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“THE ROSE OF DIXIE”
 
“‘Pa lays around ’n’ loafs all day,’N’ reads and makes us leave him be.He lets me do just like I please,’N’ when I’m bad he laughs at me,’N’ when I holler loud ’n’ sayBad words ’n’ then begin to teaseThe cat, ’n’ pa just smiles, ma’s mad’N’ gives me Jesse crost her knees.  I always wondered why that wuz—  I guess it’s cause   Pa never does.
“‘’N’ after all the lights are outI’m sorry ’bout it; so I creepOut of my trundle bed to ma’s’N’ say I love her a whole heap,’N’ kiss her, ’n’ I hug her tight.’N’ it’s too dark to see her eyes,But every time I do I knowShe cries ’n’ cries ’n’ cries ’n’ cries.  I always wondered why that wuz—  I guess it’s ’cause   Pa never does.’

“That’s the stuff,’ continued Thacker. “What do you think of that?”

“I am not unfamiliar with the works of Mr. Riley,” said the colonel, deliberately. “I believe he lives in Indiana. For the last ten years I have been somewhat of a literary recluse, and am familiar with nearly all the books in the Cedar Heights library. I am also of the opinion that a magazine should contain a certain amount of poetry. Many of the sweetest singers of the

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