A Certain Man
I cherish the picture of a man
Who has not been, but is to be.
His cheek is bronzed by the summer tan
And his smile is fair to see.
His word is good and his heart is true
And he loves the old red, white and blue.
I vision him oft, and where'er he goes
Glad voices give him a warm hello.
The trust of the little ones he knows
And respect of friend or foe—
For never the scarlet mark of shame
Has marred his record or touched his name.
He walks the world in a kindly way.
He laughs when the jest is fair.
The wide outdoors is his field of play
And he loves the beauties there.
He hears God's word in the whispering trees
And the song of birds and the drone of bees.
I talk to him oft when the night is still,
I think of him day by day;
He hasn't arrived, but I pray he will
When his youth has passed away.
And what is his name and who is he?
The man that I hope my son will be.
What a Father Wants to Know
You would take my girl away!
What is there that I can say
Save the things all fathers think,
Seldom put in printer's ink?
Little care I for your fame,
Or the glory you may claim,
Or the fortune you may earn;
These are not my deep concern—
This I really want to know,
Will you always love her so?
It is fine enough to tell
That to-day you're doing well;
I appreciate your skill
And I think some day you will
Climb the ladder of success
To your lasting happiness;
But if all this should be had
And my little girl be sad,
I'd regret my whole life through
Having given her to you.
Will you always love her so?
That is what I want to know.
Will you comfort her and stay
At her side from day to day?
Knowing she must bear your name,
Will you shield her from all shame?
This the burden on my mind,
Will you thoughtful be and kind?
All that matters is to know
That you'll always love her so.