The Problem

From the Rock Island Argus, June 19, 1913.
 By Henry Howland.
 

 Our troubles have increased of late;
     Alas, how problems vex us;
 It seems as if a stubborn fate
     Delighted to perplex us.
 
 We fondly wished our son to be
     A man of deepest knowledge;
 For years we’ve struggled patiently
     To pay his way through college.
 
 We’ve watched his progress with a pride
     That fully has repaid us
 For all the luxuries denied
     And all the care he’s made us.
 
 But by a problem hard and grim
     We are at present weighted;
 We don’t know what to do with him
     Since Willie’s graduated.