"HAPPILY EVER AFTER"
Not much to laugh at, in those Depression days,
But, a few amusements in other strange ways!
Pat had 80 acres, 12 kids and his wife was gone,
They buried her there...on the other side of the town!
They said, that she died from a case of "overwork",
Her lazy husband, was the world's champion jerk!
Tears at the funeral.....then off he would go,
Looking for a wife.....one who would not know,
All about his cruel, lazy and foolish ways,
One who must work hard all of her days!
Mothers would say, "My daughter's not home!"
When this Don Juan decided to roam!
So further afield, old Pat did seek,
Found a big woman, boisterous, with rosy cheek,
She could bake a cake and liked overalls to patch,
This Heaven's gift and Pat....the perfect match!
He didn't tell her about the twelve that he had,
Best not to say, for she might not feel glad,
So, they were married and then very soon,
Off to Peterborough, for a short Honeymoon!
On the way back home, she said, "Stop at the station."
And there assembled was a huge congregation!
Not four, six, eight ......but, ten more children, you see,
She forgot to tell Pat, that she had two or three!
What a surprise! Pat's heart fell to his feet!
Another surprise, at home....just as neat!
Into the Model T....baggage piled ten feet high,
Poor Pat felt so depressed...he wanted to cry!
His kids and Her kids....twenty-two altogether,
Making the most of it, through all stormy weather!
Pat's lazy days were over! He had to work every day!
Acres of garden, cows to milk......bales of hay!
All of these children grew up and did well,
"Best thing that ever happened", is what Pat would tell!
They took a huge problem and all worked to make,
A better life on the farm... knew what it would take!
Hard work and courage to face each new day!
Poor Pat learned quickly, that there was no time to play!
Just work and more work....was the only way!
I think there is a lesson to be learned from this tale,
Don't deceive others....your plan just might fail!
Do unto others....be honest and fair!
Trying to cheat or lie....could lead to a snare!
Pauline Banning W3-903-97-D8
I often had thirty-six up to forty children, in my Primary Class....so
I
was used to large numbers...BUT...I do not think I would have wanted
that
many at home. I guess mothers of a large brood, simply organize their
"Little Army" and give orders from Headquarters. It would be impossible
to
do all of the work yourself. Learning how to delegate, would be the
answer
and each child, right down to the four year old, would have to feel
responsible. A real human Beehive!
This story, told by a Canadian, about the Depression Days, was in Barry
Broadbent's Book, Ten Lost Years.....and it is one of my favourites.
I
could not resist making it the center of a poem....to pass it on....so
that
others can laugh about what happened. I am sure that the people who
were
invoved, did not think it so funny, at the time.
People, who try to "pull a fast one" are often caught in their own web
of
deceit.....and this is real justice. In the end, "JUSTICE DOES PREVAIL".
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