Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-03-29


Since Adams's days some mon have died,
all are we'll aware, 5000
Whose deeds are oft put down in print wit
gravity and care, 'HAt
Although of truth and charity we ma %
little share.
Now II the clothes, and not the men. wei
made the themes. In troth
There "a be a great variety In all that's dali
taught, ~ l1
And half the world would scarcely deem tn
matter dearly bought.
IT'S strange that those who seek the clothes {
grave immortal men
should e'er forget the wholesome truth oil
hist'ry teaches them.
That ev'ry rag-store may contain preciou
seedy gem. t
A Saxon prince, in days gone by, as we ar
told somewhere.
Bestow'd his collar on monk and let hi
neck go bare,
And for this act the mobiles still knightll
collar wear.
! Yet this brave prince was not as goou ~
writer's strive to show.
For all his clothes we're bought by those whom
he CONSIDERED low,
And all his bills were paid by them without
the blandcst no.
But we can boast happier age, when poll
ticians win,
And no one cares about our coat. or color Of
our skin.
So we can walk up to the polls and put a
ballot in.
The smallest kind of traffic known. except the
sale of rhymes,
Is that of selling seedy clothes for half their
worth in dimes.
Instead of keeping them at home as signs Of
olden times.
Can Grimes now turn his wardrobe Ger, cen
scanty tho it be,
Without feeling in his heart of half idolatry,
When ev'ry piece may proyeea sight worth
half the world to see2
These inky pants. so sadly rent by wear and
moths and mice,
He bought to grace his limbs at church. when
once he thought to splice
The binding matrimonial rope with curly
Cotton Rice.
But disappointment. that old imp which fol-
lows one around
Thro' ev'ry street and ey'ry stall. the cup of
Pleasure found
And all its sweets. prepar' by Love. he dash'd
against the ground.
Yet what memorial now remains of that be-
witching belle?
None, none. save these poor pantaloons she
said she lik'd so well,
And he lin dreams ambrosiaD thought so
irrcsistiblel
Shall he, then. to a Agman give his ripp'd
and mouldy store?-
His relics rude Of happy hopes defunct for
evermore?
10. no!-ne: cen If al the gods we're
clam'ring at his door!
L is an awful thing to think the vest ones
worn for years
Nay pass into thiefs wardrobe. TO wrap
around his gears.
As thro' broken window pane upon his prey
he peers.
And yet it often happens that good mans
seedy coat
upon the burly back of one who
plays garote.
A simple sort of winding sheet about fell
lows's throat.
Whene'er willy Snowman says he's added to
his store
OF waxwork- men. what idle wags will gather
round his door 1
To see an efhgy in rags living figure wore. 4
Whene'er thief is caught or killed in some
unlawful game.
A heavy price is promptly paid, without the
lightest shame,
For ev'ry piece upon his back. to win foolish
fame.
These things should be sufficient guides to
make the moralist
Find out plan to clear away this grim, un-
holy mist,
Ere he maligns the DEVILS mill for grinding
golden grist.
An old toy man is always glad to get ruihan's
blade,
Because it tells a thrilling tale and draws a
goodly trade,
While toys of virtues stamp are thrown be-
meath a single shade.
]. b, SYyyorT.