Black Beetles in Amber

Jacob Jacobs, of Oakland, he swore:

"Dat Solomon Martin—I'll haf his gore!"

Solomon Martin, of Oakland, he said:

"Of Shacob Shacobs der bleed I vill shed!"

So they met, with seconds and surgeon at call,

And fought with pistol and powder and—all

Was done in good faith,—as before I said,

They fought with pistol and powder and—shed

Tears, O my friends, for each other they marred

Fighting with pistol and powder and—lard!

For the lead had been stolen away, every trace,

And Christian hog-product supplied its place.

Then the shade of Moses indignant arose:

"Quvicker dan lighdnings go vosh yer glose!"

Jacob Jacobs, of Oakland, they say,

Applied for a pension the following day.

Solomon Martin, of Oakland, I hear,

Will call himself Colonel for many a year.