FAMILY HISTORY: POETRY Collection written by Elsie Strawn ARMSTRONG
  
  File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Les Howard Strawn
  
  Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/
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  In lonesome blindness, thinking of my past life, I thought I would write 
  something about a trip I took to Pennsylvania in the year of 1814.
  
  In the fall of fourteen I
      One morning left my home,
  And sat out for Pennsylvania,
      On horseback all alone.
  
  To leave two little sons,
      And travel day by day,
  And go three hundred miles,
      Seemed rather a long way.
  
  I was crying in the morning,
      Cried when I went away,
  And still I kept a crying
      The most part of that day.
  
  When I got on horseback
      He handed up my child,
  And walked with me down the lane,
      Talking kind and mild,
  
  And when his father took him,
      He looked me in the face,
  And cried out, "Mamma, Mamma,"
      With such an anxious grace.
  
  It seemed to thrill my soul,
      First words he ever spoke,
  Then be compelled to leave him,
      My heart it almost broke.
  
  To see his earnest anguish
      Seemed more than I could bear,
  To God, I did commend him,
      In earnest, fervent prayer.
  
  I had arranged my business
      That journey then to take,
  All needful preparation
      I had striven to make.
  
  I had engaged a trusty woman,
      Of my children to take care,
  To keep my house in order,
      My things in good repair.
  
  I felt I needed fortitude
      To tear myself away,
  Some feeling my incompetence
      To travel day by day.
  
  The oldest son was four years old
      And could ask for all he'd need,
  And I could leave him awhile, I felt,
      So now that the rest agreed.
  
  The younger, nineteen months
      And never spoke before,
  And then to go and leave him,
      It made my heart ache sore.
  
  So I went off a crying,
      And traveled all that day,
  Till I came to Dr. Austin's
      And there that night did stay.
  
  When I got to the doctor's    
      Of course I told my friend
  What a day of trial
      And sorrow I did spend.
  
  She heard my tale of sadness
      And saw my flowing tears,
  And then expressed her sorrow,
         And for my safety felt some fears.
  
  She said, "If you must go fretting
      And crying all the way,
  You'd best go back tomorrow
      And with your children stay.
  
  "Remember that your children
      Are ever in God's care,
  And you're but poor protection
      Even when you are there.
  
  "And since you have started
      And have thought it for the best,
  Go on and do your business,
      And set your heart at rest."
  
  I saw her advice was good,
      And knew that she was right,
  And I strove to take her counsel,
      And that, with all my might.
  
  I strove to give up my children
      And leave them in God's care,
  That he might protect them
      Was my daily prayer.
  
  Then I felt more cheerful,
      Set the trip before my eyes,
  I traveled till it was late,
      And early still did rise.
  
  The mare that I rode on,
      Hard at work had been,
  A plowing corn and hauling grain,
      And was rather thin.
  
  But after I came home,
      And neighbor then did say,
  "This mare's worth twenty dollars more
      Then when she went away."
  
  When I was feeling cheerful
      And thought that I could go,
  In the night missed my door
      And tumbled down below.
  
  I found I was some hurt,
      But traveled on next day,
  And still kept on my journey
      And the fall made no delay.
  
  I went to see my parents, too,
      And did on horseback ride,
  And in four days from that time
      Got to my mother's side.
  
  I went to see his parents
      Likewise, as well as mine,
  And then got safely home
      About the appointed time.
  
  Still those two little sons
      At home, when I went away,
  Were constantly on my mind,
      Almost both night and day.