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James Whitcomb Riley - Tom Johnson`s Quit
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A passel o` the boys last night--
    An` me amongst `em--kindo got
  To talkin` Temper`nce left an` right,
    An` workin` up "blue-ribbon," _hot_;
  An` while we was a-countin` jes`
    How many bed gone into hit
  An` signed the pledge, some feller says,--
        "Tom Johnson`s quit!"

  We laughed, of course--`cause Tom, you know,
    _He`s_ spiled more whisky, boy an` man,
  And seed more trouble, high an` low,
    Than any chap but Tom could stand:
  And so, says I "_He`s_ too nigh dead.
    Far Temper`nce to benefit!"
  The feller sighed agin, and said--
        "Tom Johnson`s quit!"

  We all _liked_ Tom, an` that was why
    We sorto simmered down agin,
  And ast the feller ser`ously
    Ef he wa`n`t tryin` to draw us in:
  He shuck his head--tuck off his hat--
    Helt up his hand an` opened hit,
  An` says, says he, "I`ll _swear_ to that--
        Tom Johnson`s quit!"

  Well, we was stumpt, an` tickled too,--
    Because we knowed ef Tom _had_ signed
  Ther wa`n`t no man `at wore the "blue"
    `At was more honester inclined:
  An` then and there we kindo riz,--
    The hull dern gang of us `at bit--
  An` th`owed our hats and let `er whizz,--
        "_Tom Johnson`s quit!_"

  I`ve heerd `em holler when the balls
    Was buzzin` `round us wus `n bees,
  An` when the ole flag on the walls
    Was flappin` o`er the enemy`s,
  I`ve heerd a-many a wild "hooray"
    `At made my heart git up an` git--
  But Lord!--to hear `em shout that way!--
        "_Tom Johnson`s quit!_"

  But when we saw the chap `at fetched
    The news wa`n`t jinin` in the cheer,
  But stood there solemn-like, an` reched
    An` kindo wiped away a tear,
  We someway sorto` stilled agin,
    And listened--I kin hear him yit,
  His voice a-wobblin` with his chin,--
        "Tom Johnson`s quit--

  "I hain`t a-givin` you no game--
    I wisht I was!... An hour ago,
  This operator--what`s his name--
    The one `at works at night, you know?--
  Went out to flag that Ten Express,
    And sees a man in front of hit
  Th`ow up his hands an` stagger--yes,--
        _Tom Johnson`s quit_."
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