 | 'Weh Down Souf and other Poems : |  |
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OLD NORMAL:
Read before the Alumni Association of the Richmond High Normal School.
Old Time with his sickle, in swift onward play,
For once has turned backward; we're children today,
And the world with its conflicts, its battles and strife,
Is forgotten in pleasures and mem'ries of life.
For once has turned backward; we're children today,
And the world with its conflicts, its battles and strife,
Is forgotten in pleasures and mem'ries of life.
These girls with their puffs, bangs and frizzes galore,
Are again in short dresses, with white pinafore;
While the men, with stiff collars and high beaver hat,
Are boys in short breeches, and patched ones at that.
Are again in short dresses, with white pinafore;
While the men, with stiff collars and high beaver hat,
Are boys in short breeches, and patched ones at that.
As I'm standing here reading, I'm quaking with fear,
For I think 'tis Miss Stratton whose footsteps I hear;
Or dear Mr. Manly, or sainted Miss Knowles,
Comes tripping behind me, just ready to scold.
For I think 'tis Miss Stratton whose footsteps I hear;
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Comes tripping behind me, just ready to scold.
“Please, Webster, sit down there!” I fancy she calls,
While Miss Manly, Miss Hadley, Miss Patterson—all
Come trooping before me. But one thing I know:
I can step by Miss Bass, she's so awfully slow.
While Miss Manly, Miss Hadley, Miss Patterson—all
Come trooping before me. But one thing I know:
I can step by Miss Bass, she's so awfully slow.
My name is still cut on the seat by the door—
I'm trying to cut higher than in days of yore;
Yet I wonder if fame can give me the joy
I found at old Normal when I was a boy.
I'm trying to cut higher than in days of yore;
Yet I wonder if fame can give me the joy
I found at old Normal when I was a boy.
On the green field of life we're playing some game;
Our base-ball and foot-ball we're playing the same.
If we fail in our kicking, let us strive all the more,
The world kicks much harder than Normal of yore.
Our base-ball and foot-ball we're playing the same.
If we fail in our kicking, let us strive all the more,
The world kicks much harder than Normal of yore.
Some now make a home-run, and multitudes shout;
While some strike a grounder, and others strike out.
Tho' fallen and beaten, we still must be men,
And try it to-morrow to win if we can.
While some strike a grounder, and others strike out.
Tho' fallen and beaten, we still must be men,
And try it to-morrow to win if we can.
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Our girls of old Normal are still jumping rope—
But don't let it trip you and get your neck broke,
For few, like old Normal, will help us, alas!
When once we have fallen from virtue's straight path.
But don't let it trip you and get your neck broke,
For few, like old Normal, will help us, alas!
When once we have fallen from virtue's straight path.
But well we remember no boyhood could last;
The world called for men, and we went to our task;
Some won and some failed, but in heart we are one,
I trust just as true as the day we begun.
The world called for men, and we went to our task;
Some won and some failed, but in heart we are one,
I trust just as true as the day we begun.
Some fellows are lawyers, and sending to jail
Their poor fellow-creatures, nor getting them bail;
While others are doctors, and curing life's ills—
At least, if not curing, are sending in bills.
Their poor fellow-creatures, nor getting them bail;
While others are doctors, and curing life's ills—
At least, if not curing, are sending in bills.
Some now are professors and teachers in schools,
And thrashing young urchins for breaking the rules;
Some maidens, some matrons, and some fond mammas,
With children to try them and break all their laws.
And thrashing young urchins for breaking the rules;
Some maidens, some matrons, and some fond mammas,
With children to try them and break all their laws.
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What though they are climbing the ladder of fame;
They are Ben, Dan or Bowler—Hayes, Johnston or James;
Though clouded with care, and in dignified dress,
They are Sallie and Julia, Rose, Anna and Bess.
They are Ben, Dan or Bowler—Hayes, Johnston or James;
Though clouded with care, and in dignified dress,
They are Sallie and Julia, Rose, Anna and Bess.
Some fellows are down now who then strove for fame—
Maybe gone to the bad;—they are ours the same;
Let's throw them a life-line who're sinking in crime,
And allure them to virtue for dear “Auld Lang Syne.”
Maybe gone to the bad;—they are ours the same;
Let's throw them a life-line who're sinking in crime,
And allure them to virtue for dear “Auld Lang Syne.”
But some fail to answer at call of the roll;
Our eyes fill with tears—they are missed from the fold;
In glory we'll greet them when battle is done;
Pat, Walter and others will meet us,—at home.
Our eyes fill with tears—they are missed from the fold;
In glory we'll greet them when battle is done;
Pat, Walter and others will meet us,—at home.
Let's recount our battles, take courage and aim
To help on each other to honor and fame;
Nor suffer our banner to trail in the dust,
Or the bright sword of honor in scabbard to rust.
To help on each other to honor and fame;
Nor suffer our banner to trail in the dust,
Or the bright sword of honor in scabbard to rust.
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We think of our sorrows, we think of our joys,
And in this reunion are again girls and boys;
Old Time can not dampen our spirits so gay,
We'll laugh at his efforts,—we're children to-day.
And in this reunion are again girls and boys;
Old Time can not dampen our spirits so gay,
We'll laugh at his efforts,—we're children to-day.
By this hallowed Elysium our tent is now spread,
But soon to new duties—new paths we must tread;
The world calls for heroes; our race calls for men,
Unselfish and true to our duty as then.
But soon to new duties—new paths we must tread;
The world calls for heroes; our race calls for men,
Unselfish and true to our duty as then.
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