The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-10-31
THE ARGONAUTs RETURN.

IL amt no use, Ben this don't look right you SCI
These diggin's round here all strange to me.
There's not person here but you what know,
And none o. the rest cares red for Old Joe
Nv schoolmates are scattered; some are here; bu
still
More of em sleep under the grass of that hill.
And that dear little girl Ben God bless her !-tha
That prettiest and best girl under the sun
Has been Dead how long did you say" Tel
years ?"
Well, it may seem strange, but can't help sheddin
tears;
For rye liked that girl ever since I've been gone,
And always hoped some time to make her my own
I worked hard to do this saved all o. my dust:
Was honest and sober, ceptin' my regular bust
With the boys in the gulch on Fourth of July
(On which day, AZ rule, we never keep dry;
Never bucked at faro played cards and all that
But once then they went for me,-laid me flat
On bedrock with not a color in purse.
when think of that, Ben, can't help but curse
/ was ruined couldn't come home, was too proud
And for many days thought of death and shrou a
But rallied again, and once more male n strike
In Rattlesnake Guch-struck by me aud Big Mike
But good many years had gone by. you see, Ben,
And couldn't tell if she liked me (; and then
I'd got lookn strange, besides losin' this har
That blasted red lifted down on Scott Bar.
My skin was brown, and my hands were 80 tough,
My manners 80 bunghn, and my speech was 90
rough,
That hadn't the heart, Ben to ask one so fair
To become the pardner of Old Joe Adair.
% She loved me till death" ELI? Well, will take
All the blame butt was the greatest mistake
A I've made in the whole OF my life,
didn't como back here and make her my wife.
I thought of this after, for all of us do
Think of prospect like this here round you;
Good home bright children and nice little wife;
Yes, we think o. these things, you bet yer sweet
life!
But, Ben, one word more here, my old friend and
true:
Let me give them brick to your children and you,
/ want you to raise 'em to love old flag,
And ground-suce all traitors as touch the old rag.
Tell 'em to stand by it with saber and lead,
And send up the fume every enemys head;
Tell em labor is honest; teach EN- these facts,
And not to judge men by their clothes, Dut thelr
acts.
Spose man does work, swings pick in a mine?
He may have n good heart if his clothes amt fine;
And, if his hearts all right. there can't be doubt
Though he is ever so poor, he'll always pan out.
And as for religion,-well, Ben, on that score,
You knows more than mel guess a good deal
more.
I can sink good shaft, run up ditch,
But don't know much about psalms and all SIGH.
I've thought Of EN- tho; and, if a man is true,
Hurts nobody, and gives to each one his due,
He'll have a good claim for stake anyway,
when his steamer-day comes, as it will some day.
Then there's no use to try, for here can't stay,
And tomorrow, Ben, I'll drift back to the Bay.
No got plenty dust here and lots o. friends thar;
I'll reach Frisco in sx-then three to the bar.
And once more in camp, where I've driven my
stakes.
III wait till I'm told to pass in my checks
But, till I'm coralled, Ben, or while l can think.
Jest count me as your friend. Come, les take n
drink.