The River Greed

Down through the valley of Pull and Haul the river of Greed rolls past;

A dangerous stream to live anear whose current is dark and fast.

And on its bank of treacherous sand a million souls reside,

Who fish all day with the bait of Trade on its ever restless tide.            sweeping

And some catch more and some catch less, but they whose luck is best,

Will never draw line to give more room to the poor and needy rest;*

For they’ve learned to love the river of Greed with its chance of rise and fall,

Which flows all day in a treacherous way through the valley of Pull and Haul.

                                                                             

*Will never draw line to and give away to the poor, unfortunate rest

March 4-10, 1893

Pub. in Yankee Blade,

Sept. 15, ‘94