Will Carleton

Things at home are crossways, and Betsy and I are out.

If there's a heaven upon the earth, a fellow knows it when He's been away from home a week, and then gets back again.

But I have learned a thing or two; I know as sure as fate, when we lock up our lives for wealth, the gold key comes too late.

I've watched my duty, straight an' true, an' tried to do it well; Part of the time kept heaven in view, An' part steered clear of hell.

To appreciate heaven well, it's good for a person to have some fifteen minutes of hell.

Worm or beetle - drought or tempest - on a farmer's land may fall, Each is loaded full o' ruin, but a mortgage beats 'em all.