THAT BLESSED WORD.

Observer, Volume XI, Issue 754, 10 June 1893, Page 7

THAT BLESSED WORD.

If you want to work a swindle that will roll the lucre in — If you do not care for risking what the loaded dice may win — If you're really iv a corner, and have failed to live on suction, Do your duty like a Trojan, and prepare for ' Reconstruction.'

Borrow from your oldest friend, your ' uncle,' or your brother, Give parohment bonds for land and gold— of payment do not bother, And if the fools should dun you and hint of court compulsion, Suavely smile upon them snd suggest a ' Reconstruction.' Swell round the town in diamond rings and sport a shiny tile, Give 1.0.U.'s to pay the bills, and do it all in style ; Buy up a seat in Parliament, but — never try production, And if at last you're cornered go — straight for ' Reconstruction.'

If you would loot an empire with no danger to your hide, If you would rob your neighbonr and yet not wish to ' slide,' Erect a pillar savings-box — put up ita shares to auction, And if the mob should c rush ' yon, why, ' Suspend for Reconstruction.' Here's a splendid hint for ' statesmen ' when the nations cash is spent. And the People are impoverished by the laws of shent-per-shent : If the London money sharpers will not take a slight reduction, Post a Premier-proclamation and ' Suspend for Reconstruction.'

If you would rob the multitude and rake the plunder in, Hire the leading Daily Liabs to instil their logio thin, And when the People's brain is drugged by yards of false deduction, And you've their scalps in iron safes — • Suspend for Reconstruction.' But the ' beastly mob ' is restive and its chiefs are dangerous men, They might some day raise a ruction round eaoh granite gambling-den : They might ' rob the robbers ' fairly with ■ a judge's signed injunction And ' suspend ' the board of management to wait for ' Reconstruction.' Abthtjb Desmond. Written in Sydney Gaol, April 24, 1893.