The California Birthday Book Part 6

THE SUNSET GUN AT ANGEL ISLAND

A touch of night on the hill-tops gray; A dusky hush on the quivering Bay; A calm moon mounting the silent East-- White slave the day-G.o.d has released; Small, scattered clouds That seemed to wait Like sheets of fire O'er the Golden Gate.

And under Bonita, growing dim.

With a seeming pause on the ocean's rim, Like a weary lab'rer, smiles the sun To the booming crash of the sunset gun.

LOWELL OTUS REESE.

FEBRUARY 14.

MY VALENTINE.

My valentine needs not this day Of Cupid's undisputed sway To have my loving heart disclose The love for her that brightly glows; For it is hers alway, alway.

Whate'er the fickle world may say, There's nought within its fair array That for a moment could depose My valentine.

Where'er the paths of life may stray, 'Mid valleys dark or gardens gay, With holly wild or blushing rose, Through summer's gleam or winter's snows, Thou art, dear love, for aye and aye.

My valentine.

CLIFFORD HOWARD.

FEBRUARY 15.

JOAQUIN MILLER'S HOME ON THE HIGHTS.

Rugged! Rugged as Parna.s.sus!

Rude, as all roads I have trod-- Yet are steeps and stone-strewn pa.s.ses Smooth o'erhead, and nearest G.o.d.

Here black thunders of my canyon Shake its walls in t.i.tan wars!

Here white sea-born clouds companion With such peaks as know the stars.

Steep below me lies the valley, Deep below me lies the town, Where great sea-ships ride and rally, And the world walks up and down.

O, the sea of lights far streaming When the thousand flags are furled-- When the gleaming bay lies dreaming As it duplicates the world.

JOAQUIN MILLER.

FEBRUARY 16.

I have watched the ships sailing and steaming in through the Golden Gate, and they seemed like doves of peace bringing messages of good-will from all the world. In the still night, when the scream of the engine's whistle would reach my ears, I would reflect upon the fact that though dwelling in a city whose boundaries were almost at the verge of our nation's great territory, yet we were linked to it by bands of steel, and Plymouth Rock did not seem so far from s.h.a.g Rock, nor Bedloe's Island from Alcatraz.

LORENZO SOSSO, in _Wisdom of the Wise._

FEBRUARY 17.

We believe that when future generations shall come to write our history they will find that in this city of San Francisco we have been true to our ideals; that we have struggled along as men who struggle, not always unfalteringly, but at least always with a good heart; that we have tried to do our duty by our town and by our country and by the people who look to us for light, and that history will be able to say of San Francisco that she has been true to her trust as the "Warder of two continents"; that she has been the jewel set in the place where the ends of the ring had met; that she is the mistress of the great sea which spreads before us, and of the people who hunger for light, for truth, and for civilization; that she stands for truth, a flaming signal set upon the sentinel hills, calling all the nations to the blessings of the freedom which we enjoy.

FATHER P.C. YORKE, in _The Warder of Two Continents._

FEBRUARY 18.

FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOPS, LOOKING TOWARDS SAN FRANCIs...o...b..Y.

From the mountain tops we see the valleys stretching out for leagues below. The eye travels over the tilled fields and the blossoming orchards, through the tall trees and along the verdant meadows that are watered by the mountain streams. Beyond the valley rolls the ocean, whereon we see the armored vessels, and the pleasure yachts, and the merchant ships, laden with the grain of our golden sh.o.r.es, sailing under every flag that floats the sea.

LAURENCE BRANNICK.

FEBRUARY 19.

THE POET'S SONG.

I gather flowers on moss-paved woodland ways I roam with poets dead in tranced amaze; Soon must my wild-wood sheaf be cast away, But in my heart the poet's song shall stay.

CHARLES KEELER, in _A Season's Sowing._

FEBRUARY 20.

Morning of fleet-arrive was splandid. By early hour of day all S.F.

persons has cl.u.s.tered therselves on tip of hills and suppression of excitement was enjoyed. Considerable watching occurred. Barking of dogs was strangled by collars, infant babies which desired to weep was spanked for prevention of. Silences. Depressed banners was held in American hands to get ready wave it.

Many persons in Sabbath clothings was there, including 1,000 j.a.panese spies which were very nice behaviour. I was nationally proud of them.

Of suddenly, Oh!!!

Through the Goldy Gate, what see? Maglificent sight of marine insurance! Floating war-boats of dozens approaching directly straight by line and shooting salutes at people. On come them Imperial Navy of Hon. Roosevelt and Hon. Hobson; what heart could quit beating at it?

Such white paint--like bath tub enamel, only more respectful in appearance. * * *