Classic Poem

A farmer once was husking corn,
And the stalk contained four ears;
He'd hoed it hard both night and morn;
'Twas the best he'd had for years.

He husked the first ear, and he eyed it
With joy and complacent content;
But the landlord was there and spied it
And said: " I'll take that for RENT. "

Then he husked the second in pleasure,
And smiled in his simple glee;
" That's the INTEREST on the mortgage, "
Said another; " give that to me. "

The railroad director stood near him
(Here the farmer began to whine);
" That's my PROFIT on transportation,
And that ear is mine. "

" All right, " said the farmer bland —
He was no great reflector —
As he plucked the fourth ear, from his hand
It was snatched by the TAX COLLECTOR.

Then he shouldered his share — to a neighbor
Said he: " I'll take a walk —
Since me and my wife for our labor,
B'gosh! — we've got the STALK. "