HUSTLE THEM IN. Dedieuted to the Fae-cent Lodgang-house.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1574, 5 August 1882, Page 6

HUSTLE THEM IN. Dedieuted to the Fae-cent L odgang-house.

BY WILL 0 VUXLTOX. Hustle them in, jostle them m, Many of nation, mid divers of kin. Sallow, and yellow, and tawny of skin — Hustle them, bu&tle them, josth them in ! Handfuls of withered but suffering clay, Swept from the east by oppve.<-sUn aw;iy ; BjiHed adventurers, couquercd and prossod Back from the gates of the glitteiing West : Men who have struggled 'gainst D( shiny's frown Inch after inch, till she hunted them down ; Men who with indolence, folly, and guiie Carelessly slighted Prosperity's smile. Scores in a tier — pile them up here — Many of peoples and divers of kin ; Drift of the nations, from far and from npar. Hustle them, bustle them, jostle them in? Islands of green .mistily seen ? Hover in visions these sleepers between ; Beautif al memories, cozy and clean, Restfully precious, and eweetly serene, Womanly kisses have softened the brow Lying in drunken bewilderment now : Infantile faces have cuddled for re&t Here on this savage and rag-covered breast. Lucky the wretch who in Poverty's •ways Bears not the burden of " happier days": Many a midnight is gloomier yet By the remembrance of stars that have set. • * Echoes of pain, drearily plain, Ceme of old melodies sweet and serene; Images cad to the heart and the brain , Rise out of memories cozy and green. Hustle them in, bustle them in, , Fetid with; squalor;; and reeking Math.* gin.. - • ..', r /" . Loaded with misery, folly, and sin— Hustle them, bustle them, jostle' them . iul- -

Few are the sorrows so hopeleuly drear But they have sad representatives here j Never a crime so complete and confes* sed But has come hither for one night of rest, Seeds that the thorns of diseases may bear Float on the putrid -and smoke-laden air; Ghosts of destruction are haunting each breath — , Soft-stepping agents, commissioned by Death Crowd them in rows, comrade or foes, Deadened with liquor and deafened with din, , Fugitives out of the fros f s and the shows, Hustle them, bustle them, jostle them in ! Gnilt has not pressed unto his breajt All who are taking this dingy uoresfc Innocence often is Misery's guest ; Sonow may strike at the brightest and best. You from whom hope, but not feeling, has fled, This is your refuge from pauperhood'a bed ; Timorous lad with a sensitive face, You have no record of crime atad disgrace ; > ,' - Weary old man with the snow-drifted hair, Not by your fault are you suffering there, Never a child of your cherishing night— Tis not for sin you so drearily die. Pain, in all lands, smites with two hands : Guilty and good may encounter the test ; Misery's cord is of different strands ; Sonow may strike at the brightest and best. Sympathy's tear, warm and sincere, Cau not but glisten while lingering near. Edge not away, sir, in horror of fear ; These aie your bi others — this family here ! What if Misfortune had made you forlorn With her stiletto as well as her scorn ? What if some fiend had been making you sure With more temptation than flesh could endure ? What if you deep in the slums had been 1)0111, Cuidled in villainy, chiistened in scorn? What if your toys had been tainted with crime ? What if your baby hands dabbled in lime ? Judge thorn with ruth. Maybe, in truth, It is not they, but their luck, that is here. Fancy your growth from a sin-nurtured youth ; Pity their weakness, and give them a tear, Help them get out ; help them get out ! Labor to teach them what life is about ; Give them a hand unencumbered with doubt : Feed them and clothe them, but pilot them out ! Suffering moitals, whate'er they have been, Soonest can mend from assistance with' Hi, Warm them and feed them — theyVe animals then ; Teach them and lovu them — they spring into men. You who 'mid luxuries costly and grand Peculate homes with munificient hand, Uoc, in sjinc measure, your exquisite ill IS For l lju improvement of minds and of hoaits. Lilhes must grow up from below ! Wheio the strong lootlets are twining about ; Goodness and honesty ever must flow From tlio heart ccnties — to blossom without.