Edgar Lee Masters

Charlie French

Did you ever find out
which of the boys it was
Who snapped the toy pistol against my hand?
There when the flags were red and white
In the breeze and ”Bucky” Estil
Was firing the cannon brought to Spoon River
From Vicksburg by Captain Harris;
And the lemonade stands running
And the band was playing,
To have it all spoiled
By a piece of a cap shot under the skin of my hand,
And the boys all crowding about me saying:
”You’ll die of lock-jaw, Charlie, sure.”
Oh, dear! oh, dear!
What chum of mine could have done it?