The Petroleum Ointment Case.

Their policies in print professed How deeply they were smitten With a fraternal interest For all their underwritten; They hounded Williams up and down To take a trifling risk, At every point about the town He met their agent brisk : "Some night would come a fire immense, And uninsured he 'd rue it, And if he minded the expense They would pay him to do it." And so they gave assurance sound Against all loss by fire On goods of plaintiff they were bound Till twelve months should expire. But if he " stored " petroleum, They cunningly provide • He 'd forfeit all the premium And lose his claim beside. Now, when the Civil War broke out, Like a good man and true, Williams did not stay home and spout, But donned the sacred blue. He fought until a rebel wound Subdued his zeal spontaneous, And sent him from the battle-ground With a disease cutaneous. And when by scratching he was flayed, By frequent imposition Of crude petroleum he allayed The heat of his condition. A little of this stuff he'd keep, But not enough to hurt, And when at night he could n't sleep He 'd saturate his shirt. One night an accidental fire His house and goods did spoil, But unless Sickels is a liar, It spared both shirt and oil.

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