[!-- H2 anchor --]

THE LOST PARDNER

I ride alone and hate the boys I meet.

Today, some way, their laughin' hurts me so.

I hate the mockin'-birds in the mesquite—

And yet I liked 'em just a week ago.

I hate the steady sun that glares, and glares!

The bird songs make me sore.

I seem the only thing on earth that cares

'Cause Al ain't here no more!