Playing Checkers at the store

[Danny_Alvarez]

PLAYING CHECKERS AT THE STORE.
In a dim nook, partly sheltered
By the barrels therein stored,
With a rapt, intent expression,
Sit two players at the board; -
And the country merchant lingers,
Loth to serve the public more,
For his thoughts are with the worthies
Playing checkers at the store.

Pond'ring the situation
On the mimic battlefield,
Guarding carefullylly the “King-row,"
Lest the small battalion yield,
"Jumping" with a gleeful chuckle,
"Crowning" his opponent's "King,"
With a slow and shrewd decision,
All his plots manoeuv’ring.

E'en the supper-hour approaching,
With its promise of good cheer,
Has no magic in its summons
To entice the players here;
Yet the contest in its finish,
With its fine unwritten law,
May, with all its complications,
Be decided by a " draw."

They may boast of golf and tennis,
And the tournaments of chess,
Heralded by great announcements
And the plaudits of the press;
But those champions of pleasure,
With their fund of players' lore,
Well may envy these old worthies
Playing checkers at the store.

~~~Anna Fuller Treat~~~

The following poem, by Anna Fuller Treat of Brooklyn, Ohio, is taken from the " Liverpool Weekly Mercury."
It was sent to the draughts editor of that Journal by Mr. Robert J. Clegg, of Cleveland, Ohio.
It was re-printed in "The Queenslander" April 1902, Brisbane, Australia. Which is where I live and where I found it.
I hope you fine folk enjoy it as much as I did.
cheers
D. Alvarez