Economist at Fayetteville, Arkansas

It was a rainy afternoon

At story-telling time.

Old Kaspar lit a fresh cigar

and poured a rum-and-lime,

While Peterkin and Wilhelmine

Warmed up the television screen.

They saw a mob of shouting men

Who thronged a city square

And cast a hail of sticks and stones

On Buicks passing there;

While soldiers stood in close array

With faces turned the other way.

"Now tell us what ’twas all about,"

The little children cried.

"It was a Demonstration, dears,"

Old Kaspar soon replied;

"Against the Dollar Scarcity

And profitless Neutrality."

"The Neutrals’ lot is very hard,"

Said Kaspar with a sigh;

"They have to make the goods they sell

And pay for what they buy;

And when the dollar bills are passed,

They always get their helpings last."

"Then who were in the Buick cars?"

Cried little Peterkin.

"It was a Delegation, dear,"

Said Kaspar with a grin;

"They brought a load of free good will,

But not a single dollar bill."