Library of the best American literature / Containing the lives of our authors in story form, their portraits, their homes, and their personal traits, how they worked and what they wrote; choice selections from eminent writers, embracing great American poets and novelists, foremost women in American letters, distinguished critics and essayists, our national humorists, noted journalists and magazine contributors, popular writers for young people, great orators and public lecturers

by Unknown

Jes’ reads de message wid a look an’ claps it on de slate!

Den you better do your juty well an’ keep your conscience clear,

An’ keep a-lookin’ straight ahead an’ watchin’ whar you steer;

’Cause arter while de time’ll come to journey fum de lan’,

An’ dey’ll take you way up in de a’r an’ put you on de stan’;

Den you’ll hab to listen to de clerk an’ answer mighty straight,

Ef you ebber’ spec’ to trabble froo de alaplaster gate!

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RUIN WROUGHT BY RUM.

(TEMPERANCE SELECTION.)