Nye and Riley's Wit and Humor — Sutters Claim

IMITATED.

Say!

_you_ feller!

_You_-- With that spade and the pick!

-- What do you 'pose to do On this side o' the crick?

Goin' to tackle this claim?

Well, I reckon You'll let up agin purty quick!

No bluff, understand,-- But the same has been tried, And the claim never panned-- Or the fellers has lied,-- For they tell of a dozen that tried it, And quit it most onsatisfied.

The luck's dead agin it!

-- The first man I see That stuck a pick in it Proved _that_ thing to me,-- For he sorto took down, and got homesick, And went back whar he'd orto be!

Then others they worked it Some--more or less, But finally shirked it, In grades of distress,-- With an eye out--a jaw or skull busted, Or some sort o' seriousness.

The _last_ one was plucky-- He wasn't afeerd, And bragged he was "lucky," And said that "he'd heerd A heep of bluff-talk," and swore awkard He'd work any claim that he keered!

Don't you strike nary lick With that pick till I'm through;

This-here feller talked slick And as peart-like as you!

And he says: "I'll abide here As long as I please!"

But he didn't....

He died here-- And I'm his disease!

Seeking to Be Identified CHICAGO, Feb.

20, 1888.