Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1879-09-13
NEEDS.


That cabin fude Of rotting logs, whose doorits
hinges Lacks,
Before il stand two -tarveling ours, brush
heap and m az.
Behind H. ranged in crooked rows, l. maze OF
VAR ing height
One side. some -;unted csbbag.s, that sore
the slug worms -Inite,
A broaen worm fence round the place, which
much repairing needs;
Where in the corners densely grow the rank
est Ho1ioiis weeks
That has been William Elsin's home, II home
should De the name
OF any place where foIk reside with idleness
and shame
Aud Wonder house acros. the road, low rooted
and spreading wide.
a well kept lawn before the door, it, owners
honest pride,
The wood shed filed. the stables fi1ln, the
fowls in yard inclo-ed.
The kennel snug whore Bose for years alter
nate watched and dozed;
The long. straight rows Of deep green maize ,
the garden filed with all
The tooth-ome plants in thrifty growth, from
early spring to fall;
The fruit trees In the angles al the weedle-s
zig gag fence
Budd Martin closes there life of well earned
competence
q,iite remember when they camel was of
age that year,
Twas nothing but a wilderness when those
two settled here.
Each took quarter section as "A homestead
land was free,
Each built a cabin, and attacked with vigor
rock and tree,
But Eikin coming first secured the choicer
piece of land.
A gently sloping knoll that had II brook on
either hand;
While Martin got piece OF ground more bro
ken and less rich
With fourteen acres lying low, that he must
drain or ditch.
Both Iabored long and iabored vel, and broke
and cleared the ground;
And field ON field WIS put in tilth, and all
looked well around.
The virgin soil gave heavy crops, sweet grass
and golden grain
FILLED hay NOV high and corn crib full, while
creikcd the loaded vain;
And all the settlers tar and near in passing by
the place,
Agreed that to a prosperous goal the two made
Aud all was we'll till Barton came, and he, his
bread to win,
Where crossed the roads, a mile away, opened
the Farmers Inn.
A pleasant man was Barton, and he kept
pleasant place,
And bore a look Of welcome in his round and
And Elkin, twice Il week or so. to taste "the
line Old rye"
Would .aunter out to BarfOn'- there but Mar
tin he was shy.
" His farm engaged his mind too much; = ''he
had no time 10 spare"
But Elkin cnlt laughed AT tnatr ana Knocked
his quiet air.
Aud mmicked ali he said 20 wen that Barton
and the rest
Declared at ali dron fellows round, Bill Eilin
the hest.
They bore all this 10 Martin. well" he said,
'iic means no harm,
But every weed grown in a man brings thou
sands to his farm.
I've many here To trouble me, clean cultures
hard TO win:
But. with those that spring from earth, l try
10 piow them in.
Bad habits are RINK growing weeds, Yet, If
you pcrseverc.
And pun them up, pillow thenin, the ground
will soon be clear;
bat he who waits, and lets them grow and
bloom and come to seed.
VIII have to harvest in the end fearful crop
indeed"
And - the weeds in Elkin's life. and weeds ON
Eikin'S farm,
GrcTs both npace, and In the end brought farm
and man TO harm.
While Martin throNe, and found his ground it
yearly crop Increase.
And won his way to competence and happi-
ness and peace,
Poor Elkin'S farm and ElSin's self went down
in every way,
Uutil the mortgage which he gave has been
forecloscd to day.
And all his wretched family, homeless, and
>cant of friends,
Are pensioners on Martin now-and 80 my
story ends.
- TAos Dunn English, in the N. y. Ledger.
AT SCI