Another Well Curb Nail

When I was very, very young, I memorized a Eugene Field poem called “The Duel.” Here it is, seriously abridged (much like my memory).

The gingham dog and the calico cat side by side on the table sat.

Twas half past twelve and what do you think? Not one nor t’other had slept a wink!

There was going to be a terrible spat.

I wasn’t there. I simply state what was told me by the Chinese plate.

The gingham dog went “bow-wow-wow,” and the calico cat replied “meow.”

The air was littered an hour or so with bits of gingham and calico.

Next morning where the two had sat they found no trace of dog or cat.

And some folks think up to this day that burglars stole the pair away!

But the truth about the cat and pup is this. They ATE each other up!

Now what do you really think of that?

The old Dutch clock it told me so and that is how I came to know.