Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-06-10
From the Atlantic Monthly
THE VAGABONDS
BYJ. 7. TRowBRIDGE.

We are two travellers, Roger and l,
| Rogers my dog.-COme here, you scamp!
Jump for the gentleman.-mind your eyel
! Over the table,-look out for the lampl-
The rogue Is growing little old;
Five years we've tramped thro' wind and weather
And slept ut-doOrs when nights were cold.
| And ate and drank-and starved together.
We have learned what comfort is, tell you
bed on the floor, bit of rosin,
4 fire TO thaw our thumbs (pOOr fellow
/ The paw he holds up there's been frozen.)
| Plenty of caigut for my fiddle,
CEbis outdoor business Is bad for strings,)
Then few nice buekwheats hot from the griddle
And Roger and set up for kings
No thank ye. Sir.-I never drink;
Roger and / are exceedingly moral
! Areu we, Roger See him wink =
Well. something hot; then,-,Te won't quarrel
He's thirsty. tOO.-see him nod his heady
What pity Sir. that dogs can { talk
He understands every word that's said,-
And he knows good milk from water and-ehalk
The truth is Sir, now 1 reflect,
! I've been SO sadly given to grog,
! | wonder I've not lost the respect
! (Heres TO you, SirD even of my dog.
| But be sticks by me, through thick and thin;
And this old coat, with its empty pockets,
ATd rags that smell of tobacco and gin,
! He'll follow while he has eyes in his sockets.
There isn't smother creature living
/ Would do il and prove, through every disaster,
So fond, SO faithful, and so forgiving,
! To such miserable, thankless master
! No, Sir!-see him wag his tail and grin
! By George it makes my old eyes water!
That is. there 5 something in this gin
| That ehokes fellow. But no matter.
| Wen have some music, if you're willing,
And Roger (heml what plague cough Is Sir ]
! Shall march little. Start, you villain!
Stand straight! Bout face! Salute your otfceT.
Put up tha; pawl Dressl Take your rifeI
! (Some dogs have arms. you see D Now hold your
Cap while the gentlemen give triae,
To aid poor old patriot soldier!
March! Halt! Now show how the rebel shakes.
When he stands up to hear his sentence.
Now tell us how many drains II takes
To honor a jolly new acquaintance,
Five yelps-that's five: he's mighty knowing
The nights before US, I'LL the glasses
Quick Sir. I'm ill.-my brain IS going!-
Some brandy,-thank you,-there lit passes
Why not reform? That's essily said;
But I've gone through such wretched treatment.
Sometime forgetting the taste of bread
And scarce remembering what meat meant.
That my poor stOmach's past reform;
And there are times wheI, mad with thinking.
I'd sell out heaven for something warm
To prop horrible inward sinking.
Is there way to forget to think?
At your age Sir, home, fortune, friends,
A dear girls love,-but took TO drink:
The same old story; you know how it ends
If you could have seen these classic features
You needn't laugh Sir: they were not then
Such burning libel on Gods creatures;
was one of your handsome mem
If you could have seen HER, so fair and young,
Whose head was happy on this breastl
If you could have heard the songs sung lguessed
When the wine went round, you wouldn't have
That ever 1, Sir should be straying,
From door to door, with fiddle and dog,
Ragged and penniless, and playing
To You tonight for glass of grog
She's married since.-a parsons wife;
Twas b. tier for her that we should part
Better the soberest, prosiest life
Than blasted home and broken heart.
I have her Once. L weak and spent
On the dusty road: a carriage stopped:
But little she dreamed, as on she went,
Who kissed the coin that her fingers droppedl
You have set me talking. Sir; I'm sorry;
1t makes me wild to think of the change!
What do you care for beggar's story?
1t Is amusing? you find it strange?
had mother so proud OF me!
Twas well she died before Do you know
If the happy spirits in heaven can see
The ruin and wretehedness here below?
Another glass; and strong to deaden
This pain: then Roger and l will start.
I wonder has he such a lumpish. leaden.
Aching thing. in place of hearth
He is sad sometime, and would weep, II be could,
No doubt remembering things that were,-
virtuOus kennel. with plenty of food,
And himself sober, respectable cur.
I'm better now that glass was warming
Yon rascal timber your lazy feet!
We must be fiddiing and performing
For supper and bed, or starve in the street.
Not a very gay life to lead you think?
But soon we shall go where lodgings are free,
And the sleepers need neither victuals nor drln k
The sooner. the better for Roger and mel