 | The Writings of Bret Harte |  |
127
PENELOPE
(SIMPSON'S BAR, 1858)
So you've kem 'yer agen,
And one answer won't do?
Well, of all the derned men
That I've struck, it is you.
O Sal! 'yer's that derned fool from Simpson's, cavortin' round 'yer in the dew.
And one answer won't do?
Well, of all the derned men
That I've struck, it is you.
O Sal! 'yer's that derned fool from Simpson's, cavortin' round 'yer in the dew.
Kem in, ef you will.
Thar,—quit! Take a cheer.
Not that; you can't fill
Them theer cushings this year,—
For that cheer was my old man's, Joe Simpson, and they don't make such men about 'yer.
Thar,—quit! Take a cheer.
Not that; you can't fill
Them theer cushings this year,—
For that cheer was my old man's, Joe Simpson, and they don't make such men about 'yer.
He was tall, was my Jack,
And as strong as a tree.
Thar's his gun on the rack,—
Jest you heft it, and see.
And you come a courtin' his widder! Lord! where can that critter, Sal, be!
And as strong as a tree.
Thar's his gun on the rack,—
Jest you heft it, and see.
And you come a courtin' his widder! Lord! where can that critter, Sal, be!
You'd fill my Jack's place?
And a man of your size,—
With no baird to his face,
Nor a snap to his eyes,
And nary—Sho! thar! I was foolin',—I was, Joe, for sartain,—don't rise.
And a man of your size,—
With no baird to his face,
Nor a snap to his eyes,
And nary—Sho! thar! I was foolin',—I was, Joe, for sartain,—don't rise.
128
Sit down. Law! why, sho!
I'm as weak as a gal.
Sal! Don't you go, Joe,
Or I'll faint,—sure, I shall.
Sit down,—anywheer, where you like, Joe,—in that cheer, if you choose,—Lord! where's Sal?
I'm as weak as a gal.
Sal! Don't you go, Joe,
Or I'll faint,—sure, I shall.
Sit down,—anywheer, where you like, Joe,—in that cheer, if you choose,—Lord! where's Sal?
| The Writings of Bret Harte | |