Advantage of Taking a Newspaper

by unknown

Source of witness transcribed: Sunbury American and Shamokin Journal (Sunbury, Pennsylvania)

Date of witness transcribed: 3 July 1841

Notes about this poem: "Advantage of Taking a Newspaper" was printed in at least 210 newspapers during the nineteenth century. It can be found using ID 155563 in this table of most widely-reprinted poems.

§

The following exhibits the genius and talent of a true poet, of one who is destined to render himself immortal by his inspirations. There is a moral to it, an inspiration, which should stir up the soul of very liberal minded and intelligent beings:—Boston Transcript.

---

• I knew two friends, as much alike
• As e’er you saw two stumps;
• And no phrenologist could find

• A difference in their bumps.

• One took the papers, and his life
• Was happier than a king’s;
• His children all can read and write,

• And talk of men and things.

• The other took no papers, and
• While strolling through the wood,
• A tree fell down upon his crown,

• And hurt him, as it should!

• Had he been reading of the news
• At home, like neighbor Jim,
• I’ll bet a cent this accident
• Would not befallen him!