Page:A Selection of Original Songs, Scraps, Etc., by Ned Farmer (3rd ed.).djvu/128

 

"Matilda," he said, in a dolorous tone,
"I am going to the Grange, love, and going alone,
To dispose of the question, and that on the spot,
Whether what haunts the Grange is a real ghost or not"
His wife, with asperity, answered him thus,
"I don't see at all that it matters to us
If the ghost that you speak of is false or is true,
Though it's haunting the Grange, man, it doesn't haunt you."

"What you say, my Matilda, no doubt is a fact,
But I've given my word, and I cannot retract.
Should I fall, as I may do—for Fate has no rule—
Send Ann to her aunt's, and let Bob go to school.
Now, leave me my darling," he said, with a smile,
I wish to think o'er my affairs for awhile;
Oh, Matilda, remember, I've not made my will,
But it doesn't much matter, as my property's nil."

Wives are obedient creatures ever,
Contradicting husbands never,
So his rib went off", as she was told,
Saying, "Ah! you'll catch a pretty cold."

Crump, to his thoughts thus left alone,
(What those thoughts were shall ne'er be known),
Did what I think you'll all admire,
Lighted his pipe, and raked the fire;
Ensconced him in his old arm chair,
Drew his lean fingers through his hair,
Took at the glowing bars a stare,
And hoped the ghost would not be there.