A POEM

Here is another Day Dream which happens to be a true story.
Uncle Tom was a big (ordinarily) good natured colored man who
worked for Gilbert Green, owner of the machine. Uncle Tom wore
fourteen (14) shoes which were custom made. He once made the remark
that he could/ feed more grain through a machine, than any of the
New fangledl self feeders, and also feed it more evenly. Dock
Johnson was a neighborhood character, who also worked for Gilbert.
I am not sure what his real name was, or if he had nay many real
name was, or if he had any name but ‘Dock ‘. He once made
the remark that ‘/ have known Gilbert ever since he was knee
high to a duck. In fact, I practically raised him. And a hell of a
job I made of it too.’ I suppose a book could be written about
Gilbert Green and his antics. I may try to do it sometime.

The Harrison Family was noted for the fabulous meals they would
serve. Everyone looked forward to threshing, bailing or shredding
at their place. Isaih Harrison still lives in the same vicinity,
which is in the suburb of Columbus now. He must be well up in
eighty, but still active.

This story seems amusing from
This vantage point of time.
To Uncle Tom it no doubt seemed
To be almost a crime.

Now Uncle Tom was quite a man,
His shoes were huge affairs,
So you can see the reason why
He had only two pairs.

His dress shoes when they’d show some wear
He’d use for every day,
To keep the cost of foot wear down
He’d stagger them that way.

At threshing time when this took place
Machines were fed by hand,
And Uncle Tom was quite the best,
I’m sure you’ll understand.