Part 18

When breakfast was over, the Bible was read, And a prayer I still remember said.

The old folks in reverence bowed them down, As those who are mindful of cross and crown.

My uncle and aunt, who were unconverted, Their right to sit or stand asserted.

And I, I fear, to example true, The part of a heathen acted too.

But there was always for me a glory, Morning and night, in that Bible story.

The heroes and saints of the olden time In beautiful vision moved sublime.

I wondered much at the valor they had, And in wondering my soul was glad.

My wonderment, I can hardly tell, At the boldness Jacob showed at the well

In kissing Rachel, when meeting her first; I wondered not into tears he burst.

Had I been constrained to choose between That deed at the well and that after-scene

When David and Goliath met, My heart on the fight would have certainly set.

And yet there was much for a bashful boy To gather up and remember with joy.

God bless my grandsire's simple heart, Which made up in faith what it lacked in art,

And led me on to the best of the knowledge Which years thereafter I carried to college.

Tending the cattle stalled in the "linter," Going to school eight weeks in the Winter;

Planting and hoeing potatoes and corn, Milking the cows at night and morn;

Spreading and raking the new-mown hay, Stowing it in the mow away;

Gathering apples, and thinking of all The joys of Thanksgiving late in the Fall--

So passed I the years in such like scenes Until I had grown well into my teens.

And then, with many a dream in my heart, I struck for myself and a nobler part;

I hardly knew what, yet some higher good, Earning and spending as fast as I could;

Earning and spending in teaching and going To school, what time I to manhood was growing.

My maiden aunt--and Providence Is approved in its blessed consequence--

That baby of twenty, to thirty had grown, And from the nest had not yet flown.

And a childless aunt, my uncle's wife, Had come to gladden that quiet life.

God bless them both, for they were ever The foremost to second my life's endeavor.

Our aunts sometimes are almost mothers, Toiling and planning and spending for others.

Aunt Hannah, the maiden; Aunt Emily, wife,-- How they labored to gird me for the strife,