Page:Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection).djvu/186

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Or makes the big old maple limbs ter squeak
An' groan, then in some sudden lull the crust
Will crack an' snap like ter the sharp report
O' that dread rifle that the red man bears,
An' owls with hideous hoots fill up the gaps.
An' as each tale grows skeerier than the last
The boys draw nearer to the cheerful fire
An' peer inter the gloom with frightened eyes;
An' so they pass the cold un'arthly night
A-chankin' apples an' a-spinnin' yarns
An' skeerin' one another nigh to death
Until the gleamin' stars begin to fade
An' in the east there comes a yaller streak.
An' then they pour the syrup in a tub,
Then hitch it tight upon the ol' hand sled
An' draw it home jest as the breakin' day
Begins to chase the shadows o'er the snow.


MA'S POSY BEDS
When I come hum from work at noon
As tired as I can be,
There is one mighty purty scene
It does me good ter see,
An' that is mother's posy beds,
A-blushin' fit to kill,
With butterflies and bees around,
A-drinkin' o' their fill.

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