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A BALLAD OF GOD'S TOWN
as a rule. During the formative years of a child's life, the teacher
can mold character into whatever channel seems wisest. Thus the
child can really be prepared to face life with interest and capability,
or he can be turned merely into a carpenter, a skilled laborer of the
sort that can get an immediate position on leaving school, but with-
out the interest in life or the development ever to make progress.
As a matter of fact, the employers themselves, if they were to look
deeply into this matter should feel that the boy with the all-round
education seeking his place in life, say at sixteen, is far more useful
to any business, far more capable of doing with spirit and judgment
and interest what he undertakes, than the deadened product of pure
vocational training.
           A BALLAD OF GOD'S TOWN
~Y love that dwelt in London, she sent me word to say
l     That I should speed to greet her before she went away,
       0 fast I hastened to her as feet and heart could fly,
But she was fled to a far townland, ere ever I could come nigh.
    To God's Town, where 'tis weary to follow, 0 there was she gone,
    To God's Town, that lies west o' the sunset, and east o' the
         dawn!
My love that dwelt in London, I broke the roses red
And daisies white-and-yellow, to wind about her head,
But ere I had them gathered and braided in a ring,
She was weaving wreaths on the lawns o' Heaven, in sight of the
   Holy King.
     In God's Town, where lives many a maiden, 0 then was she
         there,
     In God's Town, with a ring of gold glory above her gold hair!
 My love that dwelt in London, she sewed her wedding-gown,
 All shaped of silks and satins, with laces hanging down,
 But when they set it on her, 0 very still was she,
 And she wore it into the far townland ere ever she married me!
     In God's Town, 0 it's there I shall wed her, while all the saints
         sing,
     In God's Town, where the silver-clad angels shall cry welcoming!
                                       MARGARET WII)DEMER
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