HE POETISED.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2326, 17 September 1881, Page 3

HE POETISED.

He was a queer-looking old man, quaintly dressed, and perbape his head wan not exactly level. The charge was disturbing the peace, and hie Honor observed—- *• You seem to be a stranger here—- “ I am but a stranger here— Far, far from home.”

Was the answer. 11 What is your business in Detroit ?” “ I came to sing—l came to nee, And in this jug they gathered me.” “ Arc you a poet ?” “I am.” " A sort of sweet singer, I presume F” “ I sweetly sing, when I’m in tune, Of winter skies and summer daisies ; The songs I sing I write myself, And get my living in that wayses.” “ That’s very fair,” said the court. “ You seem to have considerable of the Shakespeare about you.” “ Thanks, noble duke ; these words of praise Will linger with me many days.” “ But we can’t have you singing on the streets and obstructing the walks. If yon stay here you must be songless.” “ I’ll sing no more till I reach the other shore, My spirit shall bo silent and sad ; I will ramble alone, by the light of the moon, And commune with my own liver pad.” “ Very well,” said his Honor, as he made tremendous efforts to keep a sober face, “you can go. Toledo is a great place for sweet singers, and you have time to catch the morning train.” 11 Down on the banks of the old Maumee, There is a town called To-le-do j They sigh for me and my sweet songs. And you bet your boots that I will go.” Sang the old man in a quavering voice ; and he backed out with an air that would have driven a French count wild with envy. Then followed a strange incident. Bijah skulked out of the private door and intercepted him and offered him half a dollar to write three verses descriptive of him. The old poet gladly consented, and in three minutes dashed off the following : Shall his old bald-head be forgot ? Shall we forget his eyes ? And who that looks upon hie feet Can e’er forget their sizs p He submitted this verge as a specimen of what he could do, and while ho looked for a smile of approval, Bijah suddenly seized him by the shoulders and ran him out with snob vim that the poet upset two boys and rolled a dog ckar across the street. —“ Detroit Free Press. ”