36 ■ THE FOGY DAYS AND NOW; 



THE HALCYON DAYS. 



Since then have seen a bit of the world, 

 Had trials, seeming of perdition. 



In all our wanderings never known 

 A people happier in their condition. 



Intelligence, freed from fashion's chains, 

 Wealth, divorced from aristocracy. 



When heart was free to show its hand, 

 'Twas time of the true democracy. 



Such was confidence, that money loaned, 

 'Twas rarely asked to give a note, 



Promise was better guarantee 

 Than legal paper daftly wrote. 



Don't claim there were no rascals then, 

 That would be to cheat the devil, 



Admitted fact since Adam sinned, 

 There has been more or less of evil. 



There was a social line and plummet, 

 Character weighed more than gold, 



The man who did a dirty trick 



The good people would not uphold. 



They despised that narrow leanness. 

 The Yankee grip on a quarter, 



Happier to bestow than receive. 

 And their favors flowed like water. 



Did not consider swindle smart. 

 Did not seek to rob a neighbor. 



Would not lose sleep to undermine. 

 But for the right they would labor. 



