The toasts were all spoken, they drained the last cup, Then got pen and paper and the agreement drew up. Heath Chisholm, the merchant, at writing was fast. He wrote the agreement from the first to the last.
They brought out the papers for the company to sign, Put their names, or their mark, on the underneath line.
Arch looked the thing over then held up his hand, “There’s an article here I don’t understand.”
“My men, right now we are in a fix,
The company is four and the paper says six.” Says Heath, “Now Archie, don’t be such a sis, There’s a dozen that’s willing to get into this.”
Says Tooth Keough, “The youth, that comes into my grace Must be supple of figure and handsome of face.”
So they chose Dawson brothers, by name George and Mick.
Who swore they’d stay by it unless they took sick.
Says Cairns, “The agreement I’ll hold sure as sin,” But ’twas put in Heath’s safe and securely locked in. Some talked the thing over and said “Don’t you think It would be a lot better to have only one rink?”
Roy MacKenzie spoke up, “ ’tis better like so,
For now I can furnish two girls with a beau.
And if anyone speaks to these ladies, I vow
He’ll get his face slapped when he ain’ t looking, and how!”
Not being at the meeting, I cannot relate
The inner particulars, but the result I will state. Heath Chisholm was busy, lots of money, I think, So he hired Park Delaney to work in the rink.
They bought the timber from Max on the hill Then into the forest they went with a will!
They made such a racket by night and by day, They scared foxes, rabbits and birds all away.
While so quick and fast did the lumber fall
That the squirrels wouldn’t climb to the tree tops at all. Alfred Cairns had a family, the oldest a boy, The pride of his father and his mother’s real joy.
Who came out to help a sturdy young lad, With brown curly hair, the stamp of his dad.
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