Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-06-10
g. on FSOWN JEFFERSON w. VA SATURDAY JUN
POETRY.
"BETsY ANDI ARE OUT"

For things at home are cross ways, and Betsy and
are out.
We who have worked together so long as man and
wife
Must pull in single harness the rest of nat'ral life
"what is the matterH" say you7 swanit's hard
to tell
Most of the years behind us we've passed very
well
have no other woman-she has no other man,
Only we've lived together as long as We ever can.
So have talked with Betsy, and Betsy has talked
with me;
So we've agreed together that we can't never
Not that we've catched each other in any terrible
crime;
We've been gatherin this for years, little at
time.
There was stock of temper we both had for
Although we ne'er suspected twOuld take us two
apart; g,
had my various failings, bred in the flesh and
bone,
And Betsy, like all good women, had temper OF
her own.
The first thing l remember whereon we disagreed
Was somethin' concerning heayen-a difference
We arged the thing at breakfast-we arg'ed the
thing at tea,
And the more we arg'ed thequestion, the more we
didn't agree.
And the next that remember was when we lost
COW;
She had kicked the bucket, for certain-the ques-
ton was only-How2
| held my own opinion, and Betsy another had;
And when we were done talkin we both Of US
was mad.
And the next that remember, itstarted in joke !:
But full for week it lasted and neither of us
spoke;
And the next was when I scolded because she
broke bowl,
And she said was mean and stingy, and hadn't
any soul.
And so that bowl kept pourin' dissensions in our
cup;
And so that blamed cow-critter was always comm
up;
And so that heaven we arg'ed no nearer to usgot,
But give us a taste of somethin' thousand times
as hot!
And so the thing kept workin', and all the self
Always somethin' to arge, and somethn sharp to
say.
And down on us come the neghbOrs, couple O.
dozen strong,
And lint their kindest sarvice to help the thing
along.
And there had been days together-and many a
weary week
We was both of us cross and spunky, and both too
proud to speak.
And | have been thinkin' and thinkin', the whole
of the winter and fall,
If can't live kind with woman, why, then,
won't at all.
And so have talked with Betsy, and Betsy has
talked with me;
And we have agreed together that we can't never
agree;
And what is hers shall be hers, and what's mine
shall be mine;
Anc I'll put in the agreement and take it TO her
to sign.
Write on the paper, lawyer-the very first para
graph
OF all tho farm and live stook that she sS'aII nave
her half,
For she has helped to earn it, through many a
weary day,
And IT'S nothing more than justice that Betsy has
her pay.
Give her the house and homestead man can
thrive and roam
But women are skcery critters, unless they have a
home.
And have always determined, and never failed
That Batsy should never want home, if was
taken away.
There is little hard money that's drawin tolrabe
A couple ofhundred dollars laid by for rainy day
Safe in the hands of good men, and easy to get at
Put in another clause, there and give her half Of
that.
Yes, see you smile, sir, at my givn her so much,
Yes, divorce is cheap, sir, but take no stock in
such.
True and fair married her, when she was blithe
and young;
And Betsy was always good to me, excepting with
her tongue.
Once, when was young as you, and not SO smart
perhaps,
For me she mittened lawyer, and several other
chaps:
And all of 'em was Hustered, and fairly taken
down,
And for time was counted the luckieat man in
town.
Ohte when had fever-1 won't forget II soon
was hot as basted turkey and crazy as a loon
Never an hour went by me when she was out Of
sight,
She nursed me true and tender, and stuck to me
day and night
And if ever house was tidy, and ever kitchen
clean,
Her house and kitchen was tidy as any had ever
seen.
And don't complain of Betsy or any of her act IS,
Exceptin' when we've quarreled and told each
other facts.
SO draw up the paper, lawyer, and III go home
tonight,
And read the agreement to her, and see if it's all
right,
And then in the mornin' I'll sell to trsdin' man I
know
And kiss the child that was left TO US, and out in
the world IllgJ.
And one thing put in the paper, that first to me
didn't occur,
That when am dead at last she bring me back to
her;
And lay me und er the naples planted years ago,
When she and was happy, before we quarreled sC'
And when she dies, wish that she would be laid
by me;
And lyin' together in silence, perhaps we will
agree;
And if we meet in heaven wouldn't think it queer
IF we loved each other the better because we have
quarreled here.