Before Bedtime

The cat sleeps in a chimney jam

With ashes in her fur,

An’ Tige, from on the yuther side,

He keeps his eye on her.

The jar o’ curds is on the hearth,

An’ I'm the one to turn it.

I'll crawl in bed an’ go to sleep

When maw begins to churn it.

Paw bends to read his almanax

An’ study out the weather,

An’ bud has got a gourd o’ grease

To ile his harness leather.

Sis looks an’ looks into the fire,

Half-squintin’ through her lashes,

An’ I jis watch my tater where

It shoots smoke through the ashes.