The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-07-12
SsIeft 2netrn.
SEQUEL TO BETSEY AND I
ARE OUT.
BY wM. KNOWLES.

4
your papers back,
Betsey and I've agreed to take another
tack
Well! what dye whistle for, and look
30 like jew?
Darn'd if care if you do laugh, for I
can whistle too.
I'll tell you how it came about-when
parting time drew near.
And everything was settled, We both
felt mighty queer;
1 hitched my horse up to your post
but the critter had broke loose.
When got home twas dinner time,
Betsey had cooked a goose.
The table cloth was clean and white
the silver spoons were there.
Preserves was on the table too, and her
best clancy ware.
Twas the last dinner We should eat
under the old roof tree.
Wed been together thirty years, and
now we couldn't agree.
1 looked at Betsey, she had on the
very. gown she wore
On our wedding day, she'd kept it nice,
some thirty years before.
A faded ribbon bound her hair, but
still it looked beftten,
1 gave it her that very day the lawyer
got the mitten.
She turned me out cup of tea, but
neither of US spoke,
couldn't eat single bit, but felt as
though I'd choke.
1 handed her a piece of goose, and
pass'd the plate of bread,
But Betsey had no appetite, and only
shook her head.
The dinner wasn't touch'd at all, for
Joe had gone to school.
l felt right glad he wasn't there to see
us play the fool.
I took my hat, the dog look'd up, but
let me go alone,
He smelt the goose and wonder'd why
he didn't get bone
l wandered over every field and fix'd
the gates up tight,
l didn't mean to have it said the place
was not LETT right,
counted over all the sheep and salt
ed the stock,
Then looked into. the smoke house and
mended up the lock.
/ Next. 1 "red" up the barn and look d
the harness over,
/ rubbed the horses down right clean,
and gave them corn and clover.
By this time Joe was home from school
and babe ME come to tea,
But 1 sent word to Betsey "not to
wait for me"
1 called upon the Squire as previously
agreed,
To come down in the morning and see
US sign the Deed.
When got back twas pretty late,
the chores had all been done,
Betsey and Joe were gone to bed, and
was left alone.
I didn't feel quite satisfied that 1 was
doing right,
But felt too proud and spunky to give
mp to night
1 went to bed: but twas no use,
couldn't help but think,
And turn'd and toss d, and rolled about
but couldn't sleep wink.
1 thought upon the pleasant days we
had whom we first married,
And wondered how it came about that
we had so miscarried-
How day and night " hen 1 was sick
Betsey was at my bed;
How tenderly she nursed me, what
soothing words she said
And turned away to hide her tears and
bathed my aching head.
thought how proud 1 once had felt
when walking at her side,
And how we colnforted each other
when the baby died
1 felt hot as pepper-and my heart sci
upa ttrobbiug-
heard noise-and listened-Betsey
was sobblng.
1 felt tear roll down my face, the
day was just a breaking;
1 got right up and looked abroad; all
nature was awaking.
The birds were twittering in the trees
a haze-was on the river,
And everything I gazed upon looked
beautiful as ever.
i wished we both could live there still,
but twas no use trying,
We'd often tried, and tried in vain,
to stop our argufyiDg.
fed the horses, did the chores, and
run the buggy out,
And when 1 saw the smoke ascend,
! knew Bctsey was about.