XXIII.

The other day a rusty pen got stuck
Away deep in her finger, and she held
Her poor, dear little hand up then and yelled
For me to hurry over there and suck
The poison out, and when I went I struck
My toe against the old man's cuspidor
And rolled about eight feet along the floor
Before I knew what happened, blame the luck!
When I set up and looked around, at last
That long-legged, homely clerk was there, and so
He had her finger in his mouth, and, oh,
I'll bet you I'd 'a' kicked him if I dast!
I never seen the beat the way things go
When there's a chance for me to stand a show.

XXIV.

That homely clerk took her out for a ride
Last Sunday in a buggy, and they rode
Around all through the parks; I wisht I'd knowed
About it, and the horse would kind of shied,
And then got scared and run and kicked, and I'd
Of been a piece ahead and saw him jump
And leave her hangin' on alone, the chump,
And she'd of been so 'fraid she'd nearly died.
Then I'd of give a spring and caught the bit,
And landed on the horse's back, where all
The people there could see me doin' it,
And when I got her saved the crowd would call
Three cheers for me, and then she'd come and fall
Against my buzzum, and he'd have a fit.

XXV.