To See Her Pipe Awry
Betty bouncer kept a stall
At the corner of a street,
And she had a smile for all.
Many were the friends she’d greet
With kindly nod on passing by,
Who, smiling, saw her pipe awry.
Poor old lass! she loved her pipe,
A constant friend it seemed to be;
As she sold her apples ripe,
With an apple on each knee,
How she’d make the smoke-wreaths fly,
As I’ve watched her pipe awry!
Seasons came and seasons went,
Only changing Betty’s store;
Youngsters with her always spent
Their little all and wished they’d more:
Timidly with upturned eye
Staring at her pipe awry.
Bet was always at her post
Early morn or even late;
Ginger beer or chestnut roast,
Served she as she sat in state,
On two bushel-baskets high;
You should have seen her pipe awry!
Little care old Betty had,
She quietly jogged on her way;
Never did her face look sad.
Although she fumed the livelong day.
Guiltless seemed she of a sigh.
I never saw her pipe her eye!
C.F.