Page:Comic reciter.pdf/4



That sordid janitor, old Ben, Rousing and growling in his den;
 * "Who's there? I suppose young harum searum.

"'Tis I, my worthy Ben-'tis Harry." "Ay, I thought so, and there you'll tarry: 'Tis past the hour, I've closed the gate, You know my orders; you're too late;
 * I shall lose my place if I undo the door."

"And I," young hopeful interposed, "Shall be expelled, if you refuse."
 * Ben began to snore.

"I'm wet," cries Harry, "to the skin, Hip! holloa, Ben! don't be a ninny, Beneath the gate I've thrust a guinea,
 * So tumble out and let me in."

"Humph," growled the greedy old curmudgeon, Half overjoyed, and half in dudgeon,
 * "There now, you may pass,
 * But make no fuss,

On tiptoe walk, and hold your prate."
 * "Look on the stones, old surly,"

Cries Harry, as he passed the gate; "I've dropp'd a shilling; take the light, You'll find it just outside-good night.' Behold the Porter, in his shirt,
 * Chiding the rain which never stopt,

Roping and groping in the dirt,
 * And all without success;

But that need hardly to be wondered at
 * Because no shilling had been dropt.

So, tired, he gave o'er the search Regain'd the door, and found it fast:
 * With sundry growls and groans he rang--
 * Once, twice, thrice;

When, mingled with giggling, heard the tones of Him
 * Mimicking old Ben:-

"Whose there?
 * It is really a disgrace to ring so loud;

It's past the hour; I've elosed the gate; You know my orders-you're too late;
 * You would not have me lose my place?"

"Pshaw, Mr. Dorrington, remember This is the middle of November;
 * I'm strippd—'tis raining cats and dogs."

“Hush! hush!" quoth Hai, “I'm fast asleep," And then he snored as loud and deep