Our Mr. Bleakney

You remember "Hiawatha," Sung to us by Henry Wadsworth With the surname of Longfellow,— Though I know it's on a par with Taking candy from an infant To employ this simple metre, Still my story is insisting That I use it, and no other, So here goes: I would remind you That we've met at many luncheons Envoys sent by the discerning Mr. F. C. T. O'Hara. Active in the Trade and Commerce (Up-to-date and live) Department Of the business of our country; Envoys who have travelled widely In the interests of our traders. And last week we welcomed gladly One who came from far-off Belgium. Where was torn the scrap of paper In the days that now seem distant. Yes, we welcomed Mr. Bleakney And the message that he brought us, As he told of re-construction And prosperity returning. In a manner clear and lucid He contrived in twenty minutes To describe the state financial, Both of government and business. And to tell what we could sell them Both to our and their advantage. Stating the depreciation Of the currency at present And the lower cost of labor, And the distance of the market Rendered trading far from easy. He concluded with the statement Though our exports there at present Had but reached an infant stature They would grow and keep on growing.