Page:Near nature's heart; a volume of verse (IA nearnaturesheart00jack).pdf/61

 The blanks I filled in from A to O, But omitted the "profits from sale"— I once grew rich with a plow and hoe, When a whistling boy and hale.

In those olden days no kind of a tax For City or State revenue Was imposed on boys except a few whacks, But now they forever are due.

I swore and I signed and in full I paid That puzzling tax return; Once more I laughed, and again I said, "'Tis always do, and you learn."

And now it is done, and thoroughly done, Halleluia, I'll get there yet; But by all that's good and true 'neath the sun, I swear that folly to forget.

IN FLORIDA

They come from everywhere, By land, by sea and air, The old, the young and fair— And all without a care, In Florida.

Just pause, my friend, and see The multitudes that be O'er lovely shore and lea; They reach from sea to sea, In Florida.

Look at the aged one, Who shines like a little sun, And feels himself undone, If he played not golf and won, In Florida.

His gouty feet must dance, His eye will look askance, And his mind make glad advance, To reach five score, perchance, In Florida.

Yes, let him have his wish To feel the line's quick swish, And catch his finest fish For his epicurean dish, In Florida.

'Tis here he makes the stride; There's nothing he can't ride, With a maiden by his side— Yet a few things must he hide, In Florida.