Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-01-20
lFor the RutlaM HERALp.l
Coupon BOnds..sA Safe story,
By c. B. BALLARD.

Twas morn, and an esteemed cashier
Backyard, as usual, made his way.
And 10! the door is wedged! elbow queer
"Must be that something is to pay :"
But, with calm directors aid,-
One seldom known. to scold or chafe-
An entrance carefully is made;
What finds he there? brokenssafe
hqstanter the report goes forth-:
oThe Bank is robbed the safe is blown
"To pieces not red cents worth
aOf money left the rogues have flown -
Anon stockholders are astir,
Not relishing the crushing news;
While every safe depositor
OF Bonds is stricken with 1.-THE Blues !"
Meanwhile outsiders, like myself,
Who, as is usual, had no part
In the accumulated pelf
And so, for once, were gay OF heart,
Have gathered round, intent to hear
And see-you know tits natural, quite,
To help, with sympathy SINCERE,
All who are found in sorry plight.
Directors, stockholders and all
Depositors admission gain;
But mere spectators, short or TALL
Must stay outside, content to strain
Their eyes and ears and legs, to learn
What's being done or said within;
And, when permitted, take their turn
At hanging on with nose or chin.
L gathered now and then word,
BY holding close my sharpest ear;
And cen some stray remarks heard,
Worthy of brief recital here:
But learned things mainly from the looks
Of those within-so true it is
That faces can be read like books,
And thoughts are written on the phiz.
Two skilled mechanics, strong of arm,
Are called, and, strange to tell, are asked
To search the safe, but do it no harm!
Aud find their wits most sorely tasked!
But soon depositors allege
That one thing only can be done
Just finish up, with sledge and wedge,
The work that burglars have begun!
One cody mag, who can't be blamed
For thus adopting the safe plan,
With hands uplifted, thus exclaimed
so dear am ruined man!
"These burglars-but they'll all be caught
With that they were noa0 in''-well,
The place he wished them in, ought,
And yet am hslf afraid, to tell.
A doctor to a friend Observed
"Your Bonds OF course were registered -
Alas the other, quite unnerved,
Had scarcely strength to add word
So weak he'd he become and yet
He made this answer, sharp and quick
A thing that doctors oft forget
"Let me alone, for I am sick"
III.
And now, by hard, persistent knocks
On wedges fifty pdsced, the breach
Is widened, and the precious box
Of Bonds is almost within reach2
Anon a slender hand quick grasps
And lifts it, but it feels SO light, G
The liftsr, frightened, family gasps-
1.-The Box gaess-~iS empty-Quite!"
What transformations strange are seen =
All faces heightened out SO quick!
Such elongations of the mien,
Surprising any juggler's trick -
Struck speechless each appears to be,
At fancied loss of boarded pelf
Each in the other now can see
A perfect picture of-himseIf.
At last the breach is made SO wide
The Box is taken out, with care;
And, while each heart seems petrifed,
IT'S opened, and the Bonds are-Aere!
And 10! as by some strange device,
All faces shorter grow, By hdlfi
And while we listen, in trice
Succeeds thin, transparent laugh!
The door Is opened now, ana all
Can witness free the closing scene;
While those to whom the treasures fall.
Pass out all quiet and serene,
And cen the godly man withdraws
His wish, or rather makes it even,
By lacking on this SauiRg clause
COR else were all of them in Heaven.
So, when Story l would tell,
AS strange as Fancy ever dreams;
Foreboding i'll, yet ending we'll -
Thus introducing both extremes
And ask myself what it shall be,
My Muse, with confidence, responds
"Relate, in modest verse and free,
'"The Story of the Coupon Bonds
Castleton, Jan. Is, 1870.
O. "Reminiscences.