Iney and Ben

In the foothills of North Carolina
 sat a cabin a long time ago.
There lived a couple named Iney and Ben
 for how long I really don't know.

The cabin of log sat flat on the ground
 rustic they'd call it today.
I wondered how it survived termites and time
 and hadn't caved in with decay.

Sat beneath a canopy of pine trees
 which blocked the sun most of the day.
So the front yard was weeds and wild flowers
 and that red Carolina clay.

Near by sat a barn with a buckled roof
shelter for the milk cow and hogs.
By the porch sat a cage for Whitey the skunk
 amidst chickens and countless hound dogs.

They had lived off that land raised five sons
 scratching out whatever they could.
Their only cash crop was tobacco
 some eggs and a few cords of wood.

They cooked on a woodstove; used oil lamps
 they never had electricity.
Played fiddles and banjos to entertain
 enjoyed each other instead of T.V.

One day down the cow path [ they had no driveway]
 came a salesman with a smiling face.
Greeted him out on the porch with sweet tea
 asked,'Sir what brings you to this place?'

I'm here with 'good news' said the stranger
 and to bring you an opportunity.
I've brought you candy to sell in these parts
 and you then share the profit with me.

He opened the box that he carried
 it held candy of every kind.
Ben stood back thinking it over
 but Iney had made up her mind.

'I'll sell that candy fer ya feller',
 Iney spoke with a twinkle in her eye.
So Iney became 'The Candy Lady'
 selling chocolate to all who passed by.

I lived up the mountain from Iney
 when I heard of what she had to sell.
My brother and I became customers
 we visited most days without fail.

We'd enjoy our purchase with Iney
 she'd have one with each that she sold.
One month passed; the stranger returned
 to collect his vast pot of gold.

Told Iney how much that she owed him.
 Iney counted then counted again.
She had only one fourth of the tally
 she questioned and looked up at Ben.

Ben smiled as he looked upon Iney
 said 'You're  wearing your profit, my dear.'
A drinker can't make AND sell whiskey
 cause the outcome is perfectly clear.

He pulled out his wallet paid the stranger.
 Said, 'Don't come back, this way again.'
That ended Iney's business adventure
 and that was 'good news' to Ben.

some names changed to protect the living,[me]