Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1901 — The Parson's Limit. [ARTICLE]

The Parson's Limit.

He’d been preaching and exhorting * For a score of years or so In a portion of the vineyard Where the harvesting was slow; Where the temporal inducement For his ceaseless diligence Was a promise of four hundred For his yearly recompense. Unrelenting was the ardor ' . He devoted to the cause, And though slowly came the dollars, Still he labored without pause; Till one day they came and told him. As he kicked against the pricks, That they’d raised their offered stipend From four hundred up to six. Then the good man sank exhausted, As he feebly made reply; “Don’t, I pray you, men and brethren. Thus my patience overtry; For to glean the four you've promised Hath so warped my vital store That ’twould kill me if you taxed me To collect two hundred more.” —Boston Courier.