Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-11-05

, fashion there has been almost an iucTeo-
ible number of poems and songs written
on the subject. A gentleman of sta.
tistical turn of mind, who has pretended
10 keep the run Of the papers, informs
us that he has seen over two hundred
poems and songs on the subject, Some
of the songs are very funny. One enti-
tied "The Grecian bend" to the tune OF
" Vilikens and His Dinah," has had a
very large sale. II relates the story OF
maiden w8o dwelt in the city OF New
York, the daughter of rich father,
who cut big swell"
Much greenbacks and gold each year he did
| spend, =,
And his daughter she went and she took to the
bend.
The father expresseth much surprise
at seeing this change in the form OF his
beloved daughter, but consoles himself
with the reflection that she Inherited 1t
| from her mother, who used to stand Ger
the washtub with that very same bend;
that the daughter explains that such ls
not the fict--that she has the "Grecian
in all its glory, and that, furthermore,
she practices it out of Difference to the
wishes Of her lover, Tallowboy.
oh, no ! laughed the father. the Black Crook
And bend, called the Grecian, is its cousin. I'll
And the cat, sweetest daughter, has oft, opine.
| A kink such as that has riz up in her spine'
| And hardly / think 1t doth dignity lend,
| To copy from pussy her sweet Greclan bend.
But the song goes on to say that Tai
lowboy wooed and won this fair Grecian
bendist:
So the wedding came of in Madison Square.
Borrowed diamonds were plenty, and SO was
And the fash'na 2arson prayed Heaven
blessings to send
| On those who before It did Grecianly bend.
Those who are in the early stages of
this disease would do well to take warn
ing Of the sad story called
THE BLACK CROOK a SAD BUT TRUE TALE.
Miss Flora Gushing was by all acknowledged
And many scene of splendor grand was by
her subjects seen.
As She went SO the nobs all went-whate'er
She joined the Saratoga ring, and soon became
the belle.
Her form and face were faultless, her name
without stain, -
Her dress was locomotire-like. it had SO long
| train;
But dire misfortune seized the girl, and caused
Disease took her right off straight twas called
| the Grecian Bend.
She grew much worse. yet she received no pity
| And though she never had looked fact. they
said shs then locked loose.
Her parents were ia deepest grief-their hearts
Yet M still this girl with 0recian bend kept fol-
| loving her bent.
At last when She found that her. ways her
| friends and parents troubled.
And that her form lost half its charms, al
| thouah she thought it doubled, -,
| She said heuceforth she'd stand erect, which
when she tried to do.
| She'd grown so stff that, IN one tcord, tle uani
sci broke IN tt1o!
"a Moral Tale, with Climax" is the
title of poem which has had the run OF
the press for many weeks past. 1t is all
about Mary some-one-or-other, who had
a little goat, its hair as black as jet:
And everywhere that Mary got
The goat was sure to get.
He followed her 10 a watering place,
where she harnessed it to little cart.
1t capered gsyly round about.
Except when on the road;
And everybody liked the goat
Because tn goat is as good.
Then Mary bought new black dress,
high-heeled shoes and pannier, and she
got, in consequence, a !" Grecisn bend.
This the goat did not like;
He gsEed at her in silent grief.
| And pined away with trouble;
His bleat grew deep, bis eye grew dim,
To see her bent up double;
No more he capered rouad about.
| No more he drew his cart;
And so she took him out TO walk
To cheer his droopiHg heart.
But when he saw her pannier,
Far from the busy crowd,
He got his Ebenezer up.
And bleated long and loud.
Then he bent his body M
And gave sudden jump;
His horn went through the panniers
Aud struck her hip ker-thump.
Mary dropped her parasol.
And gave healthy shouts.
The sfraps gave ou, with sudden snap.
And she was straightened out.
1t is furthermore mentioned that the
goat recovered from his indisposition.
And also;
After that. the other girls.
who heard Of Mary's shock,
All left their panniers a. home
Whea they took walk.
An accident quite as bad as the one
lust related occurred to a lady who had
q "Grecian bend" and was unlucky
enough to get into a street car. Hear
| the result.
She stepped upon the platform
Her a-e cant fsrget-
For Oh I that " Grccian bend " OF hers
Clines 10 my memory yet
Her bonnet some. Jos PEI
But that lovely Grscisn bend Of herr
Was the "heaviest bend 1 met.
Her waterfall was gorgeous.
And all who saw contcrd
That her grace was never equaled
By the Saratora bend.
But, alas. for maiden beauty
Dust will return % dust.
and the most enchantinr bender
] Is dComoi q, mote and raIt.
In rtoorinr % assume Der seat
IA hate 70 tell but musil,
some whalebone thing that STAYED her NJ
Bent douhle-and then busti
A Wesssrner adds one 20 the numerous
aud still increasing number Of poems
Asa specimen Of Western talent Il may
Re worth while 10 give bic intrOduction.
lis called
OF BExDFR
1au hsiur younr ani far.
% riTrinf down the tkronred street.