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Jenkin’s Charity

Edward S. Sorenson

“In Sydney alone £1,750,000 is raised yearly for charities, etc.
The Chief Secretary, having certain information as to the cost
of raising some of this money, will recommend a tightening up
of the law.”

Old Jenkin’s heir had come of age,
    And for a treat was due;
So there and then the family sage,
    As carnivals were all the rage,
Conceived the notion that he’d stage
    A grand “relief” shivoo.

He spent his little surplus cash
    In working up the scheme;
He got the social rags to splash
    Encomiums about the trash
He called his charitable dash—
    The abos. were its theme.

Some willing helpers gathered in
    The coin from all around,
And ticket-sellers made a din
    Among the workers’ kith and kin,
Expanding Jenkin's cheerful grin
    With every added pound.

A great success was Jenkin's treat—
    That is, to Jenkin’s hive.
They did so grand that little meat
    Was left for black or brown to eat:
Receipts were ninety-six pounds neat,
    Expenses ninety-five.

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