Page:Pieces People Ask For.djvu/54

44 That mule kicked hard: he wouldn't leave
 * "Unless de boss said so."

"De boss," unconscious of his plight,
 * Had gone off to the show.

The darky yelled, "See here, boss, say!
 * Mus' I lef dis mule go?"

Just then the boss was miles away,
 * And Cuffee called out "Whoa!"

Quite thick and fast a cloud of dust
 * Arose towards the sky,

And filled the darky's eyes and nose
 * Like flour off hotel pie.

"Say, boss!" again poor Cuffee cried,
 * "Ef 'tain't mos' time I'se gone?"

Naught but the clattering hoofs replied,
 * As the agile mule kicked on.

At last there came a thunderous crash
 * That made the earth resound;

And when the dust and debris passed,
 * The mule could not be found.

That fateful last terrific kick
 * Had struck on Cuffee's head;

And now the mule, a shattered wreck,
 * Lay far off, limp and dead.

. MARY'S LAMB ON A NEW PRINCIPLE.

had a little ram as black as rubber shoe, and everywhere that Mollie went he emigrated too.

He went with her to church one day; the folks hilarious grew, to see him walk demurely into Deacon Allen's pew.

The worthy deacon quickly let his angry passions rise, and gave it an unchristian kick between the sad brown eyes.

This landed rammy in the aisle; the deacon followed fast, and raised his foot again: alas! that first kick was his last.