I
It was the year of ninety-four,
To my life were added, pleasures more.
To see this beautiful northern clime
Had been a joy wished as mine.
So five of us with no care, and free,
Started,the wonderful sights to see.
II
The road we traveled came very near
Going past our school house so dear,
Little I know that five years from then
I'd know so well that cheerful glen.
Less did I think that I would teach
The school so near within our reach.
III
'Tis queer what changes time will bring;
How swift it flies on its fleeting wing.
To some it carries all sorrow and grief,
To others a joy's encircling grief.
Each day these two extremes are bourne,
Some lives are bright, some are forlorn.
IV
When came the spring of ninety-nine
As the sun was entering the Aries sign,
We landed in this pleasant land.
And was met at once by a welcome hand
I was glad one day to learn
That I would teach at Fanny Fern.
V
Everything at school was new,
But after a while things better grew;
I soon found their parents to be
All that I wished; 'twas plain to see
The influence of their right home rule
Greatly helped in my work at school.
VI
Written on my memory's page,
Remaining long as does my age,
Will be your kindness and virtues true,
And earnest work--your reward is due.
Let us believe that always might
Consists alone in doing right.
VII
Tributes to your virtuous ways,
While at school, our happy days,
Is what I earnestly wish to do,
Speak to everyone of you.
You who have tried from morn till late
Our earnest school to better make.
VIII
Beatrice first upon the list,
Her presence here we've greatly missed.
A leader in our social state,
To go ahead while others wait.
We each one have our special part;
Let us do it then with all our heart.
IX
Jenny next, tho she's not here,
We sometimes find her quite near;
She's preparing well for after years
And will gain her aim we have no fears.
We'll remember long her mild good ways
And wish her naught but happy days.
X
Sadie with her unchanging grace,
Greets us all with a smiling face.
She always tries to do the right,
And will always be a guiding light.
Her musical talent adds one more grace
To cheer her on in life's great race.
XI
In speaking of Sadie, we think of Lisle.
So earnest, industrious and kind all the while;
Tis certain her future will always be bright,
In many dark ways, She'll be a bright light
Her many rare virtues we see every day,
Will make other happy and lighten her way.
XII
Then Florence so cheerful next comes to my mind.
More pleasant and true you will never will find.
No matter what happens, she's always the same,
Whether bright days or dark ones,
Her kindness o'er reigns.
In future days we hope she will earn
Many friends as she has here at old Fanny Fern.
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XIII
Edna so cheerful a tribute now needs,
For many are her noble needs;
Friend to all, we love her good ways,
Her life will be over in long happy days.
She varies no ther ways that win
And is free from every vice and sin.
XIV
"Eddie" though she is very young,
The larger ones, recites among;
A wonder, and so earnest too,
She always tries her best to do.
Her kindness too,for everything
Will make her loved and praises bring.
XV
"Flotie" now comes within my view,
She seems to better and better do;
Well met among her schoolmates dear,
She'll do well her part in life's career.
We hope that all her future days,
She'll still be blessed byvirtuous ways.
XVI
After "Flotie" next comes Fay
She is mild and kind in every way,
And never known to do a wrong,
So aids our discipline along;
And when her course from school does wend
We'll think of her and be a friend.
XVII
Myrtle comes from over west,
And is loved along with all the rest;
Reproachless in manners pure;
In life's foundation, a pillar sure.
The organ too, she's learned to play.
That will add bright stars to her accomplished way.
XVIII
Beatrice is young and very small,
Bright and smiling and loved by all.
Working all the livelong day
Happy and blithe, cheerful and gay,
Truly her way will grow more bright,
For she never tires of doing right.
XIX
Florence, joyous little one,
Happy, always filled with fun,
Earnest and good in her studies too,
Kind,and trying the right to do;
Where e'er she goes in after years,
Our thoughts of her will still be most dear.
XX
John the rustling little boy,
Caring for horses his greatest joy;
He shows so many good traits so rare,
That he's succeed in life we're all aware.
His school work too, is on advance,
'Twill sure increase if he sees his chance.
XXI
Arthur comes now at the last,
Everything he does quite fast,
From reading well, to jumping round,
He goes about with a joyous bound.
Always doing his work so well,
He will have success 'tis plain to tell.
XXII
Can I, in such a scanty line
Tell all these thoughts of mine?
Words of praise, I've just begun;
Your goodness to my mind o'er comes.
Rewards are not in words of praise,
But in the good we do in after days.
XXIII
Your lives now look so pure and bright,
How I hope you'll go aright;
Our future lives, ourselves must make,
And destinies by our lives are shaped.
Our aim in life should be but one.
For various aims are not easily won.
XXIV
Let my last words now be spoken,
As a true andl oving token.
You, I'll remember till the last,
On stormy seas you may be cast,
But seek again the ship of life
And proudly sail o'er conquered strife.
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