The Poets and Poetry of Cecil County, Maryland Part 36

I weep for the loss of a leader in thought, Whose lessons of truth, with simplicity taught, Have bless'd and encouraged the humble and poor, Who always were welcomed with joy at his door.

How happy the hours when we gathered around, To hear his solutions of problems profound; And bright through my mem'ry what pleasure returns When I think of his rendering of Byron and Burns.

The "Sat.u.r.day Night," and "To Mary in Heaven,"

With true Scottish accent were touchingly given, And reckless "Don Juan's" most comical plight,-- And pathos of "Harold" he gave with delight.

The pages of Hebraic sages divine, Made vocal by him with new beauties did s.h.i.+ne; His choice conversation with children and men, Was often enriched with a song from his pen.

In public debate, whosoever arose, His well-grounded argument firm to oppose, Though sharp the contention, was forced to declare, That he was an honorable champion there.

And, those he offended, as everyone must, Whose thoughts are progressive, whose actions are just, With kindness he reasoned all errors to show, And made a staunch friend of a bickering foe.

He owned like a hero the penalty dread-- "By the sweat of thy brow shalt thou earn thy bread,"

And his toil through summer, and mid-winter snows, Has made the wild wilderness bloom as the rose.

The choicest of fruits in profusion appeared, On trees that he planted, and vines that he reared; And few things delighted him more than to send, A rare little treat to an invalid friend.

He scorned false pretences and arrogant pride, The follies of fas.h.i.+on he loved to deride; But acknowledged true merit wherever 'twas shown, By a serf in his hut, or a king on his throne.

His faults be forgotten, we've all gone astray, Lord, show us in mercy, the straight, narrow way, Peace, peace to his ashes, and sweet be his rest, With angels of light, in the home of the blest.

SPRING.

Rosy morn is brightly breaking, Cheerful birds melodious sing, Earth with thankful songs awaking Hails with joy the merry Spring, Silver clouds in sunlight glowing Slowly float the azure dome, Tender flowers are sweetly blowing Round each cozy cottage home.

Dreary winter's icy fingers Have released the bending tree, Genial life reviving, lingers O'er the cold and sterile lea.

From the rocky, snow-clad mountains, Where the breath of sunny Spring Has unfettered m.u.f.fled fountains, Hear the songs of gladness ring.

In the morn of playful childhood, With dear friends 'mid sylvan bowers, O'er the fields and through the wildwood, Culling all the choicest flow'rs; Twining wreaths, each other crowning, Dew-drops bright for royal gems, Ne'er a thought of worldly frowning On the precious diadems.

Marched we on with true devotion, While the scenes of after years, Stirr'd the spirits deep emotion, With alternate hopes and fears.

While before us lay life's prizes, Dazzling in the sunlight gleam,-- How we gazed with sad surprises, When they vanished like a dream.

Many happy hearts grew weary, Rosy cheeks grew pale and white, Pleasant paths grew dark and dreary, Swept by storms of withering blight; How the changing years have fleeted, Strewing wrecks on either side, Cherished schemes have been defeated, And the cares of age abide.

But when cheery Spring advances, Crowned with gems of beauty rare, Pleasure like a fairy, dances O'er the landscape everywhere, And the tide of life flows higher, Gloom's dark curtains are withdrawn, And again youth's hidden fire, Thrills me as in life's fresh dawn.

JAMES McCAULEY.

James McCauley was born August 23, 1809, near Mechanics Valley, in Cecil county, and received his education in the log schoolhouse in that neighborhood known as Maffit's schoolhouse. He learned the trade of a cooper with his father John McCauley. After coming of age he taught school for a few years, and then commenced making thres.h.i.+ng machines and horse powers, doing the wood and iron work himself. In 1836 he removed to New Leeds, where he has since resided.

In 1841, Mr. McCauley was appointed County Surveyor by Governor Pratt, and served in that capacity for several years and has ever since practiced land surveying with much success in all parts of Cecil county.

In 1857 he was elected Register of Wills and served until the Fall of 1863. In 1864 he was elected a delegate to the General a.s.sembly of the State, and served in the session of 1865, and the special session of 1866. Mr. McCauley has always been deeply interested in the cause of education and was chairman of the committee on that subject in the House of Delegates. While in the Legislature he was instrumental in securing the pa.s.sage of the law prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors in Cecil county on election day.

In the early part of 1868 Mr. McCauley was appointed School Commissioner, and soon afterwards Chief Judge of the Orphan's Court, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late Levi H. Evans, which he did with so much acceptability that he has since been elected for four terms of four years each.

In 1834, Mr. McCauley married Sarah, the youngest daughter of Hugh Beard, a well-known surveyor of this county. His first wife died in 1846, leaving five children. In 1849 he married Millicent, daughter of Jacob Price, of Sa.s.safras Neck.

Mr. McCauley commenced to write poetry when a young man and has contributed poetry, but much more prose, to the newspapers of this county during the last half century.

HENRY CLAY.

He needs no monument, no marble pile, 'Tis vain thus to commemorate a name That must endure in n.o.ble grandeur while His country lives,--the temple of his fame.

VIRTUOUS AGE.

As early youth in brightness vies, With advent of the day, When Sol first opes his golden eyes, And chases night away.

So may the virtuous man compare, In his declining day, With setting sun, in ev'ning fair, Pa.s.sing from earth away.

And though his face no more we see, He still reflects his light, And s.h.i.+nes with glorious majesty, In other realms more bright.

And still his light doth ne'er decline, But gath'ring up fresh store, Through ages yet to come, shall s.h.i.+ne, And s.h.i.+ne, forever more.

ACROSTIC.

Enraptured thoughts intuitive, Make haste to greet thy page.

Melodious with sweet accord, And cla.s.sic too with age.

And ever may the sacred nine, Lead thee to their embrace, Inspire thy song with themes divine, Choice gems select from nature's mine, Enriched with matchless grace.

Be thine a life of social joy, Removed from care and pain, On earth thy early years employ, With prospect of that gain No mortal here can realize, Eternal bliss beyond the skies.

WORK TO-DAY.

Youth's the time; Youth's the season!

Learn and labor while you may, Hear the voice of age and reason,-- Work to-day.

Labor hard in morning's prime, Hasten on without delay, Make the most of early time-- Work to-day.

Up betimes, nor let the sun Find you sleeping or at play, Sleep enough when life is done-- Work to-day.