A gem is a beautiful thing, Or even a beautiful thought, Or that which will happiness bring, Or the love that can not be bought. A gem is a beautiful stone, Or beautiful shell from the sea, Or a voice of elegant tone, Or something more precious to thee. A gem is a token of love, Or gift from the heart of a friend, Or sweet note by wings of a dove, With balm all your sorrows to mend. A gem may glisten like new gold, Or sparkle like stars in the night, Or charm like the rubies of old, As they glow in the sun’s pure light. A gem may belong to a queen, Or shine from the crown of a king; But the richest gem ever seen, Is love of the genuine ring. Some gems are delightful to see, And their owners may justly boast; But the best of all gems for me, Is the friend that loves me the most. THE CHINA WEDDING. Read at the party given by Mr. and Mrs. Hiram W. Robertson, on the twentieth anniversary of their marriage, December 16th, 1887. Composed the same evening after supper. There are fountains away in the north, From whence waters flow down to the sea, There’s a heart in the bosom of man, From whence love courses warmly and free. There are diamonds that dazzle the eye, And rich gold that’s a pleasure to see, But there’s nothing so pleasing to man, As the love that flows warmly and free. There are men who have merits and wealth, And kind husbands they gladly would be, But Mary took a fancy to Hi, For his love flows so warmly and free. There are women of beauty and worth, Whose sweet smiles are a pleasure to see, But Mary was the choice of them all, For her love flows so warmly and free. They have kind friends who admire them both, And they’re gathered this night just to see, How well they are enjoying this life, Where sweet love flows so warmly and free. THE HONEST MAN’S FATE. Written January, 1866. Friends have advised me to give up my plan And shun the sad fate of the honest man. They tell me ’tis hard, his comforts are few, And what they tell me I know to be true; But still I prefer to stick to my plan, And cherish the fate of the honest man. I have dear children to clothe and to feed, And a father’s love that knows what they need, Grief comes to my heart, gray hairs on my head, For fear I will fail to keep them in bread, Yet I am trying to do what I can, And cherish the fate of the honest man. My wife is gloomy, down-hearted and sad, She fears my troubles will make me go mad, Poor soul, she don’t know how heavy the weight That hangs on my heart and threatens my fate. Still I’m determined to do what I can, And cherish the fate of the honest man.