The Better Plan
Improvement Era, vol. 5, no. 8, June 1902, p. 594
Sarah E. Mitton
694 IMPROVEMENT ERA. ,
rolls on peacefully to the sea. Most of the actors of those scenes have passed to the great beyond, and those who still remain with us have ceased their bitter animosities and perceive many noble points in each other's characters. The memories of the dead are today kept green, and the living besirew the graves of the de- parted with fragrant flowers!
THE BETTER PLAN. (for the improvement era.)
Stand not and gaze so longingly, On things you think most fair; For men are often caught with show, As moths are caught by glare. Of ttimes the face that looks so fair Is but a paltry sham;
Just wait and view it when unmasked, Tis far the better plan.
The hollow smiles that charm the gay, Are nothing more than show; For well-springs of true friendship lie, Deep in the heart, you know. The giddy laugh and empty word, Are traps for erring man. Choose thou the hand with friendship warm, 'Tis far the better plan.
Too oft do we the surface view, The ripple on the stream, And of the current never think, That flows beneath, unseen. Too oft we cast the good aside, In this our measured span, And wreck our bark of life by not Choosing the better plan. Sarah E. Mitton.