A Funny Story

[ ook out! Beware! 's the old man's friendly chaff,
'Young man! Look out. watch o'er your better half,
The woman 's young and beautiful, and hence.
Beware! there is a nigger on the fence!"
"Poor, dear, old man, I trust they are not true
The stories which I hear, but take this cue:
The people who within glass houses live,
Must throw no stones, is the advice I give."

"This is all nonsense, I tell thee my friend,
Her days of skylarking are at an end!"

"E'en old goats lick the salt, 'is often heard,
Well, no offence, the tale might be absurd."

The older man the chance would often seize,
The younger one with his warnings to tease.

"The woman 's young and fair" would always be
The lesson given in good natured glee.

What happened next? The old man stayed away
For many months from his young friend. One day
The younger one made up his mind to see:
What might of this strange thing the reason be!

While on his way, he sought what to reply
When his old friend again to tease should try,

When 'he again should hear: "Look out! Beware!

That better half of yours is young and fair,"

But lo! This time the old man did not tease,
And left his friendly visitor in peace.

Not only did not tease, but shook his head,
And almost tearfully he slowly said:

"Yes, you were right, my friend, to me to quote

The old proverb of yours about the goat"

Just then his wife's new babe began to cry,
What could he do? He hums a lullaby!