Nye and Riley's Wit and Humor — Spirits at Home

(THE FAMILY)

There was Father, and Mother, and Emmy, and Jane And Lou, and Ellen, and John and me-- And father was killed in the war, and Lou She died of consumption, and John did too, And Emmy she went with the pleurisy.

(THE SPIRITS)

Father believed in 'em all his life-- But Mother, at first, she'd shake her head-- Till after the battle of Champion Hill, When many a flag in the winder-sill Had crape mixed in with the white and red!

I used to doubt 'em myself till then-- But me and Mother was satisfied When Ellen she set, and Father came And rapped "God bless you!"

and Mother's name, And "The flag's up here!"

And we just all cried!

Used to come often after that, And talk to us--just as he used to do, Pleasantest kind!

And once, for John, He said he was "lonesome but wouldn't let on-- Fear Mother would worry, and Emmy and Lou."

But Lou was the bravest girl on earth-- For all she never was hale and strong She'd have her fun!

With her voice clean lost She'd laugh and joke us that when she crossed To father, _we'd_ all come taggin' along.

Died--just that way!

And the raps was thick _That_ night, as they often since occur, Extry loud.

And when Lou got back She said it was Father and her--and "whack!"

She tuck the table--and we knowed _her_!

John and Emmy, in five years more, Both had went.

--And it seemed like fate!

-- For the old home it burnt down,--but Jane And me and Ellen we built again The new house, here, on the old estate.

And a happier family I don't know Of anywheres--unless its _them_-- Father, with all his love for Lou, And her there with him, and healthy, too, And laughin', with John and little Em.

And, first we moved in the new house here, They all dropped in for a long pow-wow.

"We like your buildin', of course," Lou said,-- "But wouldn't swop with you to save your head-- For _we_ live in the ghost of the old house, now!"