Edgar Lee Masters (1868–1950). Spoon River Anthology. 1916.

89. Mrs. George Reece

TO this generation I would say:

Memorize some bit of verse of truth or beauty.

It may serve a turn in your life.

My husband had nothing to do

With the fall of the bank—he was only cashier.

The wreck was due to the president, Thomas Rhodes,

And his vain, unscrupulous son.

Yet my husband was sent to prison,

And I was left with the children,

To feed and clothe and school them.

And I did it, and sent them forth

Into the world all clean and strong,

And all through the wisdom of Pope, the poet:

“Act well your part, there all the honor lies.”