The Dillon tribune., 1881-07-09
Srinf 9oehv.
A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH.
BY FRANCIS =. SMITH.

A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH.
BY FRANCIS =. SMITH.
A gaunt, ragged urchin was parcntlcss Ben,
With uncovered head and bare feet;
None knew his real age but 1t seemed about
And hi. only abode was the street.
Asa vagabond wa;f he was every whtre
KNOWN
Nlischievous, quick .witted and bright
Contented by day with a crust or bone,
And q bed IN q coal.boN at night.
Ben needed refinement ana polish OF course,
And lie was not extensively read:
fear the professors would hardly intlorsc
The college in which lie was bred.
Fine ethics were not ri his studies il part,
lie had ne'cr heard Of sacred song,
Hnt Il certain instructor down deep III his
heat.
lad taught him the right from the wrong.
SO bravelv he b4tt,cd his num5crlc<, woes,
With the ,nca.cr light which he possess
rs much like soldier Of honor as t.,os,
With greater encouragement blessed.
The iill,lck that followed him many Il time.
lad caused him sharp hunger to feel;
Ent still he presented IA bold front to crime,
Ire might suffer but never would steal.
O,,c day while poor Ben was at play i, the
street,
\ rich man drove car,.le>slv BY.
.And the Wheels OF his vehicle crushed the
waits feet,
Ere ie from the roadway could fly.
\ curse the proud millionaire hurled at TIN
lad,
And then in brutal tone said:
WAY should such poor devils exist: I'd
he glad
!. II, I'll, .,w c~catur,s wc:. ,sa l."
Ten years ro..:.el away, ANA tl,e wall had
y sailor, warm heart ii and brave;
'lc had mad: til. Wild w;de spreading &
ocean his home,
.\ll reioic.,i in Il lit. o., the wave.
H. was stalwart and strong as a hard,
Young oak,
10 his countrv and friends H., was tru.:
II. would melt at Il. sad tale or laugh at !,
Anal wa. lovc,i BY both captain and Crew.
\ bright ,i.,lc fellow, "A p,ssc ,yer's child,
Had captured the he rts o, the men;
II lis ringlets w-rc ,ldcn, lis eyes blue and
mild,
And he was IN idol with Ben.
lie would play round deck when the
weather was clear,
And shout in his innocent .slcc:
And som@tine> woull climb to the rail
without fear,
To g,ze on the turbulent sea.
WI, !, happened one morniny when Ben
was aiott,
And the child on the deck was alone,
Ile'nttcmptcd the feat he had practced So oft,
And into the Wild waves was thrown.
i:a hard TIE bays screI", OF despair
from his perch,
.\nd load cry OF horror he :,-v>
y, he crawl'd DER the yard, while the sh;.:'
yuveu lurch,
\ad boldly PUN :. :ato I'll. wave.
.\;.l the craz,l th:o,y th,.. soon croNd~d
the deck,
An nvali! pa s>engsr stood;
He Ind down from hi, sick while
scarcely awake,
And terror seemed freezing his blood.
Ills :rc,nulo,,s lips with l.f.. crimson were
dyed,
.\nd frenzy was in his d rk cyc:
With ciasp,'d hands appraised. hc in agony
oh: God, must my darling boy die.
\ MON INT of dreadful suspense, but at last
The sailor SO stalwart and brave.
With the precious boy to his bold bosom
held fast,
Appeared ON the crest OF the wave,
"llur' ah! IL is saved.' breaks from ever,
lip,
And thcr with a hearty accord,
"rnrce cheers for the I'c,o! soss mp fren'
the ship
As til. rescued ar hoist.l on board.
Til. invalid father embraces his bov,
And hugs min, again and again;
And then in the midst OF his outgushing JOY,
lletorns from the child to thank Ben.
Ben reals the mans countcnAncc o'cr an
o'e.,
Then ,nuttcr'd, allow strangely We meet
Excuse me, your honor, I've seen you be-
You're the man that ran over my feet
Il was very poor then, a rough boy Of the
town,
With IL, shelter to cover my head:
Nou didn't of course with intent run me
down,
Bat yon wished all poor devils were dead,
IT your wi>!, had been granted. your honor,
that day"
.A"'' helS l''N
And had been placed undtr matches to
stay,
Where now would have been your sweet
child
Il cherish no malice. your honor, oh no:
So y i've me IL shake ot your fin:
I've done but true sailors duty ! know.
And I'm willing to do il again.
I:s, the Truth is, your h nor, now make no
mistake.
That while on life, ocean We SAIL
T,,c m,ane>t and poorest lanllu}'A~r 0:
deck.
Nav be OF some use in gale"
-6""hio"'s 4ea"ties.
dark blu, twillcd flannel "movntain