Just Folks

The Old, Old Story

          I have no wish to rail at fate,
            And vow that I'm unfairly treated;
          I do not give vent to my hate
            Because at times I am defeated.
          Life has its ups and downs, I know,
            But tell me why should people say
          Whenever after fish I go:
            "You should have been here yesterday"?

          It is my luck always to strike
            A day when there is nothing doing,
          When neither perch, nor bass, nor pike
            My baited hooks will come a-wooing.
          Must I a day late always be?
            When not a nibble comes my way
          Must someone always say to me:
            "We caught a bunch here yesterday"?

          I am not prone to discontent,
            Nor over-zealous now to climb;
          If victory is not yet meant
            For me I'll calmly bide my time.
          But I should like just once to go
            Out fishing on some lake or bay
          And not have someone mutter: "Oh,
            You should have been here yesterday."

          The Pup

          He tore the curtains yesterday,
            And scratched the paper on the wall;
          Ma's rubbers, too, have gone astray—
            She says she left them in the hall;
          He tugged the table cloth and broke
            A fancy saucer and a cup;
          Though Bud and I think it a joke
            Ma scolds a lot about the pup.

          The sofa pillows are a sight,
            The rugs are looking somewhat frayed,
          And there is ruin, left and right,
            That little Boston bull has made.
          He slept on Buddy's counterpane—
            Ma found him there when she woke up.
          I think it needless to explain
            She scolds a lot about the pup.

          And yet he comes and licks her hand
            And sometimes climbs into her lap
          And there, Bud lets me understand,
            He very often takes his nap.
          And Bud and I have learned to know
            She wouldn't give the rascal up:
          She's really fond of him, although
            She scolds a lot about the pup.