My Neighbor’s Wealth by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Shuttle

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 12, 1915

My Neighbor’s Wealth

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Shuttle

MRS. L. D. AVERY-SHUTTLE

I HAVE a neighbor across the way, Who lives in a cottage small and low; He wears a coat that is old and gray, And he toils for his daily bread, I know.

He has no gold, and he has no lands, Nor gems nor diamonds nor vast estate,— He has nothing at all but his own brown hands, And people never have called him great;

And yet, and yet he is rich, I say, As rich as a pompous lord or earl,— As rich as a king; for he has today The priceless love of his baby girl.

And two little eyes look into his, And ten dimpled fingers clasp his own; He has two little rosebud lips to kiss, And a tiny form that is his alone.

They call him poor; but he would not sell That baby head, with its nut-brown curl, For the wealth of earth; so I deem him rich In the priceless love of his baby girl.