Arizona republican., 1913-01-22

(At a dinner of, the Cook County Progressives given November IA the Auditorium Hotel. Chicago, the following poem read by Donald F. Rchburg) T dead" the Elephant rolled up blood
 shot eye; T may lie prostrate on the ground yet how well l lie! It's hard breathe without my lungs. but Harlan
 loves still. And he will breathe and blow for me, my chest and
 his will fill My eyes blurred; I cannot hear men shouting in
 my ears; But what of that! have been blind deaf for many years! When have eased my broken bones I shall stand
 up again; legs scrambled will be legs scrambled then! I may talk queery but don't think that have lost
 my mind; I only lent it to Bill Taft he seemed so good and
 kind! He gave it to Hilles who pawned it to Bin
 Barnes Who says he used sponge but that's one of
 Bills yarns I'll get my brains back yet-sOmetme What need
 is hay! They couldn't spoil appetite by beating me that
 way" The Elephant then trumpeted-a faint and ghastly
  No answer came; he called again; Where
 boys my boys? Where are the little water boys who . hay. got free tickets for the show and cheered me
 every day?' He did see the town; his eyes were
 very dim. No boy would seek the vanished ring lay feeding
 hay him! He did not hear the far off tramp of many marching
 feet, For near at hand a constable upon a tom-tom beat. The side-show in the sheriffs hands drumming
 up trade With feeble limitations of the Big Show parade. A little German band marched in, led on by Guggen- And played while rolled down their cheeks.
 "Forsaken" in rag time! Step right inside, barker cried, where there is
 room for all, Although the tent does seem large, the crowd is
 rather small! Historic paintings hang within: Lincoln Freeing the
 Slave "Archbold and Penrose done oil" Digging the
 Elephants Gravel" The Elephant half again T
 dead! I shall arise and then progress-as soon as am We do not wish you to progress" thus coldly
 spoke E. Root, Stay here and listen steam calliope toot!
 toot." rang a bell whispered Jim Watson: Do
 worst" The steamer footed: Darling I am Growing Old
 and burst. Loud shrieked Elephant: Bring
 the funeral wreath! My have been extracted and made into Teddy
 teeth! Oh where where are the doctor men who tied
 up June When had fits and tried to dance to that progress
 sive tune! Who gave me dope until I didn't mind awful
 pain! Where's Bill Mckinley Uncle Joe and pr Murray
 Crane? Before that cyclone hit us they were with me,
 standing pat" We're with you now" thin voice gasped-"be-
 meath you, lying flat" Then I find doctors and must get them
 quickly too, You lift my feet while I still lie on
 you" as he spoke sideshow rushing
 in pell-mel; They cried: Heres Dr. Hadley and his friends to
 make you we'll" But Dr. Hadley looked and said; Hes
 badly roughed, He'll stand alive again. I think he should he
 stuffed He'll look more fierce within the cage if neatly
 filled with straw If bandaged up and lying down he won't inspire
 awe" Then to the populace he spoke: Wen have him
 his feet After month of feeding on my near progressive
 meat" The side show men appauded but the Elephant just
 sighed: Then at a thought there across his face a
 happy look "Commttee Hundred in the great County of
 Cook" trumpeted. Has heard yet what
 they done? I'm that old water boys of Illinois have
 won" A grin spread through the crowd nearby
 buntly said: "They did elect to gather up the dead.' The Elephant then sadly smiled whose "A Coroner" he murmured low, now shall rest
 in peace; It's true that there is divinity which shapes
 ends, Let all know the C. O P. buried by its
 friends" ~>~~--~~->---~-~@-~--~