Page:The poems of Edmund Clarence Stedman, 1908.djvu/33

 HOW OLD BROWN TOOK HARPER'S FERRY

in Kansas settled, like a steadfast Yankee farmer,

Brave and godly, with four sons, all stalwart men of might.

There he spoke aloud for freedom, and the Border-strife grew warmer,

Till the Rangers fired his dwelling, in his absence, in the night;

And Old Brown,

Osawatomie Brown,

Came homeward in the morning—to find his house burned down.

Then he grasped his trusty rifle and boldly fought for freedom;

Smote from border unto border the fierce, invading band;

And he and his brave boys vowed—so might Heaven help and speed 'em!—

They would save those grand old prairies from the curse that blights the land;

And Old Brown,

Osawatomie Brown,

Said, "Boys, the Lord will aid us!" and he shoved his ramrod down.

And the Lord did aid these men, and they labored day and even,

Saving Kansas from its peril; and their very lives seemed charmed, 3