Judge — December 16, 1905 — page 29: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

NS STARS Tty/s H, HERE'S the old home-place once more! ‘Tis hard, indeed, to check the tears ; ‘There stands the plum-tree by the door— By yonder gate I first became A mark for skillful Cupid's dart— Melissa was the maiden’s name— How little everything appears! On yonder steps I often sat And watched the stars come out at night ; And there ’s the little garden that Gave dear old mother such delight. Methinks I see her working there Among the radishes and things As oft I used to see her, ere I'd learned what power money brings. No, no, your price is much too high ; The house is falling to decay ; My fond heart prompts me still to buy, But I'll be moving on my way. Up in that gabled room I slept Beneath the slender whitewashed beams, And over childish troubles wept, And there I dreamed my boyhood’s dreams, And there's the field where, long ago, When father wasn't watching me, T used to lean upon the hoe, Or loll beneath the greenwood tree. In fancy I can hear him still ‘As, coming on me from behind, He spoke as fathers often will Who are not gentle and refined. No, keep the place ;‘the price you set Is much tov high! I'll go my way— "Twas there that mother used to get The catnip which we dried: Good-day. And with a look she won my heart. I seem to see her standing there With spacious freckles on her nose ; A golden glint was on her hair, ‘And T looked foolish, I suppose. She dallied with me for a while, My eager heart was filled with joy ; Then, woman-like, she turned to smile Upon an older, bigger boy. She lives in yonder cottage now— I saw her as I passed this way— ‘The hair looked red above her brow, The years have used her ill. Good-day. Twas but a foolish whim that drew Me back to gaze upon the scene ; The soil has little worth, the view Is poor, the house is small and mean ; The water from the dear old well Is warmish now and rather flat— Ah, there's the limb from which I fell While practicing to “skin the cat"! Let strangers dwell here, if they please ; I've seen the place and crave no more, "Twas here that mother shelled the pease While I cut notches in the door ! Where marble structures tower high I speak and other men obey ; If [had stayed here—but, good-bye, I must be going on my way. "Twas in yon meadow that I tried, One day when father drove to mill, To break the two-year-old to ride— My collar-bone is tender still. The fodder-cutter used to stand Within that weather-beaten shed ; With but three fingers on one hand I've bravely fought my way ahead. ‘The world has learned to know me well Since out of that high walnut-tree While putting up a swing, I fell— The dent may be there yet—ah, me! No, no; your price is much too high— You might, perhaps, take less, you say? No matter ; I don't care to buy, T’ve lost the notion now. Good-day. Beyond that hill they lie asleep Forever free from worldly cares ; And here they watched me learn to creep And travel backward down the stairs. "Twas here that mother saw me take My first uncertain steps ; ‘twas here I smeared the window-sill with cake And got a slap for every smear. ‘Twas here I knelt at mother’s knee And learned the little prayer she taught ; "Twas here that father planned for me And found his planning come.tonaught. No, no; not at the price you name— 2, Absolved from care, they sleep away— I've snapped the house, and I can frame The picture for myself. Good-day. comicbooks.com