Miss Hannigan Makes a Plan Again

Miss Hannigan was furious and stomping about,

her heavily rouged lips puckered in a pout.

Annie had come to her door late one night,

mourning her brother who had died in a fight.

Miss Hannigan held her and let her weep,

then put her to bed and let her sleep.

The next day Annie's new career began,

tossed around as a plaything from man to man.

The men flocked about Annie and were willing to pay

to bask in her beauty and naiveté.

Then one day Annie left, not telling a soul.

To get Annie back was Miss Hannigan's goal.

A passing tumbleweed one day rolled by,

and a piece of paper caught Miss Hannigan's sharp eye.

She snatched it up and skimmed the sheet,

read, "The Gold Pillar Times," printed nice and neat.

An article caught her eye and so did the name.

"Annie O'Cappella. So that's her game!

That ungrateful girl! Who does she think she is?

She had no right to ruin my business!"

She paced up and down, forming a plan,

then called Clancy, her right-hand man.

"Clancy, I want you to buy a wagon;

some horses, supplies, and no lollygaggin'!"

The wagon was paid for, Clancy pulled up to the saloon;

and Miss Hannigan left at half-past noon.

Annie and Brody blissfully unaware,

were sharing Lou's tub in their underwear.

A splashing war began, but soon was ended

when Brody dumped cold water on Annie's head.

Annie surrendered, gaining a towel and a hug.

She and Brody stood there, snug as two bugs in a rug.

The bathwater grew cold as they snuggled in their room;

Miss Hannigan's wagon rolled along in inexorable doom.