The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-10-31
DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.

DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.
My Uncle Solomon's three balls hang
Out on Third avenue;
They're golden as a certain bang
Ger certain eyes of blue. -------
A shrewd old man, my uncle; we
Have heard him called a scamp
Perhaps you'd like to know how he
Was taken into camp? -s-.sy=s-ss
The day was warm-tne month was June
Twas three O'Clock. and Monday;
My uncle's soul was out OF tune ,fF.
No loans he'd made-since Sunday. 90
He gloomy sat-was musing Ger ID
Hard times that poor men crushed
When suddenly swung to his door, I
And in q stranger rushed.
Beneath his arm the stranger held *
A rosewood fddle-box:
Unjust catch this train." he almost yelled
Keep this hh'f IN & place safe and dry
I'm going out of town: lla
1t contains a violin -good-byo." 1909
Then he laid an eagle down.
Before he left he said: "Next week
I'll cali forit," then flew
Out of the store just like streak
OF lightning from ones view.
My uncle rubbed mis- hands. and said:
"A gentleman! inner
1never meti Why, bless my headl"
Then he pocketed the skinner"
The days passed on till Friday came,
And with it came another
Gentleman, who gave the name
OF Herr Flip-Fiap Won Snuther.
A violin he wished to buy
That would vibrate i'm fine way:
For, on Monday night, he was to try
A masterpiece in Steinway.
He tried every one my uncle had,
With more or less disgust;
1'No usel no use! Too bad! too bad!"
He mutterei. Then: al must
E Procure a violin to-day
If it cost five huRdred dollarr'
Hold on, my frienGt-just right away
I'll got yeu one may holler"
And then he got a key. and he 81,
Got out the strangers fiddle:
Herr flip-Ffap simpered, pityingly:
Your language, sir, s a riddles"
But still, he took the VIOLIN g ls. s-t
Twas anything but new E4
ana, with patroniZing grin,
The bow across it drew.
Perhaps you've heard the night winds sing
Through tall fcolean pine:
Perhaps you've heard the night birds ring
Out anthems half divine:
Perhaps you've heard u brook run down
A mountain to the sea.
But YOU We never, in a wicked town,
Heard such a melody
Herr Flp-FIap played, and played and
As if he'd never stop. 9sF -
TIE sweetest airs that Herr Strauss made
Were played within that shop.
f1nally he stopped, and cried. ~
WIKI inspiration craZed: ,tF-
Il ii eff five hundret dollars ride
Away for taisi" Anna ed,
Ny uncle clutched the counter,
SO surprised he nearly fell
Then: "If, my fricnut, you're bOua'ter
Have the yioiiu-why-wel!-
You call arounit on Monday
With sir hundred dollars. and
No-to morrow is my Sunday
will place il in your hand"
Monday came. and with it Cox,
Ny uncle hesitated
When Cox asked for his fiddle-box,
And sort of meditated.
He bid for it, ten dollars first;
Cox didn't care to sell:
Fifty, theni" as if he'd burst;
Zone! two hundred" with yell.
My uncle plead, and plead, and plead.
As if his heart would break,
I'LL at last with streaming eyes, he said:
what for il UiH you taker" -
Seven hundred dollars! Moses o!
Who ever heard such talki
gift you four!' We'll don't know
All right. hand out the chalk"
NV uncle counted out the chalk,
With gasps. and signs. and groans
Then Hungry-Cox he took q walk
From my uncle's shop of loans.
Monday went. SO did June,
Herr Won Snuther never came;
My uncle's souls been out of tune
Since he learned the bunko game.
John T.. MCdnn, in N. I. Star.