winter’s early dusk

And the rows of critters’ noses, damp with

breath as sweet as musk,

Toss and tease me from the tie-up—ain’t a job

that suits me more

Than the feedin’ of the cattle—that’s the reg’-

lar wind-up chore.

When I grain ’em or I meal ’em—wal, there’s

plenty in the bin,

And I give ’em quaker measure ev’ry time I