Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-10-15
==Oa Dit
FAVORlT IS
The Vagabonds.
"OOS0ON~O%~

jump lOr lne PeHtleueIl-illuu yum eye
over the table-look out for the lamp.
The rogue is growing a little old;
Five years we've tramped through
wind and weather.
And slept outdoors when nights were
cold,
And ate and drank-and starved to-
gether.
We've learned what comfort Ia, tell
you.
A bed on the floor, a bit Of rosin,
A fire to thaw our thumbs (poor fellow!
The paw he holds up there's been
frozen,
Plenty of catgut for my fiddle
| (rhis outdoor business is bad for the
strngs),
Then few nice buckwheats hot from
the grddle,
And Roger and l set up for kings!
No, thank We, sir-I never drink;
Roger and / are exceedingly moral
| Aren't we, Roger? see him wink
Well, something hot, THEY'VE won't
quarrel.
He's thirsty, too-see him nod his head!
What a pity, sir, that dogs can't talk!
He understands every word that's said
And he knows good milk from water
and chalk.
The truth Is, sir, now l reflect,
I've been so sadly given to grog,
l wonder I've not lost the respect
Quere's to you, sir9 even of my dog.
But he sticks by through thick and thin;
A,,I ic wi k
cts,
He'll follow while he has eyes in his
sockets.
There isn't another creature living
Would do it, and prove, through every
disaster,
SO fond, so faithful, and 80 forgiving,
To such miserable, thankless master!
No, sir-see him wag his tail and grin!
BY George! 1t makes my old eyes
water!
That is, there's something In this gin
That chokes a fellow. But no matter!
Well have some music, If you're willing,
And Roger chem! what a plague
cough Is, sirD
Shall march little. Start. you villain!
Stand straight; Bout face! Salute
your officer!
Put up that paw! Dress! Take your
rifle!
(Some dogs have arms, you seeD Now
hold your
Cap while the gentlemen give trife
To aid poor old patriot soldier!
March! Halt! Now show how the rebel
shakes
When he stands up to hear his SEN
tence.
Now tell us how many drains 1t takes
To honor jolly new acquaintance.
Five yelps-that's FIVE; 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! 1t
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 my poor stomach's past REFORM
And there are times when, mad with
thinking.
I'd sell out heaven for something warm
To prop a horrible inward sinking.
Is there a way to forget to think7
| At your age, sir, home, fortune,
friends,
A dear girls love-but took to drink
A. rtn l.
ends.
If you could have seen these classic fea-
| You needn't laugh, sir; they were not
Such a burning libel on Gods creatures !;
was one Of your handsome men
If you had seen her, 30 fair and young,
Whose head was happy on this breast!
If you could have heard the songs
sung
When the wine went round, you
wouldn't have guessed
That ever |, 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 better for her that we should
part
Better the soberest, prosiest life
Than blasted home and q broken
heart.
l have seen her. once; was weak and
spent
On the dusty road, carriage stopped
But little she dreamed, as on she went,
Who kissed the coin that her fingers
dropped!
You've set me talking, sir; I'm sorry;
1t makes me wild to think of the
change!
What do you care for beggar's story?
Is 1t amusing? you find it strange?
had a mother so proud of me.
Twas we'll she died before-Do you
know
If the happy spirits in heaven can see
The ruin and wretchedness here below
Another glass, and strong, to deaden
This pain; then Roger and | will start.
I wonder. has he such lumpsh. leaden,
Aching thing, in place of a heart?
He is sad sometimes, and would weep If
he could,
No doubt, remembering things that
were