I forgive the dear creature for what she has said,
Since women will talk of what runs in their head.
Barty Willard, who formerly lived in the northern part of Vermont, was noted for his careless, vagabond habits, ready wit, and remarkable facility at extempore rhyming. Sitting one day in a village store, among a crowd of idlers who always gathered about him on his arrival, the merchant asked Barty “why he always wore that shocking bad hat.” Barty replied that it was simply because he was unable to purchase a new one.
“Come,” said the merchant; “make me a good rhyme on the old hat immediately, without stopping to think, and I’ll give you the best castor in the store.” Whereupon Barty threw his old tile on the floor, and began:—
Here lies my old hat,
And, pray, what of that?
’Tis as good as the rest of my raiment:
If I buy me a better,
You’ll make me your debtor
And send me to jail for the payment.