Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-07-13
O. 1865 ALEXANDRIA, MONDAY EVENING, JULY l3
AIexanoria 6azette.
Entered at the Postofice Of Alexandria, Vir-
ginia, SIS second-class matter
A pRAUGHT OF WATER.

was a weary passenger
Upon the trolly train;
The air was dry and m0tiOnless,
The sun smOte down amain.
Nv throat was dry and husky,
Nv lips were parch'd almost;
And still the heat Oppressed me
thought that | would roast.
/ hunted for q water tank
To get cooling draught:
"COnductor--where--Oh tell me l''-
He look d at me snd laugh'd;
And then he strangely eyed me,
As IL he thought me queer
"You must be from the country,
Such things We have not here.
Eve haul the jolly passenger
Upon our trolly train
But for drink Of water,
Good SIR, he'll look in vain
"For ice you know is costly
And labor's scarce and high;
And people are 50 waste full
These are the reasons why.
about our noble company
You know there's nothing mean,
But the traveller up TO date,
1f- Should carry a canteen."
At Last we reach'd the station
Z / sprang with gleeful shout
The draught that / had long'd for
Was here without doubt.
/ sought the water cooler
1 seized the empty cup
turn'd and turn'd the spiggot;
Aud then gave it up.
Each passenger incoming
~ To board the waiting train
Yried like myself that spiggot--
Bot tried and tried in vain.
into the street I hurried
Ny feet they had no rest
-water-water--
Was still my eager quest.
The concrete pavement blistered,
The sunbeams smote and burn'd,
No breeze brought wait Of freshness
Which ever way turn'd.
/ pass'd saloons, a dozen
They faced me everywhere
LTleu 10 DuJ SOLuc ndtci
"GOod sir-n0 water here.
"We do not deal in water
IT'S not our stock in trade;
But we have foaming lager,
And wine with sparkling bead.
/ went into grOcer's store
I knew the salesman we'll
A drink of water if you please
He said-"I grieve to tell,
"Our water tank is empty
We drink but little here
It's not worth while TO fill it
The sample room is near"
Nv heart was faint within me
Where was the draught-Oh where?
Was it in fountain gushing,
In park or city square?
you'll find no fountain gushing"
An old man said to me,
"The water pipes are busted,
You need not 60 that way"
Just then spied negro,
A totin Of a can
With husky voice | hail'd him
Come here-come here, my man
"Uncle. what have you selling,
What Is your stock in trade
'rWhy boss, de thing l'e sellin
Is ice cold lemonade"
saw the ice chunk floating
The lemons caught my eye
said Ho mere-but raised the can
And quickly drank it dry.
"Why boss. you done bin thirsty,
You's broke do record sho'-
But who's to pay de fiddler?
Oats what wants to know"
"Well-tell me what's the damage?
I'll pay you all owe
at cost three dimes TO make II,
reckon fou'll do"
For such benefaction,
Ysur charge is all too small
This crisp bank note-here, take it
You have deserved it all !"
fastened To my country home
Beside the rivers bank
And from its deep cold well
drank, and drank, and drank.
If any one is thirsty
Just let him come this way
A cool drink for the asking
He'll find on any day.
"Oh for drAught Of water"
The thirsting ever cry
Better city filed with fountains.
Than steeples tow'ring to the sky.
The years may come-the years ma,
pass.
Ny days may dwindle to span,
But memories fresh will still remain
OF that old negro man.
OLD HAYsREDs.