Page:Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (C.J. Dennis, 1918).djvu/116

108

We got quite used to hearing him, and no one seemed to care— In fact, no happening seemed complete unless his voice was there. For close on thirty year he talked, and none could talk him down, Until one day an agent for insurance struck the town.

Well, we knew The Silent Member, and we knew what he could do, And it wasn't very long before we knew the agent, too, As a crack long-distance talker that was pretty hard to catch; So we called a hasty meeting and decided on a match.

Of course, we didn't tell them we were putting up the game; But we fixed it up between us, and made bets upon the same. We named a time-keep and a referee to see it through; Then strolled around, just casual, and introduced the two.

The agent got first off the mark, while our man stood and grinned; He talked for just one solid hour, then stopped to get his wind. "Yes; but—"sez Bill; that's all he said; he couldn't say no more; The agent got right in again, and fairly held the floor.

On policies, and bonuses, and premiums, and all that, He talked and talked until we thought he had our man out flat. "I think—" Bill got in edgeways, but that there insurance chap Just filled himself with atmosphere, and took the second lap.