The Ballad of Clifford Griffin

In the spring of 1880 young Clifford Griffin immigrated from England to Colorado. The death of his fiancee left him bereft and he was searchin' for his El Dorado. He settled in Silver Plume where he and his brother bought the Seven Thirty Mine. Clifford and his brother Heneage became very rich from ore that assayed very fine! With all his riches, Clifford chose to live in his lonely cabin above the town. His only companion was his treasured violin which he played with some renown! His melancholy melodies wafted down from his mountain aerie 'most every night, To be heard by the whiskey-guzzlin' hard-scrabble miners to their delight! Clifford always dressed in black, enjoyed fine cigars and was quite the dashin' bloke! He seemed content with his solitary life and in business was as solid as an oak! Alas, death cast its gloomy pall high above Silver Plume one moonlit night. Instead of sweet violin music, a single shot was heard that left the town affright! Next morn his mortal remains were found in a grave he'd dug for himself alone. His heart-broken brother found the pistol with which his brains he had blown. A grand monument was erected atop the mountain just above Silver Plume, At the very spot where Clifford lay midst the ponderosa and Columbine bloom! Mysterious events now occur on that lonely mountainside accordin' to local lore! 'Tis said on moonlit nights sad violin music is heard below on the valley floor! Folks have seen a black-clad phantom smokin' a cigar and drawin' a bow, Playin' melancholy music and a wraith in Clifford's likeness a-swayin' to and fro! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (c) All Rights Reserved Entry for Carol Eastman's "Story Poem" Contest