BALLADS OF DRIVE AND CAMP
Shirts of red and checkered flannel are the
smartest form, by far.
And that gents may chew tobacco was declared
in all ways fit
If they only use discretion as to when and
where they spit.
And above all future cavil, sneer or jeer or vain
disputes,
High was set this social edict: “Gents may
wear their spike-sole boots.”
Then the men of Rapo-genus and the men of
Murphy’s crew
They dissolved their joint convention—they
were near dissolving, too!
And to counteract the action of the water on
the skin
They applied some balmy lotion to the proper
parts within.
Then they danced till ruddy morning, and their
drying garments steamed,
And awful was the shrinkage of those seven-
dollar suits!
And the feet of Murphy’s woodsmen gashed
and slashed and clashed and seamed,
Till a steady rain of slivers rained behind
those bradded boots.
—And all disputes of etiquette were buried once
for all,
At that Christmas social function, the Rapo-
genus Ball.