BISHOP JOSS.
... That gal was fourteen years of age, and sly
with all her meekness;
It put the fam'ly in a rage, for well they knew
Abe's weakness.
But Abe (a cuss, as I have said, that any fool
might sit on)
Was stubborn as an ass's head, when once he
took the fit on!
And, once he fixed the gal to take, in spite of
their vexation,
Not all the rows on earth would break his firm
determination.
He took the naggings as they came, he bowed
his head quite quiet,
Still mild he was and sad and tame, and ate the
peppery diet;
But tho' he seemed so crush'd to be, when this
or that one blew up,
He stuck to Jones's Legacy and school'd her till
she grew up.
Well! there! the thing was said and done, and
so far who could blame him?
But O he was a crafty one, and sorrow couldn't
shame him!
That gal grew up, and at eighteen was prettier
far and neater—
There were not many to be seen about these
parts to beat her;
Peart, brisk, bright-eyed, all trim and tight, like
kittens fond of playing,
A most uncommon pleasant sight at pic-nic or
at praying.
Then it became, as you'll infer, a simple public
duty,
To cherish and look after her, considering her
beauty;
And several Saints most great and blest now
offer'd their protection,
And I myself among the rest felt something of
affection.
But O the selfishness of Abe, all things it beats
and passes!
As greedy as a two-year babe a-grasping at
molasses!
When once those Shepherds of the flock began
to smile and beckon,
He screamed like any lighting cock, and raised
his comb, I reckon!
First one was floor'd, then number two, she
wouldn't look at any;
Then my turn came, although I knew the
maiden's faults were many.
"My brother Abe," says I, "I come untoe your
house at present
To offer sister Anne a home which she will find
most pleasant.
You know I am a saintly man, and all my ways
are lawful"—
And in a minute he began abusing me most
awful.
"Begone," he said, "you're like the rest,—
wolves, Wolves with greedy clutches!
Poor little lamb; but in my breast I'll shield her
from your touches!"
"Come, come," says I, "a gal can't stay a child
like that for ever,
You'll hev to seal the gal some day; " but Abe
cried fiercely, "Never!"
Says I, "Perhaps it's in your view yourself this
lamb to gather?"
And "If it is, what's that to you?" he cried;
"but I'm her father!
You get along, I know your line, it's crushing,
bullying, wearing,
You'll never seal a child of mine, so go, and
don't stand staring!"
This was the man once mild in phiz as any
farthing candle—
A hedgehog now, his quills all riz, whom no
one dared to handle!
But O I little guessed his deal, nor tried to
circumvent it,
I never thought he'd dare to seal another; but
he meant it!
Yes, managed Brigham on the sly, for fear his
plans miscarried,
And long before we'd time to cry, the two were
sealed and married.