Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-04-08
from the Farmers and Manufacturers Journal

From the Farmers and Manufacturers Journt
mere is something very curious in the manner
IN which words can be twisted into rh, mes
Single and double,
TO see how one thing with another chimes;
! nat IS 1t you have got wit enough to plana
story, or something else to write about,
Without
Much trouble.
Suppose we try it now-One Asa Stokes,
''ne OF those men that every thing provokes,
a surly tempered, evil minded, boorish,
III naturcd kind OF being;
He was the Deacon Of the Par sh,
And bad the overseeing
" some small matters, such as the ringing
" the church.bel, and took the lead in singing.
lit.
Well: Deacon Stokes had gone to bed one night,
About eleven;
Twas in December, if my memory's right,
Tvs. cold enough tojmake Russian SILVER.
think never
Knew one
Colderthan this !: in faith It was blue one!
AS by the Almanack, foretold twas,
real Lapand night. Good Lord! how cold twas.
III.
There wasa chap about there named Ezekiel,
a
Who. very often used to get quite mellow:
vt whom the Deacon always used to speak i'll.
For he was fond of cracking jokes
On Deacon Stokes
To show
What terms he Stood among the women folks,
And so
1t came to pass that, on the hight speak Of,
Ezekiel left the Tavern bar-room where
He'd spent the evening, for the sake of
Drowning bis care,
BY partaking
OF the merry making
And enjoyment
Of some good fellows there, whose sole employment
Was in all kinds of weather,
On every night,
& BY early candle light"
To get together,
Reading the papers, smoking pipes, and chewing;
Telling " long yarns and poring down the ruin.
VT.
"Pretty we'll corned," and up to any thing, &
Drunk us Lord and happy as a King,
I" Blue as a razor from his midnight revel,
Not fearing muskets, women, or the devil;
With light heart, 81
Much lighter than feather;
With light soul
That spurned the freezing weather;
And with head
Ten times as light as either;
And purse, perhaps as light as all together;
On went Ezekiel, with great expansion
of thought
Until he brought
Up, at post before the Decon's Mansion.
VII.
With one around the post, awhile he stood,
In thoughtful mood,
| With one eye turned
| Up towards the window, where
With feeble glare,
! candle burned;
| Then, with serious
Face, and grave, mysterious
| Shake of the head,
! Ezekiel said
| Ills right eye, once more, thrown
| Upon the beacon
| That from the window shone j
| Ill start the Deacon"
Rap, rap, rap, went Deacon Stokes knocker,
T But no one stirred Rap, rap, it went again.
"By George! it must be after ten O'Clock, or
They take an early hour for turning in
! TX.
Rap, rap, rap, rap," My conscience how they keep
r fellow waiting? Lord how sound they Sleep"
{, The Deacon then began to be alarmed,
y And, in amazement
Threw up the easement,
!. And with cap on head,
Of fiery red,
s Demanded what the cause was of the riot
is That thus disturbed his quiet.
g "Qutc cool this evening, Deacon Stokes. replied
l. The voice below. swell, well, sir, what's the matt
"Quite chilly Deacon, how your teeth do chatter"
: "You vagabond, pretty time you've chosen
IN TO show your wit, for l am almost frozen,
ape off; or I'll come down and put the lash on!'
nd why, bless you, Deacon; don't be in passion"
Twas all in vain
&C To speak again;
o' For, with Deacon's threat about the lash,
al Down went the sash.
XII.
Rap, rap, rap, the knocker went again;
- And neither of 'em, was light rap.
Thump, thump, against the door Went 'Zek,ers cane
Which out, once more brought Deacon Stokes TO nj
TO- "Begone, you vile,
Ike Insolent dog; or iii
raI Give you warming and should serve you right;
s.. You villain, it is time to end y'ur hoax"