The Actor’s Farewell
The actor stood with his only love,
Alone by the foaming sea;
Breathing vows of affection,
Devotion and constancy.
The season, it had opened,
Long months she’d have to wait;
For the company’s out for forty weeks,
From Maine to the Golden Gate.
To his darling little Katie,
In confidence he has told;
From the state of California
He will steal the Gate of Gold
(For his purse it is not heavy);
Then he also will have time
To pick up the Free Silver
In the Colorado clime.
He whispers then a last “good-bye.”
He will return with the June bug.
Then with a kiss and loving sigh,
They took their parting hug.
(The following June—The Actor’s return.)
Shoes all gone; clothes all torn;
Actor now feels quite forlorn.
Life’s a pest, needs a rest,
Had to walk from way out West.
Watch in soak, heart is broke,
Plans have vanished just like smoke;
Katie’s pet, busted yet,
Couldn’t buy a cigarette.
People slow, got no go,
A good actor they don’t know;
Have to work like a Turk,
No more acting—dry goods clerk.