Part 8 (1/2)

An' what he taught ol' haughty Spain I guess she'll not forget; Fer the way he licked them Spanyards Wuz a caution, now, you bet!

The people all went wild about His bravery and fame, An' now he's got an ”Admiral”

Hitched on afore his name.

But nairy youngster would 'a' knowed What in his brain-pan lay 'F I hadn't said, ”Git up and dust!”

To them that summer day.

TO MY DOG.

n.o.ble fellow, faithful friend!

Devoted, kind, and true; In all this wide, wide world I've found No one who loves like you.

Faithful dog, rememb'rest thou (Oh, lucky day for thee!) When thou, a friendless puppy, came To beg a crust from me?

Then thou wast hungry, footsore, cold, Thy sides were lank and thin; But when I saw thy friendly face I gladly took thee in.

Now thou art beautiful and plump.

Thy fur is soft and sleek, A pretty collar buckled round Thy n.o.ble, glossy neck.

But thou, oh, n.o.ble, trusty friend, Repay'st this care of mine A thousand-fold, for who could spurn Devotion such as thine?

I know if thou, in time to come, Some other friend should find, Thou wilt not say of me harsh words And sentences unkind.

So they who would our friends.h.i.+p scorn-- My fondness would reprove,-- Would better come to thee and learn True grat.i.tude and love.

SOMEBODY.

There's somebody stayin' aroun' our house-- I don't know who or where-- That sneaks about an' follers me out An' in an' ever'where

I go; an' 'sturbs my skates an' things, An' scatters 'em all about; But you bet your stuff it'll go mighty tough With 'im when I find 'im out!

Though I hang my hat an' coat away, Up on the peg with care, I'll just be bound they can't be found When I want 'em,--anywhere.

When I've hunted for 'em till I'm late for school, An' mad as one ol' March hare, An' a dozen more, right down on the floor I'll find that hat, just where

Somebody's went an' throwed it down,-- It's the same with my books each day, My bat an' ball, my mittens an' all, Though I'm sure I put 'em away.

But I tell you this: if I ever find Who that meddlesome ”somebody” is, I'll rout 'im, an' scout 'im, an' all that's about 'im, I'll learn 'im to mind his biz.

THE HERO OF EVERY-DAY LIFE.