The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-22
HONEST ABE, q. S. Nj.
The Reading Public Still Demands His
Poetry.


Eve been a widower for six years,
and there's been some talk around
lately that I shan't be one much
longer. Mebbe you've heard CAB O.
that sort? 90
"Well, a little. I've heard that you
were shining up to the Widow Lee,
and If you want my opinion OF 1t L d
say that it would be good match
"Shoo, Abe! Don't git off any jokes
this morning. he said as he laughed
a little and looked embarrassed I've
dropped in on the wilder occasionally
to see if her hired man was earning
his salt, but there hain't nothing for
folks to talk about. What I want of
you is some poetry for a graVestone-
I've just got one ready for Martha s
grave. I've waited six years before
getting one, but that's nObody'S bust
ness but mine. It's being said around
that I'd better get the stone up for
No. l before l marry No 2, but l
hain't minding such talk. Come in
and get fried cake and glass of
new cider and write me few verses.
1 had a few minutes to spare, and
the result was the following:
my Martha died six years ago
Her case it was a fever;
And when she said she must depart,
Twas hard, indeed, to believe her.
Here lies a woman good and true
Devoted wife and mother;
And one might look two counties DER
Before he found another.
"I could have raised this stone to her
Five years ago or quicker;
But thought I'd better wait until
1 got it on a dicker.
"It marks her resting place at last,
And proves that my affection
Has not expired, as some folks say,
Though there may be DETECTION.
When the verses were read to
Farmer Sabine a broad smile covered
his face, and he reached out his hand
for shake. He wanted a second
reading, and when had complied he
asked:
"Abe, what does that mean about
affection and detection? That seems
little blind to me-"
'Why, you still think of Martha
with affection, don't you?"
81 do"
''And you are calling on the Widow
Lee once or twice week to see if
the hired man is earning his wages %
why, I call there
Exactly, and that's detection. In
case you make a match of it there will
be more detection, but the poetry COW
erS the whole case and prepares folks
for it."
''Wall, that seems right and reason
able, and I'll make use Of the verses
and put a bag of oats into your cart
when you come along back. How on
earth you drive a mail cart around the
country when you could earn a hun
dred dollars a week writing poetry is
mOre'n 1 can make out
When 1 got along to Uncle Jim
place 1 found Aunt Sarah
then say:
"See here, Abe, you are almost like
one of the family
THANK you, Aunt Sarah.'
"And I'm going to tell you something
that's going on and trust you to never
say a word"
'sWiId horses can't drag it out of me-"
wall, it's just this. Our Maria is in
Lowell"
"Whoop-a-day, but you don't mean
iti'
'Sure's you live and breathe. Abe,
and when I found it out a chill went
over me. Maria is twenty-six years
old, you know, and has never had
beau. I told pa about it last night,
and his knees got so weak that he had
to sit down.
maria is in love, you say" 1 OBJ
served after drawing a proper number
of long breathS, but is anybody in love
with her?'
''Of course. It's Teller who has come
to board with the Thomases all winter.
He's got a weak voice, and the doctor
and drive oxen and boiler all he could.
Maria heard him holler the first day,
and at once fell in love with his boiler.
He saw her the second day and at once
fell in love with her eyes. Hain't it
how Providence brings things
around.'
II should smile! Well, is there any
thing else you want to tell me, as al
most like one of the family?'
There is, Abe. The feller'S name
is Jim Warren, and he's written Maria
a piece of poetry to show how smart
he is. She wants to~send one back,
but you know none of us can write
verse. Pa and ma spent three hours
last night trying to make up some
things, and all we could get was two
verses of 'Mary'S Little Lamb Maria |
has been looking over the Gospel |
Hymn Books, but there's nothing in |
them to hit the case. It's got to be |
poetry about the moon and flowers |
and birds, you know. 1 sent Maria off |
an hour ago so I could tell you what's |
wanted and asked you to dash off |
Abe, three or four verses
may bring about a marriage and get
Maria off our hands"