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A poem by Horatio Alger |
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Grand'ther Baldwin's Thanksgiving |
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Title: Grand'ther Baldwin's Thanksgiving Author: Horatio Alger [More Titles by Alger] UNDERNEATH protected branches, from the highway just aloof; Square of shape and solid-timbered, it was standing, I have heard, Many a time, I well remember, I have gazed with Childish awe Turning round half-apprehensive (recking not how time had fled) Not far off, the barn, plethoric with the autumn's harvest spoils, Filled the lofts with hay, sweet-scented, ravished from the meadows green, Deep and spacious are the grain-bins, brimming o'er with nature's gold; Just below in deep recesses, safe from wintry frost chill, Many a year has Grand'ther Baldwin in the old house dwelt in peace, Sturdy sons and comely daughters, growing up from childish plays,
Turning round half-apprehensive (recking not how time had fled) Not far off, the barn, plethoric with the autumn harvest spoils, Filled the lofts with hay, sweet-scented, ravished from the meadows green, Deep and spacious are the grain-bins, brimming o'er with nature's gold; Just below in deep recesses, safe from wintry frost and chill, Many a year has Grand'ther Baldwin in the old house dwelt in peace, Sturdy sons and comely daughters, growing up from childish plays, Hushed the voice of childish laughter, hushed is childhood's merry tone,
When the autumn work is over, and the harvest gathered in, Logs of hickory blaze and crackle in the fireplace huge anti high, Ruddy lads and smiling lasses, just let loose from schooldom's cares, All the boys shall hold high revel; all the girls shall have their way,-- From from the parlor's sacred precincts, hark! a madder uproar yet; Joe, black-eyed and laughter-loving, Grand'ther's specs his nose across, Grandma's face is fairly radiant; Grand'ther knows not how to frown,
But the dinner--ah! the dinner--words are feeble to portray Fairly groans the board with dainties, but the turkey rules the roast, Then the richness of the pudding, and the flavor of the pie, When, at length, the feast was ended, Grand'ther Baldwin bent his head, "Now unto God, the Gracious One, we thanks and homage pay, "He scatters blessings in our paths, He giveth us increase, "Unto himself, our wandering feet, we pray that He may draw,
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