AUTHOR'S NOTE

CONTENTS

THE SPREAD EAGLE

II

III

IV

V

VI

TARGETS

THE BOOT

II (2)

III (2)

IV (2)

THE DESPOILER

II (3)

III (3)

ONE MORE MARTYR

"MA'AM?"

II (4)

III (4)

IV (3)

V (2)

MR. HOLIDAY

WHITE MUSCATS OF ALEXANDRIA

WITHOUT A LAWYER

THE MONITOR AND THE "MERRIMAC" THE STORY OF A PANIC I

II (5)

III (5)

II (6)

III (6)

IV (4)

V (3)

VI (2)

THE PARROT

ON THE SPOT; OR, THE IDLER'S HOUSE-PARTY I

II (7)

III (7)

IV (5)

V (4)

VI (3)

Title: The Spread Eagle and Other Stories

Author: Gouverneur Morris

Language: English

Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charlie Kirschner and PG Distributed Proofreaders

THE

SPREAD EAGLE

AND OTHER STORIES

BY

GOUVERNEUR MORRIS

AUTHOR OF "THE FOOTPRINT, AND OTHER STORIES," ETC.

1910

TO ELSIE, PATSIE, AND KATE

     I had thought to sit in the ruler's chair,
     But three pretty girls are sitting there—
       Elsie, Patsie, and Kate.
     I had thought to lord it with eyes of gray,
     I had thought to be master, and have my way;
     But six blue eyes vote: nay, nay, nay!
       _Elsie, Patsie, and Kate.

     Of Petticoats three I am sore afraid,
     (Though Kate's is more like a candle-shade),
       Elsie, Patsie, and Kate.
     And I must confess (with shame) to you
     That time there was when Petticoats two
     Were enough to govern me through and through,
       Elsie, Patsie, and Kate.

     Oh Patsie, third of a bullying crew,
     And Elsie, and Kate, be it known to you—
       To Elsie, Patsie, and Kate,
     That Elsie_ alone _was strong enough
     To smother a motion, or call a bluff,
     Or any small pitiful atom thereof—
       Elsie, Patsie, and Kate.

     So, though I've renounced that ruler's part
     To which I was born (as is writ in my heart),
       Elsie, Patsie, and Kate,
     Though I do what I'm told (yes, you_ know I do)
     And am made to write stories (and sell them, too).
     Still—I wish to God I had more like you,
     Elsie, Patsie, and Kate.

BAR HARBOR, August, 1910.