Old cider enough to last him through

The winter ev’nin’. Two quarts would do.

—Just as regular as half-past four

Come round, he’d tackle that cellar door,

As he had for thutty years or more.

And as regular, too, as he took that jug

Aunt Shaw would yap through her old

mug,

“Now, Nathan, for goodness’ sake take care

You allus trip on the second stair;