All were quite gracious in their plaudits of
Bud’s Fairy; but another stir above
That murmur was occasioned by a sweet
Young lady-caller, from a neighboring street,
Who rose reluctantly to say good-night
To all the pleasant friends and the delight
Experienced,–as she had promised sure
To be back home by nine. Then paused, demure,
And wondered was it _very_ dark.–Oh, _no!_–
She had _come_ by herself and she could go
Without an _escort_. Ah, you sweet girls all!
What young gallant but comes at such a call,
Your most abject of slaves! Why, there were three
Young men, and several men of family,
Contesting for the honor–which at last
Was given to Cousin Rufus; and he cast
A kingly look behind him, as the pair
Vanished with laughter in the darkness there.
As order was restored, with everything
Suggestive, in its way, of “romancing,”
Some one observed that _now_ would be the chance
For _Noey_ to relate a circumstance
That _he_–the very specious rumor went–
Had been eye-witness of, by accident.
Noey turned pippin-crimson; then turned pale
As death; then turned to flee, without avail.–
“_There!_ head him off! _Now!_ hold him in his chair!–
Tell us the Serenade-tale, now, Noey.–_There!_”
(James Whitcomb Riley)
More Poetry from James Whitcomb Riley:
James Whitcomb Riley Poems based on Topics: Man, Death & Dying, Fairy, Romantic Love, Chance, Family, Accident- The Old-Home Folks (James Whitcomb Riley Poems)
- What Chris'mas Fetched The Wigginses (James Whitcomb Riley Poems)
- Squire Hawkins's Story (James Whitcomb Riley Poems)
- Bud's Fairy-Tale (James Whitcomb Riley Poems)
- A Session With Uncle Sidney (James Whitcomb Riley Poems)
- Blind (James Whitcomb Riley Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Man Poems, Death & Dying Poems, Romantic Love Poems, Chance Poems, Fairy Poems, Family Poems, Accident PoemsBased on Keywords: rufus, occasioned, he-the, noey, eye-witness, contesting