THE DUSTMAN AND THE BARGE-OWNER.
(A River Carroll.)
"Mr. Akers Douglas assured Baron Henry de Worms that a system had arisen of London barges, laden with tin kettles, old iron, pots, crockery, and even iron bedsteads, emptying this refuse into the sea near the Isle of Sheppey, and that the Whitstable oyster-beds were in consequence being ruined."—Daily Paper.
The Dustman and the Barge-owner
Were very fast allies;
They wept like watering-pots to see
Such rubbish-heaps arise,
Including iron bedsteads, and
Pans of enormous size.
"If any householder in Town
Told me to move this 'ere,
Do you suppose," the Dustman said,
"That I should get it clear?"
"I doubt it," said the Barge-owner,
"Unless they gave you beer!
"But I've some barges on the Thames;
So here's a jolly spree—
We'll take this lot of tins and pots,
Also the crockeree;
And when we're out of sight of land,
We'll drop 'em in the sea!"
The Dustman and the Barge-owner
They loaded barges four,
And when they got to Whitstable
They anchored near the shore;
The Barge-owner said nothing but
"Why should we voyage more?"
"But, wait a bit!" an Oyster cried,
Turning quite blue with dread;
"You surely would not empty here
Your refuse on my head!
I do not want a bedstead, though
This is an Oyster-bed."
"The time has come," the Barge-owner
Remarked unto his mate,
"To talk of Barking outfall, and
Our Vestry's last debate,
And whether pots or liquid slush
The Oysters most do hate."
"It seems a shame," the Dustman said,
"To spoil the Oyster breed,
Considering that, when nice and fat,
They're very good indeed,
Eaten with bread-and-butter, brown,
And flowing bowls of mead."
"I weep for them, I do, I'm sure,"
The Barge-owner replied;
Then sorted out the nastiest things
His rubbish-ship supplied,
And, winking to his dismal friend,
He chucked them o'er the side!
"O Oysters dear!" the Dustman cried,
"Our business we have done.
I hope you'll find the bedsteads fit."
But answer came there none;
And this was scarcely odd, because
They'd perished every one!