The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-10-30
For the FARMER AND MECHANIC.
The Fair.

I tooh my iunch and from my inn
l started for the ground.
| soon was joined by lad and lass.
by farmers, swelk, and such.
AND lockles too with prancing horse
Admlrlng them SO much.
L reached the gate and there I stood
10 let ten wagons pass,
AT last | wedged my way along
Through the mingled molly mass.
The little window at the gate
Contained a handsome head.
Inch told me | must pay my way
II 1t Q my only red
was a stalwart farmer boy
w no from the mountains came.
With big head cabbage to the fair
l thought 1t Was a shame.
10 come way down two hundred miles,
10 help them make a show,
And then to charge me fifty cents,
Wa pretty hard you know;
| paid it up as did the rest,
| would disdain to squabble,
The city swells that stood around
Might class me with the rabble;
pulled my collar up SO straight
And brushed my grey Jeans breeches,
And stepped upon the famous ground
Quite conscious of my riches.
| soon was whirled amid the crowd,
| saw and gaped with wonder,
| strained my eyes at everything,
And saw a heap of plumber.
| saw big hogs, big cattle too,
Big pumpkins and potatoes,
Big corn, big wheat, big everything,
Including big tomatoes;
Big hoes, big spades, big blades to reap,
Big engines with their boilers,
Big ploughs Of every shape and make
From threshers to subscribers.
| saw the tents that had side shows,
All painted Ger SO pretty,
l saw the sharper's at the doors
So eloquent and witty.
I've oft been lost in mountain wilds,
And many a cloud passed Ger me,
But never was [ lost so bad
With scores Of folks before me.
| met a chap SO slim and fair
| knew he want a woman,
| could not think Of what he was
Unless he was a Snowman.
He look so kind, and dressed SO neat
| thought he was a dandy,
But still his style was very good
And everything seemed handy.
He took me by the hand SO nice,
And said he loved a stranger,
To me [ put him SO in mind
OF a real Texas ranger.
l rather liked the little blade
He showed me round the horses,
Ard told me with a cunning wink
His dad was one the bosses.
He took me home with him that night,
The house was very pretty,
His blue eyed sister was SO sweet,
SO kind, SO coy and witty,
MY great rough shoes it seemed to me
Would spoil the nice floor spreading,
1 was so Fl aid I'd blunders make,
And show my want OF breeding,
But vet somehow it seemed to Inc,
They made me feel as easy
ASH was way off at home
Where winds were cool and breezy,
I'd heard the rich in cities bred
Would scarce a poor man MENTION,
But really these folks paid to me,
The s~trictest of attention.
MY heart it jumped into my throat
As Lilly played SO sweetly,
And as she turned her pretty head
Around to smile and greet me.
I'm going back to Buncombe own
And learn and brush up nightly
Perhaps | may rub off the rough
To Lilly look more slightly.
Vance he was a mountain boy
NV daddy knew his mother,
SO sweet a lady he used to say
He felt he was her brother,
But now she's dead, my mother too,
They sang sweet hymns together,
And don't YOU think way up above
That still they know each other!
I'm strong and young and handsome TOO
Why cant | serve the nation
| Will be honest, good and true
In spite OF all creation.
I'm eighteen now and hale and stout,
Lilly three years younger,
Ten years amt much perhaps she IL wait
That time and even longer.
Least wise on this | am intent.
To make me worthy of her
And then perhaps she will not scorn
To own me for her lover.
Tfthese rough lines should meet her eye
To nv crude fancy given
She knows the star that guides my lie,
And lights NE on to heaven.
Curious Specimens Of Northern Bar
barism.'