"What is it, Jimmie?" asked Morton.
"Well, kin I have it?"
"You can have anything I can give you, my boy; but what is it?"
"I want der gospel wagon and white horses fer picnic day."
"Now, what in the world do you want with a thing like that?" asked Morton.
"Didn't yer say dat everybody was invited ter der picnic?" asked
Jimmie.
"Yes, that's what I said."
"Well, I want ter take der Bucktown gang what can't go dere by demselves, and I want der wagon ter haul 'em. Der's more 'an twenty of 'em 'at can't go dere in street cars. Der's one-winged Bob, Hump Rumpord, Goosefoot Sus, Stumpie-der-shine, Nigger Mose, Hop Hawkins, Blind Billy, der pianer player at Dolly's, 'sides those nigger kids of Griffin's 'at's been sick all winter, and 'sides, Mrs. Rollins says Swipsey can go wid me if I'll take care of 'im. He near died wid der dipteria and he's just gittin' over it."
"Well, can you run such an excursion, if I get a good man to drive the team?" said Morton.
"Kin 'er duck swim? 'Course I kin run her. Kin I have her?" asked Jimmie.