Neghborly Poems and Dialect Sketches. Riley James Whitcomb

      Well – this "Coon-dog Wess" he jest

      Moved in that-air little pen

      Of a pole-shed, aidgin' west

      On "The Slues o' Death," called then. —

      Otter- and mink-hunters ust

      To camp thare 'fore game vam-moosd.

      Abul-bodied man, – and lots

      Call fer choppers– and fer hands

      To git cross-ties out. – But what's

      Work to sich as understands

      Ways appinted and is hence

      Under special providence? —

      "Coon-dog Wess's" holts was hounds

      And coon-huntin'; and he knowed

      His own range, and stayed in bounds

      And left work for them 'at showed

      Talents fer it – same as his

      Gifts regardin' coon-dogs is.

      Hounds of ev'ry mungerl breed

      Ever whelped on earth! – Had these

      Yeller kind, with punkin-seed

      Marks above theyr eyes – and fleas

      Both to sell and keep! – Also