BY-AND-BY AND NEVER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2127, 6 May 1889, Page 2

BY-AND-BY AND NEVER

[A Spanish proverb says that "By the road of By-and-by one arrives at the house of Never "] There's a dangeroos little Af rite who aeoosts

us day by day, Upsetting every parpose la a soft, enticing

way, Saying, " Rest from this, I pray you, for to-morrow you can tryIt hard work Is to be done, you oan d j It by-and-by." Though he tell you not to do It, Mind him not, or yon will rue it, For bis words ao smooth and olever

Take you to the house of Never. His voloe is like a siren's, and he always alms to please ; He's as idle as a zephyr, and he bids you take your ease. If your spirit seems to falter, at your elbow he is nigh, Saying, '< Walt a little brother, you oando it by-and-by." Though he tell you not to do it, j Mind him not, or you will rue it, For his words so smooth and clever Take you to the house of Never. i He commands an endless future, and has youth upon bis side, So he makes your little horoscope magnificently wide ; ' Qoite disturbed by earnest plodders, he appeals with witohing eye : •< What's your harry— wait a little— you 1 oan do it by-and-by." Though he tell you not to do it, Mind him not or you will rue it, . ' For bis words so smooth and clever Take you to the house of Never. He's a tricky little prompter, and he always lingers near, Knowing just toe proper moment when to whisper m your year. He o&n span you pretty rainbows, and make fanciful your sky, With his magical proviso of the golden by-and by. Though he tell you not to do It, Mind him not, or you will rae It, For his words so smooth and clever Take you to the house of Never. On your eyes he presses popple*, on your will he puts a brakeJust to keep you soothed and idle, any trouble he will take. When he trains you to hla harness—oh, so mischievous and sly ! — Then you'll doze away the present la a dream of by-indby. Though he tell you not to do it, Mind him not, or you will me It, For his words so smooth and clever Take you to the bouse of Never, '» Harper's V .nog People. "