Oregon: A Poem

— 906 IMPROVEMENT ERA. small importance. The germs of decay and ruin implanted in body and mind are nothing of serious consequence at all. Yet, as there are laws of eternal truth that have been placed by God to govern the affairs of human destiny, just so sure will all these things stand in spite of the phantom of hell- inspired courage and argu- ment, as unfailing prophecies of the wreck and downfall of every man and boy who perverts his God-given hope to soothe and quiet his mind, and paralyze his sense of fear, while he surrenders him- self, body and soul, to the manacles of that agent who has never made of man anything but ignominious failure. Grayson, Utah. OREGON. {For the Improvement Era.) Heart's chosen home, I see thee in visions; I see thee in dreams, when night drifteth down: Once more I wander on dear old Mount Tabor, While shining afar are the lights of the town. I list to the sound of the wind in the fir-trees, (God's Aeolian harp that speaks to the soul,) Soft as the slumber-song of childhood, Over the heart doth the melody roll. Thy mountains — blue as the deep sky of summer, Inspires the Psalmist-spirit of old, And my heart goeth out to thy river in longing, Thy river that gleams like a river of gold. A river of gold, when greeted bv morning; A river of opal, when day is nigh done; But a river of silver that mirrors the heavens, Aquiver with gladness, beneath the bright sun. a part of my heart and my soul art thou ever, Thou didst foster my youth in days that are past. 1 awake from my dreaming, but memories linger, And like attar of roses, forever shall last. Maud Baggarley. Waterloo, Utah.