Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-12-15
WaitI Waltz


Wait a moment, young man, before you
throw that money down on the bar and demand
glass of brandy and water. Ask yourselfif
twenty five cents cannot be better invested in
something else. Put it back in your pocket
and give it to the little cripple who sells
matches on the corner. Take my word for it,
you will not be sorry.
Wait, madam-think twice before YOU
decide on that hundred dollar shawl A
hundred dollars is great deal of money one
dollar lisa great deal, when people once consider
the amount of good it viii accomplish in care
full hands. Your husbands business is uuecr-
tain there is financial crisis close at hand.
Who knows what hundred dollars may be
to you yet !?
Wait, mother, before you speak harshly to
the little chubby rogue who has torn his apron
and soiled his white Marsailles jacket, He is
only child, and "mother" is the sweetest
word in all the world to him. Needle and
thread and soap suds will repair all damages
but if you once teach him to shrink from his
mother, and hide away his childish faults, that
damage cannot be repaired.
Wait, husband before you wonder audibly
why your wife don't get along with family
cares and household responsibilities as your
"mother did" She is doing her best. and no
woman can endure the best to be sighted
Remember the nights she set up with the little
babe that died remember the love and care
she bestowed on you when you had that long
fit of illness Do you think she is made of
cast iron? Wait-wait with silence and for
bearance, and the light will come back to her
eyes, the old light of the old days
Wait, wife, before you speak SO reproach>
fully to your husband when he comes home
late, and weary and "out of sorts" He has
worked for you all day long; he has wrestled,
hand in hand. with care, and sclfshness, and
greed; and all the demons that follow in the
train of money making. Let thome be another
atmosphere; let him feel that there is one
place in tho world where he can fad peace,
and quiet, and perfect love.
Wait, bright young girls, before you arch
your pretty eyes, and whisper "old maid" as
the quiet figure steals by, with silver in its
hair and crows feet around the eyes. 1t is
hard enough to loose life's gladness and elas~
ticity-it is hard enough TO see youth drifting
away, without adding to the bitter cup one
drop of scorn. You do not know what she
has endured; you never can know until ex-
perience teaches you SO wait before you snecr
at the Old Maid.
Wait, sir, before you add billiard room to
your house, and buy the fast horse that Black
and White and all the rest of "thc fellows
cuvet. Wait, and think whether you can
afford it-whether your outstanding bills are
all paid and your liabilities fully met, and all
the chances and changes of life duly provided
for Wait, and ask yourself how you would
like, ten years from now, to see your fair wife
struggling with poverty, your children shabby
and want stricken, and yourself miserable
hauger-on round corner groceries and one
horse gambling saloons. You think that is
impossible; do you remember what Hazel
said to the seer of old <: "Ts thy servant dog
that nc should do this thing ?"
Wait, merchant, before you tell the pale
faced youth from the country "that you can
do nothing for him." You can do something
for him; you can give him word of encourage
ment-a word of advice. There was time
once when you were young, and poor and
friendess. Have you forgotten it already?
Wait, blue eyed lassie, wait awhile before
you say Eyes" to the dashing young fellow
who says he can't live without you. Wait
until you have ascertained for "sure and for
certain" as the children say, that the cigar
and the wine bottle, and the card table are
not to be your rivals in his heart little
delay won't hurt him, whatever he may say
just SEQ if it will
And wait, my friend with the brown nous
tacho; don't commit yourselft to Lauro Matilda
until you are sure she will be kind to your old
mother, and gentle with your little sisters, and
true loving wife to you, instead of a mere
puppet who lives on the breath of fashion and
excitement. As general thing, the people
are in too great hurry in the world we say
wait, wait