The farmer went back to the field, and the wife In a smiling, absent way She'd not sung for many a day. And the pain in her head was gone, and the clothes Her bread was light, and her butter was sweet "Just think," the children all cried in a breath, He wouldn't, I know, if he'd only had The night came down, and the good wife smiled 'Tis so sweet to labor for those we love- -Anonymous. THE Industry. 'HE way to wealth is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words: industry and frugality; that is, waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality, nothing will do, and with them everything. Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all easy; and he that riseth late must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night, while laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him. Industry need not wish, and he that lives upon hopes will die fasting. There are no gains without pains. Then help, hands, for I have no lands; or if I have, they are smartly taxed. He that hath a trade, hath an estate, and he that hath a calling, hath an office of profit and honor; but then the trade must be worked at, and the calling followed, or neither the estate nor the office will enable us to pay our taxes. If we are industrious, we shall never starve; for, at the working man's house, hunger looks in, but dares not enter. Nor will the bailiff or the constable enter, for industry pays debts, while despair increaseth them. Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure; and since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. Leisure is time for doing something useful; this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man never; for a life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. -Benjamin Franklin. |