“’Tis nigh on ninety years, I guess, By the road called the ‘Wilderness’-- Its story’s told by Captain Speed, A little book you all should read-- We pioneered to Old Kaintuck, Woods swarmed with turkey, bear and buck, And by the ‘Rock Spring’ pitched our tents, Them times wild strawberries was immense; We didn’t pick, we scooped ’em up By bushels, with a bowl or cup; And when our teams came home at night, The critters’ legs--they wuz a sight; Seemed like they’d swum in bloody seas, The red juice splashed above their knees. We rode one May-day ’cross the prairie, Me and my wife and little Mary; Come to a holler in the ground, Where lots of strawberries grew around, And herds of trampling buffalo Made the red juice in rivers flow And fill a pool some five foot deep-- Excuse me, pardners; I must weep-- Thanks! My throat is a leetle dry-- God knows I can not tell a lie (Applause) Our horses slipped and tumbled in, We swum in juice up to the chin; A half an hour we rose and sank At last we scrambled to the bank; Me and my wife soon came around--“ (Omnes.) “But little Mary?” “She was drowned!” (Groans) “Yes drowned! My stricken heart, be calm! Hers is the crown, the harp, the palm-- Thanks, yes if you insist, a dram. Blood flowed them days like strawberry juice When Girty let his hell-hounds loose. One day some Injin squaws allfired--“ _Master_: “There, old man, rest. You must be tired. Share in our feast, Homeric sire; Thanks to the Muse for such a lyre!” YE SILENT TOAST. Fill high to-night the strawberry bowl For friendship’s feast and flow of soul, Quickly, ere Psyche’s brilliant flight Shall vanish in the coming night. Soon shall the parting word be spoken, Soon friendship’s golden bowl be broken; Clasp hands and salutation send To each true-hearted, absent friend; Nor in our circle be forgot The masters who before us wrought, Titans of memorable days: Penn, with his sheathless falchion’s blaze, Harney, the dauntless, true, and strong, And Prentice of the golden song, Triad whose still ascending track Flings its long rays of splendor back. YE SMALL BOY’S DOWNFALL.--A SAM.