A PLEA FOR HONEST LABOR,
By Grandfather Garrulus
Es fur es my experience goes ('nd I reckon I've hed a deal), This world hes not so much o' woe es it hes o' weal, But ye can't take up a paper 'nd read it 'thout much pain, So many men, in places high, on their honor hes a stain, So many guilty, sin-hard souls destroy their own bad lives (Es if God's punishment would be easier than man's graves). Though sin hes surely found 'em out, better fur 'em to live, Live 'nd repent, with contrite hearts—then God 'll pardon give. The doctors say 'tis liver bad, or brain crazed with o'erwork, That leads 'em to the awful deed, life's duties thus to shirk. Now I'm inclined to think, my friends, the trouble lies back o' this: That parents in duty now-a-days are sadly, sadly amiss. How many try the problem hard o' livin', 'thout much work, Because from childhood they've been taught t' think that they could shirk. The many tramps who at our doors do beg to dine or sup Are not so very much to blame (they show their bringing up). How many girls are now-a-days raised up 'thout any care— 'Nd when cares come, es they surely do, how hard they are to bear! Now in my day the children hed to work their regular stunt; 'Twas good fur 'em, the discipline kept minds from mischief bent. Who is it that they say finds work fur idle hands to do? Do honest, busy minds 'nd hands often their labors rue? Does not our Maker know what fur his children is the best? Does he not give to honest toil the sweetest kind o' rest? Does not the blessed Book e'er teach not to idle time away, To be diligent, not slothful, in business ev'ry day? 'Nd tu do with all our might all our hands can do, ye know? Fur there's no knowledge nor device in graves, where all must go. Es fur es my experience goes, 'nd I'll stake my all upon't, The dread o' work is allus worst than is the doin' on't. —Christian at Work.