The Humourous Poetry of the English Language

506
Within whose vasty depths the book might safely hide!
'Twas thought--'twas done! by help of ready pin,
The sawdust was let out, the book put in.
Henceforth--at home--abroad--where'er she moved,
Behind her lurk'd the volume that she loved.
She laughed to scorn the cut-purse and his sleight:
No fear of burglars scared her through the night;
But ah, what shrine is safe from greed of gold,
What fort against cupidity can hold?
Can stoutest buckram's triple fold keep in,
The ODOR LUCRI--the strong scent of TIN?
For which CHUBB's locks are weak, and MILNER's safes are thin.
Some time elapsed--the time required by law,
Which past, JAMES TAYLOR might the money draw,
His kind but cautious creditor to pay,
So to the savings-bank they took their way.
There MRS. JONES with modesty withdrew--
To do what no rude eye might see her do--
And soon returning--with a blushing look,
Unmarked by TAYLOR, she produced the book.
Which he, presenting, did the sum demand
Of MR. TOMKINS, the cashier so bland.
What can there be upon the red-lined page
That TOMKINS's quick eye should so engage?
What means his invitation to J.T.,
To "Walk in for a moment"--"he would see"--
"Only a moment"--"'twas all right, no doubt,"
"It could not be"--"and yet"--here he slipped out,
Leaving JAMES TAYLOR grievously perplexed,
And MRS. JONES by his behavior vexed.
"What means the man by treating people so?"
Said TAYLOR, "I am a loss to know."
Too soon, alas, the secret cause they knew!
TOMKINS return'd, and, with him, one in blue--
POLICEMAN X, a stern man and a strong,
Who told JAMES TAYLOR he must "come along"--
And TOMKINS, seeing MRS. JONES aghast,