Bill Jones

                                                           

(Spencer's Store was the inspiration for Jones's.When Mr. Cone moved 

      to Saybrook he adopted the local Stokes's Store in it's place.)

Bill Jones he owns the grocery store

     Where all the fellers go

An’ set each night an’ spin their yarns,

     A most impressive row.

Bill seldom spins a yarn himself,

     Jest uses uv his ears,

An’ says, in conferdunce, he don’t

     Belive quite all he hears.

Bill Jones he sets all by himself

     Behind the counter there,

An’ listens to the things they tell

     With sad an’ patient air.

An’ ef he ketches trade enough

     Frum them who nightly dwell,

To pay him for his heat an’ light,

     He thinks he’s doin’ well.

Bill Jones he figgers ev’ry night,

     On paper broad an’ brown,

The age uv ev’ry setter there

     From Uncle Ezra down.

Bill says, “Ef they hev done ez much

     Ez they make out by swish,

They’ve lived two hundred years apiece

     An’ ketched a million fish!”

Feb. 6 or 7, ‘08