THE STORY OF MR. KING.

BY DAVID CHRISTIE MURRAY.


This is the story of Mr. King,
American citizen--Phineas K.,
Whom I met in Orkhanié, far away
From freshening cocktail and genial sling.
A little man with twinkling eyes,
And a nose like a hawk's, and lips drawn thin,
And a little imperial stuck on his chin,
And about him always a cheerful grin,
Dashed with a comic and quaint surprise.

That very night a loot of wine
Made correspondents and doctors glad,
And the little man, unask'd to dine,
Sat down and shar'd in all we had.
For none said nay, this ready hand
Reach'd after pillau, and fowl, and drink,
And he toss'd off his liquor without a wink,
And wielded a knife like a warrior's brand.
With a buccaneering, swaggering look
He sang his song, and he crack'd his jest,
And he bullied the waiter and curs'd the cook