The Evolution of the Ambulance Chaser.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE AMBULANCE CHASER. By L. G. Sm1th. IN THE YEAR 2. AWAY back in primeval times, when Mother Earth was new, There wandered aimlessly through space, its mysteries to view, Two spirits from another world, some shining, distant star, To note the change resulting from the last creative jar. "Aha," cried one, "methinks I see another little world, Which from creation's workshop hath recently been hurled. Let's hie us to this new-born globe. I'd dearly love to see What kind of living creatures its inhabitants may be." They rested on our Mother Earth, and paced its barren strand. It was void of population, a rocky, sterile land. No green thing grew upon its face, nor flower, nor vine, nor tree, While far beyond them as they stood, there stretched the shifting sea. Upon its glassy surface those spirits gazed with awe, Struck dumb with consternation at the carnage which they saw; For its waves were thickly peopled with creatures hard of shell, With eyes protruding from their heads, whose presence was a knell Of death, to any living thing within those waters black, If once those awful scavengers should get upon their track. One spirit spoke, " What are those fiends, who feed on luckless mites?" The other answered, " From their nerve, I'm sure they're trilobites." IN THE YEAR ICj02 A.D. When many eons rolled along, these spirits did return To visit Mother Earth again, its present state to learn, How vast the change! The desert spot had blossomed into flower; Where once was dearth and barrenness, now countless cities tower. A myriad peoples crowded where once no foot had pressed; They ruled the land, they tilled the soil, they rode the billow's crest. Man's mind had chained the elements to do man's mighty will; Man's work had left its imprint on harbor, vale and hill. The spirits gazed in wonder upon the surging throng; The haughty and the humble, the feeble and the strong; Each in a feverish scramble to reach a common goal, The great almighty dollar, regardless of his soul.
263
