The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1899-10-26
Another Chance.

UncrOOk your fingers from my throat, ana let
me draw my breath.
You do me wrong to take me now-too soon
for me to die
All, loose me from this clutching pain, and
hear the reason why.
1 know I've had my forty years, and wasted
every one;
And yet. tell you honestly, my life is not
begun;
I've walked the world like one asleep, q
dreamer in trance;
But now you've gripped me wide awake-I
want another chance.
My dreams were always beautiful. my
thoughts we're high and fine;
Ne life was ever lived on earth to match those
dreams of mine.
And would you wreck them unfulfilled1
What folly, nay, what crime!
You rob the world, you waste a soul-givs me
little time
You'll hear met Yes, I'm sure you will, my
hope is not in vain;
feel the even pulse OF peace, the sweet relief
from pain;
The black fog rolls away from me I'm free
once more to plan:
Another chance il all l need to prove myself
man.
The world is full of warfare 'twix the evil
and the good;
watched the battle from afar as ore that
understood
The shouting aud confusion, the bloody.
laundering fight
How few there are who see it clear, how few
that wage it right!
The captains flushed with foolish pride, the
soldiers pale with fear,
that swerve and veer,
Tho wild mistakes. the dismal doubts, the
coward hearts that flee
The good cause needs nobler knight TO win
the victory.
A man whose soul is pure and strong, whose
sword is bright and keen,
Who knows the splendor of the fight and
what the issues mean;
Who never takes one step aside, nor halts,
though hope he dim,
But c!eaves pathway thro' the strife, and
bids men follow him.
No blot upon his stainless shield, no weakness
in his arm;
No sign of trembling in his face to break his
| valors charm:
One man like this could stay the fight and
lead the wavering line;
Alb, give me but year Of life-I'll make that
glory mine
Religion7 Yes, know it we'll; I've heard
its prayers and creeds,
And seen men put them all to shame with
poor, half-hearted deeds.
They follow Christ, but far away they wan.
der and they doubt.
I'll serve him in better way, and live his
precepts out.
You see, I've waited just for this; 1could moi
be content
To own feeble, faltering faith with human
weakness blent.
Too many runners in the race move slowly
stumble, fall;
But shall run SO straight and swift shall
outstrip them all.
Oh, think what it will mean to men, amid
their foolish strife,
To sec the clear, unshadowed light Of ono true
Christian life,
Without touch Of selfshness, without /,
faint of sim
u VN:xh ann ebo,$ r,or%l, ~ n,,ob 1iEo a nav
world would begin!
And love-I often dream of that-the treasur,
of the earth;
How little they who use the coin have realizes
its WORTH
Twill pay all debts. enrich all hearts, an,
make all joys secure.
But love, to do its perfect work, must be sin
cere and pure.
My heart is full Of virgin gold. Ill pour
out and spend
NY hidden wealth, with lavish hand, on al
who call me friend.
Not one shall miss the kindly deed, the lal
CESS of relief,
, The generous fellowship Of joy, the sympath
ofgrief.
I'll say the loyal, helpful things that max
life sweet and fair,
I'll pay the gratitude owe for human Low
and care.
Perhaps I've been ut fault sometimes-I'
: ask to be forgiven,
And make this very room of mine seem nve
little heaven.
For ono by one Ill call my friends to stan
, beside my bed;
Ill speak the true and tender words that
. have left unsaid
8 And every heart shall throb and glow, q
GOODNESS melt away
: Around my altar-6re of love-ah, give me b.
II ono dayl
What's thatl I've had another dsy-an
wasted it again7
A priceless day, in empty dreams,-anothe
chance il vain
Thou fool-this ni2ht-it's very dark-th