A quiet homestead nestling by a creek -
   The creek which flows thro' Sandford's little town -
Where dwelt a maiden lovely, pure, and meek
   Her hair of gold, here eyes of hazel-brown;
A well-made figure fit for gods to press;
   Type of a true Australian girl was she -
An earth-born angel sent from heav'n to bless
   The youth of Queensland's true nobility. 


Happy her life spent 'midst the waving corn,
   Happy the stockman who she loved so well;
Sweet were their dreams - as fair as summer's morn -
  Of that bright home where they in peace should dwell.
But there's a proverb, known, I think, to all -
   Between the cup and lip is oft a slip.
So with our lovers; it was at a ball,
   Or penny-reading, that he lost his grip.


'Twas rough, 'twas very rough, in that old barn;
   Our hero, too, had just come back from town,
And to surprise the dear one at the farm
   Had speculated in a knock-me-down
Suit of dude's clothing - pants almost skin-tight.
   The boards were slipp'ry - they were newly-sawn -
And when his feet slipped, one to left, one right,
   A sudden crash told of the coming storm.


A sudden veiling of a score of eyes,
   A swelling titter and a laughing rout
Of all save one, who, when she could arise,
   As quickly joined the merry crowd without.
But he, her hapless lover, could not stand
  The smiles and titterings, so left the creek.
Another took his place, and gained her hand,
   If not her heart; for they were wed last week.

"E.D."
The Bulletin, 27 June 1885, p21

Note:
This poem was printed with the following note attached:
"Townsville, 7th June.
[Is this original? It is almost too good to come from Townsville. - Ed. B]