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PS 8529 G29 A17

925

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BY

G. OGL?EN .

.J

........ 't the days seem lank and long ~,...-all goes Tight and nothing gOO wrong, And isn't youT life exu~ly flat

With nothing whate~ to gTumbk at."

PTincus Ida. Act III.

'

CONTENTS

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

A "Light " Ballad of Corner Brook...................... 3

The Rhyme of a Railway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

The Architect and the Carpenter............. . . . . . . . . . . 9

A Ballad of Building No. 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

The Water Famine . ..... . ................. :. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 18

The Glynmill Inn ........ 0 ••• 0 • • • • • • .. • • ~ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 21 ..

A Telegraphic lnterlud€. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 25

The Rubaiyat of an Overcontrolled Thirst. . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Another Episode of Building No. 30...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Curfew at the Inn.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

The Pathway of Perils ........................ . ~ . . . .. . . . . . . 33

A Modern Parable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

The Hockey Season. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Echoes from the Three Arts Concert .. : . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3

A Dream of the Future . . ..................... ~ . . . . . . . . . . 45

PREFACE

\VHEN writing a preface I believe it is customary to

address a few remarks to the "gentle reader," but

just suppose a few were to take some of these verses seri­

ously and imagine that they are in,tended to cast asper­

sions on this Ancient Colony! In view of such a ealamity

the following lines from "The Yeomen of the Guard" may

yield a mitigating influence:-

"When they're offered to the world in merry guise

Unpleasant truths are swallowed with a will­

For he who'd make his fellow creatures wise

Should always gild the philosophic pHI!"

2

The poems in this volume, however, are neither in­

tended to implant wisdom, nor give vent to criticism, but

;vere written with the sole idea of depicting "in merry

guise" some of those trials and tribulations experienced

during the constrmction period in Corner Brook.

Having settled this point, I will now turn my atten­

tion to the sympathetic reader (who may be deeply affect­

ed by these harrowing descriptions of perils and priva­

tions) and point out the encouragement to be derived by

perusing the last poem in the book, which describes that

goal o~ perfection now rapidly approaching realisation.

But when this has been attained, we shall still be

faced \Vith one disturbing factor-we may find ourselves •

in the position of King Gama, and have "nothing \vhat-

ever to grumble at!" ,.,.. H. G. 0.

I Corner Brook,

27th April, 1925.

5

And in the early morning,

(Like night it seems to me!)

You do your day's adorning

In light too dim to see;

To breakfast then descending,

A grisly meal to most­

You're told in tones unbending:

"There is not any toast!"

Each cloud a silver lining

Is said to have for all­

And ills that start one pining

On others lightly fall;

Some hail with joyful feelings

These gloomy nights now rife­

For 1:1nder darkened ceilings_ I

Love, dormant, leaps to life!

6

THE RHYME OF A RAILWAY

In this tight little Island, by nature so blest,

A Railway extends from the East to the \Vest;

Why Islands are tight I could never explain

But its taken for granted so let it remain.

From the port of St. John's to t~eir westerly goal

The trains on their journey quite leisurely stroll;

If they try to go fast with a confident spurt-

They run off the line and subside in the dirt!

The trains on their schedule tri-weekly depart,

But seldom exhibit a hurry to start;

Port aux Basques is the place where they linger awhile,

Awaiting in patience some news of the "Kyle."

7

Then over loose sleepers they rattle and swerve,

For this Railway has many a serpentine curve;

When a Roadbed is laid in this tortuous style

The cost is quite heavy when based on the mile!

The gauge is so narrow that people complain

Restriction of space is a positive strain;

For a seat that fits one it is certainly true

In modified com fort will nev~r hold t\VO.

The engine may stop and pass out of control

In absence of water or shortage of coal;

Or a train at a station may loiter a day

For another to pass on the opposite way.

The reason they wait I had better define,

For on this particular Government Line,

Officials are strict and consider it slack

If trains try to cross when .upon the same track.

8

Now over the Topsails where hurricanes blow­

Through valleys where cuttings are buried in snow­

Though passengers fume, yet the dutiful crew

With zeal and \Vith shovels a passage cut through.

When sometimes you wait at a station all night

For a train that's supposed to be coming in sight,

You can hope for the best and prepare for the \vorst

For daylight will probably welcome you first.

Another small matter, I nearly forgot,

If you finish your journey your luggage does not;

For they fail to unload it and let it remain,

And many weeks pass ere you see it again.

But still we must own that all credit is due

For the valiant efforts they make to get through;

Though in snowbanks you often get buried alive

Yet somehow or other you always arrive!

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9

" THE ARCHITECT AND CARPENTER"

(With apologies to Lewis Carroll)

The Architect and Carpenter

Were walking hand in hand­

Regarding with intensity

The vacant To\vnsite land;

If only it were built upon

They said it would be grand.

So caterpillar tractors rushed

All eager for the fray-

They churned the road to muddy streams,

They filled our boots with clay;

And yawning chasms· blocked th~ path

Of those who went that way.

10

Soon after houses sprang in view,

In Classes Three and Four­

And still the Town Authorities

Were calling out for more;

Because the local Hostelry

Was filled on every floor.

"The time has come Oh Architect!

"To talk of many things-

"Of furnaces and Cabot's Quilts

"And stores the 'Ceuta' brings;

"And why should door knobs come in place

"Of window catching springs?"

"Though many different colour sohemes

"Are seen in half a mile-

"The patterns of these domiciles

"Don't vary much in style."

The Architect said nothing but

He gave a knowing smile.

11

The Carpenter then follow~d on

In accents clear and terse­

Suggesting remedies to stay

The prospect getting worse;

The Architect revealed his plan

Based on the word "Reverse."

"We'll take the roof and turn it round,

"And make some windows too­

"Instead of looking on ·the street

"Command a sidelong view;

"To aid our purpose that would be

"A splendid thing to do."

"I've heard it said that cooking makes

"Some housewives run to fat­

"The kitchens then in all the 'Fours'

"Will take up half the flat,

''And furnish space for exercise,

"An antidote to tl)at."

12

But later on this pleasant land --~'

Fell under winter's yoke-

And household tenants soon began

Their furnaces to stoke.

The Carpenter looked thoughtful and­

Eventually he spoke.

"These houses all should be designed

"To stand climatic freaks,

"And this objection has been made

"Throughout these winter weeks­

"Though Spring produces onions here,

"These houses all spring leaks!"

"Oh dash it!" said the Architect,

"You really should contrive

"To look ahead of winter and

"Encouragement derive;

"For fittings ordered long ago

"Next summer may arrive.~

13

The Carpenter then thought it best

To view the thing this way­

For trains got stuck and to the port

No steamer came to stay;

But this was scarcely odd because

Thick ice had filled the bay!

14

A BALLAD OF BUILDING NO. 30

You know that building down the hill,

Which stands adjacent to the Mill,

Where some }heir office duties fill

.And others put in time?

Of course you do; and so I'll try

To indicate the reasons why

Conditions there now mortify

And crush us in our prime.

Now first of all, though otherwise

The windows are of normal size,

Their ventilating plan defies

The rules of common sense;

And so because a master mind

Has made a lapse of such a kind

Is why on certain days you find

The atmosphere is dense.

15

The upper panes, the case to prove,

Are firmly fixed and in their groove

The lower sashes only move

But even they are tight.

So if you wish to have fresh air

You cannot shift the windows there,

Unles~ some stalwart lads appear

And heave with all their might.

But very soon you will be bound

To shut the window when you've found

Your papers strewn upon the ground,

A sight that causes pain.

And when in overwhelming heat

You watch the accident repeat,

'Tis found ~o be as hard a feat

To close them down again!

16 I

Though sweated labour is disgrace,

And in this building has no place,

Yet sweating walls we have to face

To earn our daily bread.

Not only walls . but ceilings too

Maintain their share of falling dew,

And drops that fail to fall on you

Deface your books instead.

When zero days in turn appea-r-

The upper office cold and bare

Compels the staff their wraps to wear,

While colder still they grow.

In temperature of forty-eight,

The heat the pipes should radiate

Most aptly seems to concentrate

In regions down below!

17

Straight up the stairs and to the right

'Enquiries' you will find in sight

And someone there in tones polite

Will speed you on your way.

If this you did not know before,

You'd wander round the lower floor

And after trying every door,

Go out in blank dismay.

So if you think this lengthy rhyme

Was just composed to fill in time,

To vilify this balmy clime,

Or Architects defame.

Just thread your way between the shacks

That border on the railway tracks,

Past scattered stores and pipes in stacks

And verify the same!

18

THE WATER FAMINE

Now rain in sun dry sections,

Had washed away the ground,

Beneath the pipe connections,

And fractures had been founq;

Whereon they sent a warning-

"N o water runs to-night";

And also in the mornin~

That prophecy came right.

No coffee, tea or water

At dinner then you saw;

While drinking ale or porter

Would violate the law.

(The dearth of drinks I've quoted

With ginger ale you fill,

For which your name is noted

For extras on your bill.)

•

19

Or as a saving measure,

(If fortune goes so far),

You turn to taste that treasure

A tot of "Ancient Parr";

And thus avoid privations­

For soda is a treat

To those who like libations,

But do not take them neat.

To wash yourself you gather

Cold water from a pail,

And try to make a lather,

Yet somehow seem to fail;

Ablutions matutinal,

With icy water spray,

Send shivers down your spinal

Columnar vertebrae!

20

Although the breaks get. mended

The water won't remain­

You think the drought is ended­

Then off it goes again.

And hair encumbered creatures

A shave will have to shirk,

And foot with fuzzy features

Their weary way to work.

But fortune often varies

By running to extremes;

And troubles come in series

To circumvent our schemes.

The Drought of which I've spoken

First dealt a bitter blow;

And now a dam has broken,

And floods of water flow!

•

21

THE GL YNMILL INN

Now this is a rhyme of The Glynmill Hotel

Which many a traveller in time will know well;

And others will certainly hear of its name

For the press is beginning to feature its fame .

. It was built in the winter and opened in June,

With flags and with bunting draped in a festoon;

So now on the subject my mind I'll immerse

And try to describe it in suitable verse.

From Vlaring & Gillow the furniture came,

That Oxford Street House with a Notable Name;

To furnish the best was their duty they thought,

And the Customs their Duty did fully extort.

22

The crockery too \vas the best of its kind,

The past tense is used with a purpose in mind;

For little remains at this moment intact

So they have to use some that is partially cracked.

The Dining Room now is a plac~ where you wait

In heartbreaking patience when comin-g in late,

Or at times when the tables are crowded for space I

You will find that a stranger has taken _your place.

A Piano and Oramaphone stand in . the hall •

The latter with records well suited to all;

Though the delicate notes of a popular air

When rendered too often give rise to despair.

The Reading Room too is a place where you stay

To pore over papers and books of the day;

But the· papers you seek you wilt very soon learn

Have vanished upstairs' and will never return.

23

The Billiard Room has all fittings complete­

Though the table is feeling effects of the heat;

The cloth too is scarred by a number of slips

From cues that were probably lacking in tips.

A Blue Room exists where away from the men

The ladies can go and reflect now and then;

But the only reflections I think they pursue,

Are those that the mirrors present to their view!

The curtains in bedrooms have all been attached,

With blinds and with bedspreads not always well matched;

For Brown as a colour should never be seen

In juxtaposition with Ultramarine .

. Now under the eaves is a dormit'ry where

Disputes will arise in regard to fresh air;

But they settle the matter without further fight

By opening and closing the windows all night.

24

The fortnightly dances are sprightly affairs

\Vith men at a discQunt in rows by the stairs;

Some solace for searching for partners in vain

May be found in those parcels brought up from the train!

- For oow that precaution is carrietl so far- ·

The Inn is still lacking a ·license or bar;

And at times you can't belp it however you try

Barometrical pres~ure will re~gister "Dry."

But as Gilbert once said in an opera song-

The days would be dreary if nothing went wr.,ong,

And life would be listless and languid no doubt,

With nothing whatever to grumble about.

25

A TELEGRAPHIC INTERLUDE

I sent a wire to a friend-

And hoped it reached the other end;

For telegrams sent in this confident way

May suffer at times an extended delay.

For after many years are spent­

They find the wire still unsen t;

Then the dust from the missive they leisurely brush

And note in the corner instructions to "Rush!"

26

THE RUBAIYAT OF AN

OVERCONTROLLED THIRST

I

Awake! For lo the Watchman of the Night

With smarting knuckles puts thy Dreams to -Flight;

For in this Place Authority decrees-

The Day Thou must begin though scarcely Light.

II

Dreaming when yet the Night was far from Day •

Methought I heard a Phentom Voice then say-

NOb why do Mortals pass repressive Laws­

Their Life is short so why not make it Gay?"

III

They say within the City lies a Store ..

Thou mayest enter and perchance explore- -

But from that Place they only let Thee take­

Thy Daily Bottle-not a tittle more.

27

IV

And they who rule with solemn Face declare­

One Flagon only shall a Courier bear

To those who live in Desert Towns afar­

Though on their tracks few plodding Trains appear .

v This Daily Bottle may do fairly well,

For Those who thirst and in the City dwell:

But where no daily Trains to Outports run

How can They take it-Can the Sages tell?

VI If here we cannot from a centre buy,

Our Clay with long Oblivion may go dry:

But let Us have the old familiar Brand

Methinks we would be better by and by.

VII

The Fools in \veaker moments sometimes turn

To Those who now unlawful Livings earn­

The Wise from those Concoctions keep aloof

That look like Water, but like Fire burn. I

•• f.

28

VIII And lately came unto the Tavern Door An Angel Shape who on his Shoulder bore­A package neat whereon was writ my name: And lo:~! the Sender was that City Store.

IX

But musing sometimes in the same Hotel-­

Bereft of money that I needed-Well, I wonder what these same co·ntrollers buy

One hal.f so precious as the stuff they sell.

X Indeed how often in the Past I s\vore~,

When Retribution at my Vitals tore­And how when feeling better by an~d by;

I wrote a cheque and straightway ordered more!

XI

•

There was a Door which should have had a Key; There was a Flagon which 'fhou chanced ·to see:

Some little time then spent with It and Thee

TheTe was-and then no more for Thee or Me.

29

XII

I heard within a Chamber once begin

A joyous Clamour-through Partitions thin;

First clinking Glasses then a Cork withdrawn

Announced the Cause of Merriment within!

XIII

A case of Haig-Oh would the Law allow­

To ease the worry from the fevered brow:

No more on single bottles waiting then,

In deadly drought-as sometimes happens now.

XIV

Myself when young did eagerly frequent

The Public Bar and heard great argument

About the Hour of Closing and the Law­

Then out from that same door wherein I went.

XV

Oh why! Oh why! Do some Fanatics dare

Forbid Fermented Liquor as a snare;

A Blessing-Be free to take or leave it-

Or if a Curse-why then your course is clear . .

30

XVI

But I who once through torrid Lands did pass,

Where Tropic Suns have scorched the native Grass,

Have oft observed-what time the Sun had set­

The Kindly Power of a weil filled Glass!

31

ANOTHER EPISODE OF BUILDING NO. 30

To make the Building waterproof-

A workm~an chiselled through the roof;

.. And as the pieces fell he . said-

"These may go down on someone's head!"

32

CURFEW AT THE INN

Oh Mistress Mary quite contrary

You really ought to go-

And lay your head upon your bed~

It's eleven o'clock you know!

33

THE PATHWAY OF PERILS

If your humble abode is on high lying soil

And your office is down by the Mill;

Then the roadway dividing your leisure and toil

Is a path that is boding you ill.

As a matter of proof I will give you a sight

Of the hazardous risks that are run;

From the moment of leaving the office at night

Till the perilous passage is done.

A net\vork of tracks you will first have to cross

So beware of the whistles that blow;

For trains which are shunting may give you a toss

In the opposite way you would go.

34

Or sometimes when stumbling in darkness and snow

You may fall on some buried machine;

Which was sent for the Mill and was lost long a2o

When the "Ceuta" was here on the scene.

Though finding the thing was a dutiful act,

And will bring you the kindest regard;

While rubbing your shins you reflect on the fact

That you found it uncommonly hard!

Or ice from the roof while it's th~wing just now,

Will descend in a chunk on your head;

Though at times it is nice to have ice on your brow­

This will strike you with anger instead.

Now should you survive all the dangers down there

And arrive at the foot of the hill;

Exuberant youth with a rush through the air

On their sledges soon cause you a spill.

35

When crossing the chasms connecting the roads

Where the bridg~ are not very wide;

Some ill-driven teams with protuberant loads

May deposit you over the side.

And near the Hotel is a yawning ravine

And a sidewalk encrusted with ice;

So people that fall it is easily seen

To the bottom will go in a trice.

While in sight of your goal yet that ~lippery walk,

Your release from all trouble may bring;

Though your absence may furnish a subject for talk­

They will probably find you in spring!

36

A MODERN PARABLE

(A parody of Grosvenor's decalets in "Patience"-Act II)

Reward and-

Gentle Jane was as good as gold,

She went to bed when she was told;

She never repeated an untrue tale,

Or "vamped" an unsuspecting male,

Or meddled in other folk's affairs,

Or slid on a tea tray down the stairs,

Or uttered a d- if her clothing ripped,

Or made a mistake in typing script.

And at last her way to the altar took

With a well paid official in Corner Brook!

37

Retribution

Now Drunken Dick was a very bad man,

On whom society placed a ban,

He smoked a pipe of enormous size,

And puffed the smoke in the ladies' eyes;

He was never sober at work or play,

And al\vays exceeded "a bottle a day,"

His language of which you heard complaint,

Would make a Billingsgate porter faint.

He was married in time to a wild virago

~ut left her and shipped as a supercargo!

38

THE HOCKEY SEASON

(A Retrospect)

On Hockey games in Corner Brook,

-We'll cast a retrospective look,

•

And contemplation find-

On well shot goals and baffled tries,

On battered limbs and blackened eyes

The subject brings to mind.

The matches would not start on time,

You found when you had paid your dime,

And passed beyond the rope;

Some time in waiting then was spent

While thoughts of sweepstake money lent

An optimistic hope.

39

The shed was cold I might explain,

So to avoid rheumatic pain,

You searched your clothing stocks;

Two sweaters would your form enfold

While some to keep their feet from cold

Wore seven pairs of s·ocks.

But when at last the games begin,

And either side is out to win

The cold is soon forgot;

Or when the puck has missed your head,

And smitten someone else instead,

Excitement makes you hot.

A grand melee would then take place

Around the goal at frantic pace

And some would get upset;

While others swore upon their soul

That to avoid a well shot goal

The keeper tipped the net!

40

And with the aid of skates and sticks ·

Some players did some wily tricks,

Which savoured of a foul;

And if the culprit paid the price

By being ordered off the ice,

H.8 sometim~ t:.ai~ed a howl.

A simple ruse for gaining time

Was done in solemn pantomime,

But seldom caused remark;

It might be chance or else device

Which drove the puck right off the ice

In corners dim and dark.

A tribute now I'd like to pay

To those in goal who used to play

When sudden death was nigh;

Assaults so savage they endured,

They must have had their lives insured

At rates supremely high.

41

"All Stars" of course with such a name

Achieved a corresponding fame,

And 'Yon the leading place.

Then T. C. D. were next in line,

"Accounts" maintained a balance fin·e,

And figured in the race.

"Electrics" though were far from strong,

And so throughout the season long

They shone \Vith feeble light;

Next year of course one understands,

With greater Power in their hands,

Their prospects may be bright.

Then Canada and Newfoundland

On two occasions took the stand,

With pride of race imbued;

Both teams the palm of victory sought­

Each won a battle fiercely fought-

So neither was subdued! .

42

But time for Hockey now has fled,

To other use they'll put the shed,

And Winter cannot stay.

The $eason now is close at hand

For rain and mud upon the land

So I will end this lay.

•

43

ECHOES FROM THE THREE ARTS CONCERT

(29th October, 1924.)

(Air-"Riding down from Bangor")

Riding down from Curling On the Eastbound train~

Jolting like a lorry-Hours late again! As we near the Humber­See upon the road

Caterpillar tractor With a heavy load.

Crawling up an incline­

Tractor then begins­Train attempts to race it­Caterpillar wins!

Train in desperation Loud her whistle blows­

And a moment later

Off the track she goes!

44

(Air-"Drink to me only with thine eyes")

Drink to me only with thine eyes,

For we can't get champagne;

And being overruled by "Drys"

We call for drinks in vain.

But soon we hope this Act will cease,

Which spurns the use of wine,

And Glynmill profits will increase

At your expense and mine!

(Air-"In cellar cool at ease I sit")

On sunny days in Corner Brook

The dust is simply choking;

But when it rains-the pools of mud

Are even more provoking;

Perhaps some day we'll have good roads,

You may in hope be thinking,

When in a lake of mud and slime­

You're sinking, sinking, s-i-n-k-i-n-g!

45

A DREAM OF THE FUTURE

To deal in prophecy now I'm stirred­

One night as I slept a dream occurred,

I think it was due to hope deferred

And indigestion blended;

The form that this flight of fancy took

Was all related to Corner Brook-

A vision of how the town will look,

Construction being ended.

The Mill was finished and working fast­

And permanent roads were paved at last,

So mud belonged to a period past-

That mud so deep and sticky!

And night in the town was bright as day,

For lights were lit in a grand array,

No longer you had to grope your way

In corners dark and tricky.

46

I

And shops devoted to every trade

A wide selection of goods had made,

While plate glass windows these wares di,splayed,

And people thronged the portals.

The Liquor Commission possessed a store,

So trains no longer those parcels bore,

For which had waited a week or more-

A crowd of thirsty mortals!

Another enjoyable boon would be,

That Saturday afternoons were free,

For strenuous sport or social spree

At Corner Brook or Curling.

And then regarding the Railway run­

A first class service had just begun,

And people no more were poking fun

Or rude remarks were hurling.

47

. And houses with well found frames supplied,

Embellished the landscape far and wide;

TJ!eir watertight cellars a thaw defied,

And fears of flooding banished.

A dearth of houses no loiJ.ger rife,

And dwellings on hand for man and wife,

That bar to a bachelor's change in life

Had altogether vanished.

But here the end of the story lies­

What further visions I can't surmise

Might then have come as a grand surprise

To greet this earthly heaven!

Although I should like to tell you more--. .

Fate on the wings of the morning bore-

And a plaintive voice at my bedroom door '

Proclaimed the hour of seven!