Alexandria Daily Advertiser

From an English Paper.

THE COUNTRYMAN & LAWYER.

A country Bumpkin pence by pence had got,
The golden semblance of our gracious king,
Day after day he blest his happy lot,
And view'd, with monstrous eye, the glittering thing.

It chanc'd he wanted counsellor's advice;
And sore at heart, and much perplex'd was he--
His hard-earn'd guinea going in a trice!
What counsel gives advice without a fee?

He told his story o'er and o'er again,
And thus attention to his cause bespoke:
"Tis true that I'm be desperate poor--but then,
I always keep a guinea in my poke."

This news affected much the man of law;
He laid the case down clear as noon day sun;
And, as is customary, held his paw,
To catch the fee as soon as he had done.

Hodge thought, (and wisely too) a guinea now;
If given could not make his case more clear,
Pull'd off his hat, presented his best bow,
And said "I thanks ye--kindly thanks ye, Sir."

"Come, come!" at length the angry Lawyer cries,
"You understand me--you are pleased to joke;
The guinea!" "No! I told you," Hodge replies,
"I always keeps a guinea in my poke!"