The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE WESTERN UNION MAN

A LADY ANSWERED THE KNOCK ON HER DOOR AND FOUND A
WESTERN UNION MAN AT THE DOOR. HE HANDED HER A TELEGRAM
BUT SHE REFUSED TO TAKE IT. "THIS IS MY FIRST TELEGRAM
I'VE EVER RECEIVED," SHE SAID, "AND I WANT YOU TO SING
IT." "BUT, MA'M," THE DELIVERY BOY RESPONDED, "IT'S
NOT A SINGING TELEGRAM." BUT THE LADY INSISTED THAT IT
BE SUNG. "OK, MA'M," SAID THE DELIVERY BOY, WHO WAS
TOO TIRED TO FIGHT ANY LONGER," "DUM, DEE, DUM, YOUR
SON IS DEAD."

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: NOT GIVEN