Its owner now living in the slums.
For the Depression was on - And with their money gone,
Folks had no interest in fancy time-keepers or brooches.
And though the store fought valiantly at first-
Offering payment plans, promotions - rebates too,
The sales dwindled from less to none.
Which forced Smith’s to close its doors,
For lack of money, much needed.
Its owner, now broke, and with a large family to feed,
Decided to kill two birds with one stone-
And go to the Unemployed Benefits Office and the soup kitchen
In one trip, and then go home.
For him to say this, without a moan or a groan,
Was quite something, don’t you think?
If you know that before the Depression set in,
He lived in a mansion with servants and so-
Do you not think it is remarkable, after living in luxury,
Drinking coffee with foam,
To call the slums “home”?