Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1908 — The Old Home Place. [ARTICLE]

The Old Home Place.

The appended poem appeared In last week’s issue of the Lake County Star, published at Crown Point, and was written by Mrs. A. C. Pan coast, who has for many years resided in Jasper county,, near Rehsselaer, and whose girlhood home was near Crown Point. Back from the road, On a small bit of land, At the foot of the hill, ’ The old house stands. In appearance never grand, In dimensions but small, Once the home of my parents, And their children all.

The roof now has trimmings Of moss gray and green, While smoke from the chimney No longer is seen. , • - tl lv It;.- !•* The rooms are now empty, Cold, bare, are the floors; Rough boards seal the windows, And locked are the doors. - There la mt m the hinges, Dußt covers the walls, . Silk spider webs festoon !*- The parlor and hall. V'g T; The porches have fallen, \ y And gone to ddfcay, I _ Vines clinging to them- \ Have withered awaf/ Tv T The whole place so changed/ But one object I see, ! Familiar in childhood, That Old whit?» oak tree. A ; ‘.V The old barn now missing, I And near by the shed, 1 Where cold winter evenings The cows were fed. ‘ .. . . _ ' i. . The well, with the windlass \ And curb high and wide, The two little oak trees That grew near the side. The old-fashioned garden, With its bright, flowery face, * - Y©» may look where you will And find not a trace. The bridge, and the gate, Are things of the past; The yard lies neglected, In ruins and grass. Old home, here’s a secret. And if you could know, You are visited dally, ’ Come sunshine or snow. The guests returning, They oft journey back By the noiseless train On memory’s track. Unless you’re standing, Your purpose seems clear, Guarding the memories, Of those still held dear.

I still have several thousand draft* tile In stock, which will be advanced 8 and 10 per cent after April Ist ■L- L MILLER. Pleasant Grove, Ind,