Ida Chicken + 

After I had attended lectures + 

At our Chautauqua, and studied French + 

For twenty years, committing the grammar + 

Almost by heart, + 

I thought I’d take a trip to Paris + 

To give my culture a final polish. + 

So I went to Peoria for a passport⁠— + 

(Thomas Rhodes was on the train that morning.) + 

And there the clerk of the district Court + 

Made me swear to support and defend + 

The constitution⁠—yes, even me⁠— + 

Who couldn’t defend or support it at all! + 

And what do you think? That very morning + 

The Federal Judge, in the very next room + 

To the room where I took the oath, + 

Decided the constitution + 

Exempted Rhodes from paying taxes + 

For the water works of Spoon River! + 