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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