Connecticut western news., 1910-12-15
THREE BOLD PIONEERS
Poem Written by Jonn Shields 33 Years
 ago, on a Local Joke.

l suoJOiuSu uyun uoQlC660u co certain young men about town, in commemora. tion of a notable "sell" that created nc little amusement in those days, and ot which the candid poet himself was one of the victims. It is significant that only two persons whose names appear in the verses are now living in Canaan and that about half of the entire num- Der are dead.
 By way of supplying a key to the identity of some in the cast of characters who are referred to only by their favorite nicknames, it may be stated that ''PunK'' was William Shuckerow; God" Cor nelius Lynehan General" Thomas Riley; "Pud," Frank Lynehan Pres and "Jean' were sons of the R,v. Robert Huut, at that time pastor of the Methodist church George" refers to the late George s. Gillette, by whom Charlie Parsons was employed. The lyric reads as follows:
 THE THREE BOLD PIONEERS. have you heard the latest news about the boys
 in towns
 They were all hard up aud out of work, and
 thought they'd look around So they went out to Norfolk for job they had
 in view; or going out to Kansas to stay year or two. So three bold pioneers went cut to negotiate for all
 And these three men we'd have you know were Punk Cod and Generall- They saw the man who hired the hands, and to
 him their wants they told. Says he: "The engagements are all filed" Says
 Cod:. By jinks we're sold!' Then these three pioneers felt cheap, as they'd lost half day
 In going out to Norfolk, for which they'd get no pay Now boys said cd, II feel quite bad. Most
 anyuody would,
 To leave the work a half day with little
 Brother Pud."
 Then up spake truthful General "I'n tell you what we'll do AS we've got sold most mighty bad, let's sell the others too.
 We'll tell them that we've got job-we will, upon our word
 That we're goi g out to Kansas, the cattle there
 to herd" Then up spake foxy Punkin Let's sock it to
 them strong; .. Let's say we're going to Kansas, and we'll take our guns along.
 For the elephants and tigers, bears, lions, and bis wolves too,
 They'd eat you up most mighty quick, in one
 mouthful or two.'' I Says Cod to General: Now all the boys to | Norfolk we will send, E#-a. ' And tell them if they want this job, must have | recommend" Says General: God, now don't you tell your
 tattling brother Pud." .s .as.str ." All right" says Cod, Don't fear for him. He's home asawing wood.'' .....- F." -. And so they told the other boys what good job they had
 Twenty dollars a month the whole year round, | which isn't very bad. .r ! The other boys went crazy with Kansas" on the brain, And thought they'd like to try year of life
 upon the plain" Then Dunk got up and started off, saying: Boys.
 I'll soon be back. Roraback."
  | aloft his hat. Says he :' I've got my recommend. If you l don't believe, read that!'' ITO Canaan's fair and happy land" says Pres, T bid adieu,
 And the ringing of the old church bell, dear Jean, I'll leave to you. For have got my trunk all packed with boots, and shirts, and collars TsfI- | just four dollars"
 well, George" says Charlie Parsons, "Now our
 contracts at an end. To Kansas now I wend my way, and I want a recommend.
 I'll always be on horseback, with cattle in my keepin'.
 The work out there ain't very hard; they've saddles one can sleep in" Next morning Charlie Paul hitched up at six o'clock or so, And in getting over to shieldss he wasn't very slow,
 He called to Dunk: "Get out of bed. Why ain't you up and dressed? We want to get an early start to be before the rest.''
 And then some way it all leaked out through
 fnadvertent Pud.
 He couldn't keep secret, nor he wouldn't If he could.
 And then the boys all owned up sold, excepting Pud you know
 For he 'knew all about it' three whole great | long weeks ago.
 The other boys who thus were sold, I'll whisper them to you:
 Tim Britt, Jack Riley, Grove Knickerbocker and | Patrick Shuckeroo
 But now I think I've said enough of General, | Cod, and Punk.
 You soon may hear from me again Your humble servant,-DUNK. Mir. Barnes Plans
 The recent purchase by Marcus A. Barnes of the R. H. Moore property on Castle street in Great Harrington, sold at mortgagee's sale, has aroused some curiosity as to what Mir. Barnes intends | to do with it, says the Courier. The