Page:Complete Works of James Whitcomb Riley (Bobbs-Merrill, 1916) Volume 1.djvu/58

38 This corn was raised in the old-fashioned way,

And I rather imagine that this corn'll pay

Expenses fer raisin&apos; it!—What do you say?"

Brown got him then to look over his crop.—

His luck that season had been tip-top!

And you may surmise

Smith opened his eyes

And let out a look o' the wildest surprise

When Brown showed him punkins as big as the lies

He was stuffin' him with—about offers he's had

Fer his farm: "I don't want to sell very bad,"

He says, but says he,

"Mr. Smith, you kin see

Fer yourself how matters is standin' with me,

I understand farmin&apos; and I'd better stay,

You know, on my farm;—I'm a-makin' it pay—

I oughtn't to grumble!—I reckon I'll clear

Away over four thousand dollars this year."

And that was the reason, he made it appear,

Why he didn't care about sellin' his farm,

And hinted at his havin' done himself harm

In sellin' the other, and wanted to know

If Smith wouldn't sell back ag'in to him.—So

Smith took the bait, and says he, "Mr. Brown,

I wouldn't sell out but we might swap aroun'—

How'll you trade your place fer mine?"

(Purty sharp way o' comin' the shine

Over Smith! Wasn't it?) Well, sir, this Brown

Played out his hand and brought Smithy down—

Traded with him an', workin' it cute,