Happiness Place

Happiness Place
By Frank L Stanton
1662

I

I heard Br’er Trouble comin’ – the night was long en late:
I heard him shake the shutter-clink the ol’ latch- on the gate;
I knowed him by his floppin’ shoes en raggedy ol’ hat,
En I tell him: “Dis de place, suh, Mister Happiness live at!”

II

He couldn’t stan’ dat sayin’! Rain drippin’ fum his face,
He shuffled off, en hollered back: “I clean mistook de place!”
Wid a lean wolf follerin’ after, he went ez quick ez that!
He know dey ain’t no room fer him whar Happiness live at