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Show WHERE ARETHE OLD FOLKS TODAY? The rollowlng poem,, wrjtten by J. W. Booth, wns rend ,nt tho recent old rolks' reunion In Alpine. Wo glndly reproduce It: Have wo gathered, the 'bid folks nil In today? Arc there any of them not hero7 If there be but.n Blpglo one away, Lot us send him a henrt cheer. When tho season rolls 'round and tho old folks, dear, . : Are mentioned on dyery tongue; Wo hope It's a Joy to be, honored each year, 9 For to honor you pleases (ho young. ' Merry springtime Is ,hero with her floral wreaths, And Bummer In thermal array; Mellow nutumn,her choicest fruit bequeathes, be-queathes, Ab homage to wlntqr gray. But whero nro thoso "dear old grays" today, Who were with ub so long ago? Has anyono seen them ' coming this wny? Why, they've gone whore the old folks go. And where do tho old rolks go bo long? Don't they ever come back to tho fold? Yes, methlnka they're here with ub now, singing thU Bong "Silver Threads Are No Sign That We're Old." Does some ono object to our "calling tho roll" Of tho old folks, so long slnco dead? Why, ycB, call tho name of every old soul No matter If tears nro shed. But you say you've como out for merriment mer-riment fine, And no sadness must strlko us thta hour; Why, don't you all know that tho sweetest sunshine Is always JUBt after tho shower? Then mellow your hearts and let tho tears flow. While wo call, with deep reverence and lovo, Tho roll of the dear ones who went long ago, "To tho old people's party above. Since tho days of our childhood we've heard others say, Almost every time wo'ro boreft, Of ono of tho old ones taken away, "By George, thero re not many left." And yet thero nro moro of tho o'd folks along . Than we had ln the -year '"47"; Notwithstanding bo many have Joined the Great Throng Of tho old people's party in Heaven. Who are goito? do you ask; listen now, all at once, And don't make a nolle while we call The long list of names But you'll hear no response "Well, yes "Tears In Mcmorlum" may fall. Well, we'll mention McCullough, Moyle, Carlisle, Booth, Vance, -Watklns, Adams, Clark, Boddlson, Strong, Devey, Hodley, Beck, Bateman, June, Hnmnott, Nash. Brown, Whitby, Ferrel; McDanlel Athrong. Pause, pause. Just a moment; thero ire fully four-score Wo must have "silent roll call" this time; For they all have "new names" on that other bright shore, And the old names with ub will not rhymo. But those names Just recalled Include , Mothers as well; They're tho noblest work God ever formed; And we'll cherish their memory ln splto of all Well, Now, aren't ypu glad that It "stormed?" And next after roll call In order comes prayer Well, wait till an anthem Is sung; Then, O Lord, may the old folks, both here and up there, Bo remembered, for aye, by tho young." |
