Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-09-08
THE EDITORS DESK

Maybe the fact tina teverybody's enemy, the
| boil weevi, is now not an uncommon sight IN
| Atanta's stores and skyscrapers, adds interest
| to communication just received by the edi
| tor of The Tri-Weekly Journal from Rufus
R. Duffey, Mountain Oak Farm, Carrollton
| Georgia.
| Mr.. Duffey explains that he is an invalid
| and has never had any schooling, but MS
| letter is so saturated with common sense ano
sane optimism that it is published exactly
as it was written down in Carroll county.
Here it is:
Say Mr.. Farmer, What might be your Truble?
I notice you go stopped, Almost double,
Haven't you either meat, meal or Flour?
The face you wear, do look long and Sour,
Come Rest in the shade of this old oak Tree,
While your trubles you can safely tell to me.
Now, just be frank, and tell or HAND,
And perhaps a way out for you may plan'
Oh, no! There can't really be no way out,
It's a life time trouble there is no Doubt,
am cotton farmer, deep In Debt,
And only fourth OF crop will get,
The weevils. They sure to goodness got,
All but little of the very bottom Crop,
And now on this they are making pull,
To leave us nothing but an empty Hull,
Each one of the family, in need of Clothes,
And what we are to do, God only Knows,
While those whome I owe Really won't Care,
If they can only manage from me to Tear.
The little produce have costly made,
My family and I. They will leave to wade,
Thru Dark and Cold wintery days to Come,
Without sufficient Clothing, Food or Home,
There can not be any sunshine, only VICE.
Should they my food take for what l owe,
We have all worked hard and lived the same,
And how on we, can they lay the Blame,
If only chance, They would give me Yet.
would Honestly them pay my every Debt,
These weevils have ruined me, sure am
Gone,
Nothing will be left for to call my very Own,
T a
self,
And with you will agree we are left,
But beyond the clouds, The sun is shining,
And nothing will be gained by our whining.
So cheer up and strengthen out your face,
Get in readiness for a good long Race,
Make all your steps, as spry as you can,
Don't be weaklin, but be real man,
And as to these weevils, try not to blame,
For by higher power they have surely
came,
Sent here to open us farmers blind eyes,
To help the farmer and his dear spouse,
Make food for their hungry childrens mouths,
And I for one do honestly and truely Believe,
That it's out of mans power way to CheeVe
ANY way these weevils, for him to D1sband,
And exterminate from this old Cotton land,
That they were sent here no doubt to BRING,
A hault in that cotton gamblers ring
To save the old farmer, likewise his wife,
And many who are helpless from famlshed
life,
Not on the merchant will he wholly Depend,
And pray the Banker, him money to lend,
That cotton another year he might make,
For the gambler and Spectator from him
Take
To leave him and family helpless and Lone,
Without sufficient clothing, food or Home,
Never once giving this one personal That
Tho the farmer and his family he left with
naut,
An old cotton fool were really once our
Name,
But Thankful am I, 1t never can be so Again,
We will leave o. cotton and more feed Grow
Then to the speculator we will plainly SHOW
That another chanel, he must undoubtedly
Take,
And something besides cotton use for stake,
That Dixie is no longer, A land Of Cotton,
And in the near future will be for gotten,
Women and Children won't need for Bread,
And the poor old farmer, In the fall Dread,
The Banker and merchant whoes goods he
used,
And leave him nothing, but case OF Blues,
Mr.. Weevil. allow me your hand to shake,
For you are our friend, there is no mistake,
Yours I am, most sincerely, and truely True,
Ready and waiting to assist you Thru,
Rufus H. Duffey, won't do you no Harm,
You may nest in the Hay up in the Barn,
God speed to you my dear weevil Friend,
wish you we'll for ever more. A men.
BY Rufus R. Duffey, Mountain Oak Farm,
Carrollton, Ga.