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Show i LOOKING BACK LOOKING BACK Did you know: That in 1916, the following poem from the pen of one of our pioneer residents, E. C. Cox, is the last one that he composed. In fact it was not quite completed when he was smitten with paralysis, and from which he had only partially recovered. Like most of his writings, it possesses much merit from a literary point of view, and the sentiment is lofty, as usual. The poem is called- SLANDER Some folks persist to turn and twist The sayings of their neighbors To such a degree, it seems to be The chief part of their labor A word not meant to cause dissent Or any hostile feeling, Will oft' become excuse for some One's secret double dealing A whisper may be heard today That oft' becomes tomorrow So loud a thing that it will bring No end of strife and sorrow. A sentence spoke in simple joke Will circle and meander 'Mongst secret foes, 'till soon it grows Intoa full fledged slander. And so it goes, and no one knows, The discord and contention The fueds begun, the mischief done Through slander's vile invention. Could we but blide at slander's side To where his passion centers, And feel the pang of its cruel fang When in some heart it enters. Some people seem to daily scheme Another's life to sadden They never feel a neighbor's ill Nor strive their lives to gladden But though its rife with sin and strife, If we the disposition To really try, both you and I Can better its condition. The world today has given away To all kinds of delusion And bids to be eventually A babel of confusion. ' From breeding strife, in daily life, And willful defamation We must refrain if we retain High Heaven's approbation. And may we fight with all our might This hatred of each other, And ever be in unity 31 O.i : C: As sister, friend and brother, ' " Whate'eryoudo, be just and true In every condition-Stand condition-Stand firm for right and win the fight In spite of opposition. This world would be, to you and me, A place of love and beauty If we were all, both great and small, Agreed to do our duty. An addage old that's often told As something to enthuse on, Says, "Falsehood vile will run a mile Ere truth can pull its shoes on." And if, indeed, we could succeed In being all united 'Twould make of this, a world of bliss, And wrongs would soon be righted. Dorothy Rogers |