The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-24

'sWuss'n that. Abe he replied.
Hog got choked on a bone?"
''Wuss'n that"
"One Of the horses got mixed up with
the manEer?"
..Wuss. Abe-fur wuss. We are here
toInorrer and gone today. Come in"
I knew that he had things mixed up
a little, but / followed him into the
house without saying anything. There
I was informed by the whole family. all
talking at once, of the calamity that
had descended, and while the cider and
nince pie were warming for me I wrote
the following. I do not wish to praise
my own poetry, but I'd like to say that
this efalsion rolled from my pen as cas-
lily as if / were writing a note of hand
due in 30 days;
ssJohn Williams was hired man
Who worked for Moses Stead:
And now and then had dizzy spells
To stand him on his head.
He loved to rise at four a. m.
And work till nine at night:
He seldom asked for wages, and
His heart was always right.
zone morning when he went out to
feed
The horses and the cattle
He climbed upon the haymow, ana
His head began to rattle.
"He fell upon the hay. and then
Went crashing to the floor;
And when discovered later on
Poor John, he was no more.
Hes in the angel business now.
And though we are bereft him;
We are consoled by knowing that
His dizzy spells have left him.
When I had finished writing I arose
and read the verses to the Z ssembled
and expectant family. and for mo-
~ 1raf Then
smiles and tears and EXPLANATIONS
broke forth. and ] was fairly smothered
with honOrs. If the postmaster general
had been there to see, his envy would
surely have caused him to discharge
me from the mail service on the spot
When I had devoured the pie and the
cider the farmer followed me out to
the cart and said
ABE, I was little doubtful up to
half an hour ago as to where poor Jonn
went as he s7vore like q. trooper and had
the appetite of three hired men. but
you have settled it for me. II he hahn
playing on a harp and singing glad
songs and getting ready to go fishing
then 1 don't want cent.
/ was thinking how little it takes on
the part Of a born poet to make a whole
neighborhoOd happy. when came along
to Farmer Coigates. the wife drum
med on the panes of front WINDOW
for me to come in, and 1 entered the
around to see what had happened, and
she exclaimed:
I'VE are all well here, Abe, but I've
had bad news from the west. You knew
had sister out in Michigan didn't
yes, I believe So
she was an old maid. but a true
sister. She once saved my life When
fell into the cistern.
7s s.why how can you think such a
thing. Abe. of course she hasn t.
She's deadt"
That's too badl
and pa goes around all bumped up
and hasn't whistled a whistle since
he heard the news. Abe we must
have something to comfort US. Give
tried to put her off for a week.
but she begged so hard that I drew
up to the table and wrote the fol-
lowing, and [ may say here and now
that when 7 left the house she was
hugging the verses to her heart and
calling down blessings on my head.
Her name was Mary johnson and
She lived in Michigan:
Her age was four and forty, and
She'd never loved a man.
In single blessedness she lived,
And ne'er lamented fate;
But had a smile upon her lips
When time to take a skate.
She left a parrot and a cat.
To mourn her sad demise;
She left her sister fifty bones
To show that she was wise
Her grave is meath a willow tree
And. though we all regret it,
No one shall ever say to US.
-
Copyright, 1906, by c. B. Lewis.)