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PREFACE.

De mortuis nil nisi bonum.

Say nothing but good of the dead.

"For noble spirits war not with the dead."

-BYRON.

This book was written and compiled during business hours, between shaves and hair cuts, and all that time I stood at my chair and earned my living, supported my family, wrote every week an article for the Press, and arranged for the publishing of this book, with but little capital, either mental or financial.

This volume-a true and literal history of the struggle of an ardent but not ambitious mind, except ambitious to do right and often failed in that; born amidst poverty, that New England slavery, and under poor conditions so far as the luxuries of life are concerned, my parents bestowed upon me a fine constitution, and that is better than riches—I publish this more for a guide, advice and encouragement to those who live in the humble walks of life than to those who have all the advantages that wealth can bestow, who have more power and opportunities to do good than they properly use. And if I can save only one poor fellow by writing this book and pointing out to him a more acceptable way, I shall feel I have not lived in vain.

YEARNING.

I yearn for all who sorrow,
To wipe their tears away;
For every glad to-morrow
That beckons me to-day.
To lift the pall that smothers;
To make my joys another's;
To know all men my brothers
And helping words to say.

I long to bear the burdens
That scar the bending race;
To win the prize that guerdons
My hopes of final grace;
To feel God's spirit moving
My heart to deeds of loving
And seeing Him approving
To look upon His face.

To hear the sound of contest
And know the battle nigh;
To join the mighty conquest

With courage strong and high.
To feel upon my shoulder

God's hand, that makes me bolder
And stirs the dreams that smolder

To fires that shall not die.

I long to feel the throbbing
Of weary hearts and lone;
To still the sigh and sobbing
That have not comfort known;

Bring smiles to faces tearful;
Bring hope to spirits fearful;
To make the sad life cheerful
And make its griefs mine own.

I yearn to bring the glory
Of smiling skies to gray;
To gladden all Life's story
And take its pain away;
From brightening days to borrow
A hope that healeth sorrow;
For every bright to-morrow

That beckons me to-day.

-Maurice Smiley.

Timothy Dexter lived in Portsmouth many years ago. He wrote quite a large book and placed the punctuation marks in the back of the book and said, "You can place them to suit yourselves." I always supposed it was a satire upon the interpretation of the Bible by the different theologians.

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