Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 06.pdf/342

 Petition for Guardian.

PETITION

FOR GUARDIAN.

{A Scene in the Probate Court.) By Wendell P. Stafford.

"YOU pray for a guardian over your son. His name is — ah — Joseph?

Is this man the one?"

"No, Jedge; that is William, the one that should be Guardeen to his brother.

Here's Joseph, by me."

"Well, hold up your hand .... Now what is the ground? Is the young man a spendthrift? non compos? unsound?" "Well, Jedge, he's peculiar.

Was always jes so

Sence he was a leetle one, larnin' to go. Can't call him a fool, for he knows a big heap; But it aint any value to sell or to keep. It's all about ' beauty ' and ' love ' and ' devotion ' And glories of airth and the stars and the ocean. He thinks he hears voices that hold him from sleepin'; And sperrits are round him and he's in their keepin'. He's chipper by spells; but he's full of his moods. He'll hang his head down and not speak fer an hour. I've sent him on arrants, in spring, through the woods, And he'd get on his knees to every flower. Nor yit he aint lazy.

He never would shirk :

When any's in trouble, my sakes! how he'll work! But he'll work jest as quick for a man 'at can't pay As if he was gettin' his dollar a day. Nor he aint jest a spendthrift.

But what can ye call it?

He'll be ragged and give the last cent in his wallet.

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