My Puppy Love Days
My Puppy Love Days
Page last modified Monday, 23-Aug-1999 08:21:21 MDT
Written in 1932 for W.M. Kirkman, Guilford Co., N.C., friend and former
school mate of Elkanah Swaim Vickrey (b. 1843, Guilford Co.; d. 1944, Bloomingdale,
Ind.) Original owned now by his daughter, Mrs. Goldena Vickrey Teague,
Bloomingdale)
[source unknown, sorry for any copyright infringement, added to web
page 15-Aug-1999]
In the passing of Time my thoughts go back
To my "Puppy Love" days at "old Black Jack."
Yes the School-house appears with many of its Joys;
Still bright on my Memory are the GIRLS
and the BOYS.
'Twas in An-ti War Days and I in my youth.
There were Armfields and Kirkmans all school-mates in truth.
And Northams and Yates whose RANK was just Fine:
McGehees and Osborns that came in that
line.
The Swiggets and Holtons I cannot leave out;
And the Bartley girls too, which you knew no doubt.
And your sisters just Three all comely and Bright;
And not omitting Emily Armfield whom
I thought all Right.
But there came a time in my life that I heard a VOICE
Saying: "William Monroe Kirkman is MY CHOICE."
The WAR came apace: Conscription the GO:
You and I both went to the "Iron Works:"
but all this you know.
We worked through the WAR:- One Fifty the Pay:
Which boiled down meant One Cent and a half per Day.
I boarded with "DAD" I thought this was so
fine;
During the last 4 years, I worked at
the "Lindsay Mine."
But when the WAR closed I was rushed to New Garden School;
And there placed under Dr. Nereus Mendenhall's RULE.
Where I stayed for two terms improving my Mind:
Here it was that my Course in LIFE was
outlined.
A Three Month School was subscribed and I made the test:
"Twas here I got some MONEY:- I emigrated W E S T.
Where I Hired to a Quaker to plow Corn: $26, washing,
and hash:
During the whole season I heard Not
a word RASH.
I worked through Haying and Harvest hoarding my Pay.
When Winter-time came on I was in shool at the F.B.A.*
For the next Six years I was in John Chapman's Imploy:
Making my home with him. A Home
of much joy.
Two Winters I spent in "Friends Acadamy School:"
Paid my Board & Washing doing "Chores", working Saturdays
the Rule.
My First School was Taught:- Of which I had Fears:
but I continued to teach for Fourty-Four
Years.
I met a young Lady in school at the F.B.A.
This happy meeting accasioned a Marriage at a future Day.
I had a Home built & Furnished, as Cozy as could
be.
Just built for TWO:- Julia A. Morrison
and M E.
For Fifty-five years of our life Black Jack School never came back:
And my "Puppy Love Days" were placed on the rack.
But those "Sweet Hearts" of ours are GONE: WE are
surely bereft:
We are Traveling in our 90th Year:
and yet WE are LEFT.
* Friends Bloomingdale Academy
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