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Show THE BALANCE SHEET By Dr. G. W. Middleton. The following original poem by Dr. Middleton. printed on a neat folder with Christmas Greetings, was mailed to a large circle of friends : A word with you. my worthy Mend, before the curtain falls, The hour glass of the year is ebbing fast. The milestones on life's highway are speeding swiftly by, For you or me this one might be the last. 1 wish to tell you frankly what your friendship means to me While yet your heart is warm with friendship's glow i The faith we hold unspoken, the eulogy unsung, Will not avail when Fate has laid us low. I wish to strike a balance as the year draws to its close Of friendship's open ledger, leaf by leaf; To itemize the debits and the credits one by one, And summarize the equity in brief. On the debit of the balance sheet I find one single charge Fidelity, consistent to the end, For I had one only thought of loyalty and faith For all who bear the sacred name of friend. The credit of your balance sheet is ample and replete With items cast at random on the scroll, A thousand little courtesies unheeded as they fell Accumulating as the seasons roll. The items in your favor will be registered and filed, And carried as a balance in reserve. And friendship's working capital will have this added force To meet the new year as it rounds the curve. The year so swiftly passing has had its ample share. Of incidents dramatic and extreme; The world as we have known it is passing with the year; And epoch dawns in majesty supreme. The sands of time are shifting, the dial hand of time Is trembling as it marks the fateful hour. The future all uncertain looms mountains high ahead, Almighty in its problematic power. A final word, my gentle Friend, before the changes ring. The twilight of the year is fading fast. Your balance will be carried on a new untarnished page In open ledger method of the past. Do I have your full permission to continue this account, With merchandise of friendship still at par? As we face the fateful future; if you give your frank consent. Our relations will continue as they are. , ' A MELANCHOLY ECHO By William R. Palmer. On receipt of his copy of the above excellent sentiment, our fellow-townsman dipped his virile pen in a bottle of blue ink and inscribed the following doleful reply : The "Balance Sheet" is just at hand From Middleton and Co. Which shows some things, you understand That are mighty good to know. The firm has always shown a bent t To shun the "common way," And the friends it's made thru friendship lent, Have been its friends to stay. We've had so many letters sweet, From other firms of late, Telling how their "methods obsolete" Must now "be brought to date." One tells us how the war has wrought Such changes in the trade, That such goods can only now be bought "With draft pinned to Bill of Lade." Another says that times have changed; That now "the coin must click." For goods the merchant "buys for cash," He cannot "sell on tick." "The profits fat" both reaffirm, And "terms we once could give" By Government are now strained out Through "War Tax's" profit sieve. Another doleful dirge we hear; (Indeed it (ills our mails,) "Call in and settle, patron dear, Before the old year sails." "Your trade we once esteemed, 'tis true, When we trusted you for 'hash,' But now our bills are coming due, So please bring in your cash." And tins goes on from month to month; Till we'd like to ride the hearse, For this has changed ami that hus changed, And always for the worse. This thing we're mighty pleased to note, In your account, by gum. That while it is a statement, true, It sun ly is no "dun." And so while others change their rules, This thing we're glad to know: We still may ileal at .Middleton', On basis "status quo." To end, dear firm of Middleton, Through all the winter's blasts We'll "blow" ourselves for all we're worth, As long as credit lasts. |