Yearly infecting more and more,

Who turn to vermin and infest

The homes w^hich they once loved and blest !"

That teacher ne'er re-crossed the sill

Of the white school-house on the hill.
THE LAWYER ON A HIGH-TONED SPREE.
»

For justice does the plaintiff sue ?
Engage an able lawyer too ?
To polish lies till they appear
Like diamonds of first w^ater clear ?
Just hear him in his earnest plea
To make the jurymen all see



HIGH-TONED SPREES. 63

That white is black and black is wliite,

Tliat right is wrong and wrong is right,

That truth 's a lie, a lie is briglit,

That crime is but a slight luibtake

Which all are liable to make.
His (courtesy somewhat to blunt

Before he otfei's this affront

To should-be wise and honest men,

A small glass takes, then nine or ten.
These exercise his vengeful wrath,

And place him on a wild war-path :

With brace of pistols, sword and dirk.
Prepared to do a gory work,

lie marches to a tine hotel.
Wherein his evil genii dwell ;

He tries his strength upon the door,

The pieces fall upon the floor ;

The lawyer, legal-like explains

How, by this treak, the liandlord gains :

'' Therefore your door is placed ajar

To let the people near and far

Behold the splendor of your bar,

That tbey might be induced to come.
Gamble all niglit, and drink hot rum."

Tlie landlord comes with feai'ful ire,

Shouts, " You deserve ropes, chains, and fire !

Look back along the shore of life ;

A happy girl was once your wife,

Admired by many wooing swains

Who had fine gold and sober brains.
