The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1898-09-20
JEFF HND JOE.
published BY request.l

eudO dre pdSI duu gone. i
is written by William De We
the tramp poet" and is said
be a true description of an in
dent which occurred seve
years ago at Creede, Colorat
when Jeff, alias "Soapy" SIN.
and Joe Simmons were in "bu
ness" there
Knowed Joe Simmons Course did.
Knowed him fore he up and slid
Cross the Range that blustery day.
Did he slide Well should say
Not the way you meant though.
Up the hill he toted Joe,
An we laid him meath the rocks.
Death had called the turn. Jack Box
Fore he cashed in JEFF Smith come,
Asked II nothing could be done.
Je1, yer see, thought well OF Joe
Knowed him thirty years or So
Palled together down below.
Joe liked Jeff and Jeff liked Joe.
An through all the changin' years
Sheered each others smiles an tears;
Worked together. tooth and nail,
Punchin' cattle up the trail;
Dealt the old thing; tackled bluff;
Each one blowed the others stun.
An when one got in the hole
Together just dug up the roll.
So the gang all came TO know
Joe liked Jeff and Jeff liked Joe.
When the big excitement came
Every man that played game
Square or sure, that could succeed.
Packed his grip and went TO Creede.
Gamblers, miners. suckers. marks,
Spoilers, macers, bunC sharks,
Men OF money, men OF greed
Every one fetched up in Creede,
An with all this human show
To the front came len and joe
Opened up the "Orleans Club"
Slept on tables. cooked their grub.
An commenced to cop the dough"
Till Old death showed up for Joe.
Jeff dropped in TO see the end
OF his staunch old pal and friend,
For, yer see, he wished to know
The last wishes OF poor Joe.
Hello. Joe. you're gainin' ground
Jeff remarked, looxin' round.
But Joe answered "Yes. the change
Soon'll take me cross the range.
But, old pal, before go
Just you tell me, yes or no,
II ever throwed friend.
Didn't stay to the end
Through the toughest of the tough :
Did ever take a blun
Did I ever. through my whole life long,
Ever do friend a wrong
Ever treat poor cuss mean
Hain't antied my last bean
Can you show me airy place
Where 1 weakened in the race
Tell me- JEFF, my race is rum
And Jei1 answered : Mary one"
We'll" said Joe, I'm glad Of that,
1t comes easy to stand pat
When you know that you've done right,
Even death itself looks bright.
So, old boy, don't preach OF pray;
Keep the gospel sharks away
It's no use to call them late
Just to boost me through the gate.
Let the boys just gather round,
From each bottle knock the neck.
Fill each glass with Pommery Sec:
Let each staunch friend drink this toast
Here's to old Joe Simmons
In hereafter, II there be
Such place for you and me.
Let the gang, all hand in hand.
A jolly, good and jovial band,
Open out, and all in line,
Sing together. 'Auld Lang Syne,"
In uafd - To. holl lo -
And Joe answered Let her come ~
Maybe you don't think that we
Kept, in all sincerity.
Jeff's last promise to Joe
Up the hill, through binding snow
Came the wagon with the box;
Up the mountain, round the rocks,
Bill Kinneavy, Hugh Moran
And Old Boy Jeff led the van;
Up the mountain through the snow
Till they reached the grave OF Joe.
There, with heads uncovered all,
Jef Smith opened up the ball
And asked II anybody there
Gould say Joe Simmons wasn't square,
Or ever yet wrong had done
To friend. All answered: Mary one,"
"NAAt NNh ANPhSaf WIS 10 bnC cilu
OF old Joe Simmons, my best friend.
/ promised him I'd do my best
And with the gang lay him to rest.
Now I'LL your glasses fall in line,
And sing the days OF Auld Lang Syne.'"
They drank and sang. The pure white snow
Fell softly on the grave of Joe.
And as for Jeff, we'll, may say,
No better man exists to-day.
don't mean good the way you do
No, not religious-only TRUE
True to himself, true TO his friend;
Don't quit or weaken to the end,
And 1 can swear, IL any can.
That Jeff will help his fellow man.
And here thank him-do you see =
For kindness he has shown 20 me.
An this 1 say, when all is DER
And Jeff has crossed TO t'other shore,
only hope that you and me
VIII stand as good u chance as he.
The big Book says--that is, think
L says-that whose givetb drink
And food to even one OF these.r
rhe Savior he is sure to please.
And sky pilots say this is so,
But then, OF course, do not know
That either they OF can learn
L sinner how to call tho turn
3ut this do kunus avarv tive