farm ballads

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Page 77 - WHEN I can read my title clear To mansions in the skies, I bid farewell to every fear, And wipe my weeping eyes.
Page 18 - I'll put it in the agreement, and take it to her to sign. Write on the paper, lawyer — the very first paragraph — Of all the farm and live stock...
Page 56 - Charley went to the poor-master, an' put me on the town. Over the hill to the poor-house — my...
Page 52 - What is the use of heapin' on me a pauper's shame? Am I lazy or crazy? Am I blind or lame? True, I am not so supple, nor yet so awful stout; But charity ain't no favor, if one can live without. I am willin' and anxious an' ready any day To work for a decent livin', an' pay my honest way; For I can earn my victuals, an' more too, I'll be bound, If anybody only is willin
Page 55 - twas only a few days before the thing was done,— They was a family of themselves, and I another one; And a very little cottage one family will do, But I never have seen a house that was big enough for two. An' I never could speak to suit her, never could please her eye, An' it made me independent, an...
Page 19 - I for a time was counted the luckiest man in town. Once when I had a fever — I won't forget it soon — I was hot as a basted turkey and crazy as a loon ; Never an hour went by me when she was out of. sight : She nursed me true and tender, and stuck to me day and night. And if ever a house was tidy, and ever a kitchen clean, Her house and kitchen was tidy as any I ever seen ; And I don't complain of Betsey, or any of her acts, Exceptin' when we've quarrelled and told each other facts.
Page 78 - I pitched it pretty middlin' high, I fetched a lusty tone, But oh, alas ! I found that I Was singing there alone ! They laughed a little, I am told ; But I had done my best ; And not a wave of trouble rolled Across my peaceful breast. And Sister Brown — I could but look — She sits right front of me ; She never was no singin' book, An' never went to be ; But then she al'ays tried to do The best she could, she said ; She understood the time right through, An...
Page 25 - Since then I don't deny but there's been a word or two; But we've got our eyes wide open, and know just what to do: When one speaks cross the other just meets it with a laugh, And the first one's ready to give up considerable more than half. Maybe you'll think me soft, Sir...
Page 18 - But full for a week it lasted, and neither of us spoke. And the next was when I scolded because she broke a bowlv And she said I was mean and stingy, and hadn't any soul. And so that bowl kept pourin...
Page 61 - She didn't faint ; she knelt by my side, An' thanked the Lord, till I fairly cried. An' maybe our ride wasn't pleasant an' gay, An' maybe she wasn't wrapped up that day; An...

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