Complete Poetical Works

"JIM"

     Say there!  P'r'aps
     Some on you chaps
       Might know Jim Wild?
     Well,—no offense:
     Thar ain't no sense
       In gittin' riled!

     Jim was my chum
       Up on the Bar:
     That's why I come
       Down from up yar,
     Lookin' for Jim.
     Thank ye, sir!  YOU
     Ain't of that crew,—
     Blest if you are!

     Money?  Not much:
       That ain't my kind;
     I ain't no such.
       Rum?  I don't mind,
     Seein' it's you.

     Well, this yer Jim,—
     Did you know him?
     Jes' 'bout your size;
     Same kind of eyes;—
     Well, that is strange:
       Why, it's two year
       Since he came here,
     Sick, for a change.

     Well, here's to us:
         Eh?
     The h—- you say!
         Dead?
     That little cuss?

     What makes you star',
     You over thar?
     Can't a man drop
     's glass in yer shop
     But you must r'ar?
       It wouldn't take
       D——d much to break
     You and your bar.

         Dead!
     Poor—little—Jim!
     Why, thar was me,
     Jones, and Bob Lee,
     Harry and Ben,—
     No-account men:
     Then to take HIM!

     Well, thar—  Good-by—
     No more, sir—I—
         Eh?
     What's that you say?
     Why, dern it!—sho!—
     No?  Yes!  By Joe!
         Sold!

     Sold!  Why, you limb,
     You ornery,
         Derned old
     Long-legged Jim.