The Hoodoo.

Owned a pair o' skates onc't.—Traded Fer 'em,—stropped 'em on and waded Up and down the crick, a-waitin' Tel she'd freeze up fit fer skatin'. Mildest winter I remember— More like Spring- than Winter-weather!— Did n't frost tel bout December- Git up airly ketch a' feather Of it, mayby, 'crost the winder— Sunshine swinge it like a cinder! Well—I waited—and kep' waitin'! Couldn't see my money's w'oth in Them-air skates and was no skatin', Ner no hint o' ice ner nothin'! So, one day—along in airly Spring—I swopped 'em off—and barely Closed the dicker, 'fore the weather Natchurly jes slipped the ratchet, And crick—tail-race—all together, Froze so tight cat couldn't scratch it!