The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-12-11
An AULDEn,s GOAT.
BIT JOHN ". HArroN.

BIZ JOHN ". HArToS.
Alb Aulder lived a lonely life. for he could not
agree
With kith nor kin, nor friend NOR foe, so cross
and mean was he;
But Abner had . weakness for dogs and goats
and cats,
And as often as he ate himself he fed the mice
He loved his horses, cows and sheep. but most
Of all . goat,
Called Billy. whom he oft declared had sense
enough to vote.
II Billy was so very wise twas Abner made
him 50.
For everywhere old Abner went the goat was
sure TO 90.
He sasshs me beast 70 fight the boys. and drive
them from the place,
And laughed until his sides were sore at many
afrantic race
Fun many . boy went Hmping home to nurse
hfs wrath and pain.
But never loit<red thereabout nor pestered Alb
again.
And when a peddler CHANGED that way, to vend
his wares. 'tis said.
He paused without the gate awhile. to feel Of
Bflly's head
Which was as hard as any stone-he felt its
hardness. too,
For Billy spread him on the ground and bang
ed him black and blue.
Bible agent came one day; q pious man was
But Billy chased him ont the yard and up
{ apple tree.
From which the man of tracts made tracks, in
haste to get away.
When Billy left him for spell to MUNICH wisp
ofhay,
And when the man Of lightning rods came down
to Aulder's farm,
Old Abner said the goat was tame, was sure he
meant harm;
But ere the peddler drew his breath, he thought
n Ne nil RIU
By something like q thunderbolt as fast and
Now all the neighbors stunned the place; old
Alb was left alone,
In health, in sickness, all the same. none heard
Va his plaintive groan-
He almost died when sick one day-none tried
his life TO save;
But all agreed that Billy should go with him to
the grave
They'd kill that goat" when Abner should
'pass in his checks" they said;
Some favored torture-aIl agreed kill the
creature dead.
Vow Billy had grown cross of late. for wanto
exercise;
He hated everything that moved. his master.
too. despised.
But Abner loved him all the more. the meaner
And chuckied at the mischief done. the money
he had saved
He swore If Parson Brown would come that
way to sing and pray
He'd pay his salary for . year. and "plank it
down" next day.
But Abncr knew the parson would as lief
Like Jonah. IS to meet old Bill, and take his
head in tow.
The wicked shall not live, tits said. but half
three score and ten,
But Abner had grown pretty old, and very gray.
In sin;
And the goat was sure the DEVILS own, if goats
are owned below.
And all agreed where Abner went the goat was
sure to 20.
Hard by. bridge OF logs was built, across .
chasm deep,
And 10 this bridge old Alb would 60 to mediate
and sleep.
Now Alb had bought some strychnine and soak
ed it well in corn
To dose . nock Of turkeys that belonged to Mrs.
Dorm,
corner shelf;
Nocreature knew the secret dire. except old Alb
himself
Then Abner hied him to the bridge to take his
MONDAY sleep,
While Billy eyed him from afar. so plump, and
fat. and sleek.
He thought how funny it would be to pounce
him in the rear;
For Alb had learned him all these tricks, and he
should have his share.
The neighbors found old Abner dead. down in
the gulch below;
The goati The goatp the farmers CRIED "old
Billy now must CO."
But Billy had :orcstalled his foes; he'd eaten Of
the corn
His wicked master had prepared upon this fa-
tai morn.
MORAL.
Those who delight in giving pain will soon or
late be found
Caught in the trap. for others set. they go
sneaking round.
COLUMBIA. Mo.