Riley Farm-Rhymes

OLD WINTERS ON THE FARM

     I have jest about decided
       It 'ud keep a town-boy hoppin'
       Fer to work all winter, choppin'
     Fer a' old fireplace, like I did!
     Lawz! them old times wuz contrairy!—
       Blame' backbone o' winter, 'peared-like
       WOULDN'T break!—and I wuz skeered-like
     Clean on into FEB'UARY!
       Nothin' ever made me madder
     Than fer Pap to stomp in, layin'
     In a' extra forestick, say'in',
       "Groun'-hog's out and seed his shadder!"