The Gypsum Hills were a misty gray,
     And miles and miles rolled away,
     While their snowy sides so steep and wide,
     Gaily graced a rainbow slide.
     
     And in the heavens above them far
     The setting sun had not a par,
     For beauty reigned in glory there
     Its sacred marks were everywhere.
     
     From our wagon loaded high
     We watched these scenes go slowly by;
     But when the sun at last had set
     We hurled sad nature from our breast.
     
     For dark and cold she now became
     Making feet and fingers numb,
     None too soon would shelter break
     This snowy wilderness from our face.
     
     by the horses slowly borne,
     We now were near our future home.
     Far behind those "mountains' dark
     We heard the coyotes wail and bark.
     
     At last father drove beside the barn,
     At last we had reached the Fralic Farm!
     Stepping stiffly from the wheels
     We reached the house with happy zeal.
     
     Two wailing children father bore,
     While mother opened the kitchen door,
     And shivering close behind their heels
     I followed them with girlish ease.
     
     A welcoming light swept through the door
     For Mamie had moved the week before.
     Her thoughful charity brought her here
     To comfort us and dry a tear.
     
     To the fire we were quickly sent
     Where Fred was waiting, patience spent.
     Supper waited near at hand
     Contentment, love, in my sister's home.
     
     Lonesome March soon flew by
     And April showers caught the eye,
     While on the hilltops fast asleep
     A million plants began to peep.
      
     Often to Dutch Creek I'd go
     To thrash the water to and fro,
     Or my restless feet would carry me on
     To hear the restless robins song.
     
     Then racing up a near by hill
     I'd watch the prairie dogs play and mill.
     Their towns were scattered everywhere
     Their chirping barks would fill the air.
     
     Now the plows begin to sing
     From the earth the corn to spring.
     Nesting in the fields beyond
     The meadow larks sailed around.
     
     Morning came in dewy splendor
     Its many graces sweet and tender,
     Out upon the pasture steep
     The family cows were fast asleep.
     
     Yet within their mighty bed
     The noisy rooster his harem led.
     But Mother soone ased their minds
     And they raced forth their meal to find.
     
     A tousled head close by her side
     Mother watched the coyotes slyly hide,
     Then gazing fondly at the tousled head
     She turned once more where duty led.
     
     Autumn took her throne at last
     Our lingering there became a past,
     For school days beconed to us there
     No teachers lived among us here.
     
     As the years have come and gone
     I've often thought of the Fralic farm.
     Its rambling house and paintless barn
     All spin for me a childhood yarn.
     
     Parents gone, whitened hair can't erase
     Loving memories, their prayers, advice
     Now that I know a woman's ways,
     I miss those carefree girlish days.
     
     Memories of Flower Pot Mound
     So steep and round
     Blossoming here in rugged charm
     Still towers over the hills beyond.
     
     Precious Mother and Father dear
     Oh! how I miss you always near
     I'll always remember your faith and prayers
     May we meet again with Christ "Upstairs"!
               
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 179 
     Submitted by: Sylvia Shriner 
     An experience at age 12