And when I went in the house the table was set for me- And Betsey, she pretended to look about the house, But she watched my side coat pocket like a cat would watch a mouse; And then she went to foolin' a little with her cup, And intently readin' a newspaper, a-holdin' it wrong side up. And when I'd done my supper I drawed the agreement out, about; And then I hummed a little tune, but now and then a note Then Betsey she got her specs from off the mantel-shelf, And after she'd read a little she give my arm a touch, And kindly said she was afraid I was 'lowin' her too much; But when she was through she went for me, her face a-streamin' with tears, And kissed me for the first time in over twenty years! I don't know what you'll think, Sir-I didn't come to inquire- And I told her in the future I wouldn't speak cross or rash And so we sat a-talkin' three-quarters of the night, And opened our hearts to each other until they both grew light; And the days when I was winnin' her away from so many men Next mornin' an ancient virgin took pains to call on us, Since then I don't deny but there's been a word or two; Maybe you'll think me soft, Sir, a-talkin' in this style, But somehow it does me lots of good to tell it once in a while; So make out your bill, Mr. Lawyer: don't stop short of an X; UNCLE SAMMY. SOME men were born for great things, Some were born for small; Some-it is not recorded Why they were born at all; But Uncle Sammy was certain he had a legitimate call. Some were born with a talent, Some with scrip and land; And some with a different brand; But Uncle Sammy came holding an argument in each hand. Arguments sprouted within him, He lay and calmly debated When average babies cry, And seemed to be pondering gravely whether to live or to die. But prejudiced on that question He grew from day to day, And finally he concluded 'Twas better for him to stay; And so into life's discussion he reasoned and reasoned his way. Through childhood, through youth into manhood Argued and argued he; And he married a simple maiden, Though scarcely in love was she; But he reasoned the matter so clearly she hardly could help but agree. And though at first she was blooming, And though Uncle Sammy loved her, And tried to help her along, She faded away in silence, and 'twas evident something was wrong. Now Uncle Sammy was faithful, And various remedies tried ; He gave her the doctor's prescriptions, And plenty of logic beside; But logic and medicine failed him, and so one day she died. He laid her away in the church-yard, So haggard and crushed and wan; With all of her virtues on; And ought to have added, “A victim to arguments pro and con." For many a year Uncle Sammy Fired away at his logical forte : And altercation his sport; He argued himself out of churches, he argued himself into court. But alas for his peace and quiet, One day, when he went it blind, And slighted his logical mind, And married a ponderous widow that wasn't of the arguing kind! Her sentiments all were settled, Her habits were planted and grown, Her heart was a starved little creature And she raised a high hand with Sammy, and proceeded to play it alone. Then Sammy he charged down upon her With all of his strength and his wit, And many a dextrous encounter, And many a fair shoulder-hit; But vain were his blows and his blowing: he never could budge her a bit. He laid down his premises round her, He scraped at her with his saws; He rained great facts upon her, And read her the marriage laws; But the harder he tried to convince her, the harder and harder she was. She brought home all her preachers, As many as ever she could— With sentiments terribly settled, And appetites horribly good— Who sat with him long at his table, and explained to him where he stood. And Sammy was not long in learning The phase of her smile and her frown; And she, with the heel of assertion, soon tramped all his arguments down. And so, with his life-aspirations Thus suddenly brought to a check And so, with the foot of his victor Unceasingly pressing his neck He wrote on his face "I'm a victim," and drifted—a logical wreck. And farmers, whom he had argued To corners tight and fast, Would wink at each other and chuckle, And grin at him as he passed, As to say, "My ambitious old fellow, your whiffletree's straightened at last." Old Uncle Sammy one morning Lay down on his comfortless bed, And Death and he had a discussion, And Death came out ahead; And the fact that SHE failed to start him was only because he was dead. The neighbors laid out their old neighbor, With homely but tenderest art; And some of the oldest ones faltered, And tearfully stood apart; For the crusty old man had often unguardedly shown them his heart. But on his face an expression Of quizzical study lay, As if he were sounding the angel Who travelled with him that day, And laying the pipes down slily for an argument on the way. |