i9o8 WASTE OF NATURAL RESOURCES 269 



been preserved not for speculators and and civilization. They would have 

 bogus settlers, but for the whole of the been the home of game, where sports- 

 country. They would, under scien- men could have found health and 

 tific forest management, have been for pleasure. But, instead, the land will 

 all time to come not only self-support- become an arid waste, the streams will 

 ing and revenue producing, but they dry up, and the country will lose not 

 would have been more — they would only one of its best possessions, but 

 have been the source of supplies of there will be inflicted incalculable dam- 

 wood for all purposes, for all the in- age upon a vast region which other- 

 habitants of all the country. They wise would have supported vast manu- 

 would have been additions to the rural facturing and other industries, and 

 scenery, which in every State and which would have remained full of 

 country, when attractive, helps culture happy homes and cultivated farms." 



THE SPENDTHRIFT 



By Robert M, Reese, Washington, D. C. 



I 



Into my great inheritance 



I came when I was young; 

 I spent it freely with both hands; 



I mocked, with jeering tongue, 

 At those who sorrowfully said, 



''Beware! The end is near!" 

 And, drunk with riches, shook my head, 



Regarding not their fear. 



II 



My squandered forests, hacked and 

 hewed. 



Are gone; my rivers fail; 

 My stricken hillsides, stark and nude, 



Stand shivering in the gale. 

 Down to the sea my teeming soil 



In yellow torrents goes; 

 The guerdon of the farmer's toil 



With each year lesser grows. 



Ill 



Lord! Of Thy bounty heedless still, 



My store of good I spend; 

 Thy brimming cup I careless spill, 



Regarding not the end. 

 My riches melt away like snow 



Beneath the April rain; 

 And though my hand prepareth Woe, 



Yet may I not refrain. 



IV 



O stay my sinful hand and lend 



My falt'ring heart Thine aid, 

 That these my spendthrift days may end 



And at Thy feet be laid 

 The will to show the past retrieved. 



Thy gifts renewed, restored. 

 That I have spent what I received. 



Thy pardon grant, O Lord! 



