Page:The complete poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar.pdf/80

  down in ole Kentucky
 * Fur a week er two, an' say,

'T wuz ez hard ez breakin' oxen
 * Fur to tear myse'f away.

Allus argerin' 'bout fren'ship
 * An' yer hospitality—

Y' ain't no right to talk about it
 * Tell you be'n down there to see.

See jest how they give you welcome
 * To the best that's in the land,

Feel the sort o' grip they give you
 * When they take you by the hand.

Hear 'em say, "We're glad to have you,
 * Better stay a week er two;"

An' the way they treat you makes you
 * Feel that ev'ry word is true.

Feed you tell you hear the buttons
 * Crackin' on yore Sunday vest;

Haul you roun' to see the wonders
 * Tell you have to cry for rest.

Drink yer health an' pet an' praise you
 * Tell you git to feel ez great

Ez the Sheriff o' the county
 * Er the Gov'ner o' the State,

Wife, she sez I must be crazy
 * 'Cause I go on so, an' Nelse

He 'lows, "Goodness gracious! daddy,
 * Cain't you talk about nuthin' else?"

Well, pleg-gone it, I'm jes' tickled,
 * Bein' tickled ain't no sin;

I be'n down in ole Kentucky,
 * An' I want o' go ag'in.

  shows his indiscretion, Villain's partner makes confession. Juvenile, with golden tresses, Finds her pa and dons long dresses. Scapegrace comes home money-laden, Hero comforts tearful maiden, Soubrette marries loyal chappie, Villain skips, and all are happy.   shall furgit that night when father hitched up Dobbin, An' all us youngsters clambered in an' down the road went bobbin' To school where we was kep' at work in every kind o' weather, But where that night a spellin'-bee was callin' us together. 'Twas one o' Heaven's banner nights, the stars was all a glitter, The moon was shinin' like the hand o' God had jest then lit her. 