Page:The Battle for Bread (1875).pdf/82

 74 Your brother's coat, our boots and shoe,

The secret may divulge,

That clothing is a luxury

In which we can't indulge.

Another bill, a five this time,

For taxes, I declare;

Where's the supply for these demands,

Sad echo answers, Where?

The grocery bill is still unpaid,

Coal out and flour done;

God help the poor and send us aid!

Cold winter's just begun.

Wages, you know, have been reduced;

Men work for little hire;

But no reduction on our rents,

Nor on our food or fire.

The ladies throw their "sheltering arms"

'Round her who's gone astray.

While women pure unaided toil

Uр virtue's rugged way.

With steeples pointing to the sky,

Priests eloquent and great,

"God in the Constitution" placed,—

This is a "Christian" State.

Will legislation bring Him down,

From off His lofty throne,

And help Him hear the orphan's cry.

Or heed the widow's moan?

Jan. 1, 1874.