We ranged o’er the meadow,
the forest, and bowers,
Picked berries for mother, and gathered
wild flowers,
Dear brother, how oft by the rosebush
we sat,
While you caught the butterflies
under your hat.
With gay happy hearts to the woodland
we strayed,
When autumn its rich pensive beauty
displayed;
The robin was chanting her sweet
farewell song,
While blithe little squirrels went
skipping along.
Those bright little rogues which
the husbandmen scorn,
Sly’d into their holes with
their cheeks full of corn;
The clear mellow sunlight, in quivering
streams,
Sent through the tall tree tops
its roseate beams.
Jack Frost and October, when evenings
grew cold,
Had drest up the forest in crimson
and gold;
The bright leaves were borne on
the wings of the breeze,
While we picked up beach-nuts from
under the trees.
When trees were all leafless, and
snow-clad the ground,
Sweet pleasures at home in our cottage
we found;
’Round our bright blazing
fire, we’d work, read, or play,
And find sweet employment to fill
up each day.
And when evening came, the old hearth
we’d surround,
While you cracked the nuts, which
in autumn we found,
I tended my kittens, and made up
their bed,
You made them a yoke and a nice
little sled.
We heard the hens cackle, and thought
we were blest,
You flew to the hayloft, and found
a full nest,
Then caught up the treasure, and
smiled as you run,
With a hat full of eggs, and a head
full of fun.
We ran on the snow-crust like fleet
nimble deer,
Until our fair cheeks would like
rosebuds appear.
I never was lonesome, and never
afraid,
If Hiram, my brother, for company
stayed.
O, then we were happy in winter
or spring,
Yes, happier far than the happiest
king.
You grew up to manhood, and left
your old home,
But may you he happy wherever you
roam.
I ne’er can forget how it
made my heart grieve,
When you of the precious old homestead
took leave;
I feared that with business and
cares overrun,
You’d soon cease to love me
as once you had done;
And earth would be shrouded in sadness
and gloom,
If I, in your heart, could not always
find room.
Though care leaves a shadow on thy
manly brow,
Thy heart’s warm affections
are mirrored there now.
But when you are with me a brief
space to stay,
I’m all the while thinking
you’ll soon go away;
Yet we shall soon meet in a far
distant land,
God grant it may be at the Savior’s
right hand.
MY BROTHER IN THE TEMPEST.
’Twas summer, and a sultry
day
Was drawing to a close,
One cloud, along the northwest lay,
Which tardily arose.