288 TRANSACTIONS OF THE KANKAKEE 



VVhere 'neath the broad expanse of heaven 



Is spread a teeming, virgin soil. 

 The grandest gilt to liim ere given ! 

 Who bears his arm to useful toil. 



Where healthful breezes sport and play 

 And golden sunshine gilds the day. 



Here from their toil a home up-springs, 



Adorned with sweet and modest grace. 

 While in their hearts Contentment sings. 

 And Peace is smiling o'er t!ie place. 



Where Taste adorns with tree and vine, 

 And Hope's bright pinions ever shine. 



Where Summer's heat and W inter s cold 



Are tempered to a just degree- 

 Where happiness their heart's enfold. 

 And children come with merry glee. 



Where, in the Springtime's balmy days 

 Is heard the song-birds' tuneful lays. 



Where all the air is pure and clear, 



And every night brings sweet repose — 

 Where smiling morn awakes to cheer. 

 And every day with rapture glows. 

 While hands are busy — and the mind 

 Is free and blithesome as the wind. 



They till their fields with pride and care, 



While Ceres binds her ripened sheaves — 

 Pomona's gifts are treasured there. 

 When Autumn sheds her golden leaves. 



While health and hope beam from their eyes 

 As gleams the light from morning skies. 



This man and wife have learned full well 



To prize the beauty of their home, 

 Where laughing children come to dwell, 

 Nor far away e'er care to roam — 



Were born to dwell amid these joys 

 So fresh and pure to girls and boys. 



This peaceful life they highly prize, 



Wliere bolts and locks are seldom known — 

 A life that's free from prying eyes. 

 And all around they feel's their own, 

 W^iiere independent thought abounds 

 And Nature's voice so sweet resounds. 



'Tis true that toil their days engage. 



But sweetened by the conscious thought 

 That Lal)or all their wants assuase, 

 And Plenty by his hand is brought — 



That Labor gives them hope and health — 

 Boons dearer than the city's wealth. 



