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Bee Journal 



CHICAGO, ILL, DECEMBER 5, 1901- 



FORTY-FIRST YEAR 



No. 49. 



The Fence or the Ambulance — Which? 



BY JOSEPH MALINS. 



"Twas a daogerous clitl'. as tbe.v freel.v con- 

 fessed. 

 Though to walk near its crest was so pleas- 

 ant: 

 But OTei- its terrible edge there had slipped 



A duke, and full many a peasant; 

 So the people said something would have to 

 bed( 



But their projects did not at all tally. 

 Some said. " Put a fence round the edge of 

 theelitr;'' 

 Some. "An ambulaneedown in the valley." 



But the cry for the ambulance carried the day, 



For it spread througli the neighboring city ; 

 A fence may be useful or not, it is true, 



But each heart became brimful of pity 

 For those who slipped over that dangerous 

 cliff; 



And the dwellers in highway and alley 

 Gave pounds or gave pence — not to put up a 

 fence. 



But an ambulance down in the valley. 



" For the clilfs all right, if you're careful,'' 

 they said ; 



" And if folks even slip and are dropping. 

 It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much 



As the shock down below — when they're 

 stopping." 

 So day after day, as these mishaps occurred. 



Quick forth would these rescuers sally, 

 To pick up the victims who fellotT the cliff, 



With their ambulance down in the valley. 



marvel 



■It'. 



Then an old sage remarked, 

 to me 

 That people give far more attention 

 To repairing results than to stopping the 

 cause. 

 When they'd much better aim at prevention. 

 Let us stop at its source all this mischief,'' 

 cried he. 



" Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally — 

 If the cliff we will fence we might almost 

 dispense 

 With the ambulance down In the valley."' 



"Oh. he's a fanatic," the others rejoined; 



" Dispence with the ambulance ! Never I 

 He'd dispence with all charities, too, if he 

 could ; 

 No, no ! We'll support them forever ; 

 Aren't we picking folks up just as fast as they 

 fall ? 

 And shall this man dictate to us '. Shall he '. 

 Why should people of sense stop to put up 

 a fence 

 While their ambulance works in the valley ?'" 



But a sensible few, who are practical, too. 

 Will not bear with such nonsen.se much 

 longer; 

 They believe that prevention is better than 

 cure, 

 And their number will soon be the stronger. 

 Encourage them, then, with your purse, voice, 

 and pen. 

 And (while other philanthropists dally) 

 They will scorn all pretence, and put a stout 

 fence 

 On the cliff that hangs over the valley. 



Better guide well the young than reclaim them 

 when old. 

 For the voice of true wisdom is calling: 

 "To rescue the fallen is good, but 'tis best 



To prevent other people from falling." 

 Better close up the source of temptation and 

 crime 

 Than deliver from dungeon or galley : 

 Belter put a strong fence round the toj) of the 

 clift. 

 Than an ambulance down in the valley! 



— Selected. 



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