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75
THE FOOL THAT DROPS THE MATCH.
It is stated in holy writ that he who calls his brother a fool, is in danger of something very much hotter even than the remark; but there may be cases where the fool himself is not entirely outside of danger.
Certainly, any one who meanders through life with no regard for the rights or comfort, or even the lives of others, deserves some kind of punishment, either in this world or the next—maybe both.
It has been said, that anywhere,The biggest fool afloat,
Is he who makes a rocking-chair
Of some one else's boat:
But equal with him in the race,
The eggs of woe to hatch,
Is, in unknown or known disgrace,
The fool that drops the match.
What is't to him, if, in his haste
A fragrant weed to try,
The folds of woman's pride and taste
Hang dangerously nigh?
What if a precious life recede
With flame-enhanced despatch?
He did not do the shameful deed:
He only dropped a match.
76
In flame may disappear,
Or friends that walked in joy and health,
May nevermore come near?
What if explosions upward spring,
A hundred lives to snatch?
He didn't do much of anything:
He only dropped a match.
Incendiary—guilty one
(As yet not doing time)
You'll learn the lesson, ere you're done,
That carelessness is crime.
But when your future home you view,
And lift its red-hot latch,
No matter then how often you
May drop the lighted match!
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