Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-07-17


For the grade has thus decided,
Spelling much of beauty so.
But in Michigan the streets are lovely,
With long rows of shady trees.
Houses all are on level,
Making thus scene to please.
All who love touch of beauty
AS beneath the summer sun;
You can walk along a level
Or indulge upon run.
With nine months each year of free
schooling
For the children, bright happy band.
High school, university, college,
Each and all in the State doth abound.
Whoever is seeking for knowledge
Will soon learn where it may be found.
But here in this far western country
This capital city so grand
The people economy study.
And most children run loose in the land
For six months in the year there's no
schooling,
Unless private teachers are hired,
No work to be had for the asking,
The children get woefully tired.
So is it any wonder that mischief,
Which oft leads to sorrow and crime,
Is enticing the boys and the girls
And leading them down for all time?
You speak of the closeness of money.
Ask why people are losing their homes ?
They'll tell you Money was plenty
When the country was having BOOM"
But there's poverty, want and priva-
ton.
You'll find it wherever you go.
The real estate bubble has burst
That always brings sorrow and woe.
They tell us, "The West is the place
to make money,
There riches may come in day"
But I've noticed when money is
wanted
To the eastward they hasten away.
In the towns many houses are empty
VA tllC pCOplC hdtC idotCuCu " SOs
They have tired of land of starvation
Where poor man can get little to do.
They've gone back to the East and the
southwark,
And will seek there to make them a
home.
They will pray for the grace of con-
tentment,
And pledge themselves never to roam.
Now the men who will praise up this
country,
And induce Eastern people to come
From fair land of beauty and plenty,
To make in this wildwood home,
Should suffer the great deprivation
OF honor and friends, and alone
Should spend life in sorrow and silence,
In repentance for what they have done.
Worst of all you must say that you like
it;
That this country is something sublime,
Or the people may wish to transport
you
To country more torrid than fine.
Now if there are faults in that country
Of each one you doubtless have heard,
Set forth by some speaker, more flow
cry,
More ready with pen, and with word,
Than l, in my happiest moments.
Could ever aspire to be, Notwithstanding
shout for my country,
The home of the brave and the free.
Thanking you for your patience my
hearers,
I'll close with q sentence or two.
I'll give you one sin, which in common
They hold there, the same as do you.
AS much as love that fair country,
1t is not heaven below.
For Christians vote there for license,
Which ruins their brothers you know
And then there's one joy that is blessed
| A love everlasting and free,
Which reaches all over this country.
| 1t is offered to you and to me.
IT'S the love OF the Father, so faithful,
IT'S the JOY of the Saviour so dear,
Which only can give rest and comfort,
When trials and dangers are near.
His love never changes nor waver,
Wherever on earth we may roam.
At the last, He will call us, if faithful
To rest in His Heavenly Home.
ALICE r. RIDoUT.