The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-06-30
~ SEE THE POINT"

Two worthy farmers once fell out,
never knew just what about;
Although in every neghbor's view,
The cause was small for such ado.
mes sheep, perhaps, had passed their bour
And pastured on the others grounds;
one had seen the others colt
Across his patch of melons bolt;
! one Of them had spoiled nest,
Because he deemed his right the best,
While vet the others right seemed clear,
Because his hens had cackled near;
ar may be, in some breach OF laws
Tie quarrel had graver cause.
One may have failed, on some pretense,
Tc build his share of border fence;
oy one, with sly and steathy hand,
Had turned br0oklet on his land,
Which else to natures course had kept,
And through his neighbours meadows crept
Marked where it had been wont to pass,
b. tortuous streaks OF greener grass.
Whatever had begun their feud,
4 word might have changed their mood
But either would have judged it weak
That kind and generous word TO speak.
Their hatred therefore gathered strength
With every day; until. at length
Their wlsest friends would try no more
Their old relations to restore.
Then each the other blamed aloud
And told his faults in every crowd;
Then each to SANDER turned his tongue,
As il the cleaner one appears,
The more his neighbOr he besmears.
When now, from passions burning height,
Jones thought he saw just what was right
Although he would have found, when cooled,
That he had been deceived. befooled-
nd Quibble's Office straight he sought,
And all his wrongs before him brought,
And vowed if justice could be won
On earth. it should be surely doac.
Your cause Is good" the lawyer cried,
Il dare for you at once decide"
fhe winds with speed dispersed the news;
Nor could John Virgins well refuse
To stand defense. He thought, besides,
Since law for Just awards provides,
That when the facts were known and barred
For him must judgment be declared;
While Jones should find, that in her school
Dame Justice scourges every fool.
With hopes like these, he spread his case
Before lawyers gracious face
II: grieves me, sir" The man replied,
THAT must take the other side;
Had Jones not been before you here,
would, Of course, for you appear.
Yet let me say. have friend
Whom am free to recommend:
IN practice skilled, in law profound
As any man that walks the ground.
Il note from me will guide you right,
And place this chance in proper light"
as Virgins rose and left the place,
His thanks were radiant in his face.
Thcn from the Office well away,
He wondered what the note might say,
And chose to know; for bubbles haste
The paper in his hand had placed
Without seal. Perhaps he thought
One who at school was never taught
Could read no written lines at all,
Or such at least as lawyers scrawl.
y seize my chance the farmer said,
And as he spoke, he stood and read:
These geese are fat and heavy, brother;
II you pick one will the other"
50! see the point" the man exclaimed,
With waving fist and face inramed;
The gain, K seems, in this affair,
VIII be to those who make us bare
Eat geese, forsoothl In vain the net
In sight Of even geese Is set.
Since Quibble and his learned friend
Would each ns side with warmth defend,
With less regard to right and law
Than 10 the fees they hope to draw,
Ehefr sordid wishes will foil,
ana with my neighbor end the broil."
II men heed not the lesson taught
Their wisdors may he dearly bought.
Poiier's dD,ericdH JOWBdl