MISCHIEF MAKERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3034, 11 May 1926, Page 1

MISCHIEF MAKERS.

Mr. Fred. H. Murray, forward;! us the following poem which, he states, “is intended only for those whom it may concern.” It is an anonymous poem which appeared in a publication called “The Prize”:— Oh, could there in this world bn found Some little spot of happy ground, Where village pleasures might gcf round )i Without the village tattling! How doubly blest that place would be Where all might dwell in liberty, Free from the. bitter misery Of gossips’ endless prattling. And then they’ve such a cunning way Of telling ill-meant tales: they say: ‘Don’t mention what I’ve said, I. pray I would not tell another.’ Straight to your neighbour’s house they go, Narrating everything they know, And break the peace of high and, low — Wife, Husband, Friend, and Brother. Oh, that the mischief-making crew Were all reduced to one or two, And .they were painted red or blue, That everyone might know them! Then would our villagers forget To rage and quarrel, fume and fret, And fall into an angry pet With things so much below them. For ’tis a sad, degrading part To make another’s bosom smart,And plant a dagger in the heart We ought to love and cherish! Then let us ever more be found In quietness with all around, While friendship, joy, and peace abound, And angry feelings perish.