Tales, Songs, and Miscellaneous Poems

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1831. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... KIRKPATRICK FAIR; A DIALOGUE. PART I. INTRODUCTION. Last winter, when a heavy snaw Had fallen in Upper Canada, A native of Kirkpatrick-Durham Had nearly perished in the storing He had been rather pinch'd at hame, From causes which I need not name; And thought he surely wad be better, If he could win across the watdr: So, where the land was cheap to buy, He went away, his luck to try. But Fortune seem'd on him to frown, And kept him wandering- up and down, Until his little cash was done, And winter's dreary days came on. In Canada they often see A deal of want and misery And where they often see distress, It really makes them feel the less. So Tam a poor subsistence had, And thought his fortune very bad. His money gone, he quickly found That charity did not abound. But, at the last, he chanced to hear Of a rich Scotchman living near; He sought his house, but it was late Before he found his lofty gate. The roaring wind the house was shaking-- The aged pines were bow'd and breaking; The snaw before the wind was flying, And into every chink was prying; The lightning flash'd, the thunder roll'tl, The raving tempest, uncontroll'd, Spread desolation all around, Amid the darkness most profound; Even Chaos strove in hopes to gain Possession of his old domain, Which he had ruled with boundless sway, Before Creation's natal day. Yet Tam got on, and found the bell, Tho' how he wan he couldna tell; And tho' he near was out o' breath, He rung as it were life or death. The Scotchman cried, in angry mood, Who now is this that lings so loud? Poor Tam began to tell his tale, Although his speech was like to fail. The Scotchman cried, Come in, come in, Yc'll tell your story best within. So Tam gaed in--the door was shut, And had nae questions to him put, Till ance he got...