As The World Goes

A rich lady drove up in her car

Before the Post Office. She was

Clad in velvet and costly furs

And created a stir amongst

The people congregated there.

She alighted and started for the steps

And on her way encountered a stray dog.

She stopped and fondled the cur

And made much of him,

Calling him pet names and all that sort of thing.

She caressed the dog,

But didn’t speak to me.

I am respectable. Much of the world’s goods

Are not mine, but I work, and save,

And go to church, and in my way

Strive to keep the golden rule.

I know the rich lady; have talked with her,

Have been almost friendly in a way,

When she wished to use me

In neighborhood charity work,

But this morning when she alighted from her car,

Although she met me face to face,

She caressed the cur,

But didn’t speak to me.

Dec. 14, 1916