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I Witten for the Kvrnino New* |THE ROMANCE OF BOWMAN’S ROCK.I write tonight of early da)**.When pirogue* plied the dark Auglaize. And ship-together*. large and wide. Floated down the springtime tide.By brave yeomen ably manned.They did the traffic of the laud :And carried to the marts away.The produce of the early day—The veii'son ham*, the corn and wheat.And wildwood honey, fresh and sweet.The iron horse was then unknown, ltlt; w histle shrill was yet unblow n:Also unheard the driver's wrath.Along the canal's towing path.These lingered till a faster age.Then took their place on history's page.— But to my tale I'll now proceed.And hope that all will kindly read:One April morn in ,The good pirogue—lt;)hio State,Took on Its load of cereal freight.And w ith Hen IUwman in command. Started from the Blanchard land.To drift upon the current, down To Fort Defiance—a little town -Whore stood warehouses, two or three. Upon the banks of the Maumee.The morn wn» fair -the sky was blue— Like diamonds flashed the drops of dew.As the glorious sun in ruddy bluzc.Sent o'er the earth his radiant rajs.Along the shore—just tinged In green— Were bevies of bright spring birds seen. Flitting about from tree to tree And chanting notes of ecstaey.Anon would start the timid deer.That rested in the thicket near:And chattering squirrels on every side.Ditl watch the pirogue's onward glide:Fair Nuture smiled on every hund.And made the scene sublime and grand.Joe Frasier and one Jarvis Wing.Were ut the oars and songs did sing:All on board seemed gay and glad -Ken Bowman s hcurt alone was sad.Hard by the helm alone lie stood,With vacant stare ga/.ed at the wood.Then tenderly w ould drop hi* eye.And seemed to heave a heavy sigh. Sometimes he sought the center sw ell,And steered the boatooreful and well.And then along the shore 'twould shove.— Ken Bow mnu s heart had learned to love. Had learned to love? Alas ! 'twits true,Yet none on board the secret knew;Tho' one there was who might have known. If she hail watched Ben * change of tone, Whenever he. with lint in hand.Did in her presence trembling stand.There wuson hftnrd that April inorn.Mote precious freight than wheat or corn; Miss Nellie Neill, n comely maid.Sat in the bow with stock of trnde.Km route unto Deliance town.To soil her wares and buy a gow n.A linsey bolt beside her laid,Her own fuir hands hail spun and made; And maple sugar—fifty iKiunds—She'd gathered sap in many rounds -*And tallow, eggs, beeswax and honey.She hud along to sell for moncr.No prouder did Cleopatra glide.Adow n the Nile's receding tide.Than Nellie Neill, tho' her thronely unit. Was but u sack or two of wheat.A queen she sat—Ben Bow man's queen With another Antony in the scene.In every age and every clinic.The Green-eyed Monster s had hi* time. And thus it was that springtime day.When Nellie Neill drifted away.A dudlsh rake, named Frank Fitzfur.Was on the boat a passenger;By Nellie's side he'd found u seat.And there in conversation sweet.The tedious hours he did beguile.And won from her full innnj* a smile.Ben Bowman watched and while his heart. Pierced through with many a jealous dart. No longer could the pangs forbear. Resolved that he would duck the pair.And cool the love-tlume gathering there.One half u mile from Charloe, south.Near Blue creek's prim,niustacheless mouth In tho Auglaize river's bed.A huge old bowlder rears its head;The fragment of some blow u-up sun.It w eighs, perhaps, ubont a ton,And hides from view w hen boats cun run.lieu Bowman knew of the hidden rock,And there resolved love's game to block.By steering on its slanting side.And upsst all in the angry tide. -'Twns thus lie did and won a bride.As Ben bad planned the boat was steered, And as the spot w as closely neared.Upon his brow a fiendish frown Gathered quick and settled down Fitzfur was squeezing Nellie's hand.His tones were bordering on tho bland.One arm ho tenderly hud placed.Around the maiden's slender waist.And now and then sought extra Idis*.By snatching quick a honeyed kiss Upon tho shore a cooing dove.Said to its mute, let's learn to love.But Ben. poor Ben. looked on the scene.And all the world seemed dark anil green. With jealous rage his bosom burned.Aw ay all pity quick lie spurned :The rock he struck, the boat upturned.And quick he saw . in fiendish gleam,The cargo floundering in the streamOne hundred bushels of wheat w ere lost. The linsey bolt on the hi lows tossed.The sugur cakes made sweet the wave. Where Auglaize nymphs were wont to lave. And to tho bottom, (lushing down,Went Nellie's hopes of a new silk gown. Fitzfur seized a floating our,And with its uid sculled to the shor.v. Frasier and Wing by Ben's command,Fooa brought the pirogue safe to land Meanwhile, Miss Neill by skirts upheld. Drifted away, and loudly yelled,O Ben! dear Ben! please save my life.Ami I'll consent to be your wife.Ben slowly pared the bank adown.But ne'er once thought to let Nell drown He'd only teach her how to joke.And let her take a little soak.Until the love far Frank Fitzfur.Had evermore abandoned he.A mile or more adown the stream.Did Nellie float and loudly scream.When Ben plunged in.reached out his hand And swam w ith her unto the land.In a settler's home her clothes she dried. And soon prepared to homeward ride.Tho pirogue's w ater was all baled out,Its graceful prow was turned about.Ben took the helm, and by his side.Sat Nellie Neill—a promised bride.• *•••* When years on years hud rolled aw ay.Ben Bowmuii sat one April day,And calling round his little flock.Told them the tale of Bowman's rock.The good dame heard, and with a smile. Said, yes, I knew It nil this while.And often thought how mean you were.To think 1 cared for Frank Fitzfur.Poor fellow. I hear he's found a grave*.But 'lis on land not 'neath the wave.Ben Bow inau long ago is dead.And Nellie's laid in her narrow hod.But the rock remains, and just the same. As on the day it took its name.K. A. Brim.Tally Ho tomorrow night.IIJO OTHER Sarsaparilla com*■ bines economy and strength likeHOOD’S. It is the only ona ofwhich can truly be said “ roc Doses St.”W. I . Myers is sole agent in Delian *e for Chase’s Harley Malt Whiskey. Rich and pure, it is a fine tonic for the weak and feeble. It strengthens the lungs. marChainoerlaln s Eye and Skin OintmentA c tain cure for Chronic Sore Eyes Tettci. 'alt Rheum, Scald Head, Jit Chroniu Sores, Fever Sores, Kczcmi* Itch, l’rairie Scratches, Sore Nipple and Piles. is cooling and floothing Hundreds 01 ease-' wo been cured b-it after all other tientment had Sailed 20 cents per box.Fo S ib* by J. L. Scat BMUnre. 0Free Advertisements.If you have FOUND anything, LOST an article, wiah a SITUATION, desire HBLP wish to RENT u house, have a SECONI HAND article for sale such a* hou-ehoh' furniture, typewriter, bicycle. M-wine machine, etc.. try the NEWS FREE WANT COLUMNS. Tlii* offer i* nmde for th benefit of those who are not in a business they wish to advertise for profit. Al notices of this nature will bt published FREE OF CHARGE.JMVt m Pit a|»VtW0J)WANTED.\ I WANTED—Washing by the piece or for * * entire families, at my homo. 834 Perry street._TTTANTBD-WIII the party, w ho by inis-V V take during the lust :lt;) days, exchanged a black fur inulf for a seal muff, please return the same to Hurley's corner store for exchange.I* OST—A pocket book containing one sll-I j ver dollar, one quarter and one dime. Finder w ill lie rewarded by returning same to Harley's corner store.\\7ANTED—Washing to do by Mrs. Sam Ankney. 1IC5 Ayersville avenue.Work of any kind. William k ille aCraig. l(M3AyersvANTEDWivcnue.ANTED-Work, to kind of awnings, street. North Defiance.repair or make all Apply at 3S0 Corwin* ANTED Employment by a girl 16 years old. August Krouse *09Ottawa avenue.ANTED-A girl to do general housework. Good wuges will he paid to it competent girl. Apnly to Mrs. S. T. Sutpheu. corner Jefferson and First street.\vw\\* IlNTBD Work at embroidering, ero-\\ dieting and knitting. Work neatly done at moderate prices at 617 East Hopkins street.WANTED To buy a water spaniel pup 'Adam Ick, 1021 Columbus avenue.WwANTED Housework by a girl l.'» years old. 62» Hopkins street.•ANII.D Work by a fifteen yenr old l»oy. Sylvester May, Second street.A \'ANTED—Work as teamster or some V similar employment. Jacob May, Second street.\\7ANTEI- Work with a team. \ V of W. E. Silencer. 116 TacomaEnquireavenue.FI
Newspaper Details
Defiance Evening News
Defiance, Ohio, US
Thu, Mar 01, 1894
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
OH, USA 20 Jan 2017
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