WHY DON'T THEY SCRAPE THE STREETS?

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 23, 9 July 1869, Page 3

WHY DON'T THEY SCRAPE THE STREETS?

Tlie following amusing and withal salutary rhymes" anent the slushy state of Dunedin streets, contributed to the 'Evening Independent ' by some one signing himself Tom Tallfern, is so applicable to 2vaseby that we give it insertion:— .Unfurl our city's banner proud, And summon all the eager crowd; Let every throat ring long and loud, While fierce the tempest beats. Call out our gallant Yolunteers; Then let them open wide their ears, And hail this watchword with three cheer*: " VV hy don't they scrape the streets ?" At, that's the question of the day, From downwards to the bay— Each citizen—grave, grim, or gay — As he his neighbor meets, Says, "'lsn't tiiis a pretty go? I'm mud and slush from top to toe. Just tell me, friend, I'd like to know, Why don't they scrape the streets ?"

I met a maid in awful plight, As I walked out the other.night; Her eyes were dim —once pure and bright—- . Her lips had lost their sweets. I touched her hand ; she did not budge; But, turning round, said, with a nudge, " Dear sir, I'm stuck fast in the sludge—Why don't they scrape the streets?" Amazed and horrified I stood; For sura enough" this scented bud Was planted ilrmly in the mud. I've often du<? out peats ; But never have I.used such power As plucking up that lovely flower—(lt took me nearly half an hour) Why don't they scrape the streets ? Der Frau Yon Sloush —a Gl-erman dame— Called me, the other day, by name ; Said she, " Meiu Got, dis is a schame; I've lost bote ob mine feets; Und oh, dey vere such sharxning poofces, Made by mein friend, Herr Fritz Von Klooti; But now dey"re shtucken in de moots— Yy don't dey schrape the streets ?" Big Tim Muldown ('twixt you md mo) The other night got on the spree. And coming home would smothered be " Had I not heard his bleats. I ran to give a hand to him ; " Och, murther, pull me out," cried Tim; " For, fabc, its either ?iuk or swim— Why don't they scrape the street's ?"

Enough. If I told all that's said J T would shock the living, raise the dead j The barda who sang, the chiefs who bled, Would leave tlieiv winding sheets. Each hero bold would grasp his brand And "battle axe in strong right, hand, And then indignantly demand—"Why doii't they scrape the streets?".,;