A Wife.

Who is it, when one starts for th' day A cheerin word is apt to say, At sends yo leeter on yor way? A wife. An who, when th' wark is done at neet, Sits harknin for yor clogs i'th' street, An sets warm slippers for yor feet? A wife. An who, when yo goa weary in, Bids th' childer mak a little din, An smiles throo th' top o'th' heead to th' chin? A wife. An who, when troubled, vext an tried, Comes creepin softly to yor side, An soothes a grief 'at's hard to bide? A wife. An when yor ommost driven mad, Who quiets yo daan, an calls yo "lad," An shows yo things are nooan soa bad? A wife. Who nivver once forgets that day, When yo've to draw yor bit o' pay, But comes to meet yo hawf o'th' way? A wife. Who is it, when yo hooamward crawl, Taks all yo have, an thinks it small; Twice caants it, an says, "Is this all?" A wife.