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Show POEM CONTEST. Tho M. I. Association of East Garland Gar-land ward hold a poem contest in honor of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, birth-day, In which the members of tho ward woro Invited to participate There wore ton poems submitted all of which wcro very meritorious. The prize, which was a beautifully bound volumno of "Letters nnd Speeches of Abraham Lincoln," was won by Miss Ruth Larson. Following is tho prlzo poem, also the ono next in order or-der of merit: In a poor nnd lono log cabin, Just one-hundred years, tonight; Camo a child destined to greatness; Camo to innko our lives moro bright; Camo to show truth and honor Always triumph in tho fray; How by obstacles, surmounting, Wo may reach tho higher way. As a child, his only tencher Wns his mother, pure nnd sweet; And his kind friend, mother nature, Oft brought lessons nt his feet. Earnestly ho plodded onward, Borrowed books, Improved his mind; Constantly ho worked and struggled, Truth nnd knowledge, both to And. Thus ho grow up Into manhood, Ever throwing snnrcs nsldo; Naught must' hinder him form progress, pro-gress, Naught of ovll must ho bide. So no, stop by step, unflinching, Higher, higher rose his aim: 'Twns to Bervo his fellow kindred, Hlch or poor unclnssed, the samo. Soon his nnmo spread oo'r tho country, coun-try, "Honest Abo" went fnr and wide. Men soon learned when wanting judgement, "Abo" could forcibly decide. For when Wrong hor light presented, And her gilded cover brond, Spread o'er right nnd truth, ungunrd-ed, ungunrd-ed, "Abo's" clear eyo'd detect tho fraud. So It was when gloom and darkness Threatened our fair country's power, When to slavery's sin and misery It wns Inking hour by hour, Thnt tho ones who wnnted freedom; Wanted truth nnd peaco and right Turned with ono accord to Lincoln; He would lend them In tho fight. Yes, Indeed ho lead them bravely, Frowned on sin nnd error's call, Freo'd our country from Its bondage; Gavo truo liberty to nil. So we'll honor still his memory; Prnlso him for this lesson taught,-That, taught,-That, by working over onward, Deeds 0 greatest, worth , are wrought. Uuth Larson. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 'Mid old Kentucky's fertile fields of blue, Within tho county - borders of Larue, One-hundred years ago, thero enmo to earth A chosen ono of low and humblo birth. Deep within tho forest rough ' nnd wild, Good nnturo claimed him as her ardent child O, mother nature I we do recognize, A hidden power within thy earth nnd skies. For schooling thou didst give this humblo boy, Hns brought to many souls un-mensured un-mensured Joy. Itevenl the secret now which in thee I lies. To make a humblo boy like this to I rise I Among tho ranks of high nnd noblo j men, 1 Yet schooled by thee in forest, dale and glon. 1 Each babbling brook and bird nnd humming beo, I Imbued tho boy with purest liberty, j Which make his noblo heart within him swell, Replaced, within tho treo the bird thnt fell. ' And rose tho bruto thnt poor nnd helpless lay, Fast in tho mire by tho public wny. Ho cheered tho Blck, the widow, and tho poor, And freedom spread to every cot-tago cot-tago door. Tho slavo that tolled beneath tho burning rnyB, "Abo" Lincoln's nltmo would sing In song3 of prnlsc. Determination strong; on freedom bent, Made a strong and noblo president. All prnlso his name; ye creatures hero bolow, Tho greatest gift that Heaven could bestow. Upon this nation, nt Its w6akcst hour, It wns this man, of God, with strength nnd powor. David Larson. |