Oklahoma Sunshine Part 51

Usury knows no law in a new country.

It's a poor claim that won't beat Arkansaw.

It takes more than a map and a real-estate sign to make a city.

All signs fail in dry weather,--except those of the money-lenders.

Better Hurry.

Man, you'd better hurry!

Life is mighty swift, Fled before you know it With the stars adrift!

Soak yourself with sunshine All the blessed day; Yonder come the shadows And the night of gray!

If Love Abides.

Old Mister Trouble hides his face And crosses o'er the slope, When Love is laughing on the place And links her hands with Hope.

No matter if in darkest night Through tangled ways we grope, If Love abides with living light Still lip to lip with Hope!

The Rim of the Circle.

I.

We travel the rim of the circle; the center is under the feet; Today is the sire of tomorrow, the noon and the night never meet; The mornings come out of the purple to die in the light of the day, And over the dead of the ages the living are up and away!

II.

We travel the rim of the circle! The roses are ruddy and red Where the blossoms that burst into beauty are sleeping the sleep of the dead; And the trees in the deeps of the forest wave scepters of laughter and light Where the monarchs have perished forever and sheathed are the swords of their might.

III.

We travel the rim of the circle! The peoples that struggled and wrought Are the dust of the ways that we wander, with truths they discovered and taught; And back to the morning we hasten,--the morning when nations were new,-- For the Voice of the Master is calling, and still there is labor to do.

IV.

We travel the rim of the circle, yet wider and wider it grows, Yet farther and farther it reaches till Love conquers all of her foes, And Faith to the far journey beckons, and Truth with her promises sweet Sounds the call of the masterful ages and hurries the march of the feet.

V.

We travel the rim of the circle! Its path is a way of delight; The morning brings ever the noon-day and conquers the shadows of night; And whether we walk it a little, or whether we wander it far, Still widens the rim of the circle, and yonder the sun and the star!

Playing the Game.

When Willie first began the game, He saw but little in it, And often wondered how he came To let himself begin it; But soon he learned the ball to hit A mighty blow elastic, And shouted at the rise of it With yells enthusiastic.

He talked so much of hits and runs, Of strikes and fouls and bases, That we, the poor admiring ones, Could hardly hold our faces; His boasting never found an end, His bat was always ready, And every day he had to spend Some hours in practice steady.

He never seemed prepared for meals,-- The game held him completely; He kept so busy making "steals."

And running home so neatly; And if a "home run" batted he, We could forget it never; His talk would all about it be Forever and forever!

Sometimes I think that Willie's game Is like the game life's playing: At first we wonder how we came Around here to be staying; And then we find the game is worth The stakes that humans stagger, And anxious are to win the earth With "home run" or "three-bagger."

We practice up from day to day To gain applause and prizes, And fool the precious hours away With toilsome exercises; Yet 'tis worth while whate'er the strife, Whatever you are doing, To play your best the game of life And keep the prize pursuing.

Little Sermons.

Love pardons where the law condemns.

It's a poor religion that joins the church for popularity.

Both G.o.d and the Devil know that neither of them can depend on the hypocrite.

A cup of cold water bestowed in mercy has more christian qualities than millions of dollars given for the astonishment of men.

With the May-time Blossoms.

I.

Out with the May-time blossoms!

How sweet is the May-time song, Far from the griefs and sorrows and all of the cries of wrong!