The Home Circle | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 1, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 13.

The Home Circle.

A HARD, CLOSE MAN.

A HARD, close man was Solomon Ray; Nothing of value he gave away; He hoarded and saved, He pinched and shaved, And the more he had the more he craved.

The hard-earned shillings he tried to gain Brought him little but care and pain; For little he spent, And all he lent He made it bring him twenty per cent.

Such was the life of Solomon Ray. The years went by, and his hair grew gray; His cheeks grew thin, And his soul within Grew hard as the pound he worked to win.

But he died one day, as all men must, For life is fleeting, and men but dust. The heirs were gay, And laid him away, And that was the end of Solomon Ray.

They quarreled now who had little cared For Solomon Ray when his life was spared; His lands were sold, And his hard-earned gold All went to the lawyers, I am told.

Yet men will cheat and pinch and save, Nor carry their treasures beyond the grave; All their gold some day Will melt away Like the savings of selfish Solomon Ray. —Sel.