Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 16.pdf/847

"One dollar and a half," he said, "will cover all expense, And all you have to pay today is five and twenty cents. "One dozen photos, cabinet size, we'll make for this small sum. Be wise, Fair Lady, don't refuse." Sweet Margaret sucked her thumb. As Margaret sucked, and thought, and smiled, the foxy Dan be sought her. At last he conquered. She gave in, and handed him a quarter. "Now, pretty maid, pursued sly Dan. "one quarter more in cash Will buy for you six pictures more. Your beauty makes me rash!" Sweet Margaret was a child of Eve. A bargain quite attracted her. Then, too, Dan's words of flattery quite charmed and quite dis tracted her. A dollar bill she gave to Dan. "I have no change," she muttered. "Nor I," said Dan, "I'll get it, though, and off the villian fluttered. One whole long day the maiden sat. She waited Dan's returning. He did not come. She paced the floor, her cheeks with anger burning. At last she sought a mighty Cop, relating her sad tale; He patted her upon the cheek and started on the trail. From clew to clew the Copper flew, until poor Dan he spotted. He captured him and had him soon dry-breaded and hard-cotted. In court Dan pled that when he fled He was not like a common thief; That Margaret D. made him trustee, And title passed, in his belief. He claimed that when he took the bill He was her debtor—is so still. But Morton, J., replied: "Nay! Nay No title passed to you, you skin! Of larceny you're guilty, sir! To jail you'll have to go, D. Flynn." And so they took Dan off to jail; They left him there to weep and wail. Sweet Margaret sweeps the kitchen floor; She thinks of photographs no more.