"THE AVENGING SKELETON."

"When tyrant purpose made the martial fool

With brief authority profoundly drunk,

Unto his minions issued forth a rule,

To search each Southward-going woman's trunk.

"There was a Sergeant of the Mack'rel ranks

Made one attempt to carry out the law;

But ah!—to Providence a thousand thanks!—

He met a doom to fill the soul with awe.

"Scarce had his impious hands the task begun;—