NEVER SATISFIED

Southern Cross, Volume 10, Issue 20, 16 August 1902, Page 6

NEVER SATISFIED

A philosophical contributor, writing from a dry district over the Murray, to a Melbourne paper, says, “ we’re never satisfied, ” and moralises upon the curious fact that your city man generally has romantic ideas about “ settling on the land ” ; while on the other hand, those who are brought up on the farm almost invariably conclude that real happiness must be associated with life in the city. He puts it in this form: — I wish I was a farmer, sighs the shopkeeper, and be From all these pretty dragging cares just absolutely free. No books to keep, no debt accounts, no bills long overdue ; No fretting, fussy customers, who put you in a stew , Because a thing is old or wrong, too dear or under weight ; No worrying to suit their tastes from early dawn till late ; But flowery fields and lowing kine, and pleasant fireside chat How gladly would I shunt this life if I could change for that. I wish I was a merchant, sighs the farmer, ]ust to end This life of tugging dragging work which makes the body bend, To stoop with age ere age has come. It’s plough and sow and reap, And milk the cows and feed the pigs, and mind the calves and sheep From morn till night, fromjyear to year, and interest piling high, While o’er the rainless plains we watch the crops and cattle die. For rain or shine the city man is troubled not a jot. I wish I could get down to town and share his happy iot.