Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1890-10-21


Flowed with their wonted pleasure7
ayes. he would lodge; and by her viii
A tankard's flowing measure"
whilom the stranger proved guest
No query could unfavei;
Though woman's wit tried every test,
He stin remained marvel.
Each woodland path he seemed to know,
And stream, by intuition ..,.H i.
Van swearingen's spring it's ebb and hOm
The cause, and old tradition.
The curious dame more eager grew,
And all restraint surmouuted,
When near q stand the stranger drew
And there his money counted.
In monotone of sharps and flats
Said, filling two old mittens,
Fifty cents for full grown cats
And twenty-five for kittens ~
''St. Martin, book and candle bring
The devil has enriched him;
Lettering by Van sweatingeu's spring
Tho pixies have beI7itched him !"
Long and loud old Horr, Croft laughed
To rare diversion debtor
'NIein Gott, "he cried, "the man is daft
Mein own good frau no better!"
Major Gratis (such was his name
Most earnestly assured them
Five hundred cats he must obtain
If money could procure them.
"Perchance his host, /" said Major Gratis,
"Those evil days. recalled
When Mecklenburg o'erran with rats,
And the brGyest stood appalled,.
Like MecElchburg, the town ofA,
Beleagpred and infested,
Would TO the vermin fall prey
Ifthey were not arrested"
And he, the worthy Major Gratis,
Would pay from out these ml.tens
Fifty cents for full grown cats
And twenty-five for kittens"
st. Martins day, at twelve by Etrace-
He wished it known distinctly
He'd meet them In the market place,
And thank them all succinctly.
After which, he, said Dempsey Gratis.
Would pay from these same mittens-
Fifty cents for fall grown cats
And twenty-five for Kittens"
His gundolo was on it's way
Adown the "murmuring river"
And all who wished without delay
Could then their cats dcliYOrI
The news from. town to country few
With every household conner
And Gratis proclamation grew,
The theme of Indian summer.
Wild speculation ran apace,
And everything inflated;
The Mississippi bubble scarce
A greater stir created.
Gold was scarce as feather bats
CTbe chronicles inform us.)
But yet, the h6mlet's wealth In cats
And kittens was enormous.
The dead beat who could ne'er before
By any wit or sorcery
Get drink now ran score
At every Inn and grocery.
st. Martins day, e'er Sol could win
From night his solar charter,
There came by dozens pouring In
The cats from every quarter.
They came in carts tied up In sacks
Each way the most want ageous;
Or, thrown across old country hacks ~
They fought and squalled outrageous.
Old ycllOg cas- and Tabby cats,
Thomas cat and kitten =. =.
The beginning and the end CwelI, that's
The head and taiD, It's written,
Were gathered In the market place,
Where every one expressed them;
When Major Gratis. with beaminE face,
Rose, bowling to address them.
But Ger the Major could essay
To tell his deep devotion, .
There came cry Of wild disInay-
And terrible comnotion.
Some one had Froight In devilish mood,
The feIiue's circumscription;
And such scene as then .ensued
Beggared all description.
The fellnea srratched and fan around,
Pursued By man and woman, d
Whose cry With that of cur and hound,
Was more than superhumani
Each claimed some Tab. or Tom, or Rose
Disputed, swore and clamored
Until from words they came TO bIoEs-
Tusseled, bruised and hammered.
Fresh fuel anger lent the fame,
With epithetE sHd odfum;
The market place and streets became
4 very pandemonium
Nan and roman fought, and scratched
The di5taf colors g. tier;
Boys and dogs each other matched,
And rolled into the gutterl
Perforce, conflicting Nature spent,
With many a champion hoored-
Mans sober thought TO reason bent,
And peace atlast restored.
"crats," Major Cratsl" the many called
(The crowd was scrutineered)-
But in good sooth, amid the brawI,
Major Gratis had disappeared.
The golden glinted autumn mist
The winding river bridges,