A Danger Signal: A Poem

A DANGER SIGNAL.

When the old Mother Goose jingles fade from the mind With the folk-lore of childhood, forgotten, behind; When the high-chair and cradle are both laid away With the trinkets and toys of a bright yesterday; When the Fauntleroy waist-coat is cast to one side With the Fauntleroy stockings that age has denied; When the trousers of manhood come down to the ends, Then be wary and cautious in choosing your friends.

The embrace of a "friend" may be only a vise That would squeeze from your pockets the coveted price, The amount that a stranger might dig from a slot. (The hand of true friendship can never be bought.) The counterfeit dollar is made to deceive; The fakir talks friendship to have you believe; When you've money to burn, or to give, or to spend, You'll be never alone, you'll be always a "friend."

Don't think that the world is your neighbor's back yard, Where but babes toddle 'round, while the mother stands guard; Where they play in the garden with babyhood's glee, And sail their toy-ships in the mud-puddle sea; The world has its garden, but, not like your own, It is wisdom to leave its sweet flowers alone.

They are there to decoy the inquisitive eye; Don't partake of their fragrance, but pass thenfall by.

The plot has its honey-bees there, to be sure; — But taste not the honey, 'tis made to allure. Delusion's sweet poison lurks under the hives; The gardener sees, but he only connives.

340 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

If Conscience sounds warning, give ear to her plea,

With her argument, Virtue will always agree; When Vice stands before you, close tightly both eyes, Her modest "sheep's clothing" is but a disguise.

Loiter not down the path where the fruit dangles low, Where Enticement gives each ruddy cluster its glow. As the red light of Danger says, "Don't cross the line!" Let each crimson apple be known by its sign. As Beauty is only the depth of the skin, The eye never sees what the heart holds within. You may look on the fruit, until both eyes are sore; But staring, entranced, is not tasting the core.

Temptation is pleased when you gaze with delight; Each gaze brings you nearer to taking a bite. Mere tasting constructs the foundation to Vice, Once tasted, 'tis easy to taste the fruit twice. The third or the fourth taste is easier still; ('Tis easy to slide, once you've started down hill.)

When you've eaten on, all unaware of your place, Repentance's flash-light portrays your disgrace.

Don't think you can eat without paying a price, Temptation has many a clever device. When the past brings before you the demon Despair, Remorse ambles in witli the whole bill of fare. The bill, once presented you, has to be paid; own fortune is made. 'Tis thus that the devil's

No third party knows what the balance may be; 'Tis determined by Conscience, and not you nor me.

With its gardens and fountains, inviting and cool, The world is a schoolhouse, and life is a school. There's no written law charging fees or admission, But ere you've been through, you'll have paid your tuition. You'll find, above all, there are two things to learn: "Don't honor the dust from the price of the urn;" And, "If you would live a life free from all vice, Should you once taste by accident, never taste twice. "

Walter Emmett. Ogden, Utah.