The Rocky Ford, Colorado, Gazette-Topic prints this one:
The editor met a farmer reader on the street who was considerably in
arrears with his subscription and suggested that the farmer liquidate,
come across, dig up a little coin, but the farmer said he had no money.
“Well,” said the editor, “bring in some chickens.”
“I have no chickens,” said the farmer.
“Then,” said the scribe, “bring in some potatoes, corn, wheat or
something.”
“I have no corn, no wheat or potatoes,” said the farmer.
“Well,” continued the pencil pusher, “you might bring in some cobs, I can
burn them anyway.”
“Cobs,” said the farmer, “cobs, why man if I had cobs I wouldn’t need
your paper.”
* * * * *
I can shake my shoulders,
I can shake my knees,
I’m a free-born American,
I shake what I please.
* * * * *