The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-09-08
Waiting for Cuek.
On listen all We sinners well,
Give heed unto the tale III tell:

Give heed unto the tale I'll tell:
Three robbers, once upon time,
Came visiting this Northern cline;
Their names were Mike, and Hike, and Spike
Respectively, -these names you'll like.
The place they left was made too hot
For them. They sought a cooler spot.
| Arriving, then on Northern ground,
For easy jobs they looked around;
And soon they found safe to crack,
Containing Doodle by the pack;
Agreed upon night in which
To do the job without hitch.
Meanwhile each went his own sweet way;
They knew enough not to get gay,
For idiotic gayRess spoils
The best laid schemes, the hardest tolls.
At times men of uncommon sense
Are ruined by Over-cOntidence,
And clever crooks believe the old
Wise saw, which says ''Silence is gold"
They lived apart; but on the day
Appointed, by a different way
They went to meet in Spikes saloon.
In back room they gathered soon,
And there discussed their plans anew.
1t soon appeared there was a screw
Loose somewhere, for Hike had no heart
To toe the mark and act his part.
Indeed don't know what to say
A rabbit crossed my tra ok today;
I'm sure it means bad luck" said Hike.
"You bet your boots.it does!" said Spike;
"And what's still worse" continued he,
! "a black cat sat and sneezed at me!
| Besides, a looking-glass broke,
| And heard the crows ill-bOding croak."
"O'er my left shoulder saw the moon,
| Just as l entered Spikes salOOn,''
| In mournful tones, said frightened Hike.
ut means bad luck to u.s." said Spike.
| So ran the talk. Mike sat the while
And smiled a broad, sarcastic smile.
| He had no fears of moons or cats,
Or broken glass, or crows, or bats;
A rascal of the newest school
Was he, but yet he was no fool.
"You fellows are afraid" sneered Mike.
THE h-ll you say!" growed Hike and Spike.
"YOu are two fools! The jobs Snap!''
| Maybe; we don't care a rap
What you may think, or what you do;
| If you don't like our way, go top
"Come now, it's time to co." said Mike.
we IL uOI ~ uOW, sdlu uihc duu Oplhcs
Mike thought it better to be gone
He went and did the job alone;
The safe he opened with maui
And other tools-great was his haul;
He filed his grip, and pockets, too,
With gold and greenbacks; then he flew.
Awhile he wandered here and there,
Enjoying life free from all care,
Then quit his petty thieving tricks,
Went home and entered politics,
Became man of great renOwn-
He runs the burg, he owns the town.
His friends and enemies alike
Sing loud the praise of Honest Nike"
But Hike and Spike swore on the book
IT'S always best to wait for luck.
At last when all the signs were right
They tried their luck; but luck that night
Paid no attention to the signs
Luck cuts some awful mOnkey-shines!-
The sheriff caught them in the act;
| Great was their sorrow; that's fact.
| In clover now lives Honest Mike;"
In prison, both, are Hike and Spike.
A word of warning now is due:
This tales not altogether new,
Nor is it written to uphold
| The ways of evil-dOers bold;
For in the end it never pays
To wander in the wicked's ways.
Even Honest Mike" admits that he
Is from remorse not always free;
But in the game of politics
He can't regard his cOnscience's pricks.
So much the worse; let's pity him;
He's filed with troubles to the brim,
And all his present wealth and fame
Cannot blot out his former shame.
As for the writer of this song
He's honest as the day is long;
And more so, for some days are short.
His honesty's not of that sort.
The moral which he hopes this tale
viii to tn expectant world exhale
ID merely this: Get wealth by hook
Or crook, but never wait for luck.
Remember aye the tale of Mike
And his two partners, Hike and Spike.
! AUTOLYCUs