a sample ofThe Old Town on the River
A Little Book of Visions
by
Flora Bullock
Photographs by Messrs. Tyson and Rice
Drawings by Harriet Hershey
1900
NOT THE Old Town historical, social, nor commercial, but the Old Town beautiful, is the theme of this little Book.
Traditions may best be told by those who helped make them. But all sojourners are privileged to enjoy the beauties of
the fairest region in Nebraska.
A PART of these sketches and verses were contributed to the columns of the Courier, of Lincoln, in the years 1899 and 1900.
Oh, would I bring you
A draught of this beauty,
You who sit crouched
By the high city wall!
I am a monarch,
And this is my booty.
To keep, I would share it,
To hoard, I would bear it
Away where the shut-in ones
Struggle and fall.
You see but patches
And shreds of the skies;
I own a dome
Of that exquisite blue.
Mine is the west
Where the red sun dies,
The east where he rises,
That chief of surprises,
To smile on my kingdom,
And diamond the dew.
Poor, and a beggar,
I claim as my own
That sweep of the river,
Broad miles of the hills;
For over them often
My spirit hath flown.
The wild flowers blowing,
The green things growing,
For me the whole woodland
Its perfume distills.
God giveth the earth
To those who most love it.
O ye of the City,
Speed forth from your gates,
And stand on the hill-tops
In wonder above it!
A song's in the air;
The earth everywhere
Radiant in glory,
Your worship awaits!
This is a sample of the book "The Old Town on the River" by Flora Bullock, first printed in 1900.
The complete volume, with many photographs and illustrations, will be available here at a later date.
Nebraska City Magazine Front Page