The Emigrant Mechanic and Other Tales in Verse Part 13

O, what a morn was that! A cooling breeze Blew from Ontario, and just moved the trees.

Around, no clouds obscured the bright, blue sky; Yet o'er the Falls a mist was rising high!

He clomb the "Mountain's" rugged, stony height, And often turned to gaze with fond delight Upon the scene before him. The blue Lake One sheet of golden splendor! Sol, awake, Had sent his rays athwart that inland Sea, Ere He rose high, in glorious majesty!

On either hand lay woods, and fields of grain, Stretched out, for miles, in one vast fertile plain.

Upon his left rose BROCK'S plain Monument; By "sympathy"--false named--now sadly rent!

The genuine fruit of murderous Civil war, Whose dogs--let loose--stop not at Virtue's bar; But oft, by their vile deeds, dare to pollute What men most sacred deem as worth repute.

May thou, my dear, my own Adopted Land!

Ne'er hear again the tramp of hostile band; Whether poured forth from neighboring foreign sh.o.r.e, Or fruit of thy own sons' deep thirst for gore!

WILLIAM, arrived upon the mountain top, Pauses not long; he had scarce time to stop.

He took the River bank, and there, below, The wondrous rapids for the first time saw.

His thoughts and feelings would be hard to tell, While he stood there--bound as by magic spell.

Ere long he felt a very strange desire To brave that Water-Spirit's foaming ire!

And once or twice essay'd e'en to descend The precipice's front, to gain his end!

"O for a bathe"--thought he--"in that pure stream!

Is it reality? or do I dream?

Am I now standing on Niagara's brink?

O that I could of its pure waters drink!"

Soliloquizing thus, a thundering sound Broke on his ear, and noise of Rapids drowned!

Aroused by this, he hurried faster on-- The veil of mist his guide--until, anon, He reached a bend, which brought before his view The mighty Cataract's wonders, ever new; Yet at such distance he could not well trace The varied beauties of that matchless place!

Most eagerly he took the road again; Nor paused to seek the company of men, Who, reared amid these wonders, seldom feel The deep emotions, or the fervid zeal Which he then felt, as nearer still he drew, And found his dreams of the Great Falls all true.

At last he stood there; and, in earnest, gazed As though he could not weary: quite amazed At the vast grandeur of the beauteous scene, And half inclined to look on all as mean That he had viewed before! Musing, he stood Still as a statue, while the mighty flood Dashed madly onward, as if eager still To take the leap, obedient to G.o.d's will!

Again he's roused by shout, away below, 'Twas from a Boatman, anxious now to know If he would cross to the Canadian side?

COOPER obeyed, with Fancy for his guide; And soon was bouncing o'er the heaving deep, Whose current forced the boat to take a sweep; While, ever and anon, a dash of spray Made wet his clothes, as would a rainy day.

They reached the landing; and he now has gone To _Table-Rock_, and muses still alone.

The song which follows does express in part The strong, warm feelings of his raptured heart:

SONG TO NIAGARA.

Niagara! I hail thy magnificent wonders, The work of my Father--the maker of All!

His voice 'tis I hear, in thy earth-shaking thunders, As "Deep unto Deep" every moment "doth call!"

Waters rus.h.i.+ng, always pus.h.i.+ng Over the ledge of crumbling rocks; Ever leaping, never sleeping, Sound His praise in ceaseless shocks.

Thy mist to my mind seems a Pillar enshrining His All-glorious Presence, by day and by night!

Thy rainbows bespeak Him to Mercy inclining-- Though none who gaze on thee are clean in His sight!

Colors blending, mist ascending; All are displaying His great power!

Rapids roaring, are adoring Him--their Maker--every hour!

The myriads of pearls, and bright emerald glories, Encircling thy brow, 'midst the foam and the spray, Unite in presenting the most vivid stories Of splendor and riches which He can display!

Pearls descending, without ending, Down that giddy precipice, Seem deriding our vain pride in Works which can't compare with this.

The trees on thy banks look like wors.h.i.+ppers standing, To pay at Thy shrine their just tribute of praise; And loudly, indeed, are their voices demanding, That man unto G.o.d his sweet anthems should raise!

Each tree growing, oft is bowing, Lowly its tall majestic head; Man, still scheming, 's seldom dreaming Of this feast before him spread!

My soul, quite enraptured, could stay here forever, And drink in thy beauties with constant delight; But something within me is whispering, "Never Be so taken up with sublunary sight!"

Paths of Duty should have beauty More than what I find in thee; For thy glories tell no stories Of some things worth much to me.

But yet I can gaze on thy dazzling brightness-- Thy rainbows, thy pearls, thy clear emerald green; On rapids still toss'd into foam of pure whiteness; On falls the most glorious that Earth has e'er seen!

Strength acquiring, in admiring All as the matchless work of G.o.d; Can, with pleasure, leave such treasure, And my journey onward plod.

Around the Falls he lingered till past noon, And still felt grieved to have to leave thus soon.

So loath was he a single charm to miss, He oft went down and up the precipice, By means of spiral stairs which constant shook, As if by palsy-fit they had been struck.

The engine's whistle warns him now to go, And take the cars for rising _Buffalo_.

In that new City he arrived ere night, Which gave to him but very small delight.

Tools soon he found--sold only _by the set_; And with his funds, the price could not be met.

Here was a _fix_! Naught for him now remained But to return, with just his _pleasure_ gained!

This, as an offset, stood against the debt He had incurred, and kept him from a fret.

Once more I pause, but with a hope quite strong, That I may soon resume my simple song.

BOOK VIII.

THE ARGUMENT.-Address to Hope. Its benefits to William. Commences business. Manner of conducting it. Thinks again of Matrimony. Shop described. Inconveniences in it. An incident. Discouragement in trade.

Compensation for them in visits to his intended. A further glance of her. The home provided her. Marriage. A peep at their home afterward.

Forced to leave it. A second move. A Love's-pledge. Imminent peril of the wife. Unhappy condition of first-born. Church matters. WILLIAM'S trials from temper, etc. Continued success in business. Tinsmith's Song. His long sickness, and support under it. Dutiful conduct of Apprentice. Wife's self-sacrifices and matronly management. COOPER'S grat.i.tude to her for it. Continued Poetical predelictions. Visits with his Wife the Falls of Niagara. Family increase. Troubles in Church affairs. Excommunication. Fresh Church connection. Troubles arise afresh. Death of Wife. WILLIAM'S lament. Conclusion.

Hail, Hope! thou gem-decked Maid, with features fair!

Fairer than fabled G.o.ddesses of air.

I still regarded thee as sprung from G.o.d; As sent to us from his divine abode, With the sweet sisters, holy Faith and Love, That favored mortals might your virtues prove.

Led on by thee, we pa.s.s through heavy trial, Requiring ever constant self-denial, Unscathed, yet ridded of defiling dross, To find ourselves the better for its loss.

Prompted by thee, we scale vast mountain heights; Or take to Earth's far bounds most rapid flights; Face dreadful storms; yea, greatest dangers brave, And, unappalled, view the deep, yawning grave!

In every age thy praise have Poets sung; Throughout the world thy praise has loudly rung So much and often, that I need not dwell Upon thy worth: for it were hard to tell The millionth part of good thou hast achieved; By finite man it cannot be conceived!

Thy sovereign virtues WILLIAM deeply felt, Howe'er engaged, and wheresoe'er he dwelt.

In constant toil, and chilled by Penury, He knew 'twas blessed to be cheered by thee.

Thou madest him content in low estate, And for Prosperity to patient wait; Till some, who thought his course deserved much blame, Were led to full approval of the same.

More weeks went past, and his kind patron bought Both tools and stock; when he with vigor wrought In a small shop, and did his best to give Due satisfaction, and made out to live.

Throughout the country nothing now was heard Save talk of Civil war; yet undeterred Was he, by what was going on around, From his employment; and kept gaining ground.

The village of brave Soldier's was quite full, And they, alone, made business far from dull.

When he at first commended, he made a rule For which some folks then deemed him quite a fool To make good work and cheap, and have his pay For all he sold; and this he did always.

He had been taught to look Honesty As the best part of Business policy; And his experience fully proved the truth Of that old maxim learned in early youth.

Meanwhile, as worldly prospects brighter grew, To marriage state he turned his thoughts anew, And made proposals for that lovely maid; Nor was disapprobation once displayed By either parent, who gave full consent, As she, to marry him, was quite content.

Though not a "first love," their's remained still true, And smoothly ran-was ever fresh and new!

His humble home, and shop, were all in one, And looked, to others' eyes, most woe-begone!

It was for business truly quite unfit; Yet customers still found their way to it.

Back from the street--up some half dozen stairs-- Two boards, on barrels, held his s.h.i.+ning wares!

On one side high--the other very low-- And all unplastered; it was quite a show!

At one end stood his bench, and close beside it Lay his rude couch; let not the rich deride it!

At times, he rose from off that humble bed With a fair _snow-wreath_ close about his head!