The Runaway Boy

Wunst I sassed my Pa, an' he Won't stand that, an' punished me,-- Nen when he was gone that day, I slipped out an' runned away. I tooked all my copper-cents, An' clumbed over our back fence In the jimpson-weeds 'at growed Ever'where all down the road. Nen I got out there, an' nen I runned some--an' runned again When I met a man 'at led A big cow 'at shooked her head. I went down a long, long lane Where was little pigs a-play'n'; An' a grea'-big pig went 'Booh!' An' jumped up, an' skeered me too. Nen I scampered past, an' they Was somebody hollered 'Hey!' An' I ist looked ever'where, An' they was nobody there. I _Want_ to, but I'm 'fraid to try To go back.... An' by-an'-by Somepin' hurts my throat inside-- An' I want my Ma--an' cried. Nen a grea'-big girl come through Where's a gate, an' telled me who Am I? an' ef I tell where My home's at she'll show me there. But I couldn't ist but tell What's my _name_; an' she says well, An' she tooked me up an' says _She_ know where I live, she guess. Nen she telled me hug wite close Round her neck!--an' off she goes Skippin' up the street! An' nen Purty soon I'm home again. An' my Ma, when she kissed me, Kissed the _big girl_ too, an' _she_ Kissed me--ef I p'omise _shore_ I won't run away no more!