Economist at Fayetteville, Arkansas
It was a rainy afternoon
At story-telling time.
Old Kaspar lit a fresh cigar
and poured a rum-and-lime,
While Peterkin and Wilhelmine
Warmed up the television screen.
They saw a mob of shouting men
Who thronged a city square
And cast a hail of sticks and stones
On Buicks passing there;
While soldiers stood in close array
With faces turned the other way.
“Now tell us what ’twas all about,”
The little children cried.
“It was a Demonstration, dears,”
Old Kaspar soon replied;
“Against the Dollar Scarcity
And profitless Neutrality.”
“The Neutrals’ lot is very hard,”
Said Kaspar with a sigh;
“They have to make the goods they sell
And pay for what they buy;
And when the dollar bills are passed,
They always get their helpings last.”
“Then who were in the Buick cars?”
Cried little Peterkin.
“It was a Delegation, dear,”
Said Kaspar with a grin;
“They brought a load of free good will,
But not a single dollar bill.”
