Clem told the 'Squire that Ben was growing strong In body, strangely so, considering his years. Ben's mind, Clem said, was full of quirks and fears And worked in grooves untenable of right or wrong; Clem said, hard as it hurt, Ben did belong Where doctors could attend to his arrears Of common sense; away from tease and sneers Of children and grown-ups, prodding tongue and tong. The 'Squire loud laughed at Clem, and said that he Thought Ben was just a fool, and nothing more: Ben's setting Clem's old barn on fire to see The hens and geese run squawking through the door, Was but a joke. When Ben, amuck, at Susan's Bee Sore stabbed the 'Squire, -- 'twas Clem the burden bore. |