RY.

A Legend of the Lower Hudson.

The days were at their longest,
The heat was at its strongest,
When Brown, old friend and true,
Wrote thus: "Dear Jack, why swelter
In town when shade and shelter
Are waiting here for you?
Quit Bulls and Bears and gambling,
For rural sports and rambling
Forsake your Wall Street tricks;
Come without hesitation,
Check to Dobbs' Ferry Station,
We dine at half-past six."

I went,--a welcome hearty,
A merry country party,
A drive, and then croquet,
A quiet, well-cooked dinner,
Three times at billiards winner,--
The evening sped away;
When Brown, the dear old joker,
Cried, "Come, my worthy broker,
The hour is growing late;
Your room is cool and quiet,
As for the bed, just try it,
Breakfast at half-past eight."

I took Brown's hand, applauded
His generous care, and lauded
Dobbs' Ferry to the skies.
A shade came o'er his features,
"We should be happy creatures,
And this a paradise,
But, ah! the deep disgrace is,
This loveliest of places
A vulgar name should blight!
But, death to Dobbs! we'll change it,
If money can arrange it,
So, pleasant dreams; good night!"

I could not sleep, but, raising
The window, stood, moon-gazing,
In fairyland a guest;
"On such a night," _et cetera_--
See Shakespeare for much better a
Description of the rest,--
I mused, how sweet to wander
Beside the river, yonder;
And then the sudden whim
Seized my head to pillow
On Hudson's sparkling billow,
A midnight, moonlight swim!

Soon thought and soon attempted;
At once my room was emptied
Of its sole occupant;
The roof was low, and easily,
In fact, quite Japanese-ily,
I took the downward slant,
Then, without stay or stopping,
My first and last eaves-dropping,
By leader-pipe I sped,
And through the thicket gliding,
Down the steep hillside sliding,
Soon reached the river's bed.

But what was my amazement,--
The fair scene from the casement,
How changed! I could not guess
Where track or rails had vanished,
Town, villas, station, banished,--
All was a wilderness.
Only one ancient gable,
A low-roofed inn and stable,
A creaking sign displayed,
An antiquated wherry,
Below it--"DOBBS HIS FERRY"--
In the clear moonlight swayed.

I turned, and there the craft was,
Its shape 'twixt scow and raft