Part 7 (1/2)
_Now_ he aint afeard a bit! he's ist so fat an' tame, We on'y chain him up at night, to save the little chicks.
Holler ”Greedy! Greedy!” to him, an' he knows his name, An' here he'll come a-waddle-un, up fer any tricks!
He'll climb up my leg, he will, an' waller in my lap, An' poke his little black paws 'way in my pockets where They's beechnuts, er c.h.i.n.kypins, er any little sc.r.a.p Of anything, 'at's good to eat--an' _he_ don't care!
An' he's as s.p.u.n.ky as you please, an' don't like dogs at all.-- Billy Miller's black-an'-tan tackled him one day, An' ”Greedy” he ist kindo' doubled all up like a ball, An' Billy's dog he gived a yelp er two an' runned away!
An' nen when Billy fighted me, an' hit me with a bone, An' Ma she purt'nigh ketched him as he dodged an' skooted thro'
The fence, she says, ”You better let my little boy alone, Er 'Greedy,' next he whips yer dog, shall whip you, too!”
[Ill.u.s.tration: An' nen when Billy fighted me]
THE OLD HAY-MOW
[Ill.u.s.tration: The Old Hay-Mow--t.i.tle]
The Old Hay-mow's the place to play Fer boys, when it's a rainy day!
I good-'eal ruther be up there Than down in town, er anywhere!
When I play in our stable-loft, The good old hay's so dry an' soft, An' feels so fine, an' smells so sweet, I 'most ferget to go an' eat.
[Ill.u.s.tration: In our hay-mow where I keep store]
An' one time wunst I _did_ ferget To go 'tel dinner was all et,-- An' they had short-cake--an'--Bud he Hogged up the piece Ma saved fer me!
Nen I won't let him play no more In our hay-mow where I keep store An' got hen-eggs to sell,--an' shoo The cackle-un old hen out, too!
An' nen, when Aunty she was here A-visitun from Rensselaer, An' bringed my little cousin,--_he_ Can come up there an' play with me.
But, after while--when Bud he bets 'At I can't turn no summersetts,-- I let him come up, ef he can Ac' ha'f-way like a gentleman!
ON THE SUNNY SIDE
[Ill.u.s.tration: On The Sunny Side--t.i.tle]
Hi and whoop-hooray, boys!
Sing a song of cheer!
Here's a holiday, boys, Lasting half a year!
Round the world, and half is Shadow we have tried; Now we're where the laugh is,-- On the sunny side!
Pigeons coo and mutter, Strutting high aloof Where the sunbeans flutter Through the stable roof.
Hear the chickens cheep, boys, And the hen with pride Clucking them to sleep, boys, On the sunny side!
[Ill.u.s.tration: As a romping boy]