From the New York Tribune, September 18, 1912.
Dear Sir, I am a bachelor;
My income is twelve hun’.
‘Tis small, no doubt, yet I contrive
To have a deal of fun.
You’ll think me selfish, yet until
I’m richer, I must own,
I’d rather be a bachelor,
And jog along alone.
Far be it from me to deride
Or scoff at wedded bliss;
I’ve thought the matter over well,
And my opinion’s this:
Though bachelors are selfish things,
‘Twould just as selfish be
To take a wife, and bring her to
A life of drudgery.
Suppose I loved a girl (I do),
D’you think I’d care to see
Her toil, and soil her pretty hands
The livelong day for me?
If I grow rich, I’ll crave the hand
Of her whom I adore;
If not, dear sir, I must remain
A lonely bachelor.