A Village Character

Folks said he had no gumption,

But had always had consumption,

And was apt to kick the bucket very suddenly some day;

        Was in debt up to his middle,

        Didn’t do much else than fiddle,

And in no one’s estimation but his own could play.

        They said his past was clouded,

         Even now was somewhat shrouded

In an deep and awful mystery which should be brought to light;

        That he was an early riser,

        But of his acts they were no wiser,

And if he went a journey it was always in the night.

        Folks said he acted queerly,

        That he didn’t tell things clearly,

That his mind had got unbalanced and he ought to be in jail;

        And they made him threats of pillage,

        For his morals hurt the village,

And they even talked of feathers and a journey on the rail.

        Then he fell heir to a fortune

        Of magnificent proportion,

Drove a very stylish turnout and he soon propelled the town;

        Folks said he was a good man,

        Very much misunderstood man,

That he was of noble family from his great grandfather down.

May 4, ‘94

Pub. Boston Courier, June 17, 1894