DEW DROPS

Something of the same impulse is found in this dedication of the volume "Dew Drops," by Leda Bond (Mrs. Feldsmith).

"This little book is fondly dedicated to Raymond and Leotta, my two beloved children, who, when the shades of sorrow closed around me, stretched forth their baby fingers, and parting the curtains of gloom, revealed once more the gladsome light of a happier day."

We feel that the names of some of these courageous and happy pioneers should be given in this volume, together with brief selections from some of their works. Some of the verses here given will show sure sense of rhyme and pleasing balance and reserve. Some have, it is true, little to commend them but the evident longing to express the song that was in the soul rather than on the lips. But who can say how much the more successful ones, who have won deserved fame and plaudits, owe to the more obscure who sought, with more meagre measure of success, to show that there is poetry and song and story in Wisconsin?

POEMS OF A DAY.

A Collection of Fugitive Poems Written Among the Cares and Labors of Daily Journalism. By A. M. THOMSON. (Then Editor of the Sentinel), Milwaukee, 1873.

DEATH OF GOVERNOR HARVEY

Bow down thy head, O Commonwealth, 'Tis fitting now for thee to weep; Thy hopes lie buried in the grave, In which our chieftain is asleep.

The flags at half mast sadly droop, The bells toll out a solemn wail, As on the southern breeze there comes, With lightning speed, the sick'ning tale!

O, dreadful night! O, fatal step!

O, rushing river's angry tide!

Was there no quick, omniscient arm To save a life so true and tried?

Breathe, lofty Pines, his requiem; Sing paeans in thy forest gloom; And ye, ye Prairies, that he loved, Bring Flora's gems to deck his tomb.

O, State, bereft of him you loved, O, Mother, from thy loving breast, Our friend and brother, statesman, chief, At noon, sinks calmly to his rest!

We cannot hide these scalding tears, But kiss in trust this chast'ning rod; Though reason sleeps, faith is not blind, But sees in all the hand of God.

BALLADS OF WAR AND PEACE.

By J. H. WHITNEY, Baraboo, Wisconsin.

THE MUSTER ROLLS

When treason, veiled in fair disguise, And clad in robes of state, Invoked the sword to cut the ties That made a nation great,

Wisconsin sounded the alarm, And beat the battle-drum: Men heard from office, mill and farm, And answered, "Lo! we come."

Down from the rugged northern pines, Up from the eastern coast; From riverside and southern mines, Comes forth the loyal host.

From Gainesville thru the wilderness They march with fearless tread, And leave behind, as on they press, An army of the dead.

Beneath the blue--above the green, Mid flowers of fairest hue, We honor now with reverent mien, The men who wore the blue.

The story of the rolls is told.

The records, worn and gray, Like veterans, are growing old, And soon shall pass away.

But deeds of valor for a cause So just, shall ever shine, And loyalty to righteous laws Shall live, because divine.

IN THE LAND OF FANCY, AND OTHER POEMS.

By MRS. LIBBIE C. BAER. (Appleton, Wisconsin. Copyright, 1902, by the Author.)

IN THE LAND OF FANCY

Never a cloud to darken the blue, Never a flower to lose its hue, Never a friend to prove untrue In the beautiful land of fancy.

Never a joy to turn to pain, Never a hope to die or wane, Never a boon we may not gain In the beautiful land of fancy.

Never a heart turns false or cold, Never a face grows gray or old, Never a love we may not hold In the beautiful land of fancy.

All of life that we crave or miss, (The world denies us half its bliss), Free, untrammelled, we have in this-- In the beautiful land of fancy.

A COLLECTION OF POEMS.

By J. R. HENDERSON, Riley, Wisconsin.

Copyright, 1896, by the Author.

We give here a selection of "Neighborhood Verse," such as may achieve much local fame and really may make life more worth living.

A NUPTIAL SALUTATION

Neighbors and friends, we have met today, At the home of Jimmie Clow, To see his daughter Mary give her hand away, And take the marriage vow.

To see Willie Goodwin get a wife, And start on the matrimonial sea.

Long life, health and happiness to him and his, Is the wish of this whole company.

Now, Willie, lad, here's a pipe for you, It's a present from old Joe; And when you take your evening smoke You'll remember him, I know.

And, Mary, lass, here's a gift for you-- Ah, you'll need it yet; you'll see.

Take it now, and hide it away From this laughing company.

SONGS AND SONNETS.

By MARY M. ADAMS.

Copyright, 1901, by the Author (wife of Charles Kendall Adams, then President of the University of Wisconsin).

WISCONSIN

Sound her praise! our noble State, All her strength to deeds translate, Prove her shield when danger's nigh, Read her banner in the sky, Tell of her in song and story, All her past with love illume, Show her present robed in glory, Promise of a larger bloom.