New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-11-09
yleir 0rleans Republican
THE VAGABONDs.
BY J. T. TRowBRIDGE.

". are two travellers, Roger and
Rogers my dog-come here, you scamp
jump for the gentlemen-nind your eye'
over the tabe-look cut for the lamp
Five Years we've tramped through wind and
And slept out doors when nights were cold.
And ate and drank-and ved-together.
We've learned what comfort is tell YOU;
A bed on the floor, bit o: rOsin,
Ere to thaw our thumbs poor lel tr"1er,
The paw he holds up there's been Tozen),
Plenty Of catgut fer my fiddle 5000,
Cribs out. door business is bad for strings).
Then few nice buckwbeats hot from the grldo'e
Aud Roger I'D set up for Slngs'
No thank We SRI never drink
Roger and are exceedingly moral
Aren't we Rogeri See him Wink
Well, something hot tben-we e., won't Gs quarrel.
He's thirsty, too-see hlm NOD ms head'
What pity. sir, that do gs can talk!
He understands every word that's SAID
And he knows good milk from water and chalk.
The truth 10, sir, now reflect,
Pye been so sadly given te grog,
wonder I've not lost the respect
Here 9 to you, sir. even OF my dog.
But he sticks by, through thick and thin;
And this old coat, with its empty pockets,
And rage that smell Of tobacco and gin,
He'll follow while he has eyes in his sockete.
There isn't another creature living
Would do it, and prove through every disaster,
No fond. SO faithful and 30 forgiving
To such miserable thankess master.
No sr--see him wag his tail and grin;
By George! il makes nv old eyes water;
That lie, there's something in this gin
That chokcs q fellow. But no matter
Wen have some music if you're willing
And Roger them! what plague 2 cough u.s. siI)
Shall march little: start. you villain!
stand straight Bout facet Salute your officer!
Put up that paw Dressl Take your rife!
tSome dogs have arms, you see.) Now hold your
Cap while the gentleman gives . trife
TO aid a poor old patriot soldier.
march, Halt! Now show how the rebel shakes
When he stands up to hear lis sentence
Now tell us how many drains it takes
To honor jolly new acquaintance.
Five yelps that's fve-he's mighty knowing.
The nights before US, fill the glasses
Quick, sir! I'm ill--my brain is going
Some brandy-thank yOu-there-it passes.
Why not reform That's easily said;
But I've gone through such wretched treatment,
Sometimes forgetting the taste OF bread.
And scarce remembering what meat meant,
That nv poor stomschs past reform;
And there are times when mad with thinking
I'd sell out heaven for something warm
To psep horrible inward sinking.
Is there way. fir, to forget to thiaka
At your age, sir home fortune, friends,
dear girls lOve-but took to drink
The same old story you know how 1t ends.
II YOU could have seen these classic features
You needn't laugh. sir; they were not then
Such burning libel on Gods creatures
I was one OF your handsome men.
Kyou had seen ERR, so fair and young
Whose head WAS happy en- this breast
II YOU could have heard the songs sung
When the wine went round you wouldn't have
guessed
That ever l. sir, should be straying
From door to door, with fiddle and dog
Ragged and penniess, and playing
TO you tonight for glass Of grOg.
Shes married since-a parsons wife;
Twas better for her that should part
Better the sober est, pI Osiest life
Than q blasted home and broken heart.
have seen hert Once; was weak and spent
On the dusty roaC carriage stopped;
But little she dreamed as She went,
Who kissed the coin that her fingers dropped!
You've set me talking, sir I'm sorry;
II makes me wild to think of the change!
What do you care for a beggar's stOryl
Ia it amusngf You find IL strange?
l had mother proud of mel
Twas well for her she died befOre-do YOU know
If the happy spirits in heaven can see
The ruin and wretchedness here bellows
Another gaes, and strong, to deaden
This pain; then Roger and will start.
wonder has he such lumpish. leaden
Aching thing in place Of a hearti
he IL sad sometimes, and would weep, if he could
No doubt, remembering things that were
A virtue us kennel, with plenty Of food,
And himself q sober, Respectable eur.
I'm better now; that glass warming. |
fou rascal timber your law feet
We must be fddling and performing
For supper and bed or starye in the street
Not very gay life to lead, you Think
But soon shall we GO where lodgings are free
And the sleepers need neither victuais nor drink:
The sooner the better for Roger and me!