- 1. Apples Growing
Underneath an apple-tree
Sat a dame of comely seeming,
With her work upon her knee,
And her great eyes idly dreaming.
...
- 2. Death-doomed
They're taking me to the gallows, mother--they mean to hang me high;
They're going to gather round me there, and watch me till I die;
All earthly joy has vanished now, and gone each mortal hope,--
They'll draw a cap across my eyes, and round my neck a rope;
...
- 3. The Fading Flower
There is a chillness in the air--
A coldness in the smile of day;
And e'en the sunbeam's crimson glare
Seems shaded with a tinge of gray.
...
- 4. The Editor's Guests
The Editor sat in his sanctum, his countenance furrowed with care,
His mind at the bottom of business, his feet at the top of a chair,
His chair-arm an elbow supporting, his right hand upholding his head,
His eyes on his dusty old table, with different documents spread:
...
- 5. Over The Hill From The Poor-house
I, who was always counted, they say,
Rather a bad stick any way,
Splintered all over with dodges and tricks,
Known as "the worst of the Deacon's six;"
...
- 6. Uncle Sammy.
Some men were born for great things,
Some were born for small;
Some--it is not recorded
Why they were born at all;
...
- 7. Betsey And I Are Out.
Draw up the papers, lawyer, and make 'em good and stout;
For things at home are crossways, and Betsey and I are out.
We, who have worked together so long as man and wife,
Must pull in single harness for the rest of our nat'ral life.
...
- 8. Gone With A Handsomer Man.
JOHN:
I've worked in the field all day, a-plowin' the "stony streak;"
I've scolded my team till I'm hoarse; I've tramped till my legs are weak;
...
- 9. Over The Hill To The Poor-house.
Over the hill to the poor-house I'm trudgin' my weary way--
"OVER THE HILL TO THE POOR-HOUSE, I'M TRUDGIN' MY WEARY WAY."
...