Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1904 — THOUGHTS FOR A DISCOURAGED FARMER [ARTICLE]

THOUGHTS FOR A DISCOURAGED FARMER

(Who lost hit money in the McCoy's Bunk Failure).

Money, money, money, it’s not so very* funny, But to say you are up against it, is no lie; Your clothes are looking seedy, your oats are looking weedy, And the promise of a corn crop looking shy. The dollars that you saved through the years that you have slaved You should have kissed at parting long ago;, For they bought fast “Douglas Maid” and for colts by “Axtell” paid, And we’ll hand you a few others here below. They helped buy diamonds rare, and one fine solitaire, For “Our Tom” was a swell one through and through; They helped pay for “Rock and Rye,” from the drugstores on the sly, And the common stuff at Strick’s and Cooney’s, too. They helped to buy fine togs, and high-priced guns and dogs For the un-crowned king of Jasper in the past; An island in the river, and a steam launch —don’t you shiver — When you think of next winter’s cutting blast. When you’ll wear your summer clothes, and be running at the nose, All because your dollars helped to make good times For the fellows that you trusted (we know you are disgusted), When you think of the parties and the wines. The waiters at the tables, the darkies lit the stables, The swell turnouts that they sported in such style; As, along from year to year, you sold every hog and steer To get money for to build with after while. That new house you need so bad, (now, don't it make you sad?) When you see it looming up before you, nit; And to think, but for the boozing, the betting and the losing Of the man whom so many thought was “<7” ! You, along with many others, among them Prohibition brothers, Might enjoy the honest proceeds of your toil; But, alas! it now is scattered, and your fond hopes all are shattered, And you’ll have to dig the harder in the soil. But a lesson you may learn, from this, more than sudden turn Of a plutocrat of wealth and station high, To a man of low degree, as you would likely see In traveling o’er the country far and nigh. Now, in future try to be, your own judge of what you see, And business propositions ponder long; Give your money to the keeping of a man that is not seeking. To dominate in politics so strong. t And who, with o*therscash, would not seek to wield the lash To put in office men he could control. j ****** But perhaps your loss is small, compared to the gain of all, For the riddance of the power of one so bold. —Anon.