Ida ChickenAfter I had attended lecturesAt our Chautauqua, and studied FrenchFor twenty years, committing the grammarAlmost by heart,I thought I’d take a trip to ParisTo give my culture a final polish.So I went to Peoria for a passport—(Thomas Rhodes was on the train that morning.)And there the clerk of the district CourtMade me swear to support and defendThe constitution—yes, even me—Who couldn’t defend or support it at all!And what do you think? That very morningThe Federal Judge, in the very next roomTo the room where I took the oath,Decided the constitutionExempted Rhodes from paying taxesFor the water works of Spoon River!
After I had attended lecturesAt our Chautauqua, and studied FrenchFor twenty years, committing the grammarAlmost by heart,I thought I’d take a trip to ParisTo give my culture a final polish.So I went to Peoria for a passport—(Thomas Rhodes was on the train that morning.)And there the clerk of the district CourtMade me swear to support and defendThe constitution—yes, even me—Who couldn’t defend or support it at all!And what do you think? That very morningThe Federal Judge, in the very next roomTo the room where I took the oath,Decided the constitutionExempted Rhodes from paying taxesFor the water works of Spoon River!