Nye and Riley's Wit and Humor — A Treat Ode

[Illustration: A Treat Ode] "Scurious-like," said the treetoad, "I've twittered fer rain all day;

And I got up soon, And hollered till noon-- But the sun hit blazed away, Till I jest clumb down in a crawfish-hole Weary at heart, and sick at soul!

"Dozed away fer an hour, And I tackled the thing agin;

And I sung, and sung, Till I knowed my lung Was jest about to give in;

And then, thinks I, ef it don't rain now, There're nothin' in singin' anyhow.

"Once in a while some farmer Would come a driven' past And he'd hear my cry, And stop and sigh-- Till I jest laid back, at last, And I hollered rain till I thought my throat Would bust wide open at ever' note!

"But I _fetched_ her!

--O I _fetched_ her!

-- 'Cause a little while ago, As I kindo' set With one eye shet, And a-singin' soft and low, A voice drapped down on my fevered brain Sayin',--'Ef you'll jest hush I'll rain!'

" "Our Wife"