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A Chappie
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

A Chappie

But a chappie needs diverting,
So her husband got to flirting,
But the lady couldn't stand for that, you know;
So she made an application
And she got a separation,
And since then she's married half a score or so;
But her alimony's faded,
And the stage she has invaded
And she's spreading golden butter on her bread.
Though her art is sadly lacking,
Yet she's got the best of backing—
And “She did it all herself,” her mother said.
[_]

Circa 1890–91. Paul Laurence Dunbar Collection, series 4, box 10, OHS. Quoted by permission. (This poem also appears in Martin and Hudson's Paul Laurence Dunbar Reader.)