XXIII.

The other day a rusty pen got stuck Away deep in her finger, and she held Her poor, dear little hand up then and yelled For me to hurry over there and suck The poison out, and when I went I struck My toe against the old man's cuspidor And rolled about eight feet along the floor Before I knew what happened, blame the luck!

When I set up and looked around, at last That long-legged, homely clerk was there, and so He had her finger in his mouth, and, oh, I'll bet you I'd 'a' kicked him if I dast! I never seen the beat the way things go When there's a chance for me to stand a show.