The Dream of the Quaker's Son

THE DREAM OF THE QUAKER’S SON A Quaker preacher had a son Who loved the banker's child Impertinence and religious talk Made the banker wild Tenacious Hayes still loved Elaine Politely asked her hand Her father said that he’d agree If Hayes could buy some land. Determined Hayes planned To earn his stake He traveled night and day Until he found a growing town--- Seemed a likely place to stay. He worked his mule team--- train to train Delivered tons of goods And every week he told Elaine He'd love her all he could. Once each month he mailed the pack He sealed each precious letter. When they arrived, she saved them all Delighted times seemed better And suddenly two years had passed Clinked the last coin in the box He whistled as he hitched his mules Ignored the hours of mud and rocks. Just at dawn he jumped the curb Black wreathes were on her door He knocked ---and found his fair Elaine Was on this earth no more Without a word, he headed home His brother was in the field But he knew there were no words to say-- This pain could never heal In his mind he saw her face. Grabbed a rifle from the shelf He shot his pair of finest mules And then he shot himself