Here is a story written for one of my stories by my friend Bob Bartlett.  Just one of many.  Very talented fellow.  Thanks Bob great poem.  GW

THE CANDY STICK TREAT

(1) Laura was cooking bacon and eggs,

The smell of fresh coffee filled the air;

Reg was getting ready for breakfast,

As George ventured down the stairs!

(2) George knew they were going on a trip to town,

When he saw a penny by his plate;

This was to buy a candy-stick for him,

So his breakfast he quickly ate!

(3) After breakfast he was out the door

And hitched up the buckboard and horse;

He was anxious to get started on their trip,

With the penny in his pants pocket of course!

(4) On the trip to town Reg would always ask George,

How he liked living with Laura and him;

George said he liked it there just fine,

As he looked out from under his hat brim!

(5) Reg and Laura were George’s guardians

And Reg was a very special guy;

He often knew what George was thinking;

In the blinking of an eye!

(6) George liked to talk with Reg,

‘Cause he felt like a grown-up man;

And he liked to spend time with Laura too,

In the kitchen with her pots and her pans!

(7) But George was eager to get to town

To make a visit to the hardware store;

So he could buy his candy-stick treat,

In a big jar just inside the door!

(8) Usually he only got just one candy stick,

But sometimes he got two or three;

When someone else would buy some for him,

It made George happy as can be!

(9) The big glass jars were really tall

And could hold fifty or sixty sticks;

They were all the colors of the rainbow,

So George could take his pick!

(10) Reg was never in a big hurry,

As he learned all the local news;

Or when George was making up his mind,

On which colors he would choose!

(11) Reg would sit on a keg of nails

And on his face there would be a smile;

As George picked out his favorite colors,

Even though it might take quite a while!

(12) Green was the color George liked the best

And red cherry would be his second choice;

Sometimes Reg would make a suggestion,

As he spoke in a helpful voice!

(13) But he let George make the decision,

Of which color it was going to be;

This would be his choice of candy-sticks,

Whether it be lime-green or the red cherry!

(14) Well, George was really excited,

When the owner took off the jar-lids;

He could then reach in for his candy,

In that town he was the happiest kid!

(15) Then he would hand over his penny,

To pay for his candy-stick treat;

He could hardly wait to get it in his mouth,

It was the sweetest thing he could eat!

(16) Then George and Reg would sit outside,

On the old bench by the store;

And George would enjoy his candy-sticks,

How could anyone ask for more?

(17) Reg would fill up his favorite pipe,

With the tobacco that smelled so sweet;

And George would savor his lime-green candy,

It was the end of a perfect day treat!

(18) That evening as they travelled back to the farm,

There was a smile upon their faces;

They were having a nice ride in the old buckboard,

As the horse was pulling on the ‘traces’!

(19) George looked forward to the trips to town,

It was a regular weekly event;

When they would hitch up the horse and the buckboard

And then down the road to town they went!

(20) The days of the horse and buggy are now gone,

You don’t see them so much anymore;

But George will always remember those times

And the candy-sticks at the hardware store!

Bob Bartlett,