And loved, long 'fore my dancin'-days wuz over!—

At high noon in yer city,—with yer blame Magnetic-Cars

A-hummin' and a-screetchin' past—and bands and G.A.R.'s

A-marchin'—and fire-ingines.—All the noise, the whole street through,

Wuz lost on me!—I only heerd a whipperwill er two,

It 'peared-like, kindo' callin' 'crost the darkness and the dew,

Them nights afore my dancin'-days wuz over.

T'uz Chused'y-night at Wetherell's, er We'nsd'y-night at Strawn's,

Er Fourth-o'-July-night at uther Tomps's house er John's!—