A Few Thoughts for a Few Friends

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1875. Excerpt: ... Che "Sea Birb." Burned On Lake Michigan. r I HE early morning brightly stole Upon the waves of Michigan, The breakers, in their silvery roll, Received their thousand tints again. The "Sea Bird," with her gleaming decks And dripping wheel, rocked on the tide, Whose eddying rings and foamy flecks Beat idly at the steamer's side. Sleep hung upon the "Sea Bird's" wing; In silence--save the water's drip, Low, mufiied voices, or the ring Of laughter from a waking lip. But suddenly a hurried tread, Quick, eager tones, the trembling cry--"Fire on the 'Sea Bird'!" 'twas the dread Aw.ak'ning of each slumb'ring eye. "Fire! fire!" the loud call hurried past, A hundred footsteps thronged the deck; Fire leaping on from roof to rnast, The bright wave strewing with the wreck: Fire on the left, with scorching breath, Cold, curling waters at the right, A clasp of hands--a thought of death--The waves received them out of sight. Sleep hangs upon the "Sea Bird's" wing--And useless lies her buried keel; The ear no more shall hear the ring Of signal bell, or plashing wheel. Loved eyes still sleep where surges break. And morning smiles for them in vain. Four hearts, alone, are left to wake And battle into life again. Ualebictory. Read At Commencement Exercises Of Fond Du Lac High School, June 29, 1866. T 1FE hath its partings, --when the ties That years have bound together, break, --And slowly, in their sad surprise, Hearts from their quiet dreaming, wake. Such is our parting, and to-day We feel the loos'ning clasp of hands, And sadly hear the farewell lay That our long friendship here demands. Now, from these long familiar walls, Whose very echoes have been dear, We must depart, --while severed falls The silver cord that bound us here. Now on the threshold, we, in thought, Look ba...