The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1867-01-03

With spirits glowing, clear,
And to your minds in measure bring
The lesson for the year.
You heard the noise, no doubt, last night,
And, may be, heard it with alright;
The booming gun, and changing bell,
Sounds which are always want TO dwell
Around the birth Of the New Year.
Nor, after all, is it so queer
That men and toys should raise clatter
About SO important matter
AS the old year just stepping out,
And the New Year strutting about
AS though nor sin, nor TOLL nor bubble,
Was lying in wait to give him trouble.
But so it is, alack alas!
That always thus it comes 10 pass,
And years and seasons. mice and men
Go nibbling round ,houghtlessly, when
They least expect it comes the pap
OF the grim snarers trouble trap,
And they, in sorrow, too late find
They "went il" most foolishly blind.
Be careful, New Year, slick and prim,
And cautious chaunt your birthday hymn
And men and maidens, too, take heed
Lest you be paid for your great greed,
Like thousands who, in sixty-six,
Found that their hopes had come to mir.
Be careful, lest, too late, you'll find
That you will hlve to change your mind
That care, and pain, and woe, and strife,
Will make you lead weary life
That time for you means days of toll,
Till you throw of this mortal coil.
Now men and maids of Sixty-seven,
If you d have JOY on earth or'n heaven,
Just listen to the sage advice
That I'll trip off cen in trice.
Though young I'm older yet than you
And had more with the world to do.
I've felt somewhat its tolls and pains
Look'd at its losses and its gains.
l ne'er, tis true, yet till'd the soil,
Nor dabbed very deep in OlI-
Ne'er swan Big Sandy, nor in Pithole
Thought it quite safe TO 60 my whole
Pile upon the greasy bubble,
Thinking it would nv peloter double.
Some, as you well know did this thing,
And, even yet, theyaeel the sting
Which loss of labor, loss of pef
Brings, sure, upon each grasping self,
Who thinks to grow rich in 4 minute
But finds, alas, there's nothing in it.
These bored on mountans-bored in dells,
lu hopes of finding "fowing wells"
The wells were found, but flowed estray,
And carried all their cash away;
For in their flow, it came 10 pass,
That stead of Oil flowed only Gass.
pity these, for their own sake,
And beg you this advice to take:
First learn TO think before you talk
And learn to creep before you walk,
Let all your nights and all your days
Be marked all DER by VISIONS ways.
Don't let your thoughts be filled with self,
And how you best may haul in pelf.
Self is corrupt and turns to dust,
pef is but dross and turns to rust,
But souls ye have that live alway
Joyful or sad through endless day.
These and their safety sure should share
The larger part of all your care,
so that when summoned from above,
Blest with the Great Eternals love,
Marching the path the Fathers trod,
They may rest in peace with God.
Then men and maids of Sixty-seven
Lay up your treasures in high Heaven.
Kind reader my story is ended,
Pray do not so suddenly start,
With fun | have seriousness blended:
Say, don't you think Jimmy is smart
If so, then think of the times,
Aud hapd us your ttty or quarter;
I'll even now stoop to take dimes
But don't like to handle things shorter.
But, still, if you find yourself short,
Though that would prove very queer,
I'll wish you, as | think | ought,
A most gloriously happy New Year.