The counter jumper sits at desk and writes in a ledger. Ledgers marked "Cash" and "day" are on a shelf above his desk, and some of the letters face the wrong direction. The sender mocks the recipient's inflated sense of self-worth as a ladies' man., Text: Behind the counter, like an ape, / You grin and measure off your tape, / And put on winning ways, / While the ladies laugh aside, / At your folly and your pride, / And scorn your silly praise. / You think that every lady is inclin'd / To take you for her Valentine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The clerk wears a coat and trousers. He sits on a tall stool at a tall desk, and his feet hang far from the floor., Text: To count the dollars, cents, and mills, / For that alone you're fit, / Devoid of common decency, / Or any show of wit. / Think you I'd hug a man's effigy, / Or to his love incline? / I'd sooner court a bag of mush, / To be my Valentine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
