Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1903 Excerpt:... MEMORY OF CHILDHOOD. Youth and childhood both have vanished, Gone forever from my view; Yet reflection brings them homeward, Home the joys that once I knew. Health and vigor marked my visage, Ever feeling gay and bright; Oh! It really seemed that I was Never tired from morn till night. When the genial spring came forward, Oh, it was a time for fun, To see my father tap the trees, And see the maple fluid run. This to me was sweet enjoyment, All us children liked such times; When the "saccharine" was boiling, Then our eyes began to shine. I was rugged, stout, and healthy, While some others were quite thin, So my father often took me Out to gather sap with him. This to me was sport and pleasure; I could make the woods resound, Often mocking my own echo; Great delight in this I found. With my little pail I'd scamper O'er the melting, rippling rills, Many a voice was sweetly ringing, All around throughout the hills. I had brothers, five in number, Yet one bud, unfit to bloom, Ere his sun was fully risen, Found a dark and silent tomb. Then my sisters, six in number, Though it was a gloomy day, Strove to make each other happy, Thus we passed the time away. Soon as summer, clad in beauty, With her radiant sunbeams fair, Clothed the mountains in fine raiment, Then behold what joy was there. Everything seemed smiling round us; Nature in the transport joined, Hark! the lowing cows are coming, Lilly, Pink, and Crumple-Horn. Now the oldest girls are summoned Up the lane with pail in hand. Soon we see the new milk foaming, While the cows most gently stand. Oh! I loved the rosy morning, Loved the pretty noon-day sun, Loved the calm and pleasant evening, Life with me had just begun. Oft within the gladsome forest, Wandered there my tiny feet, Listening to the plaintive war...