow rich, — 
 And many an uncouth thing beside, 
 Of home-brewed gossip and village news, 
 That wounds his shallow and pompous pride. 
 Reddens his face and gives him the blues ; 
 For he's quite refined and doesn't choose 
 To have his companions think or know 
 He sprouted from anything so low 
 As the rustic sphere of a farmer's boy, 
 'Though 'twas glorified by a sinless joy, 
 And pure and free from the world's alloy. 
 
 " Marry come up," there is something here, 
 Something to think of, something to fear, 
 For Reuben forgets the vows of his youth. 
 And floats and drifts from the shores of truth, 
 
 Into the eddies of frivolous life. 
 Dreaming (alas ! it is true and strange. 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 2$ 
 
 A young man's love is the first to change), 
 Of an avenue palace, a wealthy wife. 
 
 And a blazoned and princely station 
 'Mong the million-a-year's, whose wearying strife 
 Terminates and is gravely ended — 
 
 Sad loss to a worshiping nation ! — 
 With a funeral grand and splendid, 
 
 Or a very intense sensation, 
 By shame and dishonor attended, 
 (Increased by Wall street Bulls and Bears, 
 Dreaded by friends and loving heirs, 
 And feared by wolves in banking lairs,) 
 
 Caused by the curseful word "Suspended." 
 
 Over village and city with noiseless tread, 
 
 Years march on, as the Epic bard, 
 In pastoral legend, hath quaintly said. 
 To the unknown land, where the peaceful dead 
 
 Take them under their solemn guard. 
 
26 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 Through the busy hum of street and mart 
 Our hero moves with a burdened heart, 
 Burdened and worn with a prayer of gain 
 And a longing wish to rise and reign, 
 A Croesus proud, o'er a wide domain ! 
 Stoical still, as the long months wane, 
 To promises made in that blest time, 
 When his heart was pure, and hope sublime 
 Pictured to him a radiant crown 
 And an earnest life of high renown ; 
 But pictured only and quick to fade, 
 Like mirage over an alpine glade, 
 Or asphodels in the forest shade. 
 Were the promises his young heart made. 
 
 He forgets, alas ! his manly ruth. 
 His plighted constancy and truth, 
 Though conscience with remorseless tooth 
 Stings in a manner fearful, 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 27 
 
 Whenever the image of Percy Lee 
 Flits through the chambers of memory- 
 Like a ghost that appals his soul to see, 
 In its aspect sad and tearful. 
 
 But conscience must suspend its work 
 In the breast of suc/i an ambitious clerk, 
 And should it ever presume to lurk 
 
 Anywhere in his spirit's niches, 
 It must at once be ordered out ; 
 At best 'tis only a country lout. 
 That isn't genteel to have about 
 
 In the race for honor or riches. 
 
 At first the weekly mail bore down 
 To the dear old fashioned country town 
 
 A letter to Percy Lee, 
 Full of professions inarked and " loud ; " 
 " His heart was sad 'mid the rushing crowd, 
 
28 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 And his thoughts to her would flee ; 
 'Mong all the ladies fair and proud 
 
 None were so fair as she ! " 
 The same old story of mild deceit 
 That lying lips will still repeat 
 
 So long as time shall be. 
 
 And Percy believed it every word — 
 Her heart to its inmost depths was stirred, 
 And she sang her joy like a gladsome bird, 
 That made all happy its notes who heard. 
 
 But lighter far than a floating feather 
 The promises made by fickle men ! 
 I grieve the scandalous fact to pen, 
 But his letters came only now and then, 
 
 And then stopped altogether ; 
 On wings of gossip the story flew, 
 Till every one in the village knew 
 Its pros and cons, and it straightway grew, 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 29 
 
 On a very few recitals, 
 To as woful a tale as ever was told ; 
 How Percy was fading — growing old ; 
 And Reuben, while coining heaps of gold, 
 Was getting outrageously bad and bold, 
 
 And many opprobrious titles. 
 
 The village quidnuncs, wise and grave, 
 A version new of the matter gave 
 Whenever they came together ; 
 Called him a snobbish cityfied scamp. 
 While others said. 
 With a toss of the head, 
 'Twas plain to see 
 For Percy Lee 
 He didn't care a postage stamp 
 
 In the glow of his summer weather. 
 
IV. 
 
 WEARY WITH WAITING. 
 
 'Neath the greenery or under the snows 
 Nestles still, in its quiet respose, 
 The farm-house olden where Percy Lee 
 Waits with a weariless constancy, 
 Through heavy months and lingering years 
 And woful vigils of prayer and tears, 
 For golden fruitage of that dear hope. 
 Which hath been her life's bright horoscope 
 Since the darkened day the loved one went 
 Into the world with a great intent. 
 

 ^^■■' 
 
 
 
 
CITY FLIRTATION. 3 1 
 
 Sadly, alas ! have the years of change 
 
 Marked her being, and tender and strange, 
 
 As the thrilling light that ever lies 
 
 In a loving woman's dreamful eyes, 
 
 Are the flitting smiles that sweetly trace 
 
 Her dearest thoughts on her pensive face; 
 
 And coldly tranquil and debonair, 
 
 Like a bright creation pure and fair, 
 
 A vision born of a poet's theme, 
 
 Or a shadowy form in a fitful dream. 
 
 Through all the forest and village ways. 
 
 From the quiet house to the murmuring stream, 
 
 She goes and comes, with her yearning gaze 
 
 Reaching beyond the desolate days, 
 
 To that glad time when a fond embrace. 
 
 The light of a well remembered face, 
 
 A loving voice and a trustful vow, 
 
 Shall lift the gloom that is brooding now 
 
 O'er her shrouded love and joyless life, 
 
32 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 And quell the terrible inner strife 
 
 Of full-flushed hopes and skeleton fears, 
 
 Presaging with doubts the coming years. 
 
 Still Percy waits, and the days go by. 
 Dimming the light of her lustrous eye, 
 Changing the grace of her beautiful head, 
 The musical fall of her airy tread, 
 And her voice's low and tremulous tone. 
 Into something startling, and only known. 
 When those we worship, the loving and good, 
 Are stricken by death in their womanhood. 
 
 Still the months go by and the slow years fade 
 
 Into memories sad, and the darkest shade 
 
 Of a passionless longing seems to lie 
 
 In the lustreless depths of her mild blue eye, 
 
 And the hue of her cheek, so pure and pale, 
 
 Seemeth to one like a delicate veil 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 33 
 
 Revealing the rivulet veins where flows 
 The languishing blood, that comes and goes 
 With each dull throb of the suffering heart. 
 That flutters and trembles, with sudden start, 
 When falling leaves, or the wind, or the rain, 
 Or a song he loved bringeth once again 
 To her desolate life a golden gleam 
 Of the joys that died with her girlhood's dream. 
 
 The loved ones watch, with a mute despair. 
 As she grows each day more frail and fair, 
 And weep when their thoughts can only trace, 
 In the deep'ning lines of her wistful face, 
 Implora pace, a wearisome prayer — 
 While the hectic flush, that is mant'ling there, 
 Seems telling the tale of her life's great wrong, 
 And shadowing forth the hast'ning doom 
 Of her heart's best hope. 
 
 Through the gath'ring gloom 
 
34 COUNTRY LOVE. 
 
 Of the drearisome days, so lonely and long, 
 She sits with her woe in a cheerful room, 
 
 Singing a snatch of a sorrowful song, 
 Or dreaming of rest in the quiet tomb. 
 
 From the saddest of all sad things of life, 
 A weary woman wasting away, 
 
 Let us turn to the City's ceaseless strife, 
 And note the progress of Reuben Grey. 
 
V. 
 
 BUSINESS AND FLIRTATION. 
 
 Where " Co." in gilt letters over the door 
 Of a marble-veneered Broadway store 
 Is his simple alias, we find him still 
 Making his mark, as a young man will 
 
 Gotten up for public inspection ; 
 Where luxury, with a thousand charms, 
 
 Disguises Trade's deception, 
 And avarice, with rapacious arms, 
 
 Extends a glad reception 
 To those whose arrogant family name 
 Is bruited abroad, on the breath of fame, 
 
36 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 As having the clearest kind of a claim 
 
 To its avenue reputation ; 
 Or those who wander, by twos and fours, 
 Doing a hundred different " chores " 
 (It never rains, you know, but it pours) 
 For country friends, and enter the stores 
 
 For the purpose of permutation ; 
 Where many a sturdy and stalwart clerk, 
 With a fawning and flippant smile and smirk, 
 Is doing the lightest of feminine work, 
 
 And filling a woman's station. 
 
 Believing it man's vocation 
 To stand all day, in a Beau Nash shape. 
 Measuring satin and silk and tape 
 
 For ladies whose aspiration 
 
 Oft causes the aberration 
 Of lovers and husbands, whose cankering care 
 Is to furnish for them that exceedingly rare 
 Nondescript known as something to wear. 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 37 
 
 Never yet worn by a single fair 
 
 One, of our dressy American nation. 
 This rock, many claim, any man may shun ; 
 But we offer a query or two for replies 
 
 (A subterfuge for this long digression) : 
 How is it when a man evinces surprise. 
 On beholding its very portentous size, 
 And, fearing a shipwreck, earnestly tries 
 To avoid the spot where the danger lies .' 
 Doesn't the dear creature, from lips and eyes, 
 With the force of an Arab's flying barb, or 
 Any fierce thing you're pleased to name. 
 Volley the feelings which happen to rise, 
 In urging her wardrobe's weighty claim. 
 Till the poor man, so persistently prest, 
 Seems like an impotent "Star of the West" 
 
 In a bellipotent Charleston harbor ? 
 Does the firing cease till the ensign comes 
 Down by the run, and he calmly succumbs, 
 
38 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 Surrendering, against his intention, 
 A cargo of dresses and laces, velvets and rings, 
 Mantillas and muslins, embroideries and gloves, 
 Boots, brooches and bonnets, nuncupated " sweet 
 
 loves," 
 With a host of mysterious, though wearable things. 
 
 Too numerous even to mention ? 
 
 Said Hi-chwo-ki, the nomadic green tea drinker, 
 
 Kneeling to Haroun Al Raschid the Bland, 
 With Chi-Chille Blue, the famous Lapland tinker, 
 At the side of Zaman, the Syrian thinker. 
 Surrounded by dancers from Samarcand, 
 In the Royal Palace of Ispahan 
 (Vide Stoddard's curious arabesque plan 
 
 Of the paradisaical pagan land) : 
 He said, says he, " The orientals learn 
 Every man to freeze to his own Tea-Urn." 
 
K9. CITY FLIRTATION. 39 
 
 The aphorism's a wise one (albeit chwo-ki 
 His own epitaph made when he said it), 
 
 So we'll give digression hereafter the go-by, 
 And the tea-drinker honor and credit. 
 
 Merely turning aside, for the nonce, to suggest 
 To Miss Flora Mac Flimsey, of Madison square, 
 And her host of dear friends who've nothing to 
 
 wear, 
 That the lovers and husbands, who give you no 
 
 rest 
 For the fault that they find when you wish to 
 
 invest 
 A few thousand dollars in elegant clothes. 
 Are the first to look sour and turn up the nose 
 If you're not at all hours exquisitely dressed, 
 Which fact friend Butler, in " Nothing to Wear," 
 Doesn't mention, 
 And as every one knows 
 
40 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 With strange inattention ; 
 To his readers' desires and moderate wishes 
 To know, to a plate, the number of dishes 
 It takes to go round at the family meal 
 Of his friends, the Mac Flimseys, of Madison 
 
 square. 
 Through the whole of his rhyming forgets to re- 
 veal 
 The existence of Carrie, a sister of Flora's, 
 Who numbers our Reuben among her adorers. 
 
 Now Reuben has heard of the bonds and stocks, 
 The twenty per-cents. 
 And corpulent rents 
 Accruing from lands and colossal blocks 
 In old Mac Flimsey's possession ; 
 And as old Mac's gout. 
 With the paralytic and deathly shocks, 
 Occurring in quick succession, 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 4I 
 
 Would send him soon, he hadn't a doubt, 
 On the journey slow every one must go, 
 To the city where, ranged in a solemn row, 
 The "houses are all alike you know," 
 To answer a query proposed by himself, 
 Thinking little of Carrie and much of the pelf, 
 Figured awhile and was pleasantly shown. 
 By bringing this "rule of three" into play. 
 The Parson, : sweet Carrie, : : and Reuben Grey, 
 That a very slight thing might make them his own. 
 
 Flora, you know, didn't go to the ball ; 
 Carrie did ! and as every one knew 
 
 On the whole avenue, 
 And reported next day, that the cost of her shawl 
 With the rest of her get-up was not a dime less 
 Than a great many thousands ; were forced to 
 
 confess, 
 In tones slightly hinting of worm-wood and gall, 
 
42 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 That the grouping of colors was really quite new, 
 While the richness, uniqueness and set of her 
 
 dress, 
 With her stylish appearance, had started them all 
 
 On a race for new laurels : 
 'Twas Carrie's grand come-out, in fact her debut, 
 And how to describe her ? 
 Now could we but bribe her. 
 With a set of rich corals, 
 A black-and-tan terrier with delicate feet, 
 A white Japanese fan, or an opera seat. 
 To give her consent to a full-page view 
 Of her latest and most impressive visite, 
 The description were nearly completed ; 
 But we hav'n't a doubt she would plainly say, 
 She intends to be taken, some pleasant day — 
 To be cut, however, is hardly the way 
 
 A young lady expects to be treated ! 
 But to give an idea of her presence that night, 
 
^ - 
 
 5^ 
 
 
 
 
 *V 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 43 
 
 Aside from all frivolous punning, 
 We quote Flashy Fitznoodle's as very near right, 
 
 It was " overwhelmingly stunning ; " 
 And speaking of "dress" he said with a drawl, 
 "'Twas tangibly plain she outstripped them all." 
 
 As she entered the hall in her gorgeous pride, 
 Her dazzling diamonds increasing the light, 
 
 And the hearts of, the envious fretting, 
 To a cynic we said, in a stage-aside, 
 " Such a classical head is of course supplied 
 
 With an intellect worthy the setting." 
 " Intellect ! brains ! ! " he sneeringly said, 
 
 Manifesting an obdurate passion ; 
 " Brains, my dear boy, in such a picturesque head. 
 
 Is at present an obsolete fashion." 
 So we found, for we stood in a neighb'ring set 
 
 Through the whole of the drearisome Lancers, 
 Heard her partner's questions, and tried to forget. 
 
44 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 But remembered her wearisome answers, 
 And some of the feminine speeches she made, 
 
 Within hearing of many grave dancers : 
 She "had seen such a heavenly white Brocade," 
 
 " Abhorred those detestable Moires," 
 " Found Stewart's a delectable place to trade," 
 
 And " hated such odious soirees ; " 
 " Had been frightened to death by hideous mice," 
 
 " The Stuckups were horrible creatures," 
 " Perfectly idolized Smith," " thought Shakespeare 
 nice," 
 
 " And adored the Trinity Preachers ; " 
 And so forth, and so on, for an hour or two more. 
 
 In interims of flirting and dancing, 
 'Till, hungry and faint she sailed through the 
 
 door. 
 With Reuben in tow, in search of that more 
 Tangible pleasure by few called a bore. 
 
 By Miss Carrie " superbly entrancing." 
 
FS. CITY FLIRTATION. 45 
 
 We followed soon after and found her engaged, 
 
 At the head of a sumptuous board, 
 Appeasing her hunger, a trifle enraged 
 At a party, who'd pompously poured 
 Out the chocolate, and, in passing her chair, 
 Chanced to sneeze, which suddenly floored 
 The whole of his stock, hot choc'late, saucer and 
 cup ; 
 " Illustrative," Carrie was loud to declare, 
 " Of the way Fussy Stuckup's waiters were 
 
 bred," 
 When, suddenly turning her arrogant head, 
 She found 
 Within sound 
 Of all she had whispered and sneeringly said, 
 The irate and unfortunate elderly Stuckup ; — 
 Who, with bowings profound, 
 Nearly down to the ground, 
 Acknowledged the honor, and then turning red — 
 
46 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 Turned sharp on his heel, 
 Leaving Carrie her shame and chagrin to conceal 
 As she could, which she did by preparing 
 A fresh plate of salad, while Reuben, despairing 
 
 Of a word or a gesture or even a glance 
 Till supper was finished, 
 
 Reconnoitered the tables to see if a chance 
 Were left him to furnish her palate and eyes 
 With the cuisines latest and crowning surprise, 
 Which he found, with celery nearly embowered, 
 — Secreted for fear of its being devoured — 
 Then, giving Grant's strategy fullest observance, 
 Succeeded in flanking some five or six servants, 
 And retreating in safety — the edible prize 
 Surrendered to Carrie, when its esculent size 
 Was quickly diminished: 
 
 On receiving soon after the tenantless dish, 
 Reuben started as if he'd been shot ; 
 

 4#^i^ 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 47 
 
 For expecting her thanks, an irascible wish 
 For something to eat, she didn't care what, 
 
 Was all that he got, 
 "She was starving to death, and there on the 
 spot 
 Could devour every ration 
 Sent to the army ;" Then, deploring his lot, 
 Reuben, weary and hot. 
 With a heavy sensation 
 Of having his hands full, rallied his forces. 
 And ordered the waiters to hurry the courses, 
 Vociferously issued a mandate beside, 
 To each contraband vassal, to have her supplied 
 
 In the shortest possible space of time, 
 — And style sublime. 
 
 With ample dishes of fowl and meat. 
 
 And gustable spices, 
 Pickles and sauces and creams and game. 
 And delicate slices 
 
48 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 Of various things 'twere hard to name, 
 With ornate devices 
 In jellies and ices, 
 Concocted by Taylor at fabulous prices — 
 And in short, whatever, acrid or sweet, 
 Stuckup had furnished the party to eat. 
 
 With as stately an air and as solemn a face 
 As ever you'd wish to see. 
 Each ebony F. F. V, 
 Took the orders below and returned to his place, 
 
 In time for the grand entree, — 
 When with dignified mien, and a measured pace, 
 A dozen at least we'll say, 
 
 (As Hoppin doth show ~" 
 
 In his etching you know). 
 Marched down the saloon, and established a base 
 Of lavish supplies just back of the chair 
 Of Carrie Mac F., of Madison square, 
 
FS. CITY FLIRTATION. 49 
 
 Where, gazing with awe and wondering at her, 
 
 Each waiting a chance to deposit a plate. 
 Dish, or tureen or a well loaded platter. 
 
 That Reuben had ordered, allow us to state 
 We left them, the supper, the crowd and the ball. 
 Struck palms with the Stuckups, then passed 
 
 through the hall 
 And the doorway, down the front steps through 
 the yard. 
 
 And thought, as we finally stood in the street, 
 That Reuben was playing an excellent card, 
 
 In furnishing Carrie zvitJi plenty to eat. 
 
 Which judgment was found to be very near right, 
 For, after the supper at Stuckups that night. 
 She took, it was said, a peculiar delight 
 
 In his slightest word or attention ; 
 And for many weeks after, to and fro, 
 Wherever she happened to come or go, 
 
50 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 At her whim's suggestion, Reuben, we know, 
 Was wilHngly led, nor once did he show 
 
 Resistance or even dissension. 
 At dinners and bouts, promenades and reviews, 
 Parades and ovations, receptions and balls, 
 Concerts and parties, and fashionable calls, 
 Late afternoon drives on the grand avenues. 
 And somnolent hours in the Trinity pews. 
 At operas whenever sonorous Donzatti 
 Quavered in basso for mellifluous Ad. Patti, 
 Riding or walking, on the Square or Broadway, 
 At home or abroad, at the church or the play, 
 And with truth, in a very emphatic way. 
 We may say, 
 
 Wherever she shone resplendent 
 He was found at her side, in his best array. 
 
 Her most attentive attendant. 
 
 Confidentially then by many 'twas bruited. 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 5 1 
 
 And whispered about that Miss Carrie was suited 
 With Reuben, and of course he was dying for 
 
 Carrie ; 
 Then the rumor and story, which rapidly spread, 
 That she'd ordered rich dresses and things for 
 
 her head 
 From a Parisian firm, and would very soon marry 
 
 Her reverent lover ; 
 The invidious smiled, and maliciously said 
 It wasn't the lady he was going to wed, 
 As she would discover, 
 Ere three months were over, 
 Or the honeymoon fled, 
 But her portion of old Mac's lucre instead. 
 
VI. 
 
 FINANCIAL RUIN WITH A LIGHT AHEAD. 
 
 While Reuben was sporting his avenue airs, 
 Cheatum, Fibit & Co.'s financial affairs, 
 Through the failure of Southern firms and trade, 
 
 Indorsements and loans, with various 
 Fancy investments delusively made. 
 By advice of the ravenous Wall street bears, 
 (Not to mention deposits with Catchem & Co.) 
 
 Had come to know. 
 
 As their books would show, 
 A position quite precarious, — 
 Which fact was announced one dubious day 
 
CITY FLIRTATION. 53 
 
 By the serious seniors, who had their say, 
 Regarding his gay 
 Extravagant way 
 Of disbursing the greenbacks and giving the go- 
 
 by 
 To the problem of getting them, to which no 
 
 reply 
 By Reuben was made, though he very well knew 
 
 He must shorten his sail. 
 Or shipwreck and ruin would swiftly ensue, 
 
 While the firm, by the gale 
 Blowing 'mid breakers and brokers, would glide 
 From moorings on 'change down bankruptcy's 
 
 tide! 
 But, consoling himself, he sagaciously said, 
 On the waters abroad he was casting his bread. 
 With assurances full, of returns forty-fold. 
 In position and gold. 
 When the world should behold 
 
54 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 In his bride, 
 The heiress and pride 
 Of the house of Mac Flimsey, of Madison square, 
 To the which, he bethought him, that night he'd 
 
 repair, 
 And an end put at once to all doubts and sur- 
 mises 
 Concerning his future, then and there to declare 
 Eternal devotion, when the richest of prizes 
 Would be his by possession, — 
 For 'twas Reuben's impression 
 The vaguest of hints at a thought or intention 
 Of presenting his hand, and Carrie would men- 
 tion 
 Wedded life and its joys, the day, hour and 
 
 minute 
 When her wardrobe and self would be to begin it 
 In readiness waiting, 
 Which, after debating, 
 
FS. CITY FLIRTATION. 55 
 
 He trusted and hoped would be soon, for the day 
 
 On which she would say 
 To the world and himself, in a prominent way, 
 Thenceforth he alone was her lord and her mas- 
 ter, 
 Would see him insured from financial disaster. 
 
 The day went its way, as was often the practice 
 With well-behaved days whose existence was 
 cast 
 
 In years that are past, 
 And as often the case was and frequent the fact is 
 Regarding most nights, the night came at last ; 
 When Reuben, still sanguine, and confident still 
 Of fullest success, went to work with a will. 
 And got himself up in a manner to kill 
 All sharp criticism concerning his dress, 
 Embellished the thoughts he intended to press 
 Upon Carrie Mac F. to prompt her to bless 
 
56 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 His drearisome life as soon as she could ; 
 Slowly footed the streets, instead of the bill 
 
 For carriage or 'bus, and finally stood 
 Quite anxious to cross over threshold and sill, 
 On the marble steps, at the rosewood door 
 Of the elegant mansion number four- 
 Teen hundred and something Madison square, 
 Which, (to himself, he was led to declare. 
 As over the structure from basement to garret 
 He rapidly glanced,) he expected to share, 
 And wasn't afraid anywhere to declare it ; 
 Being elated, as you can see, 
 By writing down Carrie 
 As anxious to marry 
 Prognosticating the " yet-to-be," 
 And thinking Mac Flimsey early intended 
 To finish his race for position and riches, 
 And leave to the youngest the grandest of niches 
 Known in the city ; which monologue ended, 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 57 
 
 Suddenly, then, by the summoned appearance 
 Of the quintessence of blackness, which, with a 
 
 grin, 
 And obsequious " Sarvant, Sah," ushered him in. 
 Took charge of his hat, and gave him a clear- 
 ance 
 
 Into the parlors set apart 
 To the cabinet-maker's elaborate art, 
 Where nervously watching, in silence alone. 
 The drawing-room door 
 Thirty minutes or more, 
 He expectantly sat, then pacing the floor. 
 
 Till it seemed to his brain, a week — 
 (To speak 
 Within bounds) had leisurely flown, 
 Since he'd uttered a word, or heard the tone 
 Of familiar voices echo his own. 
 
 Then, for merest amusement, audaciously tore 
 
58 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 A spotless fly-leaf from a volume found, 
 With leaves uncut, though attractively bound. 
 Upon which he inscribed each infliction and bore 
 On young men imposed without reason or cause, 
 Filled both pages full ere he came to a pause, 
 (Which paper was picked up next morning and 
 
 read 
 At the table by Flora, who spitefully said : 
 " The author ' mong Southerners must have been 
 
 bred," 
 She noticed, which fact to his shame is confest, 
 That " Waiting for Young Ladies" led all the 
 rest.) 
 
 Still the lady came not, while the minutes, slow 
 And somniferous, seemed reluctant to go, 
 And lingered and lengthened each separate beat, 
 Till Reuben impatient resolved to retreat 
 From the house to the street, 
 
rs. CITY FLIRTATION. 59 
 
 But thinking it over, ere leaving his seat, 
 Reversed his decision, and wisely declined 
 
 To vote himself blind, 
 Or vacate the room, for thereby his chances 
 To help and improve his failing finances . 
 Would be lessened, he thought, 
 So he did as he ought, 
 Kept his seat and his temper, and patiently sought 
 To keep his eyes open by gazing at pictures 
 And paintings, statuettes and things that are 
 
 brought 
 From Florence or Rome, and recklessly bought 
 (By fashionable buyers who "go it blind"). 
 
 Subject to critical strictures ; 
 When, just as he'd made up his mind 
 That he had become 
 Decidedly dumb, 
 And one of the permanent fixtures, 
 Miss Carrie appeared 
 
6a COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 In her most bewitching at-home-you-know style, 
 Gave Reuben her hand and then, with a smile, 
 Protested and feared 
 
 She was not over-stating 
 The truth when she said, 
 He was weary waiting. 
 So slowly had fled 
 The drearisome moments he'd passed there alone, 
 Quite lonesome, indeed, he must have grown, 
 And other things in a tender tone 
 That waked his hope like a rose new blown 
 
 All trouble compensating. 
 He saw fruition of all his hope, 
 As bright as a bubble blown from soap ; 
 He saw a vista before him ope 
 
 That led to scenes resplendent. 
 Where, with Carrie, his beautiful bride. 
 He roamed forever 'mid airs of pride, 
 Or drifted along on fortune's tide 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION, 6l 
 
 Without an ill attendant. 
 So bright the vision seemed to be 
 That in a moment of ecstasy 
 Upon the bones of his dexter knee 
 
 He incontinently- dropped, 
 Then spoke the piece he'd learnt by heart, 
 How love had made his bosom smart, 
 How she could heal it by her art, 
 How would she have him, till death should part, 
 And the question was duly "popped." 
 No reply was made. 
 Could she be afraid 
 At the ardent fervor his words displayed ? 
 Was she thinking just how to accept the ring "> 
 Could she trembling be 
 In young love's tender agony. 
 Overcome by his manner of doing the thing .■* 
 He looked in her eyes to read his lot, 
 They were cold and blue like minie shot. 
 
62 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 And didn't suggest the "forget-me-not," 
 P'or they gazed at him derisively, 
 Then tossing her head 
 She cuttingly said 
 " I'm engaged, sir ! " most decisively. 
 
 Had a guerrilla appeared in her place, 
 
 With a sardonic leer on its hideous face, 
 
 His surprise would have been decidedly less 
 
 Than it was when he heard her coolly confess, 
 
 That not for a moment in all of her life 
 
 Had she harbored a thought of being his wife. 
 
 She was shocked, indignant at what he had 
 
 said. 
 He couldn't consider her decently bred 
 
 If he thought she would wed 
 A man with less than ten thousand a year ; 
 
 Then as turning away 
 
 Paused merely to say, 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 63 
 
 With her voice provokingly loud and clear, 
 
 " We're strangers hereafter, you know. Mr. Grey ! " 
 
 He heard and saw her glide over the floor 
 Out of his sight through the drawing-room door, 
 Sealing at once and forever his doom ; 
 When of a sudden, with irate mien, 
 Mac Flimsey the elder was plainly seen 
 Bearing hurriedly down from a distant room ; 
 
 He didn't salute him as oft he had 
 When, (at the thought of marrying, 
 
 His hopes and his heart were bright and 
 glad—) 
 With " Mr. Mac Flimsey, is Carrie in .? " 
 For a something that gleamed in the father's eye 
 Put the thought in his head that he'd better 
 keep shy 
 And a veto on longer tarrying. 
 
64 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 So Reuben departed in great disgust 
 And brushed from off his feet the dust, 
 And vowed no more in signs to trust, 
 And railed at Fortune as all unjust ! — 
 He didn't feel so much the snub. 
 As loss of the cash he hoped to win, 
 How could he manage to raise the " tin " 
 And save his firm ? Ah, there was the rub, 
 And happening then to pass the " Club " 
 Despairingly ventured in. 
 
 And there they were a roystering crew, 
 Who played and drank as most clubs do, 
 And lost their money and reason too. 
 While time on crazy pinions flew, 
 When Reuben thought he'd venture "a. few" 
 
 On the giddy wheel there turning ; 
 He played and lost with a fevered brain — 
 He played and lost and lost again. 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 65 
 
 Playing with expectation vain, 
 
 The lamp of hope still burning, 
 Till, with the force of fortune's spite, 
 The lamp went out— and all was night! 
 
 The gayest buck on the bright Broadway 
 Was the whilom rural Reuben Grey — 
 A desperate game he had to play, 
 
 And, as many said, he "went it." 
 No millionaire of the bullion mart 
 'Ere acted so well his given part- 
 It seemed he'd the money-coining art, 
 
 So lavishly he spent it. 
 He threw the gold dust left and right, 
 Until he quite obscured the sight 
 Of creditors regarded bright. 
 
 Of Messrs. Cheatum & Fibit ; 
 They saw the glitter and outside show. 
 But nothing at all of the undertow 
 
66 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 That bore them on to the rocks below 
 As fate might soon exhibit. 
 
 Now speculation ran very wild, 
 
 The wheels of the Stock Exchange were oiled 
 
 By oil wells far too many ; 
 And some that with scarce a nickel begun, 
 Were millionaires by the set of a sun, 
 And some lost every penny. 
 And among the rest 
 That chanced to invest. 
 Were Cheatum, Fibit & Co., to wrest 
 Their fortunes from ruin that sorely prest, 
 When a turn of the wheel 
 Made their bark to reel, 
 And stranded her with a broken keel ; 
 Published then in the bankrupt's place, 
 They sank* to the depths of commercial disgrace ;- 
 He would not the path of the past retrace 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 6/ 
 
 And Reuben's career was ended. 
 Farewell his early auriferous dream 
 When he started out on life's broad stream, 
 With sails all drawing and wind abeam, 
 
 And everything seemed splendid. 
 A sweet revenge for Percy Lee! 
 Could she his failing fortune see, 
 Her heart might now exult in glee, 
 
 Could love be thus capricious ; 
 But true love always is the same, 
 Undimmed its sweet undying flame. 
 Surviving wrong and sin and shame. 
 And never yielding the once dear name. 
 
 However soiled or vicious. 
 Poor Reuben's summer-time friends were flown, 
 
 Not one left of the fawning crew ; 
 None would now a friendship own 
 
 For one who hadn't a single sou. 
 They cut him openly in the street. 
 
68 COUNTRY LOVE. 
 
 And he bitterly thought of the peaceful past, 
 And early friends, and that love so sweet, 
 
 Which like a dolt to the winds he'd cast ; 
 But he hadn't arrived at the Prodigal pitch, 
 Nor brought himself to act as " sich " — 
 He couldn't go back without being rich. 
 
 Despair now seized on Reuben Grey, 
 With desolation round his way ; 
 He drank, his misery to allay. 
 And, more degraded day by day — 
 
 All passed his former assumption ; 
 He felt he had played a foolish part, 
 And steered by a false and erring chart, 
 That had wrecked on sunken rocks his heart, 
 
 And cursed his want of gumption. 
 
VII. 
 MANHOOD VINDICATED. 
 
 War's lurid flame had fired the land — 
 The rebels' parricidal hand 
 
 Was menacing the nation's heart, 
 When Lincoln's call, like a grand command, 
 
 Was excitedly read in village and mart ; 
 Full many a chivalrous sire and son 
 Seized eagerly then his sword or gun, 
 Gave short farewells to each dear one, 
 And marched with steady heart and true 
 
 To the deadly front, to find a name 
 
^0 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 That would lustre shed on the scroll of fame ; 
 Or, sadder, perchance, as they little knew, 
 A lonesome grave by the dank bayou. 
 
 From every mountain and every dale 
 
 Was heard the tramp of earnest men 
 Marching to conflict, while the timid, pale, 
 
 Gave but their prayers, a boon regarded then. 
 Invoking God's own blessing on the right, 
 To guard their loved ones in the perilous fight. 
 And bring them safely to their arms again. 
 And Freedom in the dust, with uplift hands, 
 
 Called loud for aid and was not denied ; 
 For, as if stricken by Divine commands, 
 
 Its iron chains fell off, and Freedom, glori- 
 fied, 
 Stood up in might, a power in all the land, 
 Majestical and grand. 
 
 And Reuben heard 
 
FS. CITY FLIRTATION. 71 
 
 The electric word, 
 And the latent manhood within him stirred. 
 
 Anon he stands, 
 A musket bright in his feeble hands, 
 Ready to die, if need be, and why live } 
 Since life had nothing for him to give, 
 But all the life and strength he had 
 
 His country claimed, 
 His wearied heart grew light and glad 
 That he was not named 
 Among the hopeless yet, that he might yet 
 achieve 
 
 Something, retrieve something. 
 And die, and, thus dying, live. 
 'Twas thus he felt on an after day, 
 As he marched with his regiment down Broad- 
 way, 
 'Mid cheering crowds, who, with loud hurras, 
 
T^ COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 Gave them God-speed as they marched to the 
 
 wars, 
 While ladies tearfully showered bouquets 
 On brave, true men bound off for the frays 
 Where many might fall, but on whose emprise 
 Hinged immortal destinies. 
 
 The flags were afloat on the summer air. 
 Waving their last benedictions there, 
 And a solemn triumph seemed to dwell 
 In the season ; each one knew too well 
 The terrible truth, that many an one 
 Who marched that day with gleaming gun — 
 With prayerful face and heart a-calm 
 Would find a grave by a Southern palm. 
 
 With open ranks and hurried tread 
 
 They swept through the clamorous throng ; 
 Reuben, busy with bright hopes fled, 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 73 
 
 Humming over an old time song — 
 Or wond'ring if Percy Lee would shed 
 A tear when the fearful list she read, 
 And knew of a truth that — he was dead, — 
 Suddenly turned to the left his head. 
 And a tableau saw that touched his pride 
 And quickened the flow of his heart's warm tide ; 
 There in her carriage in queenly state, 
 Carrie Mac Flimsey, the haughty, sate, 
 Who gazed on the scene 
 With as icy a mien 
 As though it a holiday pageant had been ; 
 While Flashy Fitznoodle, 
 Faced like a poodle. 
 Stood at her side, a thing of hate. 
 Their glances met in a cold calm way, 
 
 And not a line of her meaningless face 
 Gave the faintest hint that Reuben Grey 
 Had even held a respectable place 
 
74 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 Among the many who used to grace 
 Her circle of friends ; 
 
 Then thinking 'twould pay, 
 Fitz. managed to stand 
 With his hat in his hand — 
 And gave him a look, superciliously grand, 
 In which he undoubtedly wished to say 
 
 And have the poor private understand, 
 That the elegant lady there at his side, 
 Was, in prospective, his personal bride ! 
 And the maddest and saddest man that day. 
 In the long blue ranks was Reuben Grey ; 
 But the feeling gave way to a stern intent, 
 And a higher thought, as along he went. — 
 He had suffered much in adversity's school. 
 Had gathered some wisdom by being a fool, 
 
 And wished for a better story ; 
 The field was broad his soul to try) 
 And now determined to do or die. 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 75 
 
 He scorned the scorn of Fitznoodle's eye, 
 And marched along to gloiy. 
 
 Did he find it ? say you ; ask the plain, 
 Where the deadly bullets fell like rain, 
 Sweeping- down rows of men like grain, 
 That never may rise to life again — 
 Where the wounded lay in bitter pain 
 Upon the heaps of peaceful slain, 
 That may never rise to battle again ! 
 Foremost was he in the deadly fight, 
 His courage true, his spirit bright. 
 
 And his life seemed one enchanted ; 
 His voice was heard where the breath of strife, 
 Death's dread malaria, most was rife, 
 And he gave to the work his all of life — 
 
 His energy undaunted. 
 And step by step he rose apace. 
 And ne'er did dignities justlier grace 
 
1^ 
 
 COUNTRY LOVE. 
 
 One who had stood in the deadly place, 
 
 And no tongue spoke detraction ; 
 Till, suddenly, as if his work were o'er, 
 And the cup of his life could hold no more, 
 He fell in a desperate action. 
 

VIII. 
 
 PERCY LEE, 
 
 Now, the war was felt at the village green, 
 For hard they struggled and toiled, I ween, 
 
 To raise the " quota " required : 
 And meetings were held and the band was out, 
 And the boys of the village went drumming 
 about, 
 
 And the farmers' hearts were fired. 
 The women met in the church each day, 
 And worked for the brave boys far away — 
 Worked without any let or stint, 
 Tore up their sheets to make them lint. 
 
7^ COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 Made them wrappers and woolen socks, 
 And queer " housewives," and havelocks, 
 And things that never were understood, 
 Only that their intent was good ; 
 And none displayed more energy 
 Than the beautiful, gentle Percy Lee. 
 
 Her heart long bowed with its hidden grief, 
 In relieving others, found relief; 
 
 The dull home scenes monotonous grew, 
 And slowly the long months wore away. 
 
 While the weary world was full, she knew. 
 Of sorrow and pain she might allay ; 
 So with long farewells in a trembling tone, 
 
 And the Parson's blessing, (who thinks of the day, 
 
 Of his farewell blessings on Reuben Grey,) 
 She went from the scenes her youth had known 
 
 Into the strange wide world alone. 
 

FS. CITY FLIRTATION. 79 
 
 In the hospital ward, with a heavy heart, 
 But wearing a smile on her patient face, 
 
 A gentle woman performs a part 
 
 That gives to mercy a sweeter grace. 
 
 Full many a time when the pale lips stirred, 
 At the closing up of some terrible day. 
 
 Hath she bowed her head for a tender word, 
 To send to the dear ones far away. 
 
 And many a brave boy dying near. 
 
 Feebly calling as best he could, 
 The sweet fond name of one most dear — 
 
 Thought at his side the loved one stood. 
 
 The dying groan and the failing breath, 
 
 Startle the strongest ears to hear. 
 But still she moves 'mid pain and death, 
 
 Breathing blest words of hope and cheer. 
 
80 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 Throiigh desolate nights and wearisome days 
 She thoughtfully watches, and tenderly prays 
 Over many a wounded one, who lies 
 With feverish breath and closed eyes ; 
 
 But each day bringeth its own reward, 
 
 For, moving among the wounded there. 
 
 Their heartiest thanks they oft accord 
 
 In strong rough words of praise and prayer. 
 
 As there she moved on her mission of love. 
 After a terrible battle was done, 
 
 Speaking sweet words of comfort and cheer, 
 To many a ghastly and stricken one ; 
 
 A moaning voice saluted her ear, 
 
 That all the blood in her heart did move ; 
 
 She trembling stood, nor dared to look 
 At the wounded officer laying near, 
 
 Till again the voice her being shook, 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. »I 
 
 Recalling of life the love so dear — 
 Its memories haunting her even here. 
 
 There wounded, senseless and dying lay 
 The love of her youth — her Reuben Grey. 
 Her's now alone, unconscious, but dear — 
 More dear than when, in that far off year, 
 She parted from him with prayer and tear ! 
 And oh ! how she watched his fluttering breath, 
 As if 'twere presage of approaching death ; 
 How she watched and longed for one blest ray 
 Of reason to lighten her life's dark day, 
 One glance of love that should compensate 
 For all of her ill at the hands of fate! 
 
 Oh ! the long and the drear eclipse, 
 With not one star amid the gloom ! 
 
 While the meaningless words from his fevered lips 
 Gave for her ardent hope no room ; 
 
82 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 Save when from the raving chaos came, 
 
 As we hear in a storm the song of a bird- 
 A resemblance faint to the watcher's name, 
 
 And old time memories faintly heard. 
 So Percy watched and worked and prayed, 
 
 Till weary days and weeks had flown ; 
 The long intreated boon delayed, 
 
 She wept and waited — and that alone. 
 
 There came a change. 
 
 Sudden and strange, 
 As if in answer to all her prayer; 
 
 The loved eyes oped, 
 
 Had she had hoped, 
 With conciousness reflected there, 
 
 And gazed upon her radiant face, 
 
 Embodied excellence and grace ; 
 And with a voice 
 
vs. CITY FLIRTATION. 83 
 
 That made rejoice 
 Her heart, he said : 
 
 " Pray tell to me 
 Are you an angel sent from heaven, 
 Or are you Percy Lee ? " 
 
 No circumstance there is that tends 
 So much for wrong to make amends, 
 And such complete enjoyment lends, 
 As reconciling sundered friends ; 
 
 And Reuben Grey and Percy Lee, 
 Were happy as they well could be ; 
 Too wise by far to die was he, 
 Too loving far to let him she, 
 And all the sum of shame and doubt 
 From their account was blotted out. 
 
IX. 
 
 A SLIGHT CHANGE. 
 
 Let us go back to the city again, 
 
 That great workshop of muscle and brain, 
 
 Where people sell themselves amain, 
 
 Assuming burdens of care and pain, 
 
 That they may the goal of " position " attain, 
 
 Indulging in many a whimsey ; 
 There came a choke in gold one day. 
 And stocks went down in a ruinous way. 
 
 The " buyer's option " wouldn't hold, 
 
 And " sellers short " were short in gold, 
 And borrowers failed and couldn't pay, 
 
 And down went old Mac Flimsey ! 
 A furniture auction at, number four- 
 
CITY FLIRTATION. 85 
 
 Teen hundred and something, Madison square, 
 Finished the whole, leaving nothing more 
 
 Than the family coat-of-arms to spare. 
 They moved at night, 
 Disappeared from sight, 
 And no more walked in walks polite ; 
 Fitznoodle, the poodle, cut them quite, 
 
 And Flora fair and Carrie 
 Were left on hand, an unsaleable stock, 
 And no one sought their humble "block," 
 
 To make an offer to marry ; 
 Mac Flimsey never is known to swear — 
 
 But gets decidedly mad 
 IVhenever he thinks of his daughters fair 
 
 And the "chances" both have had. 
 And often, while moving away his chair 
 
 From his meals, when things look bad. 
 Irascibly stops, aloud to declare 
 That, for //////, such a bull is hard to bear. 
 
SETTLED. 
 
 Bells on the stilly morning air 
 
 Wake the folk by the village green, 
 Richmond's fallen ! they loud declare — 
 
 The day long looked for now is seen, — 
 And all rush out, 
 Wfth song and shout. 
 And gather in crowds the church about ; 
 And prouder than any on that glad day 
 Is the brave but feeble Reuben Grey, 
 Thinking of many a desperate fray — 
 
CITY FLIRTATION. 87 
 
 The hospital ward, where he dying lay — 
 The peaceful scenes of his early years — 
 His city life of deceit and fears, 
 And all the terrible after-strife 
 For a purer heart and a better life : 
 His victory's won ! and the war is o'er, 
 
 Peace has come, and rest for the weary band 
 Of volunteers ; and forever more 
 
 The North and the South united shall stand. 
 Defying the foes of Freedom's own land : 
 While the Palm and the Pine 
 In peace shall entwine 
 Their branches as never before. 
 
 Reuben feels in his heart 
 That his humble part 
 
 Was done on his "level best," 
 And limps about with an honest pride, 
 
 A splintered arm on his breast, — 
 
88 COUNTRY LOVE 
 
 Saluting his friends on either side 
 And leaning (as we should say), 
 In a very unsoldierly way, 
 On Percy Lee's arm, "at rest." 
 
 A wedding occurred by the village green, 
 
 When the spring grew warm and bright. 
 And a fairer couple never was seen 
 
 Than greeted the people's sight, 
 As there in the village church they stood, 
 Where had assembled a multitude 
 Of simple people, in kindly mood, 
 
 To view the scene of calm dehght. 
 And the village quidnuncs, one and all, 
 Could easy the day and hour recall 
 When they predicted Reuben would be 
 The dearest of all to Percy Lee. 
 
FS. CITY FLIRTATION. 89 
 
 Down to the village again if you will — 
 Drive a mile or so out from Adder Hill, 
 Then turn to the right, where a wild hurra 
 From a contraband brought home from the war 
 Will astonish your horse ; and there, without 
 
 doubt, 
 If this happens at dusk, and they haven't gone 
 
 out, — 
 Under the porch where the shadows play, 
 Enjoying themselves in a rational way, 
 You will find " Mr. and Mrs. Colonel Grey." 
 
 Reuben finds a charm 
 
 On the old home farm. 
 That fills his life with a perfect joy. 
 
 With no wish to roam 
 
 From his humble home. 
 And pure and free from the world's alloy, 
 
90 COUNTRY LOVE. 
 
 He lives as he lived when a careless boy, 
 
 And mourns not wealth's denial ; 
 A fearful ordeal his soul has passed, 
 Now safe, thank Heaven and Percy, at last ; 
 He shudders as back his eyes are cast, 
 But feels like a tree that has braved the blast, 
 The stronger for the trial. 
 
 The End. _