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A Friendly Word. " " " "I 'am twenty-one" a young man said, "And my heart is light and free, To-day I start on the journey of life, To solve what it has for me."

[erased- "] An old man heard these hopeful words, And gravely shook his head; Then, laying his hand on the speaker's arm, He kindly and wisely said --

"I have a word to speak, my son, Just a friendly word to speak, Before you start on the journey of life, All its hidden paths to seek."

"Life does not always hold its spring, For there comes the autumn day; How youth will fade and the circling years Will render you old and gray."