The Farmer Talks

HERE 's a letter from John in th' city, Ain't heard from him now fer a year; Yes, his handwritin' s stylish an' pretty, An' rounded an' wonderf'ly clear; Says he hopes we are all well an' thrivin', Remarks that June's been rather cool, But I know jes' at what he is drivin' When he says that the kids have done school. Don't hear much from John through the winter, Excep' when I go into town, An' then he don't even begin ter Warm up or git rid of his frown; Guess he ain't fond of much entertainin', An' mebbe thinks I am a fool, Yet, I know jes' why he's explainin' The kids will be soon out of school. Poor John ain't got much excep' trouble, A mortgage or two an' some debts. An' I sell a hog fer jes' double The weekly amount that he gets; But still John is given ter braggin', In the city that's often the rule; An' his wife is eternally naggin'— So the kids will be soon out of school. Well, I guess that I'll send fer 'em, Jenny, Though I ain't got much use fer John, An' I wouldn't favor him any, But now that th' summer is on, Those youngsters need sunshine, I 'm thinkin', An' air that is fresh an' is cool; I 'm writin' him — darn me, I 'm blinkin'— To send 'em when they 're out of school.