My dear unexacting, much-forgiving reader--lover of rural-songs and of rural singers: Now, since having spent many happy days in the health-gaining pursuit after the fleet-winged goddess Pleasure, and in camping on the trail of the scarcely less inconstant muse, among Colorado’s grassy, grove-filled valleys, arid plains, and lofty, snow-capped mountains, with the sad-faced “tourist friend” sometimes, and sometimes with some others, for the writer’s camp-fire side companions, and having found life good and Nature joyous, and as “There is more or less poetry about the souls of all men”--(and some women also, perhaps!) it is not strange, therefore, (is it?) that the author of this unpretentious little book has fallen, half-unconsciously, as it were, into hymning joy-notes to Nature and to disconsolate humanity (presumably!) likewise. Now, trusting, therefore, that a more lengthy retrospection will not be necessary to sufficiently apologize for our unpremeditated literary transgressions, our impromptu sentimental love-ditties, etc., we therefore, with best wishes to all and with malice to none, and with the reader’s kind permission, will accordingly without further delay or comment, proceed to the final rehearsal of our felicitous, although evidently artless, minstrelsy. THE AUTHOR. HAPPY DAYS CAROLINGS OF COLORADO ETC. _GREETINGS TO GLADNESS_ Come, Bliss. Who likes a fretting child? It is the mirthful spright we love. On Joy, propitious gods have smiled. No worthier cherub dwells above. In laughing eyes we lingering gaze; There’s beauty in a happy face! If Gladness lacked in classic mould Were not his charms yet manifold? Come, Spirit, then--come, social Cheer. We crave diversion and delight. With thy sweet smiles dry Sorrow’s tear; Bright angels’ visits make our lives more bright. _LIVE MERRILY_ Why pensive, mortals? Why still? Why sad? Cheer up, dear fellows, and be glad. Live merrily--live while you may, Gaily, gaily tripping along life’s way, Waste not--dejectedly brooding--waste not these few brief, fleeting hours, After death, as after night, dawns the brighter, fairer day. Be happy, then, be thankful, grateful as the conscious, smiling flowers. Have hope, have faith, have charity; Trust to inherit immortality. At Pleasure’s fount dip deep; In its pure, ecstatic tide thy troubles steep. Grave saint--if righteous souls shall joyous live again Why should we sorrow here? Why vainly foster care and pain? Nay, nay, most happy presence, acquainted best with joy and love Are those best fitted, sir, for life--for sacred, hallowed life above. _COLORADO SKIES_ Colorado skies! Colorado skies! Oh, what a depth of color in them lies! How bright to-day--how azure are Colorado skies!