Classic Poem

When some folks meet a colyuming man,
They have the delightfullest way to flatter;
And this is about the general plan
Of the smilingly pleasant school of patter.

“Do you know, I know a couple of guys
Who prefer your pomes to the five-foot shelf?”
(As one who, merry and bright, implies:
“I never could see the stuff, myself.”)

“My boy—he's still in his early teens—
He reads your things, whether short or long,
From beginning to end.” (As one who means:
“The little chap never was very strong.”)

“A friend of mine reads you every day—
Hasn't missed a column in over a year;
You mightn't believe it——” (As who should say:
“The feller was always a little queer.”)