In 1892, when brothers Allison P. Smith and Arthur J. Smith took ownership of The Newtown Bee, it began four decades of a working relationship that benefited the people of Newtown. Arthur Smith served as The Bee's business manager, but it was Allison Smith who put his pen to paper as the editor, leaving his mark behind in weekly editorials and bits of news gathered from the four corners of the state.The Friendly Kindly Man and Other Poems. Opening it up, he was surprised to see the author was Allison P. Smith.

It would seem that putting out a weekly newspaper in the days long before computers or even electric typewriters would leave an editor with little time to ponder other aspects of the world. Allison P. Smith, however, seems to have been as much a dreamer as he was a dedicated editor striving to put out the best newspaper in the region.

When not reprimanding, cajoling, or enlightening his fellow citizens through his editorials, this Smith brother turned his attention to the art of poetry.

In among a "pile of ephemera" that Town Historian Dan Cruson recently received from a resident of New Milford, a small, paperback booklet caught his eye. The dark brown paper, slightly waterstained, had only the title embossed on its cover:

Printed in 1933 for private publication, the trove of 16 poems are a reflection on nature and - not surprisingly for the son of a minister and a man who was superintendent of the Newtown Congregational Church Sunday School - on God and man's relationship with God.

"A Prayer" is a poem of praise to Christ and humble pleading, very much in keeping with the poetry of that era. Even those poems exalting nature's beauty, such as "Music In The Falling Rain," contain religious overtones, suggesting the influence of the church in his life.

Dan Cruson is happy, he said, to let those who are interested take a look through the paperback. Contact him at to schedule an appointment.dcruson@charter.net

Why Allison Smith decided to create the publication will never be known, said Mr Cruson, but its recent discovery unveils a gentle side to a newspaper man - and a perfect discovery in celebration of National Poetry Month.

 

A Prayer

O, Christ, my Lord, Thou art my joy,

Earth's riches are but cheap ally,

My faith would cling to Thee in days of strife,

That I might know the real, true life.

Help me, O Christ, in days of storm and hours of grief,

To lean on Thee and find the sure relief,

Of those who lay their burden at Thy feet,

And know the peace of Christ, so sweet.

So help Thy child to live in all the days that come

to him.

With purpose firm, and thus the Christ-like virtues

not to dim.

May the deep, fervent love of Christ shine out in

This poor life of mine so strong and true,

That thus approved of God, His blessed will I'll

daily do.

Music In The Falling Rain

There's music in the falling rain,

The thirsty earth lifts up its voice in praise,

The grass, the corn and every growing thing,

Rejoice in a thousand unnamed ways.

We fret and scold about the rain,

And other things we cannot stop.

While like the grass and corn and flowers in the

field and wood,

Our voices should give praise to Him, the author

all good,

And thus the mental burdens which we carry,

drop.

The Friendly Kindly Man

I love the friendly, kindly man,

Who in his daily walk does all the good he can;

I care not what his creed or name he bears,

For in his life the Christ-like virtues share.

He giveth joy and casteth out all grief,

As on his way he daily gives relief,

He leaves a song in place of tears and sighs,

And for his guidance on Christ alone relies.

I love the friendly kind of man,

For in his daily life he seems to cast out fear

And radiates a real and lasting cheer;

His spirit chases gloom from every heart,

And springs of gladness in the bosom start.

Oh yes, I love the friendly, kindly kind of man,

(And that's the sort of man that's wanted in our land),

To still the troubled waters and bring us quickly civic peace,

'Till all the problems of the nation find a quick and sure surcease.