THE HOODOO.

Owned a pair o’ skates onc't.— Traded

Fer‘ em,— stropped‘ em on and waded

Up and down the crick, a-waitin’

Tel she'd freeze up fit fer skatin’.

Mildest winter I remember —

More like Spring - than Winter-weather!—

Did n't frost tel bout December-

Git up airly ketch a’ feather

Of it, mayby,‘ crost the winder —

Sunshine swinge it like a cinder!

Well — I waited — and kep’ waitin’!

Could n't see my money's w'oth in

Them-air skates and was no skatin’,

Ner no hint o’ ice ner nothin’!

So, one day — along in airly

Spring — I swopped‘ em off — and barely

Closed the dicker,‘ fore the weather

Natchurly jes slipped the ratchet,

And crick — tail-race — all together,

Froze so tight cat could n't scratch it!