The Richer Mines ~ John Kendrick Bangs

When it comes to buying shares

    In the mines of earth,

  May I join the millionaires

    Who are rich in mirth.

  Let me have a heavy stake

    In fresh mountain air—

  I will promise now to take

    All that you can spare.

  When you’re setting up your claim

    In the Mines of Glee,

  Don’t forget to use my name—

    You can count on me.

  Nothing better can be won,

    Freer from alloy,”

“Than a bouncing claim in “Con-

    Solidated Joy.”

  You can have your Copper Stocks

    Gold and tin and coal—

  What I’d have within my box

    Has to do with Soul.

John Kendrick Bangs